Page 58 of Never Say Never

“Bill, you know my son, Tucker,” he says to the man standing next to him. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him at the country club my parents belong to.

“I’m not sure we’ve met, but it’s my pleasure,” he says, shaking my hand enthusiastically. “Great game today, kid. I’ve followed the team all year and you are one hell of a coach. It’s just a matter of time before the NFL is calling you.”

My dad seems to puff his chest at the compliment, like maybe the idea of an NFL coach for a son is something to be proud of.

“Thank you, sir. I can’t imagine that would happen anytime soon, but if and when the day comes, I for damn sure wouldn’t say no.”

I wait for my dad to come up with some sort of dick response like,He has a better chance of becoming president, but he doesn’t say a word. I’m not sure how to react, this isn’t what I’m used to from my father. Part of me is waiting for the othershoe to drop, and I look around to see if Daisy is witnessing this strange shift in my dad’s attitude.

I spot her several feet away, standing next to a guy about my height who’s wearing nicely tailored gray suit pants and a crisp, white collared shirt. At first, I don’t recognize him, but when Daisy moves to the side, I get a better view of him and realize that he looks familiar. I can’t remember his name, but he went to high school with Daisy and me. He was a year or two younger, so we never really hung out. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. Daisy seems to know him better, because when he wraps an arm around her, pulling her into him for a hug, she smiles widely and leans into him. She has obviously kept in touch with him,closely.Jealousy burns a hole in my chest. The guy obviously thinks she’s hot, and while I know we agreed to be exclusive until she leaves on her trip, we never said anything about flirting. A huge fucking mistake on my part, I realize now. I watch the two of them, biting the side of my cheek in irritation, wondering how much more of this I can stand.

They continue to talk as I’m dragged around the room by people who want to congratulate me, eventually ending up talking to Jake and Holden. There are 80 or so people here tonight, a mix of family, my friends, influential people from the social circles my parents run in and a few guys from the Outlaws coaching staff.

I quickly find out from Jake that the guy I want to murder is Nathan Boyd, a physiotherapist and all-around nice guy from a well-respected family. Apparently, he has had a thing for Daisy for years. From the looks of it, that may be mutual. She hasn’t taken her eyes off the guy, and she’s putting her hand on his arm way too fucking much for my liking. If they’re so into each other, then why haven’t they gotten together? Or maybe they have? The thought makes me sick.

Nathan leans in closer, his hand at her waist as he whispers something in her ear. I grip the stem of my champagne glass so tightly I half-expect it to shatter.

“Tuck, do yourself a favour and go get your girl before Nathan gets her first,” Jake says in a voice only loud enough for me to hear. I sip from my champagne trying to keep my frustration under control.

As if she knows we are talking about her, Daisy looks over her shoulder at me. She must see the infuriation written all over my face because she says something to Nathan, smiles and then walks in my direction.

“Holdey, let’s get another drink,” Jake says, tugging his arm and making a quick exit for the bar, leaving me standing at the high-top table alone.

Daisy stops in front of me, a mischievous look in her eyes. She leans in, going up on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear. “Everything okay? If I didn’t know better, I might think you’re jealous of my friend Nathan.”

“Why would I be jealous? He isn’t the one who had his dick inside of you less than an hour ago.”

“Which is exactly why you are jealous. You’ve never liked it when I pay attention to any guy who isn’t you.”

“Well, now you’re mine, so Nathan should find someone else to flirt with.”

“Is that what I am? Yours?”

“Yes.” I give her my cockiest grin and I notice that it seems to set her off balance. “For the next eight weeks you belong to me.”

Daisy

“Meetme on the patio in 5 minutes, Daisy. Be a good girl for me.”

A shiver dances up my spine as I watch Tucker walk away, slipping out of the restaurant door and onto the dark patio. My mind spins. Tucker is always unpredictable. Slipping my phone from my purse, I check the screen for the time. I’m stuffing the device back inside my bag when Jake appears at my side.

“Oh, hey, Jake. It’s good to see you.” I smile at him. “How’s Everly? Is she here?”

“She is not. She’s home with Birdie. The game was enough for the two of them so she’s sitting tonight out. I’m only here for a drink to support Tuck, then I’m heading home too.”

I like Jake, so I’m trying to make small talk, but the buzz in my veins and the fluttering in my stomach is not making it easy. “It was nice of you to come. I know it means a lot to Tucker.”

“Anything for him,” he says. “He’s one of the best.” Then he adds, “Often misunderstood, but the guy’s got a huge heart.”

Something about the remark has me feeling like it was meant just for me. Was he trying to tell me something?

“Anyways, I better say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Collins before I head out. It was nice seeing you, Daisy.”

“Good to see you too.”

I say goodbye, then take a quick glance around the room before surreptitiously walking to the patio doors. When the door shuts behind me, I’m gripped by my arm and pressed up against the cold wall.

Tucker and I are all alone in the dark, the only lights casting a glow over the secluded area are coming from two fire lanterns perched on the corners of the glass railing. The muted sound of laughter drifts out from the restaurant, met by the crash of the ocean waves on the shore 50 feet away.

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