Tulsa

by S. L. Scott

  I married Tulsa Crow.

  Like I told him, I haven’t felt any regret. Maybe I’m being naïve. We’re in extraordinary circumstances, not having to worry about bills or even what to make for dinner. I do have suitcases full of dirty clothes, and I’m sick of eating out, so I look forward to our downtime together in Austin. I can’t wait to feed him and love him without eyes on us or having to look over our shoulders. After seeing Tulsa with his nephew, a part of me has even been thinking about kids.

  That’s insanity. Am I ready to have kids? If I had to answer now, I’m not so sure I would say no. That tells me more about where I am in my journey than anything else. I’m happy, and that’s good enough for me to know I made the right decision.

  Tommy’s grin is genuine as he keeps our secret. “Nice meeting you, Lauralee.”

  “Same. Safe travels.”

  When we walk to the elevators, she says, “You didn’t tell me you were going to Austin.”

  “Spur of the moment.”

  “So, a little sex with Tulsa convinced you to spend your days off in Austin?”

  I bump into her playfully. “Absolutely.” Punching the up button, I add, “But, let’s be clear. There’s nothing little when it comes to Tulsa.” Nothing. I can feel him between my thighs even now, which is turning me on. I’m a harlot. A sex addict. But seriously, who would blame me? Think Liam Hemsworth’s eyes, Jared Padalecki’s dimples, and Stephen Amell’s body. Yeah. Swoon. Hate me.

  Snort laughing, she shakes her head. “Oh, girl. You are in so deep.”

  As is he. If she only knew.

  Lauralee catches a two o’clock flight to San Diego, and I finish packing. Fortunately, I extended my checkout time, considering my clothes have somehow been strewn around the small suite in the two nights I’ve been here.

  There’s a knock on my door, and without answering it, I already know who it is. Laird’s texted me twice, telling me to be ready. I’m not, so I run to answer it before shoving everything in my suitcases. “Hey. Come on in.”

  “You’re not packed? We need to leave in fifteen minutes, or we’ll miss our flight.”

  “Actually, I’ve changed my ticket. I’m not going back to LA this break. I’m going to Austin instead.”

  “Why?” He sits on the end of the bed that Lauralee slept in while I pack my stuff on the other.

  I go with Tommy’s brilliant excuse. “We’re recording a song.”

  “For their album or ours?”

  “Theirs. Ours. I’m not sure. He has a song. I have a song.”

  “He who? Jet?”

  Shoot. Without looking his way, I focus on fitting my shoes in one-half of the case. “No, um, Tulsa.”

  “When did you start talking to Tulsa about songs?”

  “Just came up when we went jogging the other day.”

  “Since when do you jog?”

  “Laird?”

  “What?” He shrugs. “You’ve always hated running.” His mouth falls open. “Wait a minute. Are they poaching you?”

  “No. It’s just a song.”

  Laird studies me for a second before he says, “We’re making a name for ourselves.”

  “You don’t have to worry.”

  “I always worry about you.”

  “I’m not leaving the band, Laird.” I turn my attention back to my cosmetics bag, shoving it into the suitcase. I don’t have to see him to know he’s watching me. I can feel it.

  “Okay.”

  I’m so shocked by his acceptance without more questions that I reply too quickly, “Okay?”

  “Yeah. Okay.” He stands when I shut the one case and takes it by the handle.

  What the hell? Where’s the brother who always gives me a hard time? “That’s it? I thought you’d freak out.”

  He laughs when he turns back. “Me too, but I guess I figure you’ll always be my baby sister, but you’re also a grown woman. If you want to go to Austin, you don’t need my permission.”

  “What about the band?”

  “I believe you when you say you’re staying. Should I not?”

  “No, you should. I love our band.”

  He’s being so accepting, so casual about it that I’m tempted to tell him about the marriage. The only reason I don’t is that I should talk to Tulsa first. I couldn’t hold it in last night with Dex and Rochelle, but he hasn’t told his brothers, so I shouldn’t tell mine without him being present.

  “I’m glad, Nik, because it’s not Faris Wheel without you.” He leaves my suitcase by the door and comes back to me. “You’ll be okay.” He hugs me.

  How did he know I needed to hear that? Closing my eyes, I feel the love he’s always had for me. I feel protected in his arms just like I always have. Some of that may shift to Tulsa’s shoulders, but I know my brother will still be there for me just like he’s always been. “I love you, big brother.”

  “I love you, little sis. Good luck with the song.”

  Watching him walk to the door, I say, “Thanks. See you in Chicago.”

  “Yep.” He looks back at me. “Take care of yourself.”

  “You too.”

  He gives me a nod before the door closes. As much as I love how that played out, I kind of feel like he let me off too easy. I don’t want to jinx how well it went by overthinking it . . . or think about him getting lucky at all. I have a flight to catch and a date with destiny.

  27

  Tulsa

  Every time I see my woman walking toward me, Tom Petty’s “Here Comes My Girl” plays on a loop. Derrick mentioned that that song plays in his head when he sees his wife, and now I’m caught in the same trap.

  Is this what married people do? Sing ’80s love songs in their head? I shake it off and meet Nikki halfway. “You’re more beautiful every day.”

  She twirls for me. “I think it’s the wedded bliss.”

  “Wedded bliss, huh?”

  “Okay, maybe it’s just seeing you that brings it out in me.” Her arms fall around my neck as she reaches up and kisses me. “Sorry. I was just happy to see you. I’ll be more careful.”

  “I don’t ever want you to hold yourself back from sharing your love. I get that we’re in public, but,” I say, looking around, “no one’s paying attention to us.”

  We start walking toward airport security. “Did everything go all right?”

  “It did. Lauralee suspects nothing, and Laird was somehow okay with the Austin plan.”

  “You told him?”

  She scoffs. “Hell, no. I told him we were working on a song together.”

  I’m tempted to take her hand, but I don’t, holding myself back now. I don’t like it. “Um, not to be difficult, but don’t you think we need to have a song if that’s our cover?”

  “Do you have a song lying around?” She laughs.

  “I do.”

  Her laughter stops as we step into line. “You do?”

  “Yeah. I have a few. We could actually record a song if you want to. I have extra guitars since yours were sent on the truck.”

  “I’ve never heard you play the guitar. Will you play some of your songs for me?”

  “Sure,” I reply.

  “I’ve been tinkering with something. I haven’t played it for the band yet.”

  “Will you play for me?”

  She smiles, and a sweet pink brightens her cheeks. I love that innocence she tries to hide. She nods as we step into line.

  After we pass through security, we stop for coffee and then head to the gate where we find Jet and Rivers sitting. Jet’s got his phone to his ear, leaning down, talking to Hannah, I’m sure. Rivers has his earbuds in and is scrolling on his phone.

  Taking the seats across from them, I say, “Look who’s coming to Austin.”

  They both look up and shock flickers across their faces before Rivers pulls his buds from his ears. “Hey, Nikki.”

  “Hi, Rivers.” She gives a little wave.

  Jet speaks into the phone, “Not long until I see you. I’ve
gotta go, though. Love you, Alfie.” When he hangs up with his son, he looks from Nikki to me and back to her. “Change of scenery?”

  “Yes.” Grinning, she replies, “Tulsa’s been nice enough to give me a place to crash.”

  Rivers is scratching his jaw. “Can’t promise the apartment’s in good condition.”

  “It’s okay.” Nikki bumps me with her knee. “I’m just happy for three days off.”

  Jet says, “What about you staying with us, and Nikki using your room?”

  “You shouldn’t sleep on the couch.” Rivers slumps in his chair. “You can use my room if you want. I can stay at Jet’s.”

  “It’s okay. Tulsa’s letting me take over his bed.”

  “Stay at Jet’s house,” I add without explanation, nodding to Rivers.

  Leave it to Rivers to put me in the hot seat. “What about all those broken-hearted women waiting for you to return to Austin? Where you going to take them?”

  Chuckling, I wink at Nikki. “I didn’t bring hookups back to my place.”

  “Didn’t?” Nikki and I look at Jet, who repeats himself, “You said didn’t. Past tense.”

  My brother doesn’t realize he’s about to get my ass whooped if he keeps talking about my “philandering before I met Nikki” days. To play along with our plan, I have to correct him when I really don’t want to. “Don’t. Still don’t.” Glaring at him, I add, “Happy?”

  He shrugs and sits back, eyeing us. Fuck him and his suspicions. I rarely get away with shit for long because my brothers know me too well and harass me every step of the way. “What do I care if you bring hookups to your place? I don’t live there.”

  Talking to Nikki, I say, “We all used to live together and had one rule: don’t bring girls home. No one wants to hear their brother getting laid. But ever since he got married, he likes to give us a hard time.”

  With a tray of sodas, Dave gripes, “The lines were a fucking nightmare.” Saved by Dave. He glances at Nikki, trying to work out why she’s sitting here. “Um. What’s going on?”

  My brothers take their drinks, and then Jet says, “Nikki’s coming to Austin with us.”

  “Oh.” That simple. After Nikki, Dave’s just become my new favorite bandmate.

  Nikki drops on my bed, spreading her arms and legs wide. “I like your bed.”

  “I like you in my bed.”

  Shifting around, she rests on her elbows, and asks, “What you said earlier at the airport about not having other women in your bed, is that true?”

  Pushing my suitcase to the corner, I kick off my shoes and then join her. With my body weight half on her, I slide my hand under her shirt and squeeze her fabulous right tit. “It is.”

  She relaxes back, putting her hands behind her head. “Why?”

  I like the full access and shift to give her other perfect breast equal attention. “I thought you’d heard the rumors. I’m a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy.”

  “Rumors.” Taking my face in her hands, she says, “You’re not leaving me.”

  “No, never. I love you too much.”

  “Too much? There’s no such thing as too much love in the world.”

  “I want to kiss you.”

  “I want you to kiss me.” She glances at the door, which is not locked.

  Fuck. Rookie mistake.

  She lowers her voice, and says, “Rivers is here.”

  My dick hurts it’s so hard. I push against her, hoping for some relief, preferably of the sinking inside my wife kind. I’ve had her near me for four hours since our flight left Vegas, and I’m desperate to be inside her. “Our trucks are at Jet’s house. He’s driving my Bronco over in a little while. Rivers will drive Jet back with him. Then we can be alone.”

  “Are you going to make it?”

  “I think you’re enjoying my pain a little too much.”

  “Too much. Sooo much!”

  “Yeah, yeah. But blue balls isn’t the same thing as love.”

  Pushing me off her, she sits up laughing. “You will survive a few more hours.”

  “Maybe.”

  She’s a professional eye roller. She’s also cute when she does it. Opening the door, she says, “Can we grab something to eat when we get the car? I’m starved.”

  “Tacos?”

  “We’re in Austin. Of course, I need tacos.”

  She disappears down the hallway. I hear Rivers in the living room ask her if she wants anything to drink, something I should have done. I’m about to get up to take care of her when I hear him ask, “How long have you and Tulsa been together?”

  Shit.

  Well, at least he didn’t say fucking. I rush out there and pull the fridge door open. “We have bottled water and Coke. A few beers and tea. What sounds good?”

  When I look back, she holds up a bottle of water. “All good. Your brother took care of me.”

  I know she doesn’t mean anything by that comment, but why does it bother me? Rivers sits on the couch and says, “Nice try, bro.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Just trying to get my wom—” Damn it. “Nikki. I was just offering Nikki something to drink.”

  Nikki starts to laugh, but when I shoot her a look, she puts the bottle to her luscious lips, distracting me from everything else. My mind goes blank when her tongue glides over her lips licking every lost drop of water. Fuck. I shift my dick and shake my head.

  My woman’s a tease.

  “Not that either of you were paying attention to anyone else these past few weeks, but everyone knows you’re fucking.”

  Casually, Nikki says, “We haven’t fucked.”

  She’s right. We’ve made love but have yet to fuck. Damn, I’m so ready to fuck. “What time is Jet supposed to pick you up?”

  Rivers laughs and stands. “Soon. As for the other topic, it’s surprising. Very surprising.”

  She asks, “Has Laird said anything to you?”

  He shakes his head. “I think he’s wise enough to know I’m not ratting out my brother.”

  “But he thinks we’re together?”

  “He thinks you’re having sex, but nobody knows if you’re actually together.”

  I guess that makes sense. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been absent from quite a few group get-togethers. No doubt some of the guys have seen us jogging. And as for the eye-fucking . . . She’s hot. How could I not when I’m near her but can’t touch her? So, yeah. We’ve been obsessed with each other, and I know for a fact I haven’t looked at the others to see what they have or haven’t noticed.

  He walks to the end of the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. “You don’t know me well, but you can trust me. If you guys want to be together, you should be together. Don’t waste time trying to please others. They’ll either support you or they won’t. If they don’t, fuck ’em and move on.” He walks to his room, but calls over his shoulder, “I’ll be out of your hair in a half hour, and then you guys can not fuck in private.”

  Nikki rests her jaw on her hand. “What’s the point in hiding if everyone thinks we’re already together?”

  “I’m thinking there’s no point.”

  “My brother didn’t even argue with me about coming to Austin. He was worried about the band but said he realizes I’m an adult.”

  “That’s out of the norm?”

  “We’re minutes apart in age, but apparently, I’ll always be his little sister. I know I can go to him for anything, and he’ll be there for me.”

  “So, you want to tell him?”

  “In person, I do. I still want a few days just for us.”

  Walking around the bar, I part her legs where she sits on the barstool and hug her. “This isn’t a lavish honeymoon, but I promise I’ll give you one after the tour.”

  “I’ve had lavish. That’s not what I want.” Her arms wrap around me. “I want you, Tulsa. You’re all I need.”

  There’s a rap on the door, so I kiss the tip of her nose, and then call to Rivers, “Jet’s here.�
�

  Normally, he just walks in, but I guess His Highness is going to make me work. When I open the door, it’s not Jet standing there.

  Pulling the door back, I lean one hand on it and the other on the frame to block Nikki from sight and ask, “Can I help you?”

  “Tulsa?”

  He looks familiar, but I don’t think we’ve met. About my height, he’s a big guy with darkish hair, not quite brown, not blond. His smile is friendly enough; he doesn’t feel threatening. “Yeah? I’m Tulsa.”

  “It’s been a long time.”

  “We’ve met?”

  “Yeah, we’ve met,” he says, amused. “I’m your dad.”

  28

  Tulsa

  Staring at him, the only words I can form are, “Come again?”

  “I’m Berk Cartwright.” He sticks out his hand, but I don’t take it. “I know this comes as a surprise.”

  “Ya think?”

  “I thought enough time had pass—”

  My hands curl into fists at my side, my defenses higher than they’ve ever been. “I don’t care what you think. You need to turn around and go back where you came from. I know who my father is.”

  “You think you do, and that’s partly my fault.”

  “You need to leave. Now.”

  Rivers is suddenly at my side. “What is this about?”

  The man looks Rivers over and nods. “You’re definitely Shep’s kid.”

  Shepherd Crow is not a name we bring up casually. The story goes that he left the day I learned to walk. From the time Rivers was three and Jet was five, my mom raised us alone until her death. It was only the four of us, and that was all we needed.

  Rivers snaps, “What do you know about him?”

  “Shep Crow was my best friend at one time. Let’s just say things got messy.” He nods toward me, and adds, “I know this is out of the blue, but I feel it’s time I got to know my son.”

  Rivers steps forward, his shoulder in front of mine. “He’s not your son. I don’t know what fucked-up game you’re playing, but you need to leave before I call the cops.”