Two Times as Hot Read Free Page B

ago that Tuck had sprung the news on Logan that the new
     English professor at OSU had been his rodeo one-night stand.
    “Maybe not for you, but for me it sure as hell has. Ten months? Really? That’s all?
     Jeez.” Logan laughed. As head of OSU’s Military Sciences department, Logan could only
     turn a blind eye to Tuck and Becca flaunting the university’s non-fraternization policy
     for so long, hence his stress. But that wouldn’t be a concern any longer, once Tuck
     and Becca were married. “Anyway, I’ll be more than happy when you officially tie the
     knot.”
    “So will I,” Tuck agreed. Becca opened her mouth to say more, but Tuck silenced her
     with a kiss before he pulled back and tipped his glass toward Logan in salute. “And
     thank you, Logan.”
    A chime sounded and Becca glanced at the cell phone she held in one hand.
    “That must be Emma getting back to me.” She glanced down to check the text. “It is.
     She’s still at the hotel and needs directions to the house. Of course she does. I
     knew she’d forget to print out the ones I e-mailed to her last week.”
    “Go on. Call your sister.” Tuck gave Becca a pat on the bottom that would have earned
     any other man who tried that a black eye. “Logan and I have a lot to discuss anyway.
     You know, all the bachelor party plans for tonight after this family party is over.”
    “Bachelor party . . .” She let out a humph.
    Tuck grinned. “Yes, ma’am. Bachelor party.”
    “I’m still not sure I approve of that.” Becca’s blond brows furrowed.
    “Too late to object now. It’s already planned.” Tuck hooked an arm around her neck,
     planted another hard kiss on her mouth, and then gave her a little push toward the
     door. “Go call. Emma’s waiting. You know she gets pissy when you don’t get right back
     to her.”
    Becca narrowed her eyes. “We’re talking about this bachelor party thing more later.”
    As she left the room, Tuck shook his head and glanced at Logan. “I’m sure we will
     talk more about it later.”
    “No doubt.” Logan commiserated with his friend.
    How many times had he and Tuck stood together in this house in the past? It would
     be impossible to count the number. Logan had taught both Tuck and his own younger
     brother, Layne, how to pitch a fastball in the backyard here. All while he’d tried
     to occupy Tuck’s little brother Tyler, who insisted on being in the middle, trying
     to keep up with the bigger boys. Being ten years older than Tuck and Layne, Logan
     had been the referee for many a scuffle between the boys.
    Come to think of it, it wasn’t just the boys he had to referee. Tuck’s little sister
     Tara was always right in the mix, too. It didn’t matter if they were digging worms
     to go fishing or playing war, Tara wanted to be with them.
    It felt good to be back in his old hometown and here in the Jenkins’ house for the
     happy occasion. Having grown up next door and being the oldest of the neighborhood
     kids, he had served as a built-in babysitter at times. But with the three Jenkins
     kids, he was more like an older brother.
    A wave of nostalgia hit Logan hard, along with something else. Loneliness, maybe?
    After their marriage, Tuck and Becca would be building a family. They’d have kids
     of their own, and it would be Tuck teaching them to throw a ball or bait a hook. For
     the first time, Logan felt his single, childless status. It left him feeling a little
     empty.
    It was crazy for Logan to feel lonely, because he was almost always surrounded by
     people. He had his fellow faculty and cadets, and his family was just a couple of
     hours away. He could visit home anytime he wanted. Still, Logan hoped he’d be involved
     in some way with Tuck and Becca’s kids, whenever the time came. Maybe he could be
     an honorary uncle. He’d fill whatever role they gave him.
    Logan found himself a little choked up as he said, “I’m happy for you, Tuck.”
    “Thanks, man.” Tuck put his