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

“I’m a mechanic at Bumps and Dents Body Shop. Been there since I moved here.”

“So, you’re good with your hands?”

He smirks. “More than you’ll ever know.”

“Oh jeez.” I laugh as I jokingly roll my eyes and turn away.

He holds his arms out to the sides. “Come on. You know I had to go there.”

“And why is that?”

“Because it’s the truth. I play guitar and fix cars.” He tries to play it off, like his words didn’t hold a hidden meaning.

I tilt my head, placing my hand on my hip. “Cocky much?”

“Nah, I’m just messing with you.” He grins and then looks down at his watch. His brows rise, as if he’s shocked by the time. Rubbing his hands up and down his thighs, he leans back and addresses the table, “Well, it’s been fun hanging with you all, but I’ve got to get going.”

The girls pout as he slides off the stool and points at Anna. “Tell Beau if I’m slow tomorrow, it’s your fault.”

She pats him on the arm as he walks past her. “Night, Tucker. It was good, hanging out with you.”

“This was fun,” Laken adds. “Don’t be a stranger when you’re not onstage.”

“I’ll try.” He nods at them and then looks my way. Those green eyes smile a little as he speaks, “Nice to meet you, Justine.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

For the first time in a while, I feel like I’m not lying to myself or the people around me.

It really was surprisingly good to meet him.

Chapter Two

Justine

I open my eyes and let out a stretch, taking in the morning sun casting rays through the window and hitting me in the face.

It takes me a moment to figure out where I am. I’ve been going through this every day since I moved back home. When you live somewhere for almost ten years and then end up in your childhood bedroom, it’s a little bit of a head-trip, especially when your head isn’t right already.

I roll over, so I’m on my back with my arm covering my eyes. After I inhale a deep breath, I hop out of bed, slide my feet into my slippers, and head to the kitchen to see if I can find some coffee.

“Look who finally woke up,” Mom says with a smile. She’s wearing a floral apron and holding a spatula in her hand as she stands at the stove.

Living with my parents is still taking some getting used to, but waking up to breakfast being cooked will not be one of those things. In New York, I would dream about someone else cooking me breakfast after a night out, so this is definitely a perk.

“Morning, Mom. Whatcha cooking?” I reach for a mug from one of the hooks hanging below the cabinet and pour some coffee that’s already made.

“Bacon, hash browns, and eggs. You still like yours over medium, right?”

I lean back on the counter as I blow on the hot liquid in my mug before taking a sip and then setting it down. “Sure do. You’re going to make it really hard to leave here, you know?” I tease.

She smiles sweetly. “Well, you know you can stay as long as you need. We’re just happy to have you safe at home.”

Her words hit hard.

Safe at home. I always thought I was safe when I was home in New York. Until I wasn’t. The thought cuts like a knife, and I close my eyes to calm myself before a full-blown panic attack hits me again. I run my now-sweaty hand through the ring of my mug and pick it up, hoping my mom doesn’t see that I was affected by those three little words.

Mom rubs her hand on my arm, and I inhale a shaky breath when our eyes meet. “It’s okay. Don’t be ashamed to get upset. The fear will pass, but it’ll take time.”

“What if it happens—”

“Nothing like that will happen in Mason Creek. I promise you.”

I nod, knowing she’s right. This town might drive me crazy with how everyone knows everyone, but if there’s one thing it absolutely is, it’s safe.

I didn’t even know our front door had a lock on it until I was in high school. It was just something I never thought about. To me, it was a door that was always open, welcoming everyone who wanted to walk through it.

Moving to New York was definitely a change when it came to that. My first apartment had three separate locks—the one on the doorknob, a dead bolt, and a chain. I should have known there was a reason for the security. I got complacent, and it nearly cost me my life.

I shake my head, ridding the thought and coming back to the now so I can forget that part of my life. It’s in the past, and now, I have to figure out what my future is.

“How were the girls last night?” Mom asks as she turns around and cracks an egg onto a hot skillet.

“We had a great time. It was really good to see everyone.”

“Yeah? Were any of your other friends there?”

I shrug. “Laken and Leni, like I mentioned. Anna was there too. I can’t believe she and Leni stayed out as long as they did, knowing they had to get up with little ones this morning. They were real troopers.”

“That’s nice. I’m glad you all got to go out together. Legally.”

She stares at me with her eyes open wide, and I laugh out loud. Of course she knows of the times I tried to sneak out when I was younger since she was always the one who caught me on the way in.

“Did you run into anyone else from high school?”

“Actually, I met someone that you’ll get a kick out of.” I take a seat at the breakfast bar and move the newspaper out of the way.

“Who’s that?”

“Tucker Simms.”

She turns with a huge smile on her face. “Tucker was there last night? Was he performing?