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

“I came home for lunch one day and found them in my bed together,” I say with a bitter bite to my words. “I guess we weren’t really living in a Groundhog Day after all. I wasn’t so predictable because that day, I gave the lunch she’d packed me to my coworker who was in need, and I came home to grab something else.”

She covers her mouth in shock. “That must have been horrible to see.”

“You know, my wife cheating on me hurt, but Kenneth? My best friend screwing the mother of my child on my bed sent me into a rage.”

This is where I pause and take a moment, not wanting to relive that moment but knowing I have to.

“I lost my mind. I was so blindsided that all my sense of reality completly left me and I leaped for him. I beat Kenneth that day. Right on my bed, I pummeled him and couldn’t stop. Michelle screamed so loud that it knocked me out of whatever trance I had been in. When I looked down, he was bloodied and beaten, rolling off the bed and starting to crawl.

“She begged me to calm down. When I looked at her, she was wearing a robe, and it reminded me of what had happened. She’d slept with my best friend. I turned back to Kenneth, but he managed to get up and ran outside.”

My voice is shaky, and I’m not sure if I can go on. I feel the support she’s offering when her hand reaches to mine.

“Michelle called the sheriff.” I drop my head to my chest. “I was able to catch up to Kenneth. He had the balls to stand up and tell me he loved her more than I did. I hit him again. Coldcocked him in the face, and when he fell to the ground, I didn’t stop. I heard Michelle scream, and that was when I noticed he was unconscious.”

I turn to her to make sure she knows I’m serious. “I tried to wake him up, but he was out like a light. I thought he was dead. I panicked and started screaming until the neighbors came outside. All they did was stare as the sheriff’s car came down the street.”

She squeezes my hand and scoots closer to me. “Kenneth lived.”

“I hate that son of a bitch, but I thank God every day that he did.” I shake my head. “He was in the hospital for a while. About as long as I was in jail. Arrested for nearly killing my best friend.”

My mouth clenches as tears build behind my eyes. I refuse to cry over this shit. It’s not Kenneth that makes me sad. Or Michelle. I’m over her. It’s the fear of how much I stood to lose that nearly cripples me.

“I’d never felt so helpless in my life. There I was, behind bars, while Kenneth was in the hospital. My wife was leaving me, and I was told I’d never see my son again. Matthew was at such an impressionable age. I didn’t want him to know I’d almost killed anyone, and even more, I didn’t want him to know why. Of course, in this town, he found out.”

“What happened wasn’t only your fault.”

I let out a breath as I drop my head. “Wasn’t it though?”

She makes me look her in the eye. “Your wife shouldn’t have been cheating on you. That was all on her.”

I glance up at the ceiling. “It was such a mess. My sister bailed me out of jail and brought me to a hotel while we figured out what to do. She knew the case was bad and wanted to get me the best defense attorney, which I refused because I couldn’t afford it. I was prepared to lose everything.”

“How did you get it all back?”

I smile. Still, to this day, I’m in disbelief by the turn of events. “Kenneth showed up. The guy I’d called my friend came to my hotel room in crutches. He was probably on a shitload of painkillers because he apologized. To me. Said he was sorry. He’d lied, and to show his remorse, he wasn’t going to press charges, and Michelle agreed. They decided moving on was what was best for everyone. I went along with it because it was what was best for Matthew. I guess I should thank the bastard for that.”

“Yeah, I think he owed you one.” Her light laugh comes through, and it surprises me.

“Are you …” I pause, a little nervous with how she’ll respond. “Are you afraid of me now?”

Justine’s eyebrows furrow as she tilts her head and looks at me. Her eyes search mine for an answer to my question.

“No,” she says quietly. “You’re a good man, Tucker Simms. Those guys that attacked me weren’t. There’s a difference of fighting for what is yours and hurting people for greed. I understand the difference and will never compare you to those men.”

“That’s a fucking relief.”

I move up the bed to lie on my back, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. I’ve never really told anyone this story.

To my surprise, she does the same and curls into my chest. I grab her hand in mine and begin to play with her fingers, the motion more soothing than I ever imagined.

I take a deep breath in and let it out, feeling like I’m letting go of my past just the same.

I turn my head to see her better. Placing my finger on her chin, I tilt her up to me. “I know that’s not an excuse for what happened tonight. But I saw his arm on you, and part of me wanted to protect you while part of me only saw you with another guy. I’m really sorry though. I promise it won’t happen again.”

She stares into my eyes for a moment, and then she leans up and presses her lips against mine.

When I lace my fingers through her hair and pull her in