Page 15 of Big Obsession

I want to talk to him about us and about Ace, but I know now is not the time, so I change the subject. “So what did the doctor say?”

He’s quick to respond. “Concussion and bruised ribs.”

I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean. I may not know a lot about concussions, but I do know that you’re supposed to rest your brain. Like no bright lights, no reading, no driving, and?—”

“I have to drive.”

I raise up on my elbow to look at him. “Tuck, you just told me downstairs you’re going to start being safe. If a doctor tells you not to drive, you don’t drive.”

He growls. “The doctor said no driving for two weeks. He’s going to reevaluate me then, and we’ll go from there.”

“And bull riding?”

It’s obvious he’s unhappy. “No bull riding. My manager already pulled me out of the next few rodeos.”

I nod. “Okay, so I’ll drive you around where you need to go the next two weeks.”

He squeezes my arm. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“I want to.”

“I’ll pay you?—”

I cut him off, unable to hide the anger in my voice. “You will not pay me, Tucker Yates. We’re friends, that’s what friends do for each other. I will not be taking your money.”

He holds his hand up. “Whoa, whoa, okay, okay. I just hate to burden you with all this.”

My voice softens. “You and Ace are never a burden. I like…” I hate being vulnerable, but I know I need to say it. “I like spending time with you guys.”

He reaches over and puts his hand on my cheek. “We like it too, honey. Probably too much.”

He yawns, and I shake my head. “You should be resting. Go to sleep, and I’ll check on you every hour.”

“I want to sleep, but I don’t want to miss this.”

Confused, I ask, “Miss what?”

He smiles at me. “You in my bed.”

I roll my eyes, but he’s not done yet. “Come over here. I want to hold you while I sleep.”

I scoot toward him, expecting us to just sleep closer, but he surprises me when he rolls onto his back and pulls me half on top of him. His legs go around mine, his arms wrap around my back, and when we’re settled, I swear he lets out the biggest sigh of contentment. I match his sigh. “Good night, Tuck.”

“Good night, honey.”

CHAPTER 9

TUCKER

As I walk through the house, I can hear Dolly and Ace talking and then Ace laughing. A smile forms on my face, and I stop at the entrance of the kitchen and just take it all in. Dolly checked on me every hour through the night, and if I wasn’t so exhausted, I would have taken complete advantage of the situation.

I love seeing Ace and Dolly laughing and talking. When Ace notices me from his seat at the island, he points at Dolly. “Dad, Dolly spent the night.”

I smile over at Dolly, and she blushes. I’m wondering if she’s thinking about last night and being in my arms. “Yeah, I know, son. She’s going to be around a lot. She’s going to be helping us around here.”

“Yes!” Ace pumps his hand in the air.

Dolly points to the chair. “How’s your head? Sit down and I’ll fix you some breakfast.”

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