Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

I want to touch him. I want him to kiss me. But then what? We’re out here all alone. Things could snowball real fast, and I’m not sure if I’m ready to take that leap yet. Every time I look at him, I know I wouldn’t be able to stop us if we started kissing, so for the time being, it’s good that he’s being the gentleman he told me he’d be.

For now at least.

Chapter Six

Tucker

“What are you searching for?” I ask Beau as I enter the office of the garage.

He sighs as he drops his head back in frustration. “I worked all weekend on the Camaro, and I need a part that I’m having a really hard time finding.”

“Been there.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “That’s the fun of working on old cars. Finding parts can be a bitch sometimes. Did you check the salvage sites?”

“I’ve looked everywhere.”

I hear the door open and see Wilder James, a local rancher, walk in.

“Hey, guys.”

“Hey, Wilder. What can we do for you?” I ask.

“The truck’s sputtering a bit. Do you have time to look at it?” Wilder asks.

“See, this guy knows what it’s like, having an old truck. They take some work, but it’s all worth it,” I say to Beau.

“His truck is nowhere near as old as yours or my Camaro. You can’t compare a 1969 anything to something made in the 2000s, like his, or even the ’90s, like yours. You can still very easily find parts for both of yours,” Beau says.

“Then, maybe you should follow our lead and stick to trucks,” I tease as I nod my head to Wilder. “Go ahead and drive it back. I’ll meet you there.”

“Thanks.” Wilder leaves as Beau sits up, and we both walk to the back.

“What about you?” Beau asks. “What did you do this weekend since you didn’t have any shows scheduled?”

I feel a smile grow on my lips, but I try to stop it, not wanting to come off like an excited teenager. “I had a pretty good weekend. Actually met someone and spent the day on the lake yesterday together.” I instantly close my eyes as soon as the words leave my mouth and internally kick myself for speaking without thinking first. Thankfully, I didn’t say who since Beau’s wife, Anna, knows her, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for everyone knowing my business yet.

“Wait. Did Tucker Simms just talk about hanging out with a woman?” he teases.

I sigh, knowing this is why I shouldn’t have said anything.

People just assume I hook up with the women at my shows. I don’t do much to stop the rumors, but that’s all they are—rumors.

I had my fill of random women when I first started performing, but it got old quick, especially in a small town. Even though I played in other communities, they still seemed to know each other. The spiderweb weaved its way rapidly, and I put a stop to it all.

Besides, I’m not in my twenties anymore. I have a teenage son and already sowed my wild oats. These days, I enjoy my alone time on my boat, drinking a beer and being one with the nature that surrounds me.

That was, until this weekend.

I don’t know what it was, but hanging out with Justine intrigues me. It’s the first time I’ve even considered a woman in a long time.

“Did I just hear that too?” my son, Matthew, says as he enters one of the garage bays. “Is that why you didn’t call me back until late last night?”

I turn to see him and his girlfriend, Hannah, walking toward me.

“Hey, there’s my boy,” I say instead of answering his question.

“Whoa, not that quick. I’ve never heard you talk about a girl. Who is she?” he asks.

“Hi, Hannah. How you are, sweetheart?” I ask, making Matthew shake his head.

“Oh no. Don’t pretend I didn’t ask you a question,” he says before Hannah can answer.

I hear Beau laugh, and I glare at him in response.

Hannah laughs as well, ignoring Matthew’s comment and trying to let me off the hook. “Hi, Tucker.”

I move some stuff, getting ready for Wilder to bring the truck in, and Matthew comes closer. When he steps in front of me, I stop what I’m doing. I’ve never kept secrets from him, and I know I shouldn’t start now, so I give in.

“Her name is Justine, and that’s all you’re getting out of me.”

“Justine, huh?” He looks at Hannah. “I don’t know a Justine in town.”

“Yeah, she just moved back. My mom was talking to her mom the other day at the market,” Hannah replies.

“Only in town a few days and already snagged her up, huh?” he says with a nod.

“You don’t snag a girl.” I eye him and his poor manners.

“You know what I meant.” He glances at Hannah and reaches to hold her hand. She shakes her head and rolls her eyes in return. “But seriously, Dad, it’s about time. I’m glad to hear you talk about a woman. I hope it works out for you.”

“We just met, so don’t rush to anything. But what’s up? You didn’t come here to talk about my weekend.”

“We were hoping to hang out on the lake today.”

I smile at the thought of my summer breaks and how much fun I had without a care in the world. Then, I remember something. “Don’t you have practice?”

“Yes, but not until seven tonight.”

“Okay. Be home by four, so you can get out of the sun and rest before tonight. And make sure to drink water, so you don’t dehydrate before practice.”

Matthew chuckles under his breath. “I know, Dad.”

I hand him the keys to the boat. “Call me when you get there.” I pull him closer and whisper in his ear, “Respect the lake. Respect the boat. Respect her body. You hear me, son?”

“Yes, sir.”

I nod my best fatherly good-talk nod and call out to Hannah, “Have fun. Bye, Hannah.”

Beau guides Wilder into the