Page 68 of Embers in the Dark

“Brit, what do you think of my beard? Tucker almost made them shave it off,” Eric throws me under the bus.

“Dick,” I whisper to my brother.

“We’ll have words later, Tucky.” She smacks my arm.

“What is it with that nickname and everyone smacking me all the time?” I protest.

“Stop being a baby! I need you to help me,” she whisper-yells. “I’m down a few helpers and we need to move a fewheavy items for the ceremony. Can you guys come help me please?” She puts her hands in a prayer position in front of her face. “Pretty please?”

“As long as you don’t call me Tucky again.” I point at her.

“Deal!” She smiles and claps.

“I have terms, too,” Eric protests.

“Oh, I know your terms.” She waggles her brows as she moves closer and kisses him.

“Ew, gross.” I scrunch my nose in disgust. “No one cares to hear about that. I have a sensitive stomach.”

“Oh, please. I doubt it.” He rolls his eyes.

I look over to see my two favorite women still talking to one another, and I decide to leave them be for now. I’ll catch up with them later. I follow my brother and Brittany to the spot where the ceremony will be tomorrow, hoping I can catch up with Baylee soon.

Alright, I would rather Brittany have called me Tucky for the rest of her life. That was a lot of work, and my back will be killing me tomorrow. I’m wiped. At least I wore comfortable clothes to do manual labor today. I’m not regretting my cotton shirt underneath the jacket I had on. The gray sweatpants worked out with the cool weather, although they ended up being pretty warm in the ballroom as we moved heavy furniture around until Brit was happy with the configuration. Now, I’m walking back through the lobby, but I don’t see Baylee anywhere.

I’m about to give up and head back to the room when I spot my mom sitting at the bar, eating a snack and sipping on some water. I decide to sidle up next to her.

“Hey, Ma, how are you?” I lift a hand up to the bartender and ask for a water.

“Hey, son. I see you were pulled in to help set up.” She chuckles.

“What gave it away? The look of exhaustion or the sweaty shirt?” I roll my eyes.

“I assume you moved things around a few times?” She winks.

“Don’t ask. Brittany seems happy though, that’s all that matters.” I shrug.

She brings her hand to my cheek. “You’re a good brother, Tucker. I’m proud of you.”

I can’t help but lean into her touch and close my eyes. Savoring these moments has become my new obsession. As much as the doctor has given her years and not months, it doesn’t mean I don’t log all these memories into a special place in my heart, because I’m starting to understand how meaningful they are. This woman gave me all her best moments and the older I get, the more I realize how important they are. I won’t take them for granted.

“I appreciate that Ma, thanks.” I kiss the inside of her palm. “I saw you earlier with Baylee,” I mention.

“Oh, yes. Mmhmm.” She takes a bite of some fries.

“Is she okay?” I ask, wondering if something happened.

“Of course. That’s part of our routine,” she says.

“Your routine?” I ask, confused.

“Hasn’t she told you?” Now she’s the one confused.

“Told me what?” I take a long drink of my water.

“I assumed she would’ve told you now that you’re together. We meet weekly for tea at my house. She’s been coming over since I got diagnosed. She didn’t have time to see me before this trip. And she wanted to have some time with me before her family arrives for the wedding later today and things get hectic, so we sat together earlier.” She smiles. “It’s our special time together.”

“She’s been doing this for months?” I ask.

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