Page 61 of Words I Couldn't Say
LIFE AFTER—OR SHOULDI say with?—love was pretty damn incredible. I mean, it had been one thing when I’d been eighteen and thought I understood love, but now? After having lost so much precious time with her and winning her back, it was like nothing I’d ever imagined. Practically living with her, being in my bed with her every night, cooking together like normal couples, and kissing goodbye before we both went off to work—it was fucking amazing.
It still blew my mind sometimes. Growing up, I’d easily fallen in love with her. She hadn’t been just my best friend; she’d been the other half of me. She’d taught me so much. How to take risks, how to love, how to live. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Ava had her shit together. There was no way two eighteen-year-old kids would’ve made it with thousands of miles in between them. Especially when one had suddenly become the guardian of a teenager. Even if it’d been the hardest lesson, she’d known what I needed, what we both needed, when I couldn’t see it myself. That doesn’t mean the years without her hadn’t sucked, but I was hopeful that it’d taught us both lifelong lessons.
Because, come hell or high water or Hollywood, we’d never be apart again.
Since the night Tucker and I had stopped pretending we could just be friends and subsequently professed our love, life had beenawesome.Mom and Dad didn’t even bat an eye when I emptied my closet. Tucker didn’t bat an eye when I filled his. In fact, the very next day, when I’d come home from a long day on set, one side was completely cleared for me. He’d made space on the bathroom counter for me, and somehow, he’d snagged my favorite pillow from my childhood bedroom and placed it on my side of the bed.
My side of the bed.
Wow, it felt amazing to think that.
Things on set were in full swing. Leo and I had incredible chemistry, and I’d had the chance to meet Layla. For my first major motion picture, I was surprised at how seamless everything was going. Sure, we had an intense schedule, took what seemed like hundreds of takes for one scene at times, and my feet killed by the end of each night.
Yet it was the most exhilarating experience of my life. Each day I left Tucker’s bed with a kiss and a goodbye, it was to step into the world he’d created, to portray this strong woman whose heart only beat for one man. A reflection of my own life.
It wasn’t that much of a hardship. The more into character I got, the more I understood what Tucker had gone through while we had been apart. Because, as Abby, I was experiencing it through his written words. My heart threatened to break each day Abby’s did. I hated that he had gone through such a hard time without me. But, like he’d reassured me, we couldn’t change the past. No, I could only ensure I made him happier than ever in both the present and in our future.
Taking advantage of their shooting a scene in which Abigail did not appear, I snuck off to my trailer to check my phone. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that a text from Tucker had come through.
Tucker: Call me as soon as you get a free moment. -TA
Grinning, I flopped down on the couch and held the phone to my ear, waiting for him to answer. It was still so shocking to me that, after all that time, we were a tried and true couple. That he’d forgiven me so easily, accepted me back into his life with open arms. It was all happening so easily, too easily, and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Cautiously keeping my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t happen.
“Hey, babe,” he answered gruffly. “Any chance you have the rest of the day off and want to come spend it in bed with me?”
My belly dipped at the thought. “Wish I could, but my schedule’s full.”
“Will you be done before dinner?” he asked.
I sat up, noting the edge in his voice. “Should be. We’re supposed to wrap for the day around six.”
“Pick you up?”
“I’ll be waiting. Anxiously and with open arms.”
“’Kay, babe. Gotta run.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent filming, and by the time we heard the final cut for the day, I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was take a long, hot shower and crawl into bed. Preferably with Tucker.
“Great job today, Ava,” Jonathan called to me as I was exiting my trailer.
I smiled and waved. “Thanks!”
A set of strong arms encircled my waist, and I giggled when his stubble rubbed against my neck.
“You were really great, baby.” Tucker’s whisper tickled my skin.
I turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “How long have you been watching?” I asked
He grinned. “Only for an hour or so, but it was long enough to know you were born to play Abigail.”
