“Thanks,” he said and straightened. “I’m so sorry.”
She shrugged and let go of his hand. “It’s okay. Honestly, I think I like this better. Now that it’s out, my mom has time to digest it. Maybe before we leave, she’ll even be a little happy for me.”
“Is she always this tough on you?”
Callie nodded. “Always. I’m the only one of her daughters to take up accounting. Georgia and Michelle are both lawyers, Rachel is a doctor, and Vivian is a physicist. All professions that are respectable, but I’m the only one who can take over her accounting firm when she retires.”
“Oh, so it’s more like legacy. That kind of thing.”
“Yeah, and my mom isn’t a bad person. She loves me, but I think that for her, when she looks at me, it’s her only chance of keeping her accounting firm alive. She sees me through that filter instead of just seeing me and what I want.”
“My mom and dad were always supportive of me. Shoot, my dad bought my first guitar. Took me to my first gig. My mom worked two jobs just to afford my guitar and singing lessons until I got old enough to work. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.” He sighed. “Part of why it hurt not to tell them the truth about what I was doing.”
Her eyes widened. “They don’t know it’s a fake either? For some reason, I thought they’d be in on the secret.”
“Nope, Derek put that in the contract. I couldn’t tell them and can’t tell them anything. Although, my mom can sniff out a lie like no one’s business. If we’re able to keep this from her, I’ll be taking her to the doctor.”
When Callie chewed her bottom lip, he had to stop himself from staring at her full lips. Thinking about kissing her may not have been the last thing he wanted, but it was the last thing he needed. It would only lead to problems, and he had enough of those.
“I haven’t met Derek, but I don’t think he’s a good guy.”
Tucker tilted his head. “Why would you say that?”
“Uh, well, I just have a feeling.”
The way she said it…it gave him a weird vibe. “What feeling?”
“Well, he’s the only one who would have leaked it, right? Or could it have been Stacey?”
“No, it wasn’t Stacey. She signed a contract too.” Tucker had considered that too but dismissed it. Stacey wouldn’t have leaked the marriage. If the contract she signed was as aggressive as the one he did, she wouldn’t have risked it. “Derek’s really the only one it could’ve been, but there’s no way to prove it was him. He’ll just blame some office underling and fire them. And now that it’s out, there’s no way to put the cat back in the bag.”
Callie nodded. “Okay, so we know it’s Derek, or we have a good suspicion. Now that we know what kind of person he is, we just watch our backs.”
“He’s really underhanded.”
“Why did you sign with him in the first place?”
Tucker ran his hand through his hair. “The first label I signed with was bought out by Reckless. The first CEO was a guy named Harris Freeman. He was a good guy, treated his artists well, and was well-respected too. The label was making decent money, but the board of directors wanted more, so they fired Harris and brought in Derek. So I didn’t sign with him; I got stuck with him.”
“But you renewed your contract with him?”
“Yeah, because no other label would take me at the time. I didn’t want to stop singing, and Derek offered a good deal. I just had to keep the drinking on the down-low. But that last night of drinking…the one where they got a picture of me facedown on the sidewalk…that’s when they cut me.”
Tucker paused as he thought about how things were during the worst part of his drinking. Had Derek used that as a way to push him so far down that his only choice was to sign with Reckless again? A sick feeling gurgled in his stomach. It wasn’t beneath Derek to do something like that.
“I remember that picture,” she said softly as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “I have no idea what the whole story is, but I know you were hurting. I’m so sorry no one was there for you.”
Tucker flinched. Why did that hit him so hard? He had people who were there for him. Okay, not a lot, but when that picture was taken, he’d had tons of friends. It wasn’t their fault he acted like that. He pulled away from her.
“What makes you think I didn’t have anyone who cared about me?”
Callie’s face was a mix of surprise and confusion. “I just meant…if you had people who cared, maybe you could have talked to someone instead of drinking. I can’t imagine what—”
“You’re right. You can’t imagine, and you don’t know my life. Just because you read something on a fan website doesn’t mean you know me.” He knew that wasn’t true, but he didn’t care. What right did she have to judge him or his friends?
Tears pooled in her eyes. “That’s not—”
Tucker stood and held his hand up, stopping her. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. We’re faking a relationship to get my career back on track, and you’re getting a good payday. That’s all.”
Callie stood and turned her back on him. “Right. That’s what we are. It’s good to be reminded.”
There was a slight tremble in her voice. He dropped his head out of shame. Part of him wanted to apologize right then, but maybe this was a good thing. This way, her anger would help him keep his distance. Clearly, he wasn’t ready for a relationship or he wouldn’t be such a jerk.
Callie quietly gathered her pajamas and slipped out of the room without saying a word.
Tucker sank down onto the bed. Is this really how he wanted things to be for the next year? His fake wife angry with him? How would they pull off being in love that way?
Why couldn’t he just get his act together? He planned to apologize when she returned, but he needed to make sure she understood they were just friends who needed clearer boundaries, including a rule that kept them from offering advice or being sorry for the other.
All he had to do was survive twelve months with her. With enough rules, he could do that. Once his life was back on track, then he’d think about a relationship.
Chapter 9
For the second night in a row, Callie decided to go for a walk on the beach after she changed for bed. Rubbing her arms, she sat and searched the sky as the sun lowered. Dusk brought vivid colors that danced along the horizon. It was beautiful. This was her favorite spot for reflection, except right now all her thoughts were filled with anger. She still wasn’t in the mood to talk to Tucker.
When she’d returned the night before, she’d found him on the floor asleep. For a second, her anger subsided as she realized how sweet it was that he’d decided on his own to give her the bed. In a way, it was like an apology, but he’d hurt her so badly.
As sweet as the gesture was, she’d spent the day avoiding him. They’d had a few wedding things to take care of like final fittings and making sure the flowers, caterer, and music were all set to go. Thankfully, now that Tucker would be singing, he’d been added to the schedule, which would keep him busy.
Tucker had used his words like knives. For the first time, she regretted signing that contract. Yeah, it would be a considerable windfall for the hospital, but it wasn’t turning out that great for her. Not when her heart ached like it did.
He’d relegated her to fan. He may as well have called her a stalker. Now she knew there was no way he remembered dating her. If he had, he never would’ve said anything so hurtful. He would have known she cared about him as a person. But the moment the words left his mouth, it was proof that their short relationship in Nashville had been one-sided.
Callie, however, remembered everything…holding hands, his sweet nature, and how much she enjoyed being around him. All of that was gone now. The Tucker she married was nothing like the man she knew in college. Maybe she hadn’t known him as well as she thought. Had he been playing a part back then too?
“Hey!” Georgia’s bright voi
ce pulled her out of her thoughts.
Callie looked up, and all her sisters were standing there. “What’s up?”
Vivian grinned. “You’re having a bachelorette party.”
“Oh, no, I don’t want one. I’m good.”
Michelle raised a single eyebrow. “I told you she’d say no.”
Rachel crossed her arms over her chest. “And we aren’t taking no for an answer. We’re going into Wilmington, and you’re going to have a good time.”
Callie shook her head. “Really, I’m fine. Besides, Georgia’s party is on Friday. That’d be two trips to Wilmington.”
“So what,” Michelle said.
“Really. It’s okay. Plus, I don’t want to deal with the press.”
“What part about ‘not taking no for answer’ are you not grasping?” Rachel asked. “Besides we’re Chapmans. We can handle the reporters.”
Georgia touched her arm. “The guys are grabbing Tucker at this very minute for a bachelor party on the beach. You two lovebirds will be fine for one night alone.”
“Besides, you can’t spring being married on us and not expect a little partying. You’re married. Let’s celebrate,” Vivian said.
There was no way Callie was going to get her sisters to back down. It was either have a bachelorette party or tell them the truth, and since she couldn’t do that, the party was the only option.
“All right. Can I change?”
Georgia snorted. “I would hope so. Bathrobe and pajamas aren’t what we’d call dance attire.” She took Callie’s hand and pulled her up.
Forty-five minutes later, Callie was squeezed into Vivian’s SUV and zooming toward Wilmington.
Vivian glanced at Callie as she sat in the front passenger seat. “So, I have to ask. Does Tucker not remember dating you in college?”
Callie gulped. She didn’t remember telling them that. “What are you talking about?”
“Please, you may not have outright said it, but we all knew you two were dating. When we came to visit you, we could see it. You were totally into him, and by the way he looked at you, the feeling was mutual,” Vivian said.
“Mmmhmm,” Rachel said, and the rest of her sisters responded in chorus.
“We didn’t date,” she said, mustering every ounce of confidence she had and putting it into the words.
Vivian scoffed. “Please, you really expect us to believe that?”
“Look, it was a long time ago. I barely remember it.” Whew, that was a big honking lie. Even she could smell it.
Georgia laughed. “Yeah right. You still look at him in that gooey-eyed way.”
Did she? Well, not after last night. He’d put the brakes on anything remotely gooey, but she couldn’t tell her sister’s that. “Whatever. Can we talk about something else?”
“There is nothing better to talk about than Tucker Hawk,” Vivian said. “You’re the reason I’m such a huge fan of his.”
“Do you know what happened to make him go all crazy last year?” asked Rachel.
No more than the rest of the public. “That was before we reconnected, and he has a hard time talking about it.” Now, that was some truth. The way he’d prickled when she said he had no one to support him was a clear indication he wasn’t ready to talk about it.
“So, you’ve never discussed it at all?” Michelle asked.
“Well, a little, but it’s hard for him. I mean, his career crashed at his feet. What if that happened to you? Would you want to rehash it all the time?” Callie needed the line of questioning to move away from Tucker’s hot mess. “Besides, all that’s in the past. They’re even working on a tour for him.”
“A new tour?” Vivian asked. “Please tell me he’s coming to North Carolina.”
Callie laughed. “I don’t know yet. The details are still being hashed out, but if he does, I’ll make sure you have a backstage pass.”
Vivian let go of the wheel long enough to clap. “Yes!”
The rest of the drive, the conversation went from details about her meeting Tucker to all sorts of things. Once they reached Wilmington, they found a club and danced for most of the night. When they got home, it was just after midnight, and her mom was waiting for them as they returned.
“Girls, I need to talk to Callie a moment,” her mom said as she leaned against the stair railing.
Callie had been a little groggy until that moment. It was too late to have it out with her. “Mom, does it have to be right now? Can’t we do this when I’ve had a little sleep?”
“I think now is as good as any time.” Her mom eyed each of her sisters. “Goodnight, girls.”
Her sisters quickly raced up the stairs, and one by one their doors shut, leaving Callie alone with their mom. “Okay, what did you need to talk about?”
“What are you doing with your life, Callie? Marrying some country music singer? We had a plan. You were going finish working for the no-name firm in Nashville, and then you were coming home. You were going to take over for me when I retire.”
We? What was this we business? “That was your plan. I don’t recall you ever asking for my input.”
Her mom rolled her eyes. “We both know you would never be happy staying at that little firm. You were destined to take over for me. I have one of the top firms in the country. Edmund and I have even been talking about working together. Did you know he’s doing contract law now?”
“That’s great for Edmund, but I’m not interested in taking over for you, Mom. I like my life in Nashville. I love the shops, the music scene, the people…I don’t want to live in Wilmington.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m offering you a great opportunity. You’re twenty-eight. Most people your age would think you’d won the lottery.”
Callie shook her head. “Yeah, if the lottery was rigged. Having success handed to me isn’t success. It’s just…walking in your footsteps.”
Her mom looked at her as though she’d thrown water in her face. “Is there something wrong with my footsteps?”
“No, but they’re your footsteps. I want to walk my own path.”
“You are. I’m just…lending a little support. When Georgia’s wedding is over, you’ll go back to Nashville, put in your notice, and you’ll come work with me. We’ll be partners. That way when you take over, you’ll have a stake in it.”
“No, I won’t. Besides, I’ll be living with Tucker.”
Her mom crossed her arms over her chest. “And he’s not progressive enough to know you need your own career? He can live anywhere and sing.”
“I won’t do it, Mom. I can’t,” Callie said and brushed past her mom into the kitchen.
Her mom followed her. “Yes, you can.”
“No, I can’t. I don’t have my CPA.” The words rushed out before Callie knew what she was saying, but there was no denying her mom had heard each one.
Her mom’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean you don’t have your CPA? You were one section away from having it.”
“I didn’t take it because I didn’t want to be a CPA.”
“So you’re just an accountant? That can be rectified. You’ll just take the test. Problem solved.”
“I don’t want to take it.” And she wouldn’t. Being an accountant had made her insane. She was good at it, but there was no joy in the work.
Her mom let out a heavy sigh. “I just don’t understand you. You have a great opportunity. If Tucker can’t stand behind you while you have your own career, then maybe he isn’t the man for you.”
“But Edmund is, right?”
“His family has been friends with our family for ages. They’re a good solid family. He’s doing well in his father’s law firm. Last I heard, he was even close to making partner. Certainly better than some country singer whose career blew up. I can’t even believe you married someone like that.”
Callie braced her hands on the counter as her shoulders slumped forward. “You’re just never going to accept me for me, are you? I’m never going to be worthy of your appro
val if I live my life the way I choose. The only way you’d be pleased is if I take over your firm.”
“That’s not true.”
Callie looked up, unable to hide the tears in her eyes. “You pushed me to take those classes in college, even after you knew I wanted to do something else. So I took them, hoping and praying I’d love it, but I don’t. I hate it. I hate the work.”
“Are you saying you’ve hated it this whole time?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Callie wiped away a tear from her cheek. “I tried, but every time, you never listened.”
“I love you, sweetheart. I just want good things for you. For you to be able to provide for yourself. To have a good life with a solid footing.”
“I know, and I appreciate you. I’m so proud that you’re my mom. You’re this successful, brilliant, intelligent woman. You’re the kind of woman any girl would look up to, but your plan for my life doesn’t work.”
“Who will take over for me when I retire? You’re perfect and capable, and you’d be the best choice.”
Callie shook her head. “Not if I hate it. How long would your firm last when the head of it is miserable?”
“I just can’t believe you’ve felt this way all this time and you’ve been lying to me.”
“I’m sorry.” Callie felt a sharp pain in her heart. “I didn’t want to lie. You were so set on me taking over your firm that you never heard me.”
“I heard you; I just thought you’d change your mind.” Her mom exhaled sharply. “That still doesn’t explain showing up with a musician for a husband.”
“Tucker is a brilliant singer and musician. He’s successful—wealthy, known worldwide, and has millions of fans―but you call him ‘that musician.’ He writes songs that will make you cry. He sings with all his heart and soul, and his performances are amazing. But beyond that, he’s a sweet, kind man. Someone you haven’t even given a chance because he doesn’t measure up to your impossible standards.”
“If he was all that successful, he wouldn’t have been drinking. Has he told you why he was drinking?”
The Star's Fake Marriage Page 7