in his gut.
“The worst,” Tucker agreed, still smiling.
“Until your next terrible idea, then.” He leaned in for a final swift kiss, and this time Tucker let him leave.
As he walked back to the hotel, damn if Luis wasn’t already looking forward to their next non-work-related encounter. Oh hell. Work. He had to see Tucker again tomorrow. At work, where he would need to pretend that he wasn’t dying to kiss him breathless again. Fuck. He was so damn screwed.
Chapter Nine
“You’re late.” Walker greeted Tucker at Heidi’s front door with a scowl so fierce that Tucker was afraid that even his hasty shower hadn’t been enough to erase any signs of his kissing session with Luis.
“Sorry. The fire location was pretty remote. And then I had to take Luis—my coworker—back to his hotel.”
“Whatever. The food’s almost ready.” Walker shut the door behind Tucker harder than necessary, still not smiling.
“Hey.” Tucker tried to grab Walker, but forgot that he wasn’t nine anymore, not so easy to wrap up in a hug. Walker neatly dodged his hand. “What’s your problem? Did you need me for something today?”
“Nah. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” Walker’s heavy sigh said exactly the opposite.
After coming down the stairs, Wade had a fist bump for Tucker, which he supposed was better than Walker’s unexpected surly turn.
“He’s just freaking out because he took another SAT practice exam and did worse, not better,” Wade offered, ruffling his brother’s hair.
“Well, I’m here now. And I’m here for you, specifically.” He tried to meet Walker’s eyes, let him know how deeply he meant that. Had he missed something important this week? They were in the final month before senior year started, and time seemed to be rushing toward Labor Day faster than he would like. Was something going on with Walker? Guilt made his back muscles tense. “Do we need to make a study plan? How can I help?”
“I don’t need a plan.” Walker stalked off toward the bathroom.
“Well, that went fine.” Wade did a fair imitation of Walker’s sigh and his slightly slower speech. They might be identical, but Tucker was rarely fooled for more than a second or two as to who was whom.
“What went how? What’s with Walker?” Heidi came breezing in from the back patio where Isaac was grilling. The picnic table was already set, and the plantings that Tucker had helped with caught the evening breeze. It would be way more inviting, however, if Walker wasn’t acting strange. And if part of Tucker’s brain wasn’t still back with Luis. He did want more kisses, but not if it meant missing something crucial with Walker.
“Oh, nothing.” Wade made a dismissive gesture. “He’s pissy about his test scores. And Dad’s new boyfriend.”
“Dad’s new what?” Heidi and Tucker spoke at the same time, and he was pretty sure his eyes were popping out even more than hers.
“He has this new coworker.” Tone dismissive, Wade headed toward the kitchen. “Walker said he was even at the house Friday. Drinking a beer.”
“Was he now?” Heidi stared Tucker down as she picked up a bowl of salad from the counter.
“It’s nothing. We were just...catching up. That’s all.”
“I think Luis needs to join us for dinner on Wednesday,” Heidi mused, voice more thoughtful than teasing, but her suggestion still stole the air out of Tucker’s lungs.
“He most certainly does not.” God, that was all they needed. Yes, he did want more time alone with Luis. Alone. Not introducing him to the chaos circus that was family dinner nights, and not risking making Walker even more unhappy.
“Yeah, he does. Let’s freak Walker out.” Wade, however, had no such reservations.
“There’s nothing for Walker—or you—to get worked up over. It’s a friend. That’s all.”
“Whatever you say.” Grabbing a pitcher of water, Wade headed to the patio, leaving Tucker and Heidi behind.
“Yeah, Tucker. Whatever you say. Bring that.” Heidi laughed and pointed toward a bowl of rice. “And now he’s a friend? I thought you were both bitter and sad about the past. What changed?”
“We talked. But it’s not—”
“Dinner!” Isaac called from the patio, setting a large platter of meat on the table.
“Bring him,” Heidi insisted. “I want to see him again too. We can all catch up.”
“Walker’s mad. Not sure if it’s this or something else, but I don’t have time for...anything right now.”
“You’ve got time for a friend.” Heidi set the salad down and squeezed his arm. “And like I said, I want to see him too. Revisit some good high school memories.”
“Yeah,” he reluctantly agreed.
“I mean,