Seduce Me

by Kelly Elliott

  “Do you need a ride home?” Nash angrily asked. “No, I got an Uber.” Facing me, she flashed me a toothy grin. “Hang out another day maybe?”

  My hand went to the back of my neck where I attempted to rub the tension away.

  “I don’t think so, Noelle.”

  When she tried to kiss me goodbye on the cheek, I took a step back. The last thing I wanted to do was send her the wrong signal. I was in this mess because I let her paw me at my own father’s wake.

  The moment she walked out the door, Nash faced me.

  “Dude, you’ve got to drop whatever it is you have going on with Noelle. Charlie already thinks y’all are an item.”

  My brows pulled in. “How do you know that?”

  He looked guilty. “I sent her a text yesterday asking her to come hang out with us at the bar.”

  The curiosity got the better of me. “What did she say?”

  Nash shrugged. “I don’t know. She made some short remark about you having Noelle now.”

  “Why in the hell does she think that?” I asked. He knew more than what he was leading on. “Why does she think that, Nash?”

  The way his hand pushed through his hair, I was aware he knew more.

  “Tell me!” I said between gritted teeth.

  “I tried telling her this morning y’all weren’t a thing because she mentioned it in the text. She told me I wasn’t keeping up with your love life very well because she saw y’all leaving a restaurant together.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I ran into Noelle there. I met Lily and my mother there.”

  The mention of my sister’s name caused Nash to jerk. Narrowing my eyes, I looked at him hard.

  “Speaking of my sister, what’s going on with the two of you?”

  Nash shifted from one foot to the other, a forlorn look etched on his face.

  “Nothing.”

  I let out a gruff laugh. “Nothing? I’m not fucking blind. You’ve been with her, am I right?”

  My best friend had the good sense not to lie to me.

  He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and sighed. “Yes. I wanted more, she clearly didn’t.”

  My brows shot up. “Did she only want to be fuck buddies?”

  Just saying that made my skin crawl and my body shudder.

  “Listen, I wanted to tell you. Lily wouldn’t let me. In the beginning she said we were just having a good time and no one needed to know. I pushed her for more, for a commitment. She didn’t want that. After your dad passed away, she started hooking up with some guy from work. I found out about it last night when I saw his text message come over her phone. She left it when she went to the restroom.”

  My chest squeezed. I actually felt bad for my best friend.

  “Fuck,” I said, not sure I wanted to even believe what I was hearing. “She cheated on you?”

  He shrugged. “I guess. I mean, we never made our relationship public knowledge, but I was faithful and she wasn’t so—”

  Nash stopped talking and went back to rocking on his feet.

  He forced a smile. “I loved her, but she didn’t love me back. It’s okay. We talked this morning, and we’re not going to let it ruin our friendship. It would be too hard on the group.”

  Now guilt hit me. Charlie had avoided our group for the last month almost and then showed up last night with some douchebag-looking guy.

  “Yeah, I know what you’re saying.”

  Nash hit me on the shoulder and said, “Dude, please go get something on. You being in a towel is sort of freaking me the fuck out.”

  I laughed and pointed to the kitchen. “Grab a beer. I’ll be out in a second.”

  “Dude, it’s not even nine in the morning and you want to drink?”

  “Fine, grab something else to drink. I’ll be out in a second.”

  Hustling back to my bedroom, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a black long-sleeve T-shirt. The temperatures in Austin were on the chilly side but not too bad for this time of year.

  When I returned to the living room, I stopped at the sight of my best friend. He looked like he hadn’t slept all night.

  “You okay?” I asked, sitting down next to him.

  “Yeah,” he said, making himself sound happier than I knew he really was.

  “Looks like we can both be miserable fucks together.”

  He let out a slight chuckle. “Listen, you might want to at least text Charlie. I don’t know what all you said to her last night, but it was enough to scare her. One more thing, Tucker, you’ve got to stop with the drinking.”

  I swallowed hard. “I don’t feel anything when I drink. No guilt. No pain. No sadness. I’m just numb.”

  “Yeah well, you’re going to lose the bar if you keep getting trashed there like you did last night.”

  Dropping back, I let my head rest against the sofa while I let out a long groan.

  “Fucking hell, why did I let Charleston Monroe back into my life like this?”

  Nash chuckled. “Because you never got over her the first damn time she broke your heart.”

  “Well, this time I broke her heart because I was stupid. Why the fuck was it so important for her to tell me about the stupid marriage bullshit? I should have told her the moment I found out.”

  I felt his eyes on me. “Not to rub it in or anything, but I told you not to do it.”

  My eyes closed. “For like the first twenty-four hours, I was seriously out to get her back. Then after we were together and I left her that morning, I felt like shit. I knew I couldn’t do it, but I also couldn’t tell her. I planned on telling her that weekend, although I was pretty damn sure she was going to tell me first. Then all shit hit the fan with my dad and …”

  I trailed off; the mention of my father’s name made me feel sick. I could still hear those last words I said to him.

  “You’re a dirty rotten fucking cheater and I hate you.”

  “I told him I hated him. I called him a cheater and the last words I said were ‘I hate you.’”

  Nash went rigid next to me.

  We sat there for a few minutes, neither of us saying a word.

  “He knows you didn’t hate him, Tucker.”

  My eyes burned and I blinked to hold back the tears.

  “I don’t think so, man. I meant it when I said it, and he heard it in my voice. I was so fucking mad at him though. He cheated on my mom, and he wanted to explain it to me. How the hell do you explain that?”

  “I don’t know. I’m beginning to think that love is just some made-up bullshit.”

  We looked at each other.

  Nash stood. “Fuck this shit. Let’s grab some beer and go to the lake.”

  I lifted a brow. “It’s morning still. Don’t you have work?”

  “Yeah, but I’m the boss. I suddenly feel like drinking and casting some lines.”

  “Sounds damn good to me. Let me change into something else and grab my poles.”

  Running down the hall, I heard my phone ping.

  Please be Charlie.

  I picked it up and saw it was from my sister.

  Lily: What’s going on? Charlie isn’t answering me, you’re not answering me and Nash is sending my calls to voicemail.

  Me: I’m fine. I’ll let Charlie know, as well. Nash is here. We’re going fishing.

  She didn’t reply in a text but instead called me.

  “Hey,” I said weakly. I still couldn’t believe Nash and my sister were hooking up and she was the one to break his heart.

  “Nash is there? Can you have him call me?”

  “I think he’ll talk to you when he’s ready.”

  Silence filled the air between us. “You know?”

  Her voice was quiet and a bit shaky.

  “Yeah, he told me.”

  “I’m sorry, Tucker. I knew you wouldn’t be happy about it and honestly, it was just … two friends having a good time.”

  There was no fucking way I was talking about this with my sister.

  “Whatev
er, Lily. I need to go. I’ll let him know you’re wanting to talk to him.”

  “Thanks. I’m getting ready to head out sailing with … um, I just wanted to make sure he was okay.”

  I let out a sharp laugh. Damn women. Even my own sister.

  “He’s fine.” I said, feeling a bit guilty I was being so short with Lily.

  “Don’t you dare judge me, Tucker Middleton. I never promised him anything.”

  “That’s between y’all, Lily. I need to go. Be careful today, okay?”

  “You too.”

  “I love you, sis.”

  “I love you too.”

  The line went dead, and I opened up a new text message. With shaking hands, I typed out a message for Charlie.

  Me: I’m sorry I called you last night. I don’t remember any of it. I’m okay. Going fishing with Nash.

  Figuring she was pissed and wouldn’t reply for hours, I pushed my phone into my back pocket and went about getting my fishing stuff together.

  I walked into the living room and set everything down. “You got the cooler?” I asked, reaching for my wallet and making sure I had my fishing license.

  “Yep, you ready?”

  With a nod, I replied, “Yep. By the way, my sister wanted to talk to you. I told her we were going fishing.”

  Nash nodded and didn’t go for his phone. Instead, he took one of my fishing rods and headed to the front door.

  We spent the next six hours floating on Lake Travis—drinking, fishing, and trying to forget our broken hearts. I think the only thing we were successful at in those six hours was the drinking.

  MY MOTHER STOOD in front of me, attempting to fix the tie on my expensive suit.

  “I don’t even know why I have to go.”

  She pursed her lips together. “Because this was important to your father, so it’s important to us. Besides, Loyd Adams was a good friend of your father’s. You’ll be able to meet his son, Darrell. Loyd is grooming him to take over the family business.”

  I rolled my eyes, thinking of how Charlie’s father had done the same with her. Just thinking of Charlie made my insides hurt. She had texted me back the day Nash and I had gone fishing. It had been three hours after I texted her. Her reply was simple and direct.

  You scared me. Don’t ever do that again.

  I wanted desperately to text her back, but I didn’t. I couldn’t stop analyzing if that had been a mistake.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” my mother whispered.

  Smiling, I let out a breath and then kissed her on the forehead. “I just hate these kinds of things. That’s all.”

  “You won’t tonight, trust me. I think you’ll be very happy you went.”

  An hour later when we walked into the ballroom; I groaned at the sight of Noelle.

  “Was that your idea of me being happy to go to this?” I asked, jerking my head over to Noelle. It was clear this was one of those kinds of events—the one where all the rich families of Austin showed up, donated big money to make themselves look good, and rubbed elbows in the process.

  When my mother saw Noelle, she laughed. “Hardly, Tucker. I never did like that girl when you were dating her. She’s only after one thing.”

  Stunned, I stared at my mother and asked, “Do tell, Mother.”

  She looked at me. “Money. That’s all that girl wants. Someone with money to take care of her.”

  “Well, I own a bar, so I’m not swimming in it.”

  Lifting her hand and waving to people, my mother walked slowly beside me. “It’s the name she likes, son. Your father’s business is a good one that makes money, and someday that money falls to you. That’s all that woman sees.”

  I huffed. “And you know this how?” I asked, leaning closer to her.

  Pausing, she looked up at me. “Your sister, of course.”

  I glanced around the room, looking for my sister. Finally, I saw her on the arm of some rich-looking asshole.

  “Who is that Lily is with?” I asked my mother when she walked away from the latest person offering her their condolences.

  Her eyes searched the room and she smiled. “Mark Peterson. Your father wanted the match.”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  She shrugged. “He pushed your sister toward Mark. Told her it would be a good match and that he liked Mark.”

  “So, she’s only with him because it’s what Dad wanted?”

  My mother’s sad eyes met mine. I wasn’t sure if she was missing my father, or if maybe I had hit the nail right on the head.

  “I’m not sure, Tucker. You’ll have to ask her that.”

  I sighed loudly. “This is fucking crazy. How is it all these parents are dictating how their kids live their lives? Dad couldn’t just let Lily be happy with Nash? Why was that? He doesn’t come from a wealthy family? Doesn’t work for the business? This is her happiness, Mom.”

  All she did was nod. “I’ve already talked to her about it, and she won’t listen to me. She said she enjoys being with Mark. That he makes her happy.”

  “Bullshit,” I mumbled under my breath.

  An older couple approached us, and my mother brushed her hand at me as if to say the conversation was over. I smiled, answered when spoken to, and sipped water. I’d have given anything for a shot of vodka.

  My entire body came to life as I glanced over my shoulder. The moment I saw her, I felt my breath hitch.

  Charlie.

  She stood in a small group of people. Her smile looked beautiful on her face, but I knew it was fake. She was putting on a show. This was boardroom Charlie, as Lily and Terri called her. The girl who put up a fake persona when she needed to. That wasn’t the woman I had fallen in love with. The woman I fell in love with was the fun, carefree Charlie. The one who had a damn shaved cat and liked when I whispered dirty things in her ear. The one who tried to be strong because she was raised to be that way but had moments of weakness that she’d only shown me.

  She laughed politely at something someone said, and then it looked like she excused herself. When she turned, our eyes met. She stopped and a small smile moved across her face.

  Was she finally done being pissed off at me?

  I returned the smile with one of my own. I wanted to go to her. Tell her how fucking sorry I was that I hurt her. Tell her that we were both wrong.

  Taking a step toward her, I was hell bent on doing just that. But I stopped the moment I saw him come up behind her. Dipping his mouth to her ear, the guy she was with at the bar said something to her that made her nod her head. She turned to face him as he continued to speak to her.

  My heart dropped when I saw his hand land on her lower back and guide her over to another small group of people. Charlie glanced back at me with a look I couldn’t read.

  “Looks like Charleston Monroe found her a catch.”

  My head jerked to my right were two women were talking while eyeing Charlie.

  “Darrell Adams is indeed a catch. Her company is helping Darrell’s with some merger or something. Rumors going around are saying they could be the future power couple.”

  The weight on my chest grew ten times heavier with each word they spoke.

  “Can you imagine if those two got married? She’s one of the richest women in Texas, and Darrell’s family isn’t that far behind.”

  They moved farther away and tried to keep their voices low, but I followed them, staying behind them so they wouldn’t know I was there.

  “Plus, I heard he’s good in bed, big dick and all, but that his fiancée cheated on him. Rumor has it that daddy is pushing him to get married.”

  The other girl gasped. “Do you think they’re going to get married?”

  “Why not? If Darrell has to get married, who better to marry than Charleston Monroe?”

  My fists balled up. They had it all wrong. It was Charlie who was the one who needed to get married, and it looked like she found the perfect guy to play the role.

  I turned so quickly I ran into some
one.

  “I’m sorry,” I curtly said, making my way over to my mother.

  “Mom …” I interrupted a conversation she was having with two younger guys, both my age.

  “Tucker! I wanted to introduce you to …”

  “I need to leave. Emergency at work.”

  Her eyes filled with worry. “Is everything okay?”

  Shaking my head, I leaned down to kiss her cheek. “No.”

  It was the truth. Nothing was okay. Everything was fucking wrong, and I was pretty sure I was the cause of so much of this.

  “Will you be okay getting home?” I asked.

  She placed her hand on my arm and gave it a slight squeeze. “Of course, thank you for coming sweetheart.”

  Forcing a smile, I nodded and turned to head to the exit. Before I stepped out of the door, I chanced one more look into the room and found Charlie. She stood next to Darrell, but neither of them had their hands on each other. They simply stood there like the perfect couple that they were.

  NOTE TO SELF: I don’t like this crowd. Avoid all dinners like this in the future.

  Two hours of standing on my feet and working a room full of people was not my idea of excitement. Darrell, however, was in his environment. He thrived on the people, the business talk, the promise of future deals and golf games.

  I scanned the room for Tucker. I saw Lily on the arm of some good-looking guy, who was clearly not Nash. Continuing my search, I found Patty.

  The second I saw Tucker in his tux, I wanted to rush over to him. Beg him to forgive me for being so damn stupid. Tell him I panicked and that I was really in love with him. The look in his eyes, though, when he saw me walk off with Darrell was unmistakable. He was angry. Hurt. I needed to find him and tell him it wasn’t what he thought.

  “Darrell, I’m getting a headache. I’m going to step outside and get some fresh air.”

  My “date”, and I used the word very loosely, glanced down and gave me a half-a-second look. “Sure. Okay.”

  Excusing myself, I walked to the outdoor balcony that overlooked the Texas Hill country. I closed my eyes and let myself dream of another life. One where I designed a house on the land I bought just outside of Austin. One where I sat on a horse, enjoying the sun shining on my face.

  “So, found another guy already? When’s the wedding?”