Then he moved away and was at the door when he stopped and his eyes came to me.
At the look in them, I braced.
“You have no clue,” he whispered.
“No clue about what?” I whispered back.
“What you handed me last night.”
I took in a deep breath and asked softly, “What did I hand you, honey?”
“What’s lyin’ in that bed.”
That was when I stopped breathing.
“I claimed it,” he went on. “But last night you gave it to me. Gift’s given, no takin’ it back. You get that, Tyra?”
“I think so,” I whispered.
“Get that, baby, it’s important.”
I didn’t have it in me to do anything but nod.
He took in my nod. Then his eyes shifted down my body in the bed.
When they came back to my face, he said gently “Coffee and aspirin,” and he disappeared.
I rolled to my back, ignored my queasy stomach and fuzzy head and stared at the ceiling, replaying last night.
It was awesome, from start to finish. I was losing Lanie which sucked and I hoped she came back soon. But last night, I gained an entire posse and that felt good.
And knowing Tack didn’t mind having more kids, actually wanted them was way better.
Then I replayed that morning.
It was awesome too. Most definitely.
“Roller coasters aren’t so bad,” I whispered to the ceiling.
Then I smiled.
* * * * *
Five hours later, I was at Ulta buying stuff to take up to Tack’s when my phone rang in my purse. I yanked it out, looked at the display, grinned, took the call and put the phone to my ear.
“Hey honey,” I said softly, grabbing a bottle of my shampoo.
“Like that,” Tack’s gravelly voice came at me. Then he asked, “How you doin’?”
“Not great but better. I’m at Ulta getting supplies for your bathroom.”
“Good, baby,” he said softly in a way that communicated he liked that too then he carried on, “Be by around five.”
“Right.”
“Later, babe.”
“Tack?” I called quickly to catch him before he disconnected.