Face Value (Next Generation 7)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “A little bit of both. If I see a lot that I like, I usually buy it and build the kind of house I think people would want to buy. More often than not, it’s the kind of house I would want to live in.”

  “Your house must be pretty great, given all of your experience.”

  He laughed. “I don’t know about that. It’s small. I don’t need a lot of space. Just a bedroom for me, each of my kids, and a spare one if they want to have friends over. But there’s a man-made lake where my son and I can go fishing. My daughter loves to swim. They seem to like it.”

  “It sounds nice.” She smiled. “So, it’s outside of the city then?”

  “It’s a little bit off the beaten path.” He would love to show her his house. It was a labor of love that took more than two years to build because he’d insisted on being involved in every stage of the project. He made every cabinet and built-in with his own hands, and he knew he could happily live there for the rest of his days.

  “I have to admit, I’ve thought about buying a house, but I’m so busy it doesn’t seem practical. Condo living is just so much easier.”

  “It is that.”

  The song ended, and the band announced they were taking a break. Tucker didn’t want to let her go, but he had no choice. He glanced at his table. Tonya sat there shooting daggers at him. Too bad. He wouldn’t have traded the last fifteen minutes with Lauren for fifteen years with Tonya.

  “Well, thanks for the dance,” he said. “I’m gonna call it a night soon. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Sounds good.” She smiled up at him. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Tucker wondered if he would get a wink of sleep that night or if a certain little blonde bombshell would drift in and out of his mind, teasing him with the memory of her moist lips.

  Chapter Four

  “That guy is so hot,” Ava said, propping her chin in her hand as she watched Tucker and his date put on a show on the dance floor.

  Wow. That man could dance. Lauren would never have guessed a big, tough guy like Tucker could move his body that way. She shuddered when she thought of what else he could do with that impressive body. She’d heard that men who moved like that when people were watching were sexier than sin when the lights went out.

  He was so wrong for her. He was an ex-con, for God’s sake. Her over-protective father would have a coronary if he thought she was even interested in Tucker.

  “He was in jail,” Lauren blurted out. She hoped saying it aloud would send a message to her over-heated body.

  “Are you serious?” Ava whispered. “What did he do?”

  “Assault, I think.” She bit her lip, wondering whether she should tell her friend the whole sordid story. She couldn’t explain why, but she felt a sense of loyalty to Tucker. Sharing his darkest secrets with someone who was a stranger to him seemed wrong.

  “That doesn’t surprise me,” Ava said, turning her attention back to the man in question. “He definitely has that dark thing going on. You know he’d go off if you were stupid enough to provoke him.”

  Lauren suspected her friend was right. There was something a little uncivilized about Tucker Brooks. Beneath the respectable business owner who clearly loved his kids lurked the tattooed ex-con eager to push back when pushed too far.

  “He doesn’t drink,” Ava said. “I wonder why.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Tonya told me.”

  “Huh.” Lauren stole one more glance at the dance floor. The band had slowed it down, and Tonya was pulling Tucker into her arms. Yuck. “That’s interesting.” She would have expected Tucker to be the type to kick back with a cold beer at the end of a long day.

  “Anyways,” Ava said, pulling her gaze away from Tucker, “what’s new with you?”

  “Not much. This house I’m working on is driving me crazy. Phil broke his arm and can’t finish the work, so I’m hoping Tucker and his crew can help me out.” Without Tucker’s co-operation, she was so screwed. Whatever it took to convince him, she was prepared to do it.

  “What’s going on with you and that accountant?” Ava asked. “What’s his name? Sean?”

  Lauren wrinkled her nose. “He’s okay, I guess.”

  “Gee, there’s a ringing endorsement.” Ava laughed as she reached for her glass of wine. “He just doesn’t do it for you, huh?”

  Lauren hadn’t met a guy who did it for her in so long, she wasn’t even sure she remembered what it felt like. Her eyes traveled back to the dance floor. Oh yeah, that man definitely did it for her. “No, not really. Sean’s a nice guy, but there are no sparks.” Unlike the sparks she felt around Tucker. It felt the fourth of freakin’ July in his office.

  “Awww, that’s too bad. He’s cute.”

  “Yeah, he is.” Lauren smiled. “Maybe you should go out with him.”

  “No, thanks. I’m too busy helping other people find their soul mates to worry about finding my own.”

  Ava owned one of most successful upscale dating services in the state. She connected people who often found meeting people the traditional way difficult. They were usually celebrities, wealthy entrepreneurs, or busy professionals. According to Ava, her clients wanted to weed out the prospects who were only interested in money or status, and her service helped them do that.

  “I know what you mean. Despite everyone around us heading toward the altar, I’m in no hurry.”

  Ava grinned at Justin, who was playing darts with Mitch. “Justin is so sweet, isn’t he? I’m so happy for Anna.”

  “Yeah, me too. He’s the best.”

  “You and Mitch looked pretty cozy on the dance floor.” Ava giggled. “Are you sure he doesn’t ‘do it for you’?”

  “Mitch is hot, no question, but things would be awkward if we dated and it didn’t work out. It’s best if we stick to the friends thing.”

  “I guess you’re right. Speaking of cozy, you and Tucker looked friendly on the dance floor too. What was that about?”

  “Nothing.” Lauren’s face was turning red, so she reached for her wine glass, hoping she could blame the flush on the alcohol. Judging by her friend’s laughter, it was too late. “We were just talking business. He told me how he got into construction, a little bit about his family.” When he spoke about his uncle, he’d looked so sad she was tempted to hug him, but she suspected he wasn’t the type of man who tolerated sympathy.

  Ava groaned when she glanced at the time on her cell phone. “It’s getting late. I should go.”

  “You’re okay to drive, right?”

  Ava rolled her eyes and pointed at her wine glass. “I didn’t even finish the first glass.” She reached into her wallet for some bills to toss on the table.

  “Don’t let my dad see you doing that,” Lauren said, smiling. “You know he doesn’t want you to pay for anything here.”

  “A tip for the waitress then.” Ava got up and kissed Lauren on the cheek. “Are you coming?”

  “I think I’ll see if my dad has a minute to sit down with me before I leave. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him in a while.”

  “Okay, call me tomorrow. Maybe we can get together for dinner this weekend.”

  “Sounds good. Bye.”

  J.T. was already walking over. Lauren watched her father hug Ava before she left.

  “I was wondering if you’d be able to make a little time for your favorite daughter.”

  J.T. laughed. “Seein’ as how you’re my only daughter, only child for that matter, I’ve always got time for you, baby.” He kissed Lauren’s cheek before squeezing her shoulder.

  Catching the waitress’s attention, he motioned for her to come over. J.T. waited for her to clear the plates and glasses before he said, “Thanks, Melissa.” He handed her the cash Ava had left behind. “Since my girls know better than to try to pay for their food and drinks here, I’m assuming this is for you.”

  “Thanks.” Melissa smiled at Lauren before she tucked the cash in her pocket. “You want me to bring y’all s
ome coffee, J.T.?”

  “That’d be great. Thanks, darlin’.”J.T. waited until she walked away to talk to Lauren. “So, you and Tucker Brooks? What the hell was that all about?”

  Lauren wanted to squirm, but she wouldn’t give her father the satisfaction. She should have known that was coming. J.T. didn’t approve of anyone she dated. According to him, no man would ever be good enough for his little girl. Her grandfather, Luc, told her he used to think J.T. wasn’t good enough for Nikki, so whenever her father stepped too far out of line, Luc reminded J.T. that sometimes overprotective fathers got it wrong.

  “My contractor broke his arm and can’t finish the job. I’m on a tight deadline, and we’re already over budget. I can’t afford any more delays on this project.”

  “So you’re hopin’ Tucker will step up and save the day?” J.T. glared at Tucker. “Don’t count on it. That guy’s a loose cannon. I can’t tell you how many times he’s busted up this place, gettin’ into it with some poor sucker who called him out.”

  “That doesn’t sound like Tucker’s fault,” Lauren said, surprised by her need to defend him. “You just said the other guys called him out.”

  “Yeah, but he’s dangerous, baby. I want you to stay the hell away from him.”

  “Dangerous… how?” Lauren felt a trickle of uneasiness make its way down her spine. Tucker had been coming to Jimmy’s a long time. Her father probably knew him a lot better than she did.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s better than he was before he went to jail, but he’s still unstable.”

  Lauren reached for her water glass to coat her dry throat before she could croak out, “Unstable?”

  “Yeah, he’s just…” J.T. sighed. “Unbalanced. I’ve never seen anything like it. He snaps when he gets into a fight. He can’t control himself. He’ll take out anyone or anything in his path. Complete mayhem. It once took four bouncers to pull him off some guy who’d apparently tried to rip him off.”

  “Wow.” Lauren was starting to see Tucker in a whole new light. Maybe his ex-wife had been right about him. “Why haven’t you ever charged him if he’s done so much damage? Why do you even let him in the door?”

  J.T. lifted a shoulder. “He always mans up. Comes in the next day and apologizes, writes me a check for the damage. That’s a hell of a lot more than most of these guys do, and like I said, he has gotten a lot better since he got out of jail. Still, I can’t help but think someday some guy is gonna light his fuse, and he’ll go off again. I just don’t want you anywhere near him when he does.”

  “Yeah,” Lauren said, glancing at Tucker. “I don’t want that either.”

  ***

  Tucker pulled into Tonya’s driveway, hoping she would make it as painless as possible. “So listen, I’ve had fun with you the past few months.”

  “I have too,” she said, reaching for his hand.

  Apparently painless was too much to hope for. “I think you’re a sweet girl.”

  She withdrew her hand, settling it in her lap. “I don’t think I like where this is going.”

  “I’m a lot older than you, Tonya. I’ve got a business that keeps me busy, kids…”

  “What are you saying?” She folded her arms, a pout drawing her full lips down. “You don’t want to see me anymore?”

  Tucker sighed. “We both knew this wasn’t gonna go anywhere, honey. I told you from the start I have no intention of getting married again. Besides, you’re too young for that. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. So many great guys out there would consider themselves lucky to have you as their girlfriend.” Tucker had given that speech so many times over the years, he could have recited it in his sleep. But hurting someone never got easier, and he could tell Tonya was hurt.

  “I love you,” she whimpered.

  Tucker closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He hated it when they hauled out the ‘I love you’ line as if that would change his mind. If anything, it made him run farther and faster. “You may think you do, but-”

  “I do!” she shouted. “Don’t you tell me how I feel! This is about her, isn’t it? You really think you stand a chance with Lauren McCall?” She sniffled as she reached into her handbag for a tissue. “She rejects half a dozen guys like you by noon every day. She wouldn’t even consider you fit to hold her coat.”

  Tucker felt his temper rising, probably because she was right. When he got angry, it was past time to leave. “Get out of the truck, Tonya.”

  “Just like that?” she asked, throwing her arms out. “You’re gonna toss me out just like that?”

  “I’ve said all I have to say. So have you apparently,” he said between clenched teeth. “I have an early morning, and I’d appreciate it if you leave now.”

  “Fine, but you’ll be sorry when you ask her out, and she laughs in your face. Then you’ll come crawling back to me, but it’ll be too late ‘cause I’ll have found someone ten times better!”

  “More power to you,” he muttered, waiting for her to slam the door before he backed out of the driveway.

  Tucker turned the radio to a country music station and let the songs bring him back to a state of calm. At least that was over, and Tonya was out of his life. He glanced at the business card on his dash. Lauren’s cell number stared back at him, taunting him. He wondered if she’d left Jimmy’s yet. Had she made it home safely? He saw her drinking, but he couldn’t imagine her father letting her leave if she’d over-indulged. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to make sure.

  He punched in the number and waited for his hands-free to connect the call. His house was a fair distance, and he wouldn’t mind eating up the miles listening to her sweet voice.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Lauren.” Silence. “It’s… uh… Tucker.” He began to regret his decision to call. What if she thought he was crossing some professional boundaries?

  “Oh, hi, Tucker. What’s up?”

  “You still at Jimmy’s?” He knew she wasn’t. It was too quiet.

  “No, I just left. I’m heading home. How about you?”

  “Heading home too. I just dropped Tonya off.”

  “Oh.”

  Tucker felt uncomfortable. He wanted to say so much, but he was afraid Tonya was right. Lauren would only laugh at his pitiful attempts to impress her. “You weren’t drinking tonight, were you?” He knew he had no right to ask or reason to care, but he did.

  “Just one glass of wine, and I had a coffee with my dad before I left.” She sounded amused by his question, as though she didn’t know whether to laugh or chastise him for thinking she would be reckless enough to drink and drive.

  He could only imagine what J.T. had said to her. He’d probably warned her. Not that he could blame the guy. He would have done the same thing if his daughter ever got involved with a man with his track record. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Why did you call, Tucker?”

  He sighed. Why had he called? “I just wanted to make sure you got home all right.” It was the truth, but that simple statement had “possessive boyfriend” written all over it. Of course, if she was his woman and she’d been at Jimmy’s with her friends, he probably would have been there to keep an eye on her and drive her home.

  “That’s so sweet.”

  Tucker could almost hear her smile, and it made him relax. Maybe calling to check in wasn’t a bad idea. “So did you have fun tonight?”

  “I did. How about you?”

  “I might have… with different company.” They were back to flirting, but he had no doubt she would tell him to back off if she wasn’t into him. If she did, he could at least put his infatuation to rest. He’d just met the woman, and she was already getting under his skin.

  “Really? You didn’t have fun with Tonya?”

  “Not really. She’s a little too high maintenance for my liking.” He cursed his stupidity. Lauren screamed high maintenance from her manicured nails to her designer shoes and platinum blond hair.

  “Then why are you
seeing her?”

  “I’m not anymore.”

  “Really?” She paused as though she was considering asking him to explain. “Why’s that?”

  He grinned. She wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t care. They were getting somewhere. “She was too young for me.”

  Lauren laughed and pretended to mask it with a cough. “You think?”

  Tucker smirked. He liked that she didn’t mind calling him out. “Maybe just a little. How old are you?”

  “Thirty.”

  Tucker wondered if that meant she was looking for a man ready to settle down. If so, he was out of the running. “Where are you right now?”

  “Turning into my parking lot.”

  “Good.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I didn’t want to let you go until I knew you’d gotten home safely.” Tucker was protective when he cared about someone, but he didn’t know how Lauren had eased into that select group so quickly. Her welfare wasn’t his concern, but he found himself wanting to make sure she was safe.

  “You’re such a gentleman.”

  He laughed. No one had ever accused him of being a gentleman before. He wasn’t nearly refined enough to claim a spot in that camp. “I’ll let you keep thinking that, sweetheart.” He hadn’t intended to call her that. He wondered if his slip-up bothered her.

  “I guess I should let you go. I need to get a few hours sleep before we meet again.”

  Tucker knew he would count the minutes on the digital clock by his bed. “Sleep well.”

  “Thanks, you too, Tucker.” He was just about to disconnect the call with a smile when she said, “Hey, hold on.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you always drink that sludge?”

  He laughed. “I admit, I can’t make coffee worth a damn, and my assistant told me when I hired her not to even bother asking.”

  “In that case, you’re in for a treat tomorrow. I’ll bring coffee and breakfast.”

  “You will, huh?”