Rumor Going 'Round (Lyrics and Love #3) - Lind, Samantha Page 0,17

changes is what days we work. It doesn’t always work out, but I’m usually three on three off, but sometimes I’ll work three on two off or three on four off. Just kind of depends on people's vacation schedules and if we’ve got anyone out for maternity or some other kind of extended leave.”

“How many days are you off after your three on this week?” I ask, mentally rolling through my own work scheduled to see if we’ve got any aligning days off.

“Three,” she says as we make it to her car.

“Did you have anything inside that you brought and need?” I ask, realizing she doesn’t have much with her.

“Nope. The dishes I brought were in tossable containers.”

“What did you bring?” I ask, realizing that I don’t even know if I had whatever it was.

“Apple pie and those little bacon wrapped smokies with brown sugar on top.”

“Damn. I think both were gone before I got to the food. Damn operating the grill.”

“Sorry. Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll bring you a pie to have all to yourself.”

“Don’t tease me, woman. You might have just unlocked the way to my heart.” I wink at her, the light from the front porch bright enough to light up the driveway so that we can see one another.

“Good night, Tucker, thanks for inviting me. I had a great time,” Lindsay says before she moves to open her car door. I step aside, grabbing it for her and holding it open while she slides in behind the wheel. I should have fucking kissed her when I had the chance, rolls through my mind as I watch as she drops her keys into the cup holder, and presses the start button.

“Night, Linds, text me and let me know that you made it home okay, please,” I ask, adding the please onto the end.

“I’m a big girl, Tuck,” she says, rolling her eyes at me, but I know she’s not mad about my request, if the smile on her face tells me anything. “But, I’ll appease you and send you a text when I make it home.”

“Thanks, I’ll sleep better knowing that you made it home in one piece.”

“Night,” she says, reaching for her door. I push it closed for her, then step back from the car so that she can pull out. I stand and watch until I can no longer see her taillights in the dark. I turn around, realizing that, at some point, Lee and Allison left, as well.

I know that I’ve got about ten minutes until Lindsay makes it home, so I head to the backyard, pulling the hose with me to spray on the coals that are still going. With those properly extinguished, I pick up as much as I can see and fit in my hands on my way back to the deck. I’ll get the rest tomorrow when I can clean up in the daylight.

After locking up, I make my way into my room. I’m just pulling my shirt off when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I slide it out and see a message from Lindsay.

Lindsay: Made it home in one piece. {winky face} Thanks again for the amazing night.

Tucker: Anytime. I’m glad you had a good time. Sleep tight.

Lindsay: Night.

I set my phone in the charging cradle on my end table so it can charge for the night. I head for the bathroom, and ten minutes later, after a quick shower, I’m sliding between the sheets with only one woman on my mind. Lindsay.

6

Lindsay

“So, what’s going on with you and Tucker?” Allison asks as we walk around the lake. The fall weather hasn’t really shown up yet here in Georgia, even if we are inching closer and closer to Halloween.

“I don’t know,” I groan, looking up to the sky, hoping for some answers myself. “I don’t know what to make of him, if I’m being honest. It all started that night we went to Joe’s for ladies' night. He came over and danced with me, and it was just different. He held me like I was his, if that makes sense?” I say, almost as a question.

“Oh yeah, he had all kinds of mine vibes going on that night,” she confirms.

“After you left with Lee, he walked me out to my car and then followed me home to make sure I made it okay. Then the football game and bonfire the other night. You should have seen him during the game. I still can’t get over the feeling of