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“That’s what I’m saying.” He throws his hands up in the air with frustration. “Do you know how hard it is to find a woman in Calloway that he hasn’t already been with?”
My stomach sours at the thought. I think Tucker is overexaggerating, but I have no proof of it.
“What in the hell are you thinking?” He adds, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Maybe you don’t know him like you think you do.”
Tucker chuckles, running his hand through his hair and fisting the ends.
“Oh I know him,” he says so sure, and I don’t argue.
“I don’t even know why you are so worried about this. Tyler and I are friends.”
“Friends that make out in the back of your salon,” he arches his brow, daring me to deny something. Knowing I can’t. He’s got inside information it seems. I’m gonna kill my sisters.
“You are crazy if you think the two of you will get past a week.” I hate that Tucker may be right.
I try to hold back my irritation because honestly I had nothing to add that could make Tucker wrong. I had no example of Tyler’s relationships to use to defend him, because even when he was in high school he was a player.
So instead, I take a different approach. “How do you know it's not me that will be using him?”
“I think we both know that you are grasping at strings now.” My brother is a stubborn, pigheaded ass that refuses to be wrong. He’s just like my father. Oh shit, my dad. My stomach drops at the thought. “You are not that girl, sis, you never could be.”
I square my shoulders. “Because?”
“You have a heart,” I bite my lip to hold back my emotions. “You have a conscience, and you can’t be casual. Obviously I can’t tell you what to do, but I can ask that you be careful. He may be older than me but damnit if he hurts you Mar,” Tucker shakes his head and backs up, looking down at the ground for a few seconds. When he looks back his irritation is gone, and in its place is concern.
“Just be careful,” he repeats before turning around and walking back to his car.
I remain on the stoop that leads to my front door, long after he is gone. I stare out at nothing in particular, my chest tight and my thoughts racing.
I shouldn’t do this, I know, but I’m afraid that my brother's warning may be too late. I think my heart is already involved and stepping away isn’t going to help it heal. I’ve already tasted what it's like to give in to the temptations I’ve felt for years. I’ve already dipped my foot in the water, and all I can think about is, what it would feel like to jump in head first without a life jacket.
And I do realize that is a decision I may very well regret.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Tyler
I walk toward the front entrance of Millers, a small bar in Calloway. A place that’s been around since longer than I can remember. Just on the edge of town, it has become somewhat of a hangout for us after a long shift.
Liam and Coleton send me a message that they are stopping in for a beer and I don’t have any place to be since Amara has yet to respond to my text.
It’s been a few days since our night at the salon and I figure I’ll have to plan another surprise visit in order to get her to react.
I’ll wear her down, no matter what it takes she’ll eventually stop fighting me on this.
The jukebox plays some country tunes as I step inside and immediately spot the guys at the bar. Liam is the first to notice me, pointing to the beer that he already has waiting for me.
“About damn time,” he hassles me as I take a seat at his side. “You take the scenic route?”
I didn’t want to tell him that I drove past Amara’s house and her salon, looking for her car.
“Had to stop and get gas in the truck.”
The two of them quickly roll into conversation about the last call we had, and I stare ahead at the television mounted on the wall. Lost in thought I don’t notice our company until they stop at Liam’s side and he places his arms over her shoulder and pulls Amara in for a hug.
Our eyes connect, and I refuse to look away.
