“Yeah, I guess that can happen. You gonna keep letting it happen?”
Tucker shook his head. “No, sir. When I get back to LA, I’m going to tell Stacey that things have to change.”
“That have anything to do with the young lady talking to your mom?”
A smile quirked on his lips. “She’s got a lot to do with it. She and her family are really good people. You’d like them.”
“If you say I will, then they must be decent folks.” His dad paused and then pierced him with a look. “You’re done with the drinking, right?”
“Yeah, I’m done. I’d rather drink bathwater than a beer,” Tucker said.
His dad chuckled. “I don’t know about that. Depends on who’s been in the water.”
Tucker threw his head back and laughed, his dad joining in. They laughed a few minutes, and when his dad slowly stopped, Tucker could feel a shift in the air.
“Those people you’ve surrounded yourself with aren’t good people. They don’t have your best interest at heart,” his dad said.
He inhaled deeply. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Once I get back to LA and get Callie settled, I think I’m going to take a harder look at what’s been going on. I’ve got Callie’s brother Will checking my contract. He’s family law, but he has people he trusts if he can’t make sense of it.”
“It’s about time you woke up.”
“Yeah, I know. It feels like my life has been passing by without my active participation. I think I got too big for my britches.”
His dad nodded with a smile. “I’d say that accurately describes the situation.”
Tucker grinned back. Man, he’d missed his dad and his honesty. They remained on the porch and continued to talk. For once, Tucker could say he was happy. The only thing that could make him happier would be to get out of his fake marriage contract, his record deal, and cancel the tour. But he knew that was about as likely as pigs flying. Still, it was a year, and as long as he had Callie, he could suffer through anything.
Chapter 23
Through the back window, Callie could see Tucker and his dad talking. Tucker looked more at peace than she’d seen him in a while. He’d needed his dad.
His mom smiled and cleared her throat. “Callie,” Elise said. “How long have you really known Tucker?” Elise held her gaze, and it felt like the woman was a living, breathing lie detector, the same vibe she’d gotten the moment Callie shook hands with her, which confirmed what Tucker said about her. If Callie lied, his mom would know it. Callie also felt comfortable with the woman. His mom and dad both seemed genuine. Her parents would like them. Callie could even envision them becoming great friends.
“I stumbled across him singing when I was just starting my senior year of college.”
Elise tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “You’re the girl he dated, aren’t you?”
Callie’s mouth dropped open. “He told you about me?”
“Oh, honey, he was smitten with you,” she replied. “What happened that you broke up?”
Callie chewed the inside of her cheek. “Um, his manager, the first one, told me that if I cared about Tucker, I’d let him go. And, honestly, I was young and just starting out myself. I wasn’t ready for anything long-term either. I cared about Tucker, but I knew he was going places, and I didn’t want to be the one to hold him back.”
“I knew that guy was a snake, but that was pretty sleazy. Does Tucker know?”
Callie nodded. “He does now.” She wouldn’t tell her how Tucker found out. That it was by overhearing a conversation with her dad.
“What do you think of this current manager?” Elise asked as she began clearing the table.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really gotten to know her, but I don’t think she cares about him as a person.” Without even thinking, Callie began helping her. “I don’t think he’s had much in the way of people caring about him.”
Elise let out a slow breath and paused what she was doing. “I don’t think so either, but the boy was hard-headed. When we left him in Nashville after he signed with his first manager, Trent, we knew things were off, but he needed to learn that for himself.”
The back door opened, and Tucker and his dad walked in, Tucker closing it behind them.
“Well, Elise, love, the pancakes were good. No tub of salt in them this time.”
Tucker groaned. “One time. I made a mistake once, and I can’t seem to live it down.” He yawned and rubbed his hand over his hair. “I think I’m getting old. Staying up all night isn’t sitting well with me.”
“You could take a nap,” Callie said.
His mom nodded. “Yeah, sweetheart, if you’re tired, go lie down.”
Tucker’s eyebrows shot up. “So you can keep talking to Callie without me listening in? No thanks.”
His dad laughed. “And what do you think they were doing while you were on the back patio with me?”
Tucker jerked his gaze to Callie, and she grinned. “What can I say; your mom is a treasure chest of stories.”
“Mom, please tell me you didn’t.”
“Oh, stop panicking.” Elise shooed him out of the kitchen. “Go sit down while I clean up the kitchen.”
“Would you mind if I helped?” asked Callie. “I slept on the way here, so I’m not tired at all.”
“No, I’d love that.”
Tucker shuffled out of the kitchen and into the living room while Callie and Elise cleaned up. David helped as well until his wife shooed him out.
Thirty minutes later, Callie and Elise walked into the modest living room, to find Tucker sitting on the couch, asleep.
Callie walked over to him and nudged him. “You need to lie down.”
Barely opening his eyes, he lay down and stretched out. She couldn’t imagine how tired he was from not sleeping at all the night before. She wasn’t sure how he’d not fallen asleep at the wheel while driving from Owensboro to Livermore.
His phone began to ring, and she slipped it out of his pocket. The screen display flashed “Stacey.” The phone stopped and then started ringing again. For her to call twice in a row, there had to be some sort of emergency.
“Hello? This is Callie. Tucker’s asleep.”
“Hi, Callie.” Stacey tone was a little icy. “I really need to talk to him.”
“He’s just gone to sleep. I doubt he could have a coherent conversation with you.” Callie kneeled next to the couch by Tucker’s head and ran her fingers through his hair. She wasn’t waking him up.
Stacey took a deep breath. “Fine, but he needs to be up by seven p.m. because that’s when the car will be at his parents’ home to pick up the two of you and your rental and take you to the airport. Derek wants to make sure Tucker is at his home, looking refreshed and in love, by eight in the morning.”
“I thought we had until tomorrow morning.” Callie’s eyebrows knitted together.
“I tried to get Derek to back off, but he’s afraid Tucker will get a wild hair and want to stay longer. This press conference is a big deal. He needs to be there and be on time. We have makeup, cameras, and press going to be there. He can’t miss it, especially since we’re announcing his tour.”
“He hasn’t seen his family in a long time. I get that his career is important, but not more important than them.”
Stacey made a small noise that sounded like it came from her throat. “Listen, I know you two may have dated way back when, but you’re his fake wife. He’ll be in that limo by seven, or Derek won’t hesitate to sue. And believe me, he won’t mind suing you either.”
Callie bubbled with fury. Fake wife. Yeah, she might be his fake wife, but she was his real friend. She couldn’t say that aloud, though. Not with his mom and dad listening in.
“Fine, I’ll make sure he knows. But for the record, I’m on his side and his side alone.” Callie punched the end-call button and set the phone down hard next to her, grumbling.
“What’s going on?” Elise asked.
Callie turne
d and sat flat on the floor, crossing her legs at the ankle. “Oh, his manager isn’t letting him stay overnight. They’re sending a car for him, and we’ll be leaving tonight at around seven.”
“Those vultures don’t care a bit about him. I wish he’d see that,” his mom said. “I should have stopped this long ago, but it was his dream.”
David held up his hand. “Elise, you couldn’t have stopped it. He’s the one who’s going to have to wake up. He’s a grown man. As soon as he’s tired of all the malarkey, he’ll be done.”
Elise nodded. “I know. Still makes me sad, though.”
Callie wished she could do something, but they were right. Until Tucker was ready, there wasn’t anything any of them could do. They’d just need to be there for him when he was. It would be an adjustment for him for sure.
When Tucker woke up a few hours later, Callie gave him the bad news. “I’m so sorry, Tucker.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s mine,” he said as they stood outside. They’d taken the conversation to the back patio in case they slipped up about their marriage.
She shrugged. “I know, but I still feel bad that I had to deliver it.”
“Don’t be. I think once this tour is over, I’m taking a break. A long, soul-searching break away from LA and managers and record producers.”
“Okay, well, instead of spending what few hours you have out here with me, how about we go back inside and spend them with your mom and dad.” She smiled.
Wrapping one arm around her waist, he pulled her close. With his free hand, he pushed back a piece of her hair. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For still caring about me all these years later.”
She cupped his cheek. “I hate this contract.” She pressed a light kiss to his lips. “Let’s go back inside and spend some time with your folks before we have to leave.”
His lips quirked up. “See, now I’m in a quandary. I want to stay out here, kissing you, and I don’t want to miss visiting my parents.”
“You’ll have me after we leave here.”
He released her and tangled his fingers in hers. “Fine, but I’m getting that kiss.”
Oh, she wanted that kiss too, but not until she had a chance to tell him the truth. If she thought he’d handle it well, she’d tell him now. But with the looming press conference, she didn’t want him getting upset and refusing to do it. She didn’t want him ruining his career because of her.
Spending the day with Tucker’s parents was good for him. He seemed lighter the longer he was there, and the moment the limo pulled up in front of the house, it was like a dark cloud had arrived.
They said their sweet and somber goodbyes with promises of returning soon. After a long ride to the airport spent in silence, they spent an even longer flight in silence. By the time they arrived at his home, not only was she exhausted physically, she was exhausted mentally.
When they arrived at his home, she took the directions to her room and collapsed.
The next morning, for the second time within three days, a makeup artist was fluttering around Callie, getting her ready. They’d been given the five-minute warning, and the tension in the house seemed to reach a crescendo. Nervous energy pulsed through her as she thought about the press conference that was about to begin. Callie had barely made eye contact with Tucker since they got to the house.
“Okay, you two, let’s go,” his manager said as she stepped inside his mansion’s living room. It had been turned into a mini dressing studio.
It was a gorgeous home. Mission style Spanish with beautiful landscaping. From the way the living room looked, she could tell the rest of the house would be just as nice. Everything was so neat and tidy, like a store that encouraged you not to touch things. It was obvious from the way things looked so unlived in that Tucker didn’t spend much time there.
From across the room, she could see Stacey in a deep conversation with Tucker, and she wished she could hear what was being said. He looked so stern, and she seemed taken aback by whatever he was telling her. Finally, Stacey held up her hands and walked away.
Before he could catch her staring, Callie turned away. Next thing she knew, he was pulling her close and taking a deep breath as he buried his face in her neck. “I love the way you smell.”
“That’s an odd thing to say to a person.” She had to admit, he smelled fantastic too. Aftershave and man in the most perfect combination. And, of course, he looked good. Jeans with a wide belt buckle and the button-up check shirt with a cowboy hat to go with it…He was downright yummy.
He pulled back. “What? You don’t think I smell good?”
“Well, sure, but I’m not just gonna blurt it out.” She laughed.
“Too late,” he said as he kissed her. Pulling back, their lips barely touching, he said, “I brushed my teeth just so I could kiss you.”
He didn’t give her a chance to respond. He pressed his lips to hers again.
All thoughts drained from her, and she slid her hands up his chest and into his hair. She loved the feel of him, how her body curved into his in all the right places.
Pulling back, he nuzzled her neck. “I’d love to keep this up, but I’m not about to put on a show for these people.”
“Did Stacey tell you to kiss me?” Callie asked, a tinge of hurt hitting her heart.
Tucker pulled back further. “No, I kissed you because you have gorgeous lips that are kissable and because I could tell from across the room that they needed to be kissed.”
Relief flowed through her. “Good.” She kissed him.
Stacey reappeared in the living room. “Okay, it’s show time.”
Tucker held out his hand, and she put hers into his as they walked out the front door and stopped at the top of the stairs. A sea of reporters stood before them, and flashes went off, blinding her.
Stacey stepped up to the microphone and said, “Thank you all for coming. I’ll keep it short and let Tucker take it from here.”
Tucker and Callie stepped up, and they smiled at the reporters. “Hello, I’d like to introduce you to Callie Hawk, my wife.”
Questions started as reporters pressed forward to have themselves heard. Callie quickly felt overwhelmed. Her heart raced, and her palms became sweaty. It felt like she was in a police interrogation. Not that she knew what that was like in real life, but she’d seen enough crime dramas to compare them.
“Is it true you dated her before you were famous?” asked one female reporter.
Callie looked at Tucker, and his eyes reflected her own questions. How did they know that? A camera flashed, no doubt capturing their moment of surprise.
“Uh,” Tucker said. “Yes, we met several years ago.”
“How did you reconnect?” another reporter asked.
Tucker cleared his throat. “We ran into each other after one of my concerts.”
Question after question flew until Callie felt dizzy. Finally, a male reporter asked, “Are you going to let your wife write your exclusives?”
The color drained from Callie’s face. No. Not like this.
Tucker jerked his gaze to Callie. “What? Why would my wife write my exclusives?”
Her breath hitched as she held his gaze. “I wasn’t.”
“You do know she’s Jamie Pearson, the famous reporter, don’t you?”
The hurt in Tucker’s eyes drowned out everything.
Callie felt numb as his face fell and turned into a blank mask. “We’ll talk about this inside,” he said in a low, nearly growling tone. He turned his focus back to the press. “I think that’s all for the day, everyone. I only got back early this morning. I’m sure you understand.”
He smiled as he took Callie’s hand and waved at the reporters as they stepped inside his home. The second the doors shut, Tucker turned on her, narrowing his eyes.
“All this time, you’ve been lying to me? All this time you’ve been planning on letting me spill my guts so you could put it in some article? I’ve never be
en more disgusted with someone in my life. I told you something I’ve never told another living soul. No one. How could you?”
“I wasn’t going to write it.” She wiped her eyes, wishing she could stop the tears.
Tucker laughed. “Right, and I’m supposed to believe that?”
How was she supposed to convince him? What could she say? He’d never believe anything she said. Not now. She should have told him from the beginning. “I wasn’t. I care about you, Tucker. I always have.”
He stepped back, his face now unreadable. “We’re done.”
Stacey rushed into the house. “Tucker, you can’t.”
Tucker turned to Stacey. “I’m going upstairs. I want her out of my house by the time I come back down. If she’s not gone, I’ll get a hotel, but this charade is over. I’m done.”
“I wanted to tell you!” Callie reached for him, but he jerked away. The world felt like it was collapsing around her. He had to know that she’d never have betrayed him like that. She’d even begged him not to tell her anything. Didn’t he remember that?
His lips twisted in a snarl. “Right, and Petra never meant to betray me either, right?”
Emptiness filled Callie. She loved Tucker, and she always had. Even if she hadn’t been able to admit it back then, she did. She’d loved him the whole time, and she’d never love anyone like she loved him.
He stalked to the stairs and paused. “I don’t know what hurts worse. The fact that I didn’t see it, or that I had feelings for you. Don’t ever contact me again. Go ahead; publish your article. Everyone else uses me. Why not you.” He took the stairs two at a time and disappeared down the hall.
Tears continued to run down her face. “I want to go home.”
“You have a contract,” Stacey said.
“You and Derek did too, but apparently no one has to abide by them. So you’ll get me a flight home, or I’ll...”
Stacey folded her arms over her chest and leaned back. “Or you’ll what? It’s not like you’ll ever trace anything to either of us.”
“You’d be surprised what I can find when I want to. You think those facts in my articles came without a little patience and perseverance? Get me a flight home. Now.”
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