“’Course,” he said, clearing his throat and fighting a tightness in his throat because that special smile packed a wallop.
“Your leg okay? We’ve been running around all day, and I haven’t really thought about—” Lance looked concerned.
“It’s fine,” Tanner interrupted him quickly, not wanting Lance to worry.
Lance shook his head. “Fine, coming from you, might mean anything from slightly sore to excruciating.”
“I don’t want you to worry about it.”
“Ha!” Lance exclaimed with a quick laugh. “I worried way before I ever thought of putting my mouth on you. I’m not about to stop now that I got a taste.” Lance’s candid remarks made Tanner blush like a goddamned debutante. He didn’t have a good answer to that. Lance’s declaration was too much, and at the very same time, it was—breathtakingly perfect.
Whether he knew he’d stumped Tanner, or he was just amused by his own reply, Lance gave him one of his trademark winks, the sight of which never failed to dosomethingto Tanner’s insides. With a final quick squeeze, Lance let go of his hand as the back door of the truck opened.
“You ladies ready to hit the road?” Parker asked as he eased his aching body onto the seat.
“Put your seatbelt on,” Lance ordered, as if Parker was still a kid, which never failed to elicit an annoyed response. Today was no exception. So began the two-hour road trip from hell as the two brothers bickered non-stop all the way home.
*****
They made the trip in record time. Of course, Tanner had the pedal to the metal the entire way. He cut the normal travel time by a good half hour. Lance smiled to himself thinking once a crazy pilot, always a crazy pilot.
As they rolled up to the house, Tanner gave an admiring whistle.
“Damn! Nice house.”
Classic colonial style and reminiscent of those built in the early 1900s, it was gorgeous. Painted white with pale blue for the trim and shutters, flower beds everywhere, well-trimmedhedges, and a perfectly manicured lawn. Lance’s mother had done well for herself over the years. He felt both proud and bitter as he looked at the house. Proud because she’d made something of herself. Bitter because he’d never really been a part of this second stage of her life.
As they pulled up, the garage door lifted, and an older, attractive man in shorts and a polo shirt waved enthusiastically.
“That’s my stepfather, Jeff Delaney,” Lance informed Tanner. “He’s a good guy. Probably wants to help us move Parker’s stuff.”
“He looks ready for a round of golf. Are you sure we should ask him to help unload the truck?”
“Odds are he just got back from the course, actually,” Parker replied with a laugh.
Jeff opened the door to the back seat, greeting Parker affectionately, “Hey, buddy, how you doin’?”
“I’m hanging in there,” Parker replied with a pained laugh as he moved slowly and carefully towards the open door.
Lance jumped out and greeted his stepfather with a warm smile. “Hey, Jeff, you doing alright?”
“I’m doing great, thanks! And thank you so much for picking Parker up! I told your mother I’d go after my meeting but—well, that doesn’t matter, I suppose. I’m just glad you could make it. Really appreciate the help!” He pounded Lance’s back and gave him a big hug.
“No problem, Jeff. Always happy to help. Mom and Jeremy inside?”
“Jeremy’s not here right now but he’ll be back by dinnertime. Your mom is baking up a storm. She says feeding a college football player is a full-time job,” he said with a laugh.
“Sure is,” Lance agreed, remembering his own days of training and always being hungry during football season.
Tanner limped around the front of the truck. Obviously in pain from the long drive, he was moving slower than usual, but he cleared his expression of any signs of discomfort as Jeff turned to face him.
“Jeff, this is my good friend Tanner. He’s the poor soul who drove me to the hospital and then offered to help move Parker out of his dorm,” Lance said.
“It’s great to meet you, Tanner! Thank you for helping out. It’s good of you to go to this much trouble for us.” Jeff extended his hand to Tanner.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir. It’s been my pleasure to help,” Tanner replied with a smile as they shook hands.
“Lance, why don’t you go give your mother a hug while I help the precious cargo get out of the back seat. Then we’ll get to moving Parker’s stuff,” Jeff proposed, nodding towards the house.
