“But what?”

“It’s just you. The thing you said back at the beach. I’ve been thinking about it ever since. You’re right. I was being judgmental. You made me think about things, really think. I wouldn’t have expected that from you. Most guys just look at women taking their clothes off as entertainment. Not as people.”

He holds my gaze and then tugs on a lock of my hair. “It’s not hard to see them as people if one of them is cutting the crusts off your peanut butter sandwiches and waking you for school in the morning.”

The enormity of how I’ve insulted him twists my stomach into knots. “Tank, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“I know. But I misjudged you, too. One thoughtless comment doesn’t override the good things. You were really great with her. I haven’t heard her laugh like that in a long time.”

“Your mom is awesome. She told me about all the gorgeous men she dated in college.”

He grimaces. “Yeah, she can be a little TMI with the details.”

“That was the best part. I listened shamelessly and made her tell me every detail. Twice.”

He laughs along with me. “Good. Maybe she’ll tell all that stuff to you and not to me or Finn.”

“My mom had this salon she liked to go to and they would do her hair in the most beautiful styles. So, I never really had an at home spa day with her. Now I’m just left wondering how many other things we never got to do. How many other things did I miss out on because I thought we had plenty of time?”

The words dry up and I’m left staring back at him with this sick sense of despair that I can’t express. My throat closes up and there’s this awful burn behind my eyelids.

“I’m sorry about your mom, Emma. I would say I understand but I’m starting to realize that I don’t have the slightest clue.”

I grab his hand. It’s huge and there are callouses on the palm. I rub my thumb over the rough skin while I gather my thoughts.

“Your mom is still here and you’re doing exactly what you should be. Spending time with her. Appreciating her. And I don’t know what’s going on between you and your dad, but it’s not too late to make up with him either.”

I can tell he doesn’t know how to respond. I’m probably annoying him, pushing my nose into his business. We barely know each other and I’m trying to tell him how to live his life? But in that moment what I’m saying has nothing to do with Max Marshall, his money or doing a job. It’s one hundred percent truth and I like Tank enough to want to make sure he hears it.

“I know it’s none of my business but I feel like I have to warn you. Need to make sure you understand. Your mother, your father can be taken from you at any time.  And you never realize how lucky you are to have parents, until you don’t.”

“You’re right. But my family situation … it’s complicated.”

I look back at the house where Claire stands in the window watching us. I hand the helmet back to Tank and walk back up the driveway. Before I even get to the door, Claire has it open. She’s watching me with this patient expression. It’s like she knows what I need and she’s just waiting for me to figure it out.

I take the last few steps at a run, almost knocking her over with a hug. My shoulders shake uncontrollably as I try to rein in my emotions. When I’m finally composed again, she wipes the tears from my face and smiles at me.

“It was so wonderful meeting you, Emma. Tank had better bring you back to see me. And if he doesn’t, be patient with him.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Tank is watching us with a baffled expression but he doesn’t say anything as I get on the back of his bike. He puts the helmet on my head and secures the strap beneath my chin. He’s so careful, like he’s afraid to hurt me.

He’s hard to resist on any given day but now, after seeing him with his mother, it’s pretty much fact.

Tank Marshall is irresistible.

We pull up outside of the house. Ivy’s car is the only one in the driveway.  Jon loves taking her to fancy hotels, which she thinks is his way of showing her a good time. In my opinion it’s pretty sketchy, like he can’t take her to his house. Secretly, I think he’s already got a girlfriend.

She texted me earlier that they wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. It’s only a temporary reprieve but I’ll take it. I know I need to get my own place. They might be out now but eventually he’ll end up back here. I don’t want any repeats of the other morning.

“Is that his car?” Tank looks over his shoulder at me. He’s so close that I can smell the scent of his leather jacket and the aftershave he uses. It’s nice. Oh who am I kidding? It makes me want to climb inside his coat with him.

“No. They’re not here.”

“I hate the idea of leaving you here alone. What if he comes back?”

“He’s not dangerous, Tank. Just annoying and gross. As long as Ivy’s with him, he’ll be in her room. I won’t have to see him until morning. I’m going in to work early tomorrow anyway.” I climb off the back of the bike and unstrap the helmet. My hair is stuck to my forehead so I run a hand through it trying to fluff it out a little.

“I’ll pick you up.”

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

“Your car is still back at the beach, remember?”

After spending the evening with his mom, I totally forgot about my car. The smoke coming from beneath the hood probably means my cracked radiator finally busted. The last time I got it serviced, they told me I needed a new one. I didn’t have the money for it then and I still don’t. I could probably ask Ivy to borrow some but I already know her solution to the problem. She’ll ask Jon for the money and there is no way that I want to owe him anything. I’d rather walk.