Page 16 of Just One of the Groomsmen
Her team won by two, and since his attention was on the celebration in the center of the field, he didn’t notice Uncertainty’s gossip queen approaching until she was right on him.
“Tucker Crawford,” Lottie said, practically rubbing her hands together. “I heard you were back.”
“Looks like some things never change—word travels as fast as ever.”
“Even faster with wifi hot spots and everyone and their smartphones.” It sounded more like a threat than a fact. “So that big-city law firm didn’t work out?”
“Nope.” Remaining vague meant more digging, but Lottie was one of the main women who’d blathered nonstop about his parents when they were going through their divorce. She’d also implied that Mom had moved onbeforethe split, and the women had turned on his mom just like that.
The last thing he would do was give Lottie any morsels to stretch and spread. He planned on keeping mum to everyone except his closest friends till he got his shit together.
Until then, let the town talk. He didn’t care.
Tucker noticed the guy who’d been checking out Addie the entire time had stayed on the sidelines, his gaze still following her too closely. For once the fact that Lottie stuck her nose in everyone’s business might actually come in handy. “Who’s the new guy?”
“You are now,” Lottie said, and he shot her a look. “That’s the new dentist, David Nelson. Moved into town a couple months ago with his brother and fixed up the old practice. Nice guy.”
The information tickled something in his memory, and after a couple of seconds, he put together why. Addie’s grandma had mentioned “the dentist.”
“His niece is on the team, and since her father is recently widowed, he helps out. Oh, and he and Addison went on a date a few weeks back.”
Of course they did.
While he might be too late to warn her the dude was a toolbeforeshe went out with him, he’d definitely be keeping a close eye on him.
Seriously, she had the worst taste in guys. Since the dentist was apparently so damn nice, it made it a bit harder to play dirty—not that he was going to do that or there was any reason to.
Yet.
The expression Lottie aimed his way held a hint of glee, making him worry his feelings were on display. “So, are you plannin’ to open a law firm here or just look for jobs nearby? Exactly how long do you plan on being in town?”
“Long enough,” he said, and Lottie opened her mouth, but then Addie showed up next to him.
“Hey, I really need to talk to you. Right before the game, Lottie was pointing out how close we are, so I know she’ll understand if I steal you away.”
Addie clamped on to his arm and tugged him away, and he happily went.
“You saved me.”
“Someone’s gotta do it. Unfortunately, you weren’t around when I needed savin’ from her earlier. She had her lackeys with her, too.” Addie gave a mock shudder.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Sorry about that. I’m tryin’ to fix it, I swear.”
The corner of her mouth kicked up, but before she could say anything, the dentist came over, hand in hand with his niece—anyway, Tucker assumed.
“Thanks again, Addison.”
Addison.Tucker hated the way he used her name, way too intimate.
And last he knew, she never went by her full name. Her mother and the older ladies in town were the only ones who used it, and they wielded it almost like a weapon to remind her that she was a girl.
“Of course. Great game, Sara. That fake you pulled off before scoring that final goal was amazing.” Addie held out her hand for a high five and Sara slapped it, a toothy grin spreading across her face.
When the dentist drifted closer to Addie, Tucker planted his hand on her lower back. He’d done it on impulse, and Addie glanced at him.
“Oh, I’m forgettin’ my manners. Tucker, David, the new dentist. David, Tucker Crawford. He and I went to high school together, and he just moved back into town, although if any of the gossips ask, I don’t know for how long, and even if I did, they’d have to pry it from me.”
David laughed, and Tucker wanted to, but he was too busy being annoyed at the way the dentist was still looking at his Addie. It was all lust-fueled fake charm, and it reminded him of the guy she’d dated senior year. The one who’d broken her heart.
