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

waitress comes over, holding up the coffeepot. “Can I get you two some coffee?”

We both nod, and after she fills our mugs, she turns to set down the pot and pulls out her notepad. “What can I get you?”

“I’ll have the blueberry pancakes,” I say.

She nods and then turns to Tucker.

“I’ll have the bacon and eggs—scrambled, please.”

“Sounds good.” She smiles and leaves to help other patrons who just walked in.

“No pancakes?” I ask Tucker.

“Nah. After you’ve had Shorty’s pancakes, all of these other restaurants are a disappointment. I’ll stick to the bacon and eggs anywhere else.”

I smile, remembering our last meal at Wren’s and the singing battle they had, but my smile falls short when the man in the booth across the restaurant catches my attention.

Or rather, the bruises that cover his face catch my attention.

I take a sharp inhale and am instantly mad at myself when Tucker notices. His eyes move to where I was just looking, and he sees it too.

The guy from last night.

He’s sitting with a group of guys, and one of them hits his shoulder and then points to us.

Tucker turns back to face me, gritting his teeth. He runs his hand down his face, and I hear him mumble, “Fuck,” under his breath.

Oh God, what if he wants to fight Tucker because of last night?

He’s here with a group of guys. Tucker’s entire band drove home last night. I can’t help him if they want to fight.

What if they approach us? What would Tucker do? Oh God. What if they press charges? It would be very easy for them to call the police right now and have him arrested for assault.

When my eyes meet Tucker’s, I can tell he’s wondering some of the same things. Of course, he’s not as worried as my female brain, but I can tell he’s plotting something out.

My breath hitches when I see the guy scoot out of his booth and head our direction. Thankfully, his crew stays seated and goes about eating their food, so I get some relief but not much as he makes his way to our table.

Tucker tenses as he looks up at the man he beat the ever living crap out of last night.

With his hand on his chest, the man approaches me more than Tucker. “Howdy, ma’am.”

I dance my eyes between him and Tucker, not sure what to say. Tucker, on the other hand, stands, and the guy holds up his hands as he backs up.

“I’m not here to start any trouble,” he says to Tucker and then looks down to me. “I do believe I owe you an apology for last night.”

I place my hand on Tucker’s arm, silently asking him to sit down, which he does.

“It’s okay. I appreciate the apology though,” I say as I try to calm my heart that was starting to beat out of control.

He steps up to us again, looking directly at Tucker. “And I owe you an apology. I had no idea she was with you. I was a bit drunk last night and meant no harm. I’ve followed you for a while now, and I must say, I’m a big fan.” He chuckles under his breath as he points to his face. “I guess I deserved exactly what I got.”

Tucker lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry for taking it that far. I just saw red and—”

The man holds up his hands, stopping him. “No apology needed. If she were my girl, I would have done the same to any man. Just know that I’m sorry, and breakfast is on me this morning.”

“That’s not necessary,” Tucker says.

He places his hand to his chest again. “Please, I insist.”

“Well, okay then. Thank you for coming over. And I hope to see you at another show, so we can both try that whole thing a different way.”

The man smiles wide, knowing he’s been forgiven and that all is forgotten. “Deal.”

Tucker nods as the guy grins and then walks away.

I reach across the table, placing my hands on his. “See. Thank you for being such an amazing guy and wanting to protect me last night.”

He leans over to kiss my lips across the table.

For the first time since I arrived in Mason Creek, it feels like absolutely everything is going to be okay.

Let’s hope nothing happens to destroy that feeling.

Chapter Twenty

Justine

I’ve spent most of the week at Tucker’s place. Living on the houseboat is something I could totally get used to. Rising every morning to a beautiful sunrise over the hills and spending every night staring out over the calm lake as the stars shine brightly above us have been like a dream.

When my mom called me the other day, asking if I’d ever be coming back to stay with them, I felt kind of bad, but when I’m with him, I sleep better, and right now, that’s the best thing in the world.

I drive with him back to Mason Creek every morning and walk to Java Jitters to get my work done.

The NYPD called a few days ago, letting me know they found the guys who had robbed me. Turns out, they were just some punks who had been caught up in cybercrimes more than anything. I was lucky enough to be their first in-person theft. It was a huge relief, knowing they weren’t from some mob crime ring, and helped put my mind at ease about the entire situation, allowing me to move on.

I’ve had fun, catching up with people in the town, and I even got to go to the hidden hot springs, where we used to always try to sneak in on the Jacksons’ property. Now that Grady Jackson, a guy who graduated a few years above me, inherited the property, he invited me to stop by after I ran into him at the coffee shop.

Though life has been good, every night I’ve noticed Tucker having trouble sleeping, as he moves around a lot. He also seems to be struggle as we make dinner