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“You too.”
“I love you, sis.”
“I love you too.”
The line went dead, and I opened up a new text message. With shaking hands, I typed out a message for Charlie.
Me: I’m sorry I called you last night. I don’t remember any of it. I’m okay. Going fishing with Nash.
Figuring she was pissed and wouldn’t reply for hours, I pushed my phone into my back pocket and went about getting my fishing stuff together.
I walked into the living room and set everything down. “You got the cooler?” I asked, reaching for my wallet and making sure I had my fishing license.
“Yep, you ready?”
With a nod, I replied, “Yep. By the way, my sister wanted to talk to you. I told her we were going fishing.”
Nash nodded and didn’t go for his phone. Instead, he took one of my fishing rods and headed to the front door.
We spent the next six hours floating on Lake Travis—drinking, fishing, and trying to forget our broken hearts. I think the only thing we were successful at in those six hours was the drinking.
MY MOTHER STOOD in front of me, attempting to fix the tie on my expensive suit.
“I don’t even know why I have to go.”
She pursed her lips together. “Because this was important to your father, so it’s important to us. Besides, Loyd Adams was a good friend of your father’s. You’ll be able to meet his son, Darrell. Loyd is grooming him to take over the family business.”
I rolled my eyes, thinking of how Charlie’s father had done the same with her. Just thinking of Charlie made my insides hurt. She had texted me back the day Nash and I had gone fishing. It had been three hours after I texted her. Her reply was simple and direct.
You scared me. Don’t ever do that again.
I wanted desperately to text her back, but I didn’t. I couldn’t stop analyzing if that had been a mistake.
“Penny for your thoughts,” my mother whispered.
Smiling, I let out a breath and then kissed her on the forehead. “I just hate these kinds of things. That’s all.”
“You won’t tonight, trust me. I think you’ll be very happy you went.”
An hour later when we walked into the ballroom; I groaned at the sight of Noelle.
“Was that your idea of me being happy to go to this?” I asked, jerking my head over to Noelle. It was clear this was one of those kinds of events—the one where all the rich families of Austin showed up, donated big money to make themselves look good, and rubbed elbows in the process.
When my mother saw Noelle, she laughed. “Hardly, Tucker. I never did like that girl when you were dating her. She’s only after one thing.”
Stunned, I stared at my mother and asked, “Do tell, Mother.”
She looked at me. “Money. That’s all that girl wants. Someone with money to take care of her.”
“Well, I own a bar, so I’m not swimming in it.”
Lifting her hand and waving to people, my mother walked slowly beside me. “It’s the name she likes, son. Your father’s business is a good one that makes money, and someday that money falls to you. That’s all that woman sees.”
I huffed. “And you know this how?” I asked, leaning closer to her.
Pausing, she looked up at me. “Your sister, of course.”
I glanced around the room, looking for my sister. Finally, I saw her on the arm of some rich-looking asshole.
