Already Gone

by Kristen Proby

  But then I had the terror of finding Dad on the floor, and everything that happened after. To say it was a rollercoaster would be the understatement of the friggin’ year.

  I hear clanging coming from Tuck’s garage, and when I come around to the big door and find it open with Tuck sitting on the floor beside his lawnmower, my stomach takes a dive to my feet.

  Dear sweet Lord in Heaven, the man is gorgeous.

  He’s sweaty, and a little dirty, thanks to the tinkering and the oppressively hot South Carolina summer weather. And when he looks up at me, his eyes narrow.

  “How’s Rick?”

  “He’s home. With the physical therapist now, actually.”

  “Wanna tell me what happened?”

  I swallow and nod, not at all happy with the distance in his voice, which makes me a complete asshole because I’m about to tell him I can’t see him anymore.

  “When I got home last night, I found him on the kitchen floor. He’d fallen sometime after Phillip left and before I got there. I panicked and called the ambulance.”

  “But you didn’t call me.”

  I tip my head to the side, watching him. “Well, no. It happened really fast, and I was just worried about Dad.”

  He nods once, using a wrench thingy on the mower. “Go on.”

  “Well, you saw most of the rest.” I twist my hands at my waist, more nervous than I’ve been in a long time. “We went to the hospital, and they x-rayed the wrist and knee. He didn’t break anything, thank goodness. He’s a little sore today, but I think it just scared us all more than anything.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “I also came over because I need to talk to you.”

  “I figured.”

  He stands, and with one hand, he whips his shirt over his head and proceeds to wipe his sweaty face with it. My tongue is now permanently stuck to the roof of my mouth.

  For the love of Mary and Joseph, the man has abs for days. And I remember how they feel under my fingertips. How they move when he’s thrusting in and out of me, and…why did he take his shirt off?

  He wipes his hands, then walks over to the sink in the corner of the garage and starts to wash them.

  With his shirt off.

  “I’m listening,” he says.

  I shake my head, trying to pull myself out of the sexy fog that seeing his bare torso dragged me into.

  “Well, I had a lot of time to think last night, and you know, Lexi’s not entirely wrong. It is my job to look after Daddy. And I really shouldn’t be letting myself be all distracted by you and your—” I gesture to his body when he turns to look at me, watching me with hot eyes as he dries his hands on a towel.

  “My what?”

  “Your sexy ways,” I say with a deep sigh. “It’s not fair to Dad, and I just think I need to be focused. I need to worry about him and getting him well. I can do other things in my spare time, like write songs and maybe weed the garden or something. I have enough on my plate, Tucker.”

  “I see.” He nods and leans on the workbench, crossing his arms over his bare chest.

  “I’m glad you agree.” I nod once and turn to leave, but he stops me in my tracks with his next words.

  “I don’t agree. Everything you just said is complete bullshit.”

  I spin around. “It is not bullshit.”

  He walks toward me, slowly, his hands curling and uncurling into fists at his sides as he approaches. I step back, but he cages me against the wall, one hand planted next to my head, and the other cupping my cheek.

  “I don’t believe a word of it.” His voice is a hoarse whisper. His eyes are pinned to mine, and I’ve never been so damn turned on in my life. “I know you’re used to dishing out the orders and having everyone bend to your will, but I’m not your employee or your minion, Scarlett. I was buried deep inside you not twelve hours ago, and you know as well as I do that it wasn’t a casual fuck for either of us.”

  “Tuck, I just—”

  “I listened to you. Now, it’s your turn to listen. You walking out of here and never speaking to me again is not how this is going to work. Not today or any other day.”

  He leans closer and presses his lips to that spot he found last night, the one just under my earlobe. But he doesn’t kiss me there. No, he whispers against my skin.

  Because I didn’t already have gooseflesh all up and down my damn body.

  “You can be a good daughter and be in a relationship, Scar.”

  “Is that what this is?” My voice sounds breathless to my ears.

  “How would you describe it?” He lifts me effortlessly, and with my back propped against the wall, and my legs wrapped around his waist, his thumb makes its way under the hem of my little cut-off shorts and finds my wet panties. “I don’t think just anyone does this to you.”

  “That’s just sex,” I insist, then moan when he makes light little circles over my clit. Even through the thin material of my panties, it makes me crazy. My nipples immediately pucker, and my legs tighten around him.

  “Tell me what you feel is purely physical,” he challenges.

  “You tell me.” I watch his face, unwilling to be the only vulnerable one in the room.

  “I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you,” he growls. “It’s not just the sex, although it’s the best fucking sex of my life. I told you last night, it’s you. You make me laugh and think. I’m so damn proud of you, and yes, you turn me on.”

  He presses his hard cock against my core, dry humping me against the wall, and I’ll be damned…he’s about to make me come just like this.

  “Tuck,” I whimper, cradling his face now. “Damn you, Tucker.”

  “I’m not letting you do this, Scar. You’re not going to walk away from this. You’re not going to walk away from me, damn it.”

  “I don’t know what to do,” I blurt, frustrated beyond belief. “Everything I do is wrong. Lexi reminds me almost daily that what I’m doing for Dad isn’t enough. So, I came here to tell you that I can’t see you anymore, but that doesn’t feel right either.”

  “Because it’s not,” he agrees. “You can have both. You don’t have to choose between me and your dad, Scar.”

  I tip my head back against the wall and swallow hard. I don’t want to give Tucker up. God, I just found him again, and being with him feels so right.

  “I have to do right by my dad,” I inform him.

  “You’re already doing all the right things,” he reminds me. “Lexi’s an angry woman. Don’t let her ruin everything for you. You’re home, for the first time in a dozen years. Enjoy it, baby.”

  I hug him, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on for all I’m worth. He feels so damn good against me, but more than that, being with him just feels right. He soothes me in ways I didn’t know I needed.

  He’s my best friend and my lover.

  And I’m not giving him up. Not for Lexi. Not for anyone.

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  “Trust me.” He kisses my cheek sweetly. “You’ve got this. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

  I nod and smile down at him, brushing my fingertips down his rough cheek.

  “We’ll figure it out,” I say.

  “Oh, yeah. We’ve got this.”

  13

  ~ Tucker ~

  “Whatcha cookin’?” Dean hollers across the yard.

  Scarlett is standing on her dad’s deck. There are some seriously delicious smells coming from Rick’s grill, and my stomach growls. I should probably think about making something for dinner. Chloe got home from school an hour ago, and she’s probably starving. The girl is growing like a weed. She’s also trying to eat me out of house and home.

  “Burgers.” Scarlett lowers the lid of the grill then sets the spatula down and leans a hip against the deck railing. “What are you guys doing?”

  “Just hanging out. I’m spending time with my brother and my favorite niece.”

  “I’m your only niece
,” Chloe says, giving her uncle Dean a look.

  “Then I guess you win by default, huh, kid?” Dean ruffles her hair and laughs when Chloe slaps his hand away.

  “I’m not a kid.”

  “You’re telling me,” I quip, remembering the tween drama I had to deal with not too long ago.

  Chloe rolls her eyes and looks at Scarlett. “Any chance I can have dinner with you and Rick so that I can get away from these two?”

  Scarlett laughs. “Come on over.”

  I love watching Scarlett interact with Chloe. She’s so good with her. Natural.

  “Yes!” Chloe sticks her tongue out at Dean and runs across the yard. “Thanks, Scarlett.”

  “You bet. Can you run inside and hang with Dad for a few minutes while I finish up these burgers?”

  “Sure.” Chloe disappears into the house while Scarlett flips the patties. When she’s done, she pulls her hair up into a loose knot on top of her head. The move causes her already short shirt to rise up, revealing her stomach.

  Scarlett is gorgeous with curves for days, and one of the things I love most about her is her confidence. She’s not stick-thin, her ribs aren’t showing, and she’s not obsessed with food. She eats what she wants, when she wants, and is comfortable in her own skin.

  “You’re one lucky bastard, you know that?” Dean whispers, not bothering to hide the fact that he’s openly ogling my girlfriend.

  Girlfriend.

  I like the sound of that. I smile to myself and nod.

  “I know.”

  “Are you two hungry?” Scarlett asks.

  Dean nods and rubs his belly. “Starving.”

  “Well then, get over here.” Scarlett waves us over. “I’ll throw on some brats and a few more burgers.”

  “That’s it. I’m stealing her.” Dean takes a purposeful stride toward Scarlett, and I dart after him.

  “The hell you are.” He laughs when I knock him out of the way. “Get your own girl.”

  “But I want yours.” I growl. “I’m joking.” He laughs, holding up his hands and taking a step back. “I don’t think any man in this town would be stupid enough to go after her with you prowling around.”

  “Smart men.”

  When we get to Scarlett, I wrap an arm around her waist, pull her close, and kiss her. “Are you sure you don’t mind us crashing your dinner?”

  “Are you kidding? The more, the merrier. You two watch the grill while I grab some more food.”

  She walks inside, and Dean lifts the lid to the grill, revealing giant Angus burgers. They’ve been dipped in barbecue sauce and look mouthwatering.

  “She’s sexy, smart, funny, successful, and she knows how to grill.” Dean shakes his head and whistles low as he shuts the lid. “You hit the fucking jackpot. Better not let this one go.”

  “I don’t plan on it.”

  “Don’t plan on what?” Scarlett says, walking out with a plate of meat.

  “Letting you go.”

  “Good.” She smiles, pushing onto her toes to kiss me. “Because I don’t think you could get rid of me if you tried.”

  I’m damn glad to hear that, especially after the shit she tried to pull a few days ago. Honestly, I think she just got scared. All she needed was a gentle reminder that she’s doing a good job of taking care of her dad and that we’re perfect together. Now, my girl is happy, I’m happy, and for the first time in over a decade, all is right in the world.

  “Want some help?” I wrap my arms around her stomach and rest my chin on her shoulder. She angles her head so that she can kiss my nose.

  “No, thank you. I’ve got this.”

  Dean plops down onto a patio chair, but I’m comfortable right where I am, watching Scarlett cook.

  “Where did you learn to grill? I assumed you had a chef who cooks for you while you’re on tour.”

  “Oh, I do. Bernard is great.”

  “He taught you?”

  “No.” She smiles up at me proudly. “I taught myself.”

  “When?”

  “This morning.”

  I lift a brow. “This morning?”

  “Yep. Don’t look so surprised,” she says, laughing. “Daddy wanted burgers from the grill for dinner, and I’m not about to let him down again—Lord knows I’ve done that enough—so, I did a Google search, pulled up a few recipes, and voila!”

  “Wow. I’m impressed.”

  “Let’s save the compliments until we taste the food.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be great.”

  “This is gonna get old fast,” Dean mumbles.

  “What is?” I ask.

  “You two acting lovey-dovey all the time.”

  Scarlett turns in my arms, wraps hers around my neck, and smiles at Dean before kissing me full on the mouth. Lips, tongue, teeth clacking, the whole nine yards.

  Dean gags, and we’re interrupted when the back door flies open.

  “Oh my God,” Chloe screeches. “Ew. Gross. I can’t un-see that.”

  Scarlett pulls back and touches her lips, just as affected by the kiss as I am. Her glossy eyes dart to my daughter, who is making an exaggerated gagging sound.

  “What’s all the commotion about?” Rick says, walking onto the deck from the house.

  Chloe wrinkles her nose and looks at Rick. “Dad and Scarlett were making out.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Rick looks way too happy. “That’s not a bad thing, Chlo.”

  “I know it’s not, but I don’t need to see it.”

  “Remember that when you start dating,” I say.

  I kiss Scarlett on the side of the head and walk across the deck to pull out a chair for Rick.

  “Atta boy,” he whispers, giving me a wry smile as he sits down. “I knew you and Scar would end up together.”

  “Dad, don’t—” Scarlett’s words taper off. I turn around to see why, and that’s when my eyes land on Alexis.

  She’s walking toward us with the same scowl she’s been wearing since Scarlett’s return home. A second later, her kids walk around the corner, pushing and shoving at each other, but they perk up at the sight of Scarlett.

  “Aunt Scarlett!” they yell in unison, darting across the yard.

  Scarlett runs after them, meeting them in the middle and scoops them both into her arms. I can’t see her face from where I’m sitting, but I’d bet just about anything that she’s fighting back tears.

  “I missed you both so much,” she says, pulling back so she can look at them. “Look at you guys. You’re getting so big.”

  “I’m bigger,” Declan says, puffing out his chest.

  Lucy answers him with an elbow to his stomach. “You might be bigger, but I’m older and stronger.”

  “Stop fighting and go give your grandpa a hug,” Alexis says.

  Scarlett turns and watches the kids run toward Rick. She swipes a finger under her eye and looks at Alexis, but she doesn’t get a word out because Alexis is faster.

  “Well, isn’t this cozy? A nice little family dinner.”

  “It wasn’t planned. We were all just outside and decided to eat together.”

  I hate that Scarlett feels the need to defend herself and what’s happening. Alexis needs to pull the stick out of her ass and get over whatever grudge she’s holding onto.

  “Well, the kids and I won’t stay long.”

  “Don’t go,” Scarlett says. “Stay. Have dinner with us. I can make some hotdogs for the kids.”

  Alexis frowns. “My kids don’t eat hotdogs. Have you seen what’s in those things?”

  “Oh. Right. Of course. I’m also making burgers and brats, and I think Daddy has some chicken in the refrigerator. I’m sure we can find something for them to eat if you’ll stay.”

  Alexis’s gaze lands on all of us before it returns to her sister. “I don’t know.”

  “Please.” Scarlett rests a hand on her sister’s forearm. “It would mean a lot to me if you’d stay. I haven’t gotten to see the kids in a long time, and I’d really like to spend
some time with them.”

  I’m about to tell Alexis to swallow her fucking pride when she finally relents. “Fine, we’ll stay. Jason got called in to work today, so it’s just the kids and me.”

  “Yay!” Scarlett squeals and throws her arms around her sister. Alexis, however, doesn’t return the sentiment. Her arms hang limply at her sides.

  “Is it just me, or does Alexis look constipated?” Dean murmurs, softly enough for only me to hear.

  I punch him in the arm, and he laughs. “What? She does,” he whispers. “That woman needs a beer and a good, hard fuck.”

  “Dinner was great, sweetheart.” Rick tosses his napkin on the table and rubs his belly.

  “Thanks, Daddy.” Scarlett grabs his plate and kisses the top of his head. After putting his plate in the sink, she turns to grab mine, but I shake my head and stand up.

  “No, ma’am. You cooked. You’re not cleaning up after me.”

  “The dishes can wait,” Rick declares. “It’s too nice outside to spend the evening indoors. Let’s take this to the deck. Chloe, I’ll take you in a game of rummy.”

  “You’re on, old man,” she says.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Dean pushes away from the table and deposits his plate in the sink. “Rick, do you have any beer?”

  “There’s probably a few in the refrigerator. Grab me one, too.”

  “Daddy, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Alexis says.

  Rick cuts a hand through the air. “One beer isn’t going to kill me.”

  Chloe, Rick, and Dean move outside to the deck. Scarlett’s niece and nephew go to follow, but she stops them.

  “Wait. I have something for you two,” Scarlett says, ignoring Alexis when she rolls her eyes.

  Scarlett disappears and returns a minute later with two perfectly wrapped gifts. She hands one to Lucy and one to Declan.

  “You didn’t have to get them anything,” Alexis says, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Scarlett doesn’t look at her sister when she responds, she’s too focused on the kids, who are plowing through the shiny wrapping paper. “I know I didn’t. I don’t see them very often, and since I wasn’t invited to their birthday parties, I thought I’d pick them up a little something.”