Page 52 of An Ex Affair

She lifted her head, soft brown eyes clear and wise as she stared me down. “Your father wanted you back in Blueball to unite the family again, which you’ve done. But him telling you to deal with Tully once and for all wasn’t to have you getting your heart broken all over again. Are you sure you know what you’re doing with her?”

I blinked, taking a moment to take that all in. I’d wanted Mom to get to the point, but damn, she sure did pack a punch. “Well, I’m not sure about the heartbreak thing, but I do know I love her. Always have.”

Mom’s face contorted. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

Fuck no, it wasn’t wise, but what could I do about it? My heart had always been Tully’s. “Think of it this way. You still love Dad, right?”

Mom scoffed. “Of course I do!”

“Well, he’s gone. And that fact brings you pain, but it doesn’t stop you from loving him anyway, does it?”

Mom’s lips pursed together. I could tell she wanted to tell me it wasn’t the same thing, but we both knew I had a good point.

“I love Tully. Always have, always will. I’ve tried to stop loving her, but I haven’t been successful, and quite frankly, I’m done trying. If she feels the same way, that’s great. But if she doesn’t…well, I’m no worse off than I’ve been the last nineteen years. At least now, I can still enjoy her company.”

Mom was silent for a few more minutes. A butterfly landed on the flowers in the pot next to us. I always wondered if loved ones could send signs from the beyond. Something to let us know they were still around. I doubted Dad would send a pretty butterfly though. More like another deranged rooster to crow at all hours of the day and night.

“I see where you’re coming from.” Mom nodded, staring at the same butterfly as it flitted from one flower to another. “A mother just wants to see her babies happy. That’s why I’m sticking my nose in your business.”

“I am happy, Mom. I’m glad to be back in Blueball. I’m glad to be on the crew here. And I’m happy with Tully.” I ran my fingers across my mustache. “So happy I’m even growing my mustache back.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “Ugh! That thing again?”

I broke a butterscotch brownie in half and handed it to her. We ate while we chatted about her animals, the latest gossip in Blueball that wasn’t about me and Tully, and when she last talked to Boon. Dad was right to bring me back to Blueball. Mom needed her boys around and we needed her. Even if we tried topretend we were big, strong men who didn’t need their mother meddling in their affairs.

She eventually left, but only after visiting with all the guys, including Captain. I pretended I couldn’t overhear her giving him an earful about almost cutting me off the payroll to solve his budget issues. She didn’t even let him have one of her brownies, even after he assured her that because of the fundraiser, that wouldn’t happen.

The whole shift was slow, so the boys and I got a good night’s rest and even got in two workouts. Hattie McGhee, Blueball librarian, and Rosemary Roberts, Blueball Elementary’s principal, walked by the station three times while we were working out the next morning. Frank and Danny made sure to flex and grunt as they lifted weights. I didn’t bother looking at the ladies. Tully was the only woman on my mind and in my heart. I could have denied it when Mom cornered me, but what was the point? I’d spent most of my life loving Tully, and now it was so engrained in me, I knew I’d never stop.

Gabi swung by the station the next day to pick up Joey at the end of his shift. They planned to hit up Grass for lunch while the kids were in school. I envied the way they’d built a life together, best friends and clearly still in love with each other too. I wondered if Tully and I could ever get there or if that level of trust and love had passed us by.

“Hey, how are you and Tully?” Gabi asked, pulling me in for a hug as Joey packed up his bag.

“Good.” I didn’t need yet another female sticking her nose in my business. Mom was plenty.

Gabi nodded. “Yeah, it’s been nice having her back. Frankie’s even stopped talking about leaving Blueball, which is entirely due to Tully talking up the town.”

“Hmm,” I gave a noncommittal response. I had yet to ask Tully what her long-term plans were. I wasn’t even a little bitsure she’d choose Blueball. She’d been in such a hurry to leave this place back in the day. Seemed odd to think now she wanted to stay here.

“Her agent kept blowing up her phone while we were shopping the other day. I told her to take the call but she wouldn’t.” Gabi kept talking like her words weren’t setting off alarm bells in my head. “I keep telling her that her social media posts are taking off and she needs to parlay that into some kind of business opportunity.”

“My stomach is growling, woman.” Joey came out of the station with his bag slung over his shoulder. He hooked his arm around Gabi’s waist and hustled her to her car. “See you in two days, loser!” he tossed over his shoulder.

I watched them leave, brain spinning. Gabi wasn’t wrong: Tully was insanely talented. Maybe her talents were wasted working just one house at a time with Em’s crew. Maybe her agent had a new show to talk to her about. Maybe she’d be leaving Blueball again. And me.

Prowling back into the station, I packed my own bag and slammed the locker shut. I hadn’t gotten more than two steps out of the station when Tully’s fancy SUV pulled into the parking lot. She rolled down her window, curly hair rustling in the breeze, a big smile on her face.

“Hop in, hotshot!”

The frown I’d been working on slid away. It couldn’t last in the presence of Tully. “Where we going?” I had my truck here, but I could leave it for now.

“It’s a surprise.” Her eyes were twinkling, which meant something amazing was ahead. I threw my bag in the back seat and climbed in.

Tully let out a holler and tore out of the parking lot, tires squealing. Despite my mood, I found myself laughing. “What the hell is going on?”

“We’re having a picnic. Now be quiet or I won’t let you eat dessert.”

My hand found its way to her thigh. “Dessert, huh?”

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