Hot SEAL, Cold Feet - Becca Jameson Page 0,41

It’s so curly, just like you always wished for yours. Natural curls. I could spend hours stroking it.” He flinched. Maybe that wasn’t something he would ordinarily say to his mom if he thought she were able to hear him.

He thought about how those adorable curls escaped to dance around her face gradually every night. He’d often wished he had the right to tuck a lock behind her ear just for the excuse to touch her. Soon. Tomorrow in fact. He could run his hands through it. He bet if he pulled a lock of it straight, it would reach halfway down her back.

“Her dad owns a bar. She has a business degree, and she’s such a hard worker. She can do ten things at once without missing a beat.”

He swallowed, his voice dipping. “She’s stretched too thin though. Reminds me of you when I was a kid. I wish I could have lessened your burden more. It must have been so hard raising me on your own. Working two jobs most of the time to make sure I had shoes without holes and jeans that weren’t too short.”

He smiled again as he sat up and leaned closer to her. “Remember that time I wouldn’t let you buy me new jeans for the school year because I insisted I loved the pair I had? You bought me new ones and put the old ones in the trash can out at the street while I was sleeping. You were horrified when I climbed into that deep trash can the next morning before school to get them out.” He chuckled. “The trash can was taller than me. I was probably seven at the time. God, I loved those jeans. I didn’t care that they had holes in the knees and my socks showed. I didn’t understand at the time why you cried. I get it now.”

He choked up as he remembered the way she stood on the sidewalk, biting her lip, looking both ways to make sure no one was watching. A tear ran down her face as she hurried him back inside to get dressed before school.

“Yeah, you would love Jodi. I know I do. It will take me a while to save up so I can buy her the kind of ring she deserves, but I’ll make it happen. She’s so perfect, Mom. So exactly perfect for me.” A tear escaped his eye, and he didn’t even bother to wipe it away. It had been a long time since he cried, but he wasn’t ashamed. It felt good to get it out. His life had been upside down for months. He needed the release.

Talking to his mom helped too. Even though she couldn’t respond, he felt better knowing he’d told someone how he felt about Jodi. She meant the world to him. He just prayed they could survive the insanity that tonight would bring to their relationship. He hoped she could see through the bullshit and know that nothing on that stupid show was real, no matter what happened.

She was a strong woman. He knew she would be there for him in the morning. Smiling. Anxious. Ready to put Cold Feet behind them.

Cold Feet was the name of the show, but Tuck definitely didn’t have cold feet when it came to Jodi. His entire body was warm.

Chapter 20

A few hours later, as Tuck left the nursing home, he felt lighter than he had in days. He just needed to get through tonight and tomorrow morning, and then he could move on.

He’d completely forgotten about the blond man who had tried to get his attention when Tuck entered the facility, so Tuck was extremely surprised and a lot furious when he found the man standing in the parking lot next to Tuck’s car.

“What the fuck, man? Do you people never give up?” Tuck asked.

“Please. Just let me explain. I have information that will help you out.”

Tuck slowed his gait as he approached. Something about this man was off. The guy wasn’t a fan. He didn’t want a picture or an autograph. He looked nervous and exhausted. He’d also waited for several hours. So, whatever he had to say must be important. Tuck hoped he didn’t regret giving the guy the time of day. “What is it?”

The man held out a single piece of paper.

Tuck took it from him and lowered his gaze. It took him several moments to realize what he was looking at, and then he muttered. “Are you fucking