Page 41 of Here's to Yesterday

“Joe’s outside with Gaige and Perry. Wanna go see what the heathens are upto?”

“You mean you left Joey out there to babysit those fools? That’s brave,” Tuckersays.

Rae growls—like, legit fucking growls—at Hudson as he leaves the kitchen. He doesn’t bat an eyelash at her behavior. Guess he’s getting used to it.Good. Rae needs someone capable of handling hercrazy.

“Come on. Let’s go supervise,” I say toRae.

“Fine,” she huffs. “But I’mnottalking tohim.”

* * *

“Uncle Tucker, watch this!”I hear Joeyyell.

I’ve spent almost the majority of the party watching Tucker playAdventure Timewith the kids, who are all dressed up as different characters from the show. Most people would think that a little girl would dress as the princess, but not Joey. She’s dressed as Finn, and it fits her personalityeffortlessly.

Every moment spent watching Tucker, I am in awe of his patience with them all. Then he peeks over at me and flashes a smile that’s full of love and adoration of Joey. I give him one back before I realize that I shouldn’t be smiling at him like that, but the love he shows his best friend’s daughter and the fact that he’d do anything for her only makes him more attractive, so I can’t helpit.

More?

I need to scrub my head of these thoughts because I should not be having them. But they keepcoming.

Fuck.

“Okay, everyone, time for presents!” Rae hollers, finally giving me something else to focuson.

The kids come running, and we all sit around as Joey “oohs” and “aahs” over her gifts. When she’s opened all the ones from her friends, in true Joey fashion, she gets up and heads over to where Tucker, Gaige, and I are sitting. She knows we have stuff forher.

“Have you been good?” Gaige asks his usual question for her. Joey nods, smiling brightly. “Well, that’s boring. But here you goanyway.”

Gaige hands her a box, helping her lower it to the ground since it’s too heavy for her alone. Joey begins ripping away the paper, concentrating hard on getting her giftout.

“No way,” I hear. “NO WAY! Uncle G, you’re the best! Thank you! I love you!” She launches herself into his arms and hugs himtightly.

“Hey!” Tucker saysteasingly.

Gaige shoots him a grin over her shoulder. “Sorry, dude, but I got her the complete hardback set of Harry Potter. Iwin.”

“Itistechnically a double gift for me and Joey. He may have you beat,” Hudsonsays.

I know that if there weren’t kids around, Tuck would so flip Hudson the middle finger. But herefrains.

“All right, Joe,” I say. “Here’s mygift.”

I hand her my small bag, and she immediately lets go of Gaige and starts pulling the paper out. Her tiny face lights up when she sees the boxinside.

“Wow! This is awesome!” she exclaims, openingit.

I beam at the smile that’s gracing her face. She stares downs at the antique gold necklace I got her. It’s shaped like a leaf and has a small ladybug on it. Next to it dangles a round pendant with a ‘J’ engraved on it for hername.

I guess it’s something that started many years ago—her obsession with ladybugs, that is. She collects any and everything with them on it and even gets called “bug” by just about everyone. It’s neat to see a kid so into differentthings.

“Can you put it onme?”

“Of course! Get over here, munchkin,” I tell herhappily.

Once I’ve clasped the chain around her neck, she spins around to give me a hug. I glance up to find Tucker staring at me. The look in his eyes makes mepause.

He seems peaceful. I can’t help but think back to the other night when he told me about what he did for Joey and Hudson. What he gave up and his devotion to them is so inspiring. It also makes me sad because I feel like he’s given up on finding that spark for himself. But I’m going to do everything I can to help him findit.

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