Never Say Never (Haven Harbor #3)

Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

MY NAUGHTY FUCKING GIRL

D aisy

The next morning, I wake up to the feel of Tucker’s mouth kissing a trail over the curve of my shoulder, the arch of my back nestled into the warmth of his body. The scent of Tucker is the next thing that floods my senses, followed by the realization that it’s his birthday. That means it’s also mine.

“Happy birthday,” he whispers against my shoulder in a raspy morning voice.

Turning in his arms, I stretch my leg over his hip before I plant a soft kiss to his pillowy lips. “Happy Birthday to you too.”

He frowns when I untangle myself from his body. Reaching under my bed, I pull out his gift, which I stashed there last night.

I watch him smile as I hold it out to him, flopping back into bed. “I got you something.”

He takes the large, wrapped box from me and sits up in bed to unwrap it. He pulls away the layers of green and gold tissue paper to reveal the framed 11 x 14 image of Tucker on the sidelines at the moment he won the Division 2 national championship game. His hands are in the air, his smile wide, green and gold confetti in the air. In that moment, he was as beautiful as I’ve ever seen him.

He looks speechless when he pulls the frame from the box. “Where did you get this?”

“The image?”

He nods, taking in the photo.

“I contacted the team photographer. Might have told him I was your sister so he would share it with me.”

“Rebel.” He chuckles before pulling my face to his, kissing the life out of me.

I smile, fluttering my eyelashes at him. “Worth it.”

“It’s amazing, Dais. Thank you.” Tucker leans into me pressing a long and lingering kiss to my lips. “I have something for you too,” he says before climbing out of bed and reaching into his overnight bag. My eyes sparkle up at him when he hands me a little silver box. Plucking at the white ribbon wrapped around it, I open the box and gasp. I stare at the necklace, a thin gold chain with a diamond pendant attached. A daisy. I told him that I love anything with a daisy on it at the diner months ago, but I never expected him to remember. Does he have any idea how much this gift means to me?

“I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe you remembered.”

“Happy birthday, Daisy.” His knuckles brush over my cheek and I lean into the touch. “I remember everything you say. Here, let me help you.”

Tucker opens the clasp and then moves behind me, placing the dainty gold chain around my neck. “I want you to wear it on your trip, so you feel close to me,” he says before kissing the back of my neck and putting my hair back in place.

My fingers brush over the pendant as emotion clogs my throat. “I love it so much. I’m never taking it off.”

“It looks pretty on you.” He smiles back at me before hopping out of bed again. “That’s not all. Stay here. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”

“What are you doing?”

“Celebrating my girl’s birthday.”

“It’s your birthday too.”

“It’ll be my birthday tonight when I tie you to my bed, spread your legs wide and eat you instead of my birthday cake because it’s my birthday and having a taste of you is my favourite thing in the world,” he says with a wink, before disappearing into the hallway.

Fifteen minutes later, he walks back into the room wearing only the silly pajama pants I bought him for Christmas with his face plastered all over them, and he has a cup of tea and two lemon cupcakes that I recognize from Buttercup Bakery in his hand.

“Breakfast for the birthday girl.” He hands me the plate before grabbing the TV remote and opening the blinds.

“Shit, rebel. I couldn’t have planned this better if I tried. Do you see this?”

I sit up in bed, following his gaze to the window, where I notice it’s raining. I cock my head to the side, wondering how this is a good thing. Tucker starts rifling through my drawer until he finds a pair of my craziest fuzzy socks and one of his RPU T-shirts that I stole.

“What is going on?” I ask him as he slips into bed beside me handing me the T-shirt and socks, looking like he’s clearly up to something.

“Put these on. We’re doing all your favorite things today, Daisy.” He stacks two pillows against my headboard, leans back and opens his legs wide, patting the spot between them. Once I’ve slipped the cotton over my head and shoved my feet into the socks, I move so I’m sitting between his legs. “We’re going to watch a movie in bed while I play with your hair, and can you believe it… it’s raining. Just the way my birthday girl likes it.”

I turn to face him, my eyes wide. “Tuck…”

“Is this okay? We can go out for breakfast if you want, or we can head down to White Harbor? Go shopping? Whatever you want, Daisy.” He nervously rattles off the list of activities while my heart expands in my chest.

I could just tell him that this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, birthday or not. Instead, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his mouth to mine.

“I take it I did good,” he says through a smile when we break the kiss. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I really wanted to make you happy.”

Oh. My. God. Okay, I might never recover from that. I take his face in my hands, and tell him, “It’s perfect. You’ve set the bar. I will compare all other birthdays to this one. So yes, Tucker, you have made me very happy.”

“I’m glad.” He kisses my forehead, followed by my nose then my mouth. “So, it’s better than our 13 th birthday when I smashed your face into the cake and then told Addy to push you in the pool?”

I laugh into my hands. “Oh my god, remember how mad I was at you? I didn’t talk to you for a week.”

“When I tried to apologize you called me an assclown,” Tucker says, cracking up. “You yelled it, actually, in the hallway at school. I never forgot that.”

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t very nice of me. Even if you were being an assclown.”

“You can apologize to me later. I have ideas.”

“Before or after you tie me up and eat me for dessert?”

He presses his lips to mine. “My naughty fucking girl.”

Then he’s scrolling through Netflix with my head on his chest until he finds Wedding Crashers and hits play.

It feels like it did when we were kids, except so much better. I swallow a moan when his hand makes the first run through my hair, and all I can feel is my heartbeat behind my chest, the way my skin erupts in shivers.

Tucker plays with my hair in silence as I listen to the steady beat of his heart, my hand drawing circles on his abs. Tears pool in my eyes, and I swipe them away, grateful that he can’t see my face.

“I’m going to do a shitty job of pretending you’re not my girlfriend tonight, you know,” he murmurs as his hands brush my shoulder. “Apparently, it’s obvious how much I like you. That’s what the guys tell me anyways.”

I prop my chin on my hand, glancing up at him. “We could always just tell them.”

“We could, but I think we should we wait until after our birthday. It’s been such a good morning; I don’t want to ruin our day with a big fight.”

Tucker is right. I don’t want to ruin our day together either. I sit up, straddling his waist, and then I pull his RPU shirt over my head. I kiss him until we’re both breathless before taking off his pajama pants, lining myself up with his already weeping cock and lowering myself onto him. Then I show him with my actions and not my words how madly in love with him I am.

As we walk the stone pathway to my parents’ front door, I’m wondering if I am ready to be here, my anxiety already spiraling. Do I have it in me to be cordial to Tuck’s dad? Will his parents suspect that we’re together? And when we finally do tell them, how will they react?

“You’re nervous,” Tucker says, looking concerned.

“I’m not nervous.” I quip back.

“Daisy.” He frowns. “I’ve known you all my life. I know when you’re nervous.”

“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” I say, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I take a deep breath. It’s just Sunday dinner, we’ve been doing this for over 26 years. Well, sort of. I’ve never been Tucker’s girlfriend before, and I am a freaking stressed. I am also wondering how I’m going to look my Uncle Mark in the eye. I’m still so angry with him.

Tucker’s warm hand settles on the base of my spine. And just that little bit of contact is enough to settle my nerves.

“They don’t know that we’re together now, but we’re going to have to tell them soon.”

“I know, just not tonight,” I remind him. “Let’s try to enjoy our birthday.”

My heart is racing by the time we walk into the kitchen. The moment I see Tucker’s dad, my back stiffens. He is standing at the kitchen island pouring himself a glass of wine. His stance is cocky, as it always is. I used to think it was confidence, now all I see is arrogance.

“Happy Birthday, sweetheart,” my mom says, putting her arm around my shoulder and squeezing me tight. “And you two, Tuck.” She pulls Tuck into her other side.

My uncle’s dress shoes tap against the tile floor as he walks toward us, and I have to force a polite smile onto my face when he stands in front of me. Typically, I would give him a big hug when I see him, but after everything Tucker has told me, I’m finding it difficult to even say hello.

“Happy birthday, Daisy. I can’t believe it’s been 27 years since the day you and my son were born.” My body stiffens when his arms reach for me, and with an uneasy smile, I reluctantly step into his arms. I know how bizarre it must look to everyone else in the room when I greet my uncle so cooly, but it’s the best I’m able to do.

Thankfully, the awkward moment passes quickly as my dad and my Aunt Daisy are waiting to give me a birthday hug, followed by Addy and Jonathan.

“Let’s get you a glass of wine,” Tuck says with his warm hand pressed softly into the small of my back, sensing the tension.

“Good idea,” my mom says with a giant smile, clearly excited to see Tucker and I together as a couple for the first time.

Tucker hands me a glass of Riesling and I follow his sister to the living room to sit near the fireplace. I tuck my foot underneath me and curl up on the couch with my wine, enjoying the fire.

“Everything okay?” Addy asks, sitting next to me. Clearly, I’m doing a shitty job of hiding my emotions.

“Yeah, I’m fine. How is everything with you?”

She shifts in her seat, turning toward me. “Are you sure everything is okay? Something seems off with you. My brother is acting strange too.”

“I promise you, I’m fine. I’m just tired. I went out for my birthday, and I guess I didn’t get enough sleep.”

“Did you at least have a good night?”

“I had a great night.” God if she only knew just how good. “What did you get up to this weekend?”

I listen to Addy tell me about the new restaurant Jonathan took her to, the weekend getaway they’re planning, the documentary she watched on Netflix. Eventually, we are joined in the living room by my mom and Aunt Daisy. My dad and Uncle Mark are chatting at the bar, mixing drinks.

“Can I make you a special birthday drink, Daisy?” my dad asks over his shoulder.

“That actually sounds nice, Dad,” I tell him, thinking it could help to take the edge off. “But not too strong.”

“Your dad has no idea how to make a weak drink,” my mom says. “Randy, you are an accessory to a bad hangover.”

He laughs. “I should make you one of these, Victoria. Might get me lucky tonight.”

“In your dreams.” My mom laughs, rolling her eyes.

Tucker emerges from the kitchen with Jonathan just as my dad hands me the drink. I try not to let my disappointment show when Tuck sits on the couch next to his sister instead of the empty spot next to me. I’m not ready for our parents to know about our relationship, but my body craves his attention. Even from the other side of the couch, I am hyper-aware of his presence. God, I wish we could just get tonight over with.

I’ve dated other guys, but no one has ever made me want them like Tucker does. What will I do when I leave for Italy? How will I ever survive the distance when I’m sitting here sulking over not being able to sit next to him?

“So, son, I was talking to Jack Mayers last night,” Tucker’s dad says, sinking into the high-backed chair across from us. “His daughter just broke up with her fiancé. You remember Julianna. She’s a nice girl, you should think about taking her out.”

Julianna Mayers is a gorgeous blonde with big, brown eyes and a body that rivals any swimsuit model. She is also the daughter of a very wealthy doctor. I don’t know her well, but I’ve met her at the country club, where my parents are also members. There’s no way I can hold a candle to a girl like Julianna. Irritated, I grip my martini glass so tightly that it tips, spilling down my shirt.

“Shit,” I mutter, and in a split second, Tucker is up on his feet, handing me a napkin and taking my drink from my hand. His eyes meet mine briefly before he retreats to his spot on the couch, and he looks apologetic. As soon as Tucker sits down, his dad immediately continues where he left off. “She was asking about you, Tucker. Told me to congratulate you when I saw you next on your big win. I told her you’d give her a call.”

“I’m not interested in Julianna, Dad,” Tucker says in a frustrated tone.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t be. She’s a gorgeous girl.”

“I told you, I’m not interested .”

Relief floods through me, but I’m still wound tight at the thought of a girl like Julianna Mayers being interested in Tucker. My Tucker. I take a deep breath, careful to keep the fa?ade in place.

“I’m going to check on dinner,” my mom announces, breaking the awkward silence.

“Let me help you,” Aunt Daisy says, looking at Uncle Mark and adding, “Honey, can you check the wine fridge for a nice bottle to have with dinner?”

As soon as our parents have left the room, Addy relaxes into the couch, looking from me to Tucker. “So, are you two going to make me ask the obvious, or should I just assume?” My eyes widen in surprise. I should have known that Addy wouldn’t be easy to fool—she knows me almost as well as her brother does. When Tucker opens his mouth to answer her, I stop him. I don’t want to lie to her.

“We’re together, Addy, but we’re not ready to tell our—"

“For the love of Pete, it took you long enough,” she says, interrupting me.

Tucker looks at me, his lips tipping up in amusement. Maybe this will go better than we expected.

“How could you keep this from me?” Addy’s voice is a loud whisper.

“It all kinda just happened,” Tucker explains. “And we aren’t sure how everyone will take it.”

“You mean how Dad will take it.”

“Mainly.” Tucker agrees with his sister.

“Oh, who cares what he thinks? Besides, even if he’s not excited about it at first, he’ll come around. He might just need a little time.”

Tucker looks skeptical. “And if he doesn’t, I couldn’t give a fuck.”

“Well, I’m thrilled. And Aunt Victoria and Uncle Randy will be fine,” Addy continues. “So will Mom. Dad might throw a fit, but you’re used to his shit by now. It’s nothing you can’t handle.”

“Point made. Now, can we change the subject before someone hears us?” I ask. “I want to know all about the hotel Jonathan took you to.”

“Oh, it was to die for!” Addy leans forward in her chair, slipping her phone out of her pocket, and scrolling through her camera roll. “Just look at this pool, Daisy.”

I look across the couch to Tucker and when our eyes meet, he winks. Maybe this will all work out after all.

After dinner, Tucker and I are the first to leave. Neither of us can stand to be there another minute, but even more than that, we’re both aching to touch one another. My muscles are stiff, my jaw tight from the act I just put on in front of Tucker’s dad. It wasn’t easy to look him in the eye and not tell him how much he has hurt me. It also wasn’t easy to lie to Aunt Daisy and my dad about being in a relationship with Tuck. I get in Tucker’s truck and lean back against the headrest, rolling my head from side to side.

“Are you okay?” He doesn’t start the truck, instead turning in his seat to face me and reaching for my neck. I groan when he begins to rub the knot that has formed above my left shoulder blade.

“I’m fine. Just a little tense from tonight. How about you?”

“Besides not being able to drag you back into my dad’s office and christen his desk, I’m okay,” he says, still massaging my neck. “Come here.”

Tucker leans across the console and I meet him halfway. When his lips settle over mine, a whimper escapes my mouth and soon our tongues tangle. A shiver skates up my spine; it’s a kiss we have both been eager for all night.

“You have no idea how badly I wanted to kiss you in there,” he says when he finally pulls away.

“Oh, I think I do,” I say, going back for more. This time, Tucker’s hand cups my face while his mouth slants over mine.

This is everything I need.

Just as we break the kiss, I see a figure through the windshield. My breath catches in my throat.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Tucker’s dad is standing in the driveway.

I freeze. The air in the truck is stifling, so thick it feels hard to breathe. Tucker’s back stiffens when his gaze follows my line of sight.

This can’t be happening. My eyes squeeze shut, hoping that I’m seeing things but when they reopen, I’m staring right into the angry eyes of my Uncle Mark. He crosses his arms over his chest, then we both watch as he turns around and stalks back inside the house.

“Fuuuuck.” Tucker stretches the word out, pressing his fingers against his closed eyes.

“That is not how I planned on telling him,” I say.

“Me either.” He drags his hand through his hair with a sigh. “But it’s done.”

It was careless of us to kiss like that in the driveway with our families just feet away, but as awkward as this is, I also feel a sense of relief that we no longer need to hide.

“Should we go inside?” I ask quietly.

“Yeah, let’s just get this over with.”