“I’ll take the peanut butter cup,” Keaton says to my silent question as I put the second container away.I grab bowls, spoons, and the ice cream scoop.While I’m dishing up our bowls, Keaton asks for some kind of peanut butter topping.Apparently it’s some kind of shell and gets hard once it touches the ice cream.It sounds interesting as I look in her pantry and find what she’s asking for.
Keaton and I eat our ice cream while watching one of her chick flicks.I honestly don’t mind watching them with her because it’s the two of us spending time together.When Keaton finishes her ice cream and I take the bowl from her hands, it doesn't take long before she’s passed out again.I carry her into her room and put her to bed before making sure the baby monitor is shut off and then making my way back to the living room to sleep on the couch for the night.We still haven’t talked about sharing a bed so I’ll sleep alone.I do check on Bridger before making sure all the windows and doors are locked and her security system is turned on.Then, I put on a movie I’ve watched millions of times and fall asleep with images of Bridger and Keaton in my head.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Keaton
ICE HAS TAKEN timeoff from the strip club so he can take care of Bridger and me while I recover over the last two and a half weeks.He’s done everything for the two of us and gone above and beyond what I’d expect from him.No matter where I am, he makes sure I’m resting and not overdoing anything.He’s taking this entire resting thing too literal.I rarely do anything to take care of Bridger, but I’m enjoying watching the two of them bond more on a daily basis.Every single night he tucks me into bed and then walks out to sleep on the couch.I haven’t asked him why he’s not sharing my bed with me because I’m scared to hear the answer.He might not want to sleep with me and that’s okay.Maybe I was bad when we had sex.Tucker didn’t sleep in the bed with me that night.The side of the bed I wasn’t on wasn’t wrinkled at all and the blankets were still pulled up when I woke up.Part of me believes he’s hiding something from me after we just agreed not to keep secrets when I was still in the hospital.I guess it’s time for me to pull up my big girl panties and have this conversation with Tucker instead of letting it bother me.
“Tucker, we need to talk about something,” I say as he joins me on the couch with a plate of food for lunch.
“Okay.What’s up?”he returns, placing his plate on the table in front of him and turning to face me.
“Why don’t you sleep in bed with me?Every night you sleep here on the couch after taking me to bed.Am I doing something wrong?Don’t you want to sleep with me?”I ask him, slumping against the pillow at my back and taking a bite of my sandwich so I have something to do instead of crying.
“Songbird, you haven’t done a damn thing wrong.The only reason I’m not sleepin’ in bed with you is because we haven’t had a conversation about us sharin’ a bed.Yeah, we’ve had sex and you’ve fallen asleep with me on the couch a few times, but sharin’ a bed is a big deal.Once I start that, I won’t sleep anywhere else unless I’m on a run.Are you ready for that step, Keaton?”he returns, a small smile on his face.
“Yeah, I think I am,” I tell him honestly because I want to sleep wrapped up in his arms and wake up with my head on his chest.I don’t like waking up alone knowing he’s out here on this very couch.
“Then I’ll sleep in bed with you.I told you our first night together that I’m really big on consent.I’m not gonna do certain things without makin’ sure you’re okay with them before it happens.Why would you think you did somethin’ wrong?”he questions me, rubbing his hand up and down my leg before picking his plate back up and starting to eat his own lunch.
“Honestly, you’re only the second man I’ve ever had sex with.I was wondering if I did it wrong or something since you didn’t stay with me that night,” I admit as I feel a blush heating my face and try to bury my face from his view.
“No hidin’, Songbird.While I don’t want toeverhear you mention fuckin’ someone else again, you did nothin’ wrong.Sex with you feels better than anythin’ I’ve ever experienced before in my life.The only reason I’m not fuckin’ you right now is because you’re still recoverin’ and I’m not gonna push you for somethin’ you don’t want,” he says and I give him a small smile in response because that’s sweet of him to say.
“Okay.”
Before either one of us can say another word, my phone rings and I look to see Jagger calling me.I once again answer it on speaker because I’m not hiding anything from Tucker.
“Hey, Jagger,” I answer the call and finish eating my lunch.
“Just callin’ to check in and get an update on your situation,” he says as I smile because I knew this call was coming sooner rather than later.
“Jagger, you know what’s going on here.Yeah, I have someone in my life who is willing to help me with Bridger but I’m not ready to leave him behind yet to go back out on tour.I’ll keep writing songs, I’ll record my next album, and I’ll record the song with Memphis.As far as leaving Bridger goes, I’m not ready.I still have appointments with CPS to think about and all of that stuff.I want to be able to adopt him so I never have to worry about someone trying to take him from me again.Are you good with that?”I ask him, needing him to be on board with me not touring for a while.
“As long as you continue to make music and record the song with Memphis, I don’t have a problem with you takin’ a break from tourin’.Memphis is actually flyin’ in today so you guys can get to work on that song.The crew will be there a few hours after him.Did he call and let you know?”Jagger questions me as I shake my head and start laughing.
