Page 4 of Tucker
“I’vebeen thinking about it for a while. I think it could help…me and others whowere abused.”
“Whydidn’t you tell me?”
“Youhaven’t been exactly thrilled with my choices lately,” I point out.
“Ijust want you to be happy.”
“Iknow. And I am, but I need some time to figure out what I want to do in life. Iknow I’ll put my social work degree to good use eventually, but right now…itjust doesn’t feel right.”
“Butwriting does?”
“Yes.”
Derekgrins down at me. “Am I going to be able to read it?”
“Whenit’s finished,” I laugh.
“Fairenough. I’ll get off your back about school, but I want you to know you canalways go back. I know you don’t want money, but…”
“Ican take care of myself.”
“I’mnot doubting you, but Leah, the money I have is taken from men like yourabuser. They fucking owe it. To you and every other woman who has been hurt bytheir behavior. I set up an account for Hannah as well.”
Hannahis Justus’s sister, who was rescued from a human trafficking ring after yearsof enslavement. “And I know you’ll be there if I need something, but right nowI promise I’m fine.”
“Stubbornass,” he mumbles.
“HappyBirthday!” Everyone shouts as we arrive at the bonfire where people are millingaround.
TheReed brothers are here, along with their significant others. And of course,Ayda, Justus, Sadie, Landon, Zoe, and Jeremy are present as well. There are acouple of people I don’t recognize though. I’m bombarded by hugs and birthdaywishes, and a drink is shoved into my hand by Ayda.
“Drinkup, bitch. You only turn twenty-three once.”
Lawnchairs are scattered around the fire and someone has also rolled two large logsnear it to sit on. “Wow, I love these chairs,” I remark, taking a seat betweenZoe and Sadie.
“Tuckermakes them,” Ayda points out.
Hemakes furniture? My eyes are drawn to the solemn form standing with the Reedbrothers. As if he feels my gaze, he turns and acknowledges me with a small nodbefore returning his attention to whatever Parker Reed is talking about.
“So,what’s up with that?” Sadie asks, gesturing to the skinny blonde hanging onJeremy’s arm.
“Thosetwo,” Zoe groans. “I swear, Frannie is my best friend, but sometimes I want tosmack her and Jeremy’s heads together. I’ve never met two more stubborn people.Jeremy heard Frannie went out with an old friend and jumped to conclusions, sonow they’re both trying to get back at the other.”
Acar pulls in and we watch as Frannie gets out, accompanied by a tall,well-built man. “Well, I think they’re even,” I reply, nodding toward them asthey approach.
Jeremyglares as the guy slides an arm around her waist, and Frannie flashes him agrin, as if the little blonde doesn’t bother her. His lips pressed together,Jeremy turns his back and goes back to his conversation with the other guys.
“Hey,Leah. Happy birthday!” Frannie says, and introduces her date to the rest of us.
“Thankyou.”
Despitethe obvious tension between Jeremy and Frannie, the next few hours are fun.Landon brings out a speaker and the air fills with rock music. Everyone is busydrinking, laughing, and talking.
Atone point, Alex Reed wanders over and sits beside me. Maybe the alcohol hasgone to my head, but he looks so damn adorable I don’t even notice I’m flirtingwith him until a snort of laughter comes from behind me.
“You’rebarking up the wrong tree, kid,” Tucker scoffs. When the hell did he show up?
Myface heats instantly and I turn to Alex, mortified. “I’m sorry. You’re marriedaren’t you? I didn’t mean to—
