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

you get to be my age,” I joke, trying to make light of the moment. “What about you? What’s your favorite type of music?”

She inhales a deep breath. “In New York, I got turned on to more popular music. You know, Top 40, the songs that play over and over again on the radio at work. It’s sad to say, I never had time to really seek out new music.”

“Ah, didn’t want to stick to your country roots?”

“I guess I never really thought about it. When it’s not around you, you don’t hear the new songs, and you just get used to what they play at the gym or at work.”

“And now?”

A slight smile grows on her face. “It’s been kind of nice, turning on the radio and hearing it again. Like you said, it reminds me of the good days I had back here.”

I pull off the freeway, and after driving a few blocks down the road, I pull into the parking lot. “Try to keep those good feelings in mind.” I point to a white Honda. “You get to meet my son and my ex-wife today.”

“Wait, what?”

Chapter Ten

Justine

I exit the truck and rush to his side. “What do you mean, I’m going to meet your ex-wife?”

“She’s here. That’s her new husband’s car.” He points again, keeping his face forward and his features stoic.

“Um … is this a good thing? A bad thing? You can’t just drop stuff like that on me.” I’m trying not to panic, but I’d be lying if I said my stomach didn’t just drop.

He takes my hand in his. “It will be fine. Don’t overthink it. We’ve been divorced for about five years. We’re past all that bullshit. And believe me, it’s all good. There’s no reason why she would hassle anyone I bring around. If anything, she owes me one on that.”

“All good, he says.” I try to laugh out the angst rushing through me. “It’s just his ex-wife. The mother of his child.”

He kisses my head and leads me toward the stands.

The park has three baseball fields, all full of players and fans playing America’s favorite pastime. The sun beams down on us, and I’m glad I kept his hat on my head to protect my face from getting burned, but I wonder if I look presentable enough to be meeting the most important person in his life. First impressions are everything, and I wonder if wearing his hat is the same thing as wearing his shirt the next morning.

I shake off the notion, deciding I’m putting too much thought into it, and try to remind myself that I’m just here to enjoy the game. Tucker and I are still getting to know each other, and it’s not like he’s introducing me as his girlfriend or anything.

At least, I don’t think so …

When we reach the field his son must be playing on, Tucker places his hand on my back and leads me to go first. I find a place in the stands and take a seat, trying not to look around too much so I don’t come off as if I’m searching for his ex-wife.

Of course, my luck, I find quickly that I didn’t make the best choice on where I chose to sit.

“Hello, Tucker,” I hear a woman say as she looks over her shoulder.

“Michelle.” Tucker nods his head before turning to me. “This is Justine.”

I wave. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

The woman turns to me. She’s obviously closer to Tucker’s age, and the way her blonde hair is curled like she’s going out instead of to a baseball game makes me wonder about how they were as a couple. Just seeing the difference between his casualness to her dressed-up attire doesn’t seem to fit.

“Matthew told me his father was seeing someone,” she says in a sort of flippant way and then turns back around.

We all sit in silence, so I place my hand on Tucker’s knee and ask, “What position does Matthew play?”

He places his hand on my thigh, pulling it a little closer to him. “He’s at first right now. But he’s really a utility player, and he plays wherever the team needs him. They have to rotate a lot depending on who’s pitching, so you might see him play elsewhere.”

“That’s good though. A lot of MLB players played different positions when they were in high school and college. Being a utility player is what they look for.”

Michelle turns to Tucker as her eyes roam to his hand, and she makes a hmm sound. “I see why you like this one.”

Tucker runs his fingers over my thigh before gripping it tighter. “Yeah, she’s rubbing off on me pretty good.”

I meet his eyes, and when he winks, I feel it deep in my core.

“I’m Kenneth, by the way,” the man says as he turns my way with a curt nod.

Tucker’s jaw tics, but he keeps his sight glued on the game without saying a word.

We arrived just in time for the first pitch to be thrown, and it starts off with a bang. A line drive straight to first base that Matthew jumps up and catches before it flies over his head.

We all cheer but not as much as Tucker. Seeing the pride he has for his son is contagious.

“Yeah! That’s my boy!” he yells out as he claps loudly.

“What a catch!” I celebrate.

“He’s fun to watch,” Michelle says.

“Wait until he hits. Hopefully, you’ll get to see some shots today,” Kenneth says.

I feel the way Tucker tenses next to me after hearing Kenneth speak, but when I look at him again, he’s searching the field instead of paying Kenneth any attention.

We continue to watch the game. It’s three up, three down, and the other team takes the field. Matthew bats fourth, so we watch as the players in front of him work their way through their at-bat. One kid strikes out while the other two get hits, leaving them on first and second base when Matthew gets