He hasn’t brought more flowers, but one of the days he worked on the ranch with Raul, he brought me a Snickers bar and gourmet coffee beans, along with a case of Raul’s favorite beer. Tacker is a genuinely thoughtful man, and he’s not trying to be flashy with his attentions.
It’s just who he is.
When we weren’t together, there was texting and calls. It seems the floodgates of conversation have been opened, and it’s a two-way street. Like any normal couple, we are in the beginning stages of a relationship where we are parched to learn all we can about the other person because we find them so fascinating.
Conversations started naturally moving away from MJ’s death and my family’s massacre toward the good things in our lives. The one thing that gave me true peace of mind was that, true to his word, Tacker continued counseling with Dr. Dumfries, which meant he was still getting professional help to deal with his issues.
And make no mistake… Tacker still has them. As one could imagine, there are still insecurities and lingering doubts. Guilt. I know from personal experience that just doesn’t melt away without continued hard work. Thankfully, Tacker has remained transparent with me when he’s having a tough time. He doesn’t try to hide his sadness, nor does he try to temper his frustration if he’s having a bad moment.
But we talk it out. I’m not his therapist anymore, but that doesn’t stop me from listening and advising. Being there for him.
Yes, in ten days, the relationship has progressed.
Deepened for sure.
So when Tacker asked me to come to this party with him, there shouldn’t have been any hesitation on my part. It was a natural step… him bringing me into his Vengeance fold and showing his team that we were a couple.
And yet, I can’t help thinking people will look down on me for dating my patient. My credibility as a counselor will be questioned for even letting this occur. It shows me that perhaps I’m still not fully comfortable with how things turned out between us, but on the flip side, I really like Tacker.
A lot.
He’s ultimately a risk I am willing to take because I think he’s just that special.
Tacker assured me the team already knew about me, and that everyone was happy for us. He’d told his first line mates, then word sort of spread to the others over the following days.
Still, I was a ball of nerves when we showed up, my heart thumping hard in my chest.
But that was an hour ago, and I’m completely fine now. Everyone was so gracious even though I got a little bit of ribbing from the guys.
Erik had bumped his shoulder against mine, nodded at Tacker, who had his hand on my lower back, and playfully said, “Nora… you saucy vixen… ensnaring the big guy there.”
I’d blushed, Tacker growled, and Erik just shot us both a mischievous wink before Blue stepped in to give me a welcoming hug. She had whispered, “I can’t wait to hear all the details about how you two fell for each other.”
Something about the breathlessness in her voice… the hopeful romantic tone… makes butterflies circle in my tummy. Yes… I do think we’re falling for each other, and it makes me feel giddy.
Tacker and I walk around Erik and Blue’s immense house, talking with various teammates and guests. Most I had met when they’d volunteered at the ranch, but some I had not.
The mood is festive and upbeat, everyone coming together to celebrate Legend and Pepper’s marriage. While she’d already been unofficially welcomed into the Vengeance family, now she was legally a family member.
And it is a family.
It’s fascinating to watch how they all interact with each other. The absolute fondness in their expressions and the care in their voices, even if they are giving the other person hell about something.
We make our way down to the basement, Tacker on a mission. He finds Billy down there, playing video games in front of a large, flat-screen TV with Dax.
Tacker waits patiently. When the game ends, he boots Dax off the couch. I smile, watching Tacker hold his hand out to Billy—man to man—for a fist bump. Billy grins at him with adoration shining in his eyes. There’s no doubt Tacker is his favorite or that Tacker has a genuine touch with Billy.
He has practice, of course. I’d learned that MJ had a disabled and wheelchair-bound older brother, and Tacker was exceptionally close to him. It’s clear Tacker just has an innate gift within him to bond with those who need care and protection the most.
Dax walks around the couch, coming to stand beside me as we watch Tacker and Billy start a new game. Tacker starts gentle smack talking, and Billy laughs while they play.
“So you and Tacker, huh?” he asks, a smirk on his face. “What would possess you to start dating that asshole?”