Redeeming Lottie

by Melissa Ellen

  I started to walk away, when I heard my name being called. I glanced over my shoulder.

  Derek was lightly jogging toward me. “Wait up. I’ll go with you.”

  He reached my side, placing his hand at my back for me to lead the way. There was a line at the bar when we entered. I waited with Derek at my side, our silence awkward. He hadn’t talked to me much since his initial hello when they first showed up. I got the feeling he wasn’t too thrilled with me being here with Tucker. Not that I could blame him. He’d been Tucker’s best friend since I could remember, so it didn’t surprise me he’d be protective of his friend. It did hurt knowing he no longer approved of us being together like he once had.

  “Tucker tells me you’re selling the farm.”

  I nodded.

  Our silence resumed. The line moved forward.

  Not soon enough, it was our turn to grab our drinks. I snatched a beer from the ice for Tucker and a pre-made spritzer for myself. Derek was already waiting with his new beer to escort me back to our group.

  A few feet from our destination, his hand gripped my forearm, stopping me. His eyes darted to Tucker, who hadn’t noticed our approach yet, then back to me.

  “Look, Lottie…I don’t know what your intentions are with Tucker, but—”

  “My intentions?” I forced a laugh, a little annoyed and nervous at the same time.

  “Yeah.” He shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know if you plan to stick around this time or leave town, but just do me a favor and don’t break him the way you did last time. I don’t want to see him go through that again. He was in a dark place for a long time. And he can’t go back there again. He has someone counting on him now.”

  I grated my teeth together, my lips pressed tight, fighting back my anger and annoyance.

  I understood Derek was just looking out for his best friend and Lily. Regardless, I didn’t think it was any of his business what happened with Tucker and me in the future. Or maybe I was hiding my guilt behind my anger. Either way, I wasn’t willing to have this conversation with Derek.

  “I know, Derek.” I yanked my arm from his hand, marching quickly to Tucker.

  I took a deep breath, plastering on a smile before making that final step into his view. From the worried look on Derek’s face, I think we both knew Tucker wouldn’t be thrilled with the warning Derek just gave me.

  I stepped over the bench seat, resuming my position at Tucker’s side, under his arm.

  “Thanks, babe.” Tucker kissed my cheek, taking the beer from my hand.

  I smiled half-heartedly with Derek’s eyes still on me, his words stewing inside me. Tucker glanced back at me, studying me for a moment, likely feeling the tension I couldn’t seem to rid from my body.

  “You okay?”

  “Yep.” I took a big swallow of my drink, hoping it would loosen my muscles some.

  “Lottie—”

  “Oh! I love this song!” I lied, jumping to my feet. I had no idea what the song playing was. I’d take that little tidbit to my grave. Anything to get me out of answering the question in Tucker’s eyes. “Dance with me.”

  He cracked a smile, my deception working. He took a quick swig of his beer before standing to usher me to the crowd of moving bodies.

  He spun me, twirling me under his arm twice before bringing me back into his arms. Our feet fell into a two-step as Tucker guided me expertly around the dirt dance floor. It took me a minute to remember some of the moves we’d learned together. As I found my rhythm, they came back to me and the two of us moved seamlessly as he swung, spun, twisted, and dipped me.

  We laughed as we continued to dance into the next song, both of us having fun and enjoying the upbeat tempo. By the third song, the music slowed. Tucker spun me one more time, colliding my small frame against his strong chest. He held me tight, his hand splayed firmly on my back, his other hand clasped with mine, sandwiched between our bodies.

  “So, Florida Georgia Line, huh?” He smiled suspiciously down at me.

  “What?”

  “The band of your favorite song.”

  “Oh, right. Yep. Love them,” I confirmed adamantly.

  “That’s interesting, because they don’t sing that song.”

  I turned my cheek to his chest, hiding the blush in them.

  “What did Derek do?”

  “Nothing. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Lottie.” His warning was hard.

  “He didn’t say anything wrong. Nothing that wasn’t true.”

  “Then why were you upset?”

  “Let it go, Tucker. Please. He’s just looking out for you. That’s all.”

  “I’m sorry…” His arm tightened around me. “He should learn to mind his own business.” He pulled away, lifting my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “The only two people’s opinions that matter are yours and mine…and, well, Lily’s. But we already know she loves you.” His cheek twitched with a repressed smile.

  I didn’t give him a response. I wasn’t sure I agreed. It seemed there were many opinions being dished out to me when it came to mine and Tucker’s relationship. All of them contradicting. All of them confusing me more.

  I laid my head back on his chest, letting the music drown out my thoughts, his arms making everything else in the world fade into the background. If it were only just Tucker and me, then everything would be much simpler.

  I searched for Hannah as Tucker and I said our goodbyes, the night coming to an end. She’d disappeared somewhere with Billy. I was about to try her cell when I heard her laugh. Billy had his arm around her shoulders, her hand connected to that arm as they whispered and giggled in each other’s ears, walking toward us.

  “Hey. We’re taking off, you ready?” I asked her as they both came to a stop in front of us.

  “Actually, you two go ahead. I’m sure Billy can take me home.”

  “Of course,” Billy agreed immediately.

  I looked between the two of them, latching onto Hannah’s free hand, pulling her away.

  “Give us a minute. Girl talk,” I explained, leaving Hannah no choice in the matter as I dragged her off to the side. “You leave in the morning,” I accused.

  “This is a fact. One I already knew. What’s your point?”

  “Nothing. I just figured we’d be hanging out more tonight.”

  “I figured you’d want to hang out with Tucker. Isn’t he kid free this evening?”

  “Yeah. And you’re right. I’d like to, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m ditching you.”

  “Technically, I’m ditching you.” She smirked.

  I laughed. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  “Oh, I’m positive.” She grinned wickedly, winking at Billy over my shoulder. “As long as you’re okay with me defiling every surface in that pretty new house of yours.”

  I ignored her last comment, not wanting to picture what Billy and she would likely be doing in my childhood home. “Will I see you in the morning?”

  “Doubtful. My flight is early.”

  “Okay.” I pulled her into a quick hug, one she would tolerate. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “I hate to say this, but I really hope you don’t. You have something good here, Lottie.”

  We both pulled away, our hands dropping to our sides, the guys rejoining us.

  “Ready?” Tucker asked, his hand gripping mine.

  “Yeah.” I gave Billy a hug goodbye as Tucker and Hannah exchanged farewells, her whispering something in his ear that brought a smile to his face.

  I looked at them with a raised eyebrow, neither one of them willing to satisfy my curiosity.

  I slipped out from under the sheets of Tucker’s bed, my bare feet touching the floor. I tiptoed out of the room, attempting to not wake him. I wanted to make him coffee and breakfast for once. I’d planned to tell him about Paris this morning. Talk to him about what was going through my head.

  Last night, when we’d gotten to his house, I realized how much I wanted more evenings wit
h him. More evenings with Lily. I wasn’t sure if it was possible. I wasn’t ready to give up my life in Seattle. But maybe somehow, we could figure something out.

  I searched through his cabinets and fridge, pulling out what I needed to make pancakes and bacon. I set the coffee maker to brew. Tucker’s footsteps came up behind me. His arms wrapped around my waist as he pressed his lips against my temple.

  “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” I smiled, rotating to face him, linking my hands at his neck. “I was making myself at home in your kitchen. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. Do you mind if I take a quick shower before breakfast?”

  I shook my head, rising to my toes to kiss him. “I’ll have coffee for you when you get out.”

  “Be careful. I might get used to this.” He swatted my ass as he walked away.

  His words were innocent, not meant to spur any emotions. They did. They gave me hope.

  I stirred the pancake batter, humming the tune of one of the catchy songs from the previous night.

  There was a knock on the door.

  I stopped, setting the bowl and whisk aside. I peeked down the hallway toward the bathroom, the sound of the shower still running. Contemplating ignoring the knock, I looked down at my attire. I wasn’t exactly dressed appropriately for answering the door to a stranger. Or worse to someone I actually knew.

  There was another knock with a ring of the doorbell.

  I sighed at how impatient some people could be. I tugged at the bottom hem of Tucker’s shirt I’d worn to bed as I walked. Unlocking the door with one hand, I flattened my hair with the other. I cracked the door slightly, poking my head through the opening.

  My heart stopped. My blood ran cold. The woman standing in front of me caused bumps to prickle across my skin. I froze, unable to speak, only able to stare.

  “Having fun whoring around with my fiancé, Lottie Dottie?”

  My hand lost its grip on the doorknob, her words a painful stab to my gut—the way they always were.

  “Abby?” My voice shook as I said her name, and I immediately hated myself for how weak it sounded.

  “Surprised to see me? I’m sure as hell surprised to see you, especially standing in what will be my house with my future husband.”

  “I-I don’t—” My brain couldn’t seem to catch up to the sight of Abby Taylor standing on the doorstep, claiming to be Tucker’s fiancée. I held my nauseous stomach as my shoulders hunched over.

  “Did you pick up a stutter when you moved away? What’s wrong?” Her eyes widened with a practiced shock. “Don’t tell me he didn’t tell you about us?”

  “Lottie, who is it?” Tucker’s deep voice came from behind me, his jeans pulled on, his chest bare, with his hair still damp from his shower.

  I opened the door wider, unable to verbalize an answer to his question.

  He stopped, his whole body visibly tensing. “What the hell are you doing here?” he growled.

  My thoughts exactly. I shouldn’t be here. I needed to leave. I turned on my heels, pushing past Tucker to get to the bedroom for my clothes. Breakfast long forgotten.

  “Fuck,” he cursed behind me. “Lottie!”

  I ignored him, too confused by everything I’d just learned to speak to him. Too angry. Too hurt.

  I was a fool thinking I could do this again. Thinking Tucker and I could actually have a future. We’d been lying to ourselves, to each other this whole time. It was my fault. I started this with the first lie I told him twelve years ago. Now it seemed that was all we did. Lie. Hurt. It was our inevitable ending.

  18

  Tucker

  “Lottie, wait.”

  I chased after her down the hall to my room. I stopped just inside the door, my whole body trembling with fear and anger. She’d already tossed my shirt to the floor, quickly picking up and pulling on her own. I glanced at the puddled material, then back up at her.

  “Just give me a damn minute to explain,” I begged as she stood from the bed hastily, pulling her jeans over her hips.

  “Explain what, Tucker?” She scowled, her glassy eyes forming into slits. “That you’re engaged to Abby Taylor? Abby Fucking Taylor, Tucker!” She threw her hands in the air.

  “Was. I was engaged. We aren’t anymore. Our relationship ended ten months ago when she left town.”

  “Exactly! When she left you. What if she hadn’t left, Tuck? You’d be married right now. Shit! You’d be married and possibly with a baby on the way.” Her hands gripped the strands of hair at the crown of her head, her whole body tense with fury. “I can’t. This should have never happened. I should have never come here.”

  She snatched her heels from the floor, headed for the door. She was fleeing. Running from me again. I panicked, grasping at her wrist to stop her. I needed her to hear me out. There was nothing between Abby and me. Nothing that compared to what Lottie and I had.

  “Lottie, please. Don’t run. Let me get rid of Abby, so we can talk about this.”

  She let out a heavy exhale, her expression unsettling as her eyes filled with unshed tears, one hand caressing my cheek. “You should talk to Abby, Tuck. I’m still going home.”

  She stood on her toes, planting her lips on mine.

  There was something about the way she said home that had sirens sounding in my head. Something so similar about the way she kissed me, reminding me of another time. As my mind worked to decipher what she was really saying, she slipped from my grasp and out of my house.

  Seconds. A few lingering seconds. That short delay was already too long. I spun on my heels, sprinting barefoot through the hall and out the front door, chasing after the tail end of her car as the realization hit me like a sledgehammer.

  “Lottie!”

  I skidded to a stop. Chasing her on foot and yelling was useless. The only way I was stopping her was by hauling ass to the Davis Farm. I reached in my pocket for my keys coming up short.

  “Damn it,” I huffed, turning to run back into the house for the rest of my clothes and keys.

  “Tuck.” Abby stepped from the shadows of the porch where she’d been waiting, blocking my entrance inside.

  “Get out of my way, Abby.” I clenched my fists and teeth, holding back the rage running through my veins.

  “Tucker, we need to talk.”

  “Not now, Abby. Move the fuck out of my way or I’ll move you myself.”

  “I’m sorry for leaving, Tucker. I panicked. I wasn’t ready. Everything happened so fast. The engagement and then the kid.”

  “Lily.”

  “Right, Lily. I just…I needed time to think. You can understand that, can’t you?” She rubbed her hand along my arm, and I fought the urge to visibly cringe. “I missed you, Tucker.”

  “Ten months.” I fumed, removing her hand from me. “You needed to think for ten months?”

  “Well, at least I didn’t make you wait twelve years,” she snarled, her arms defensively crossed. “You had no problem forgiving Lottie.”

  “Lottie is worth a lifetime of waiting.” I narrowed my eyes, everything suddenly crystal clear. “What are you really doing back here, Abby? Did someone call to let you know Lottie was back in town? Is this some childish stunt from a jealousy you can’t seem to get over?”

  “Of course not. This has nothing to do with that—”

  “Watch what you say, Abby,” I warned, cutting her off with a stern look. “You’ve already worn out my patience for your bullshit.”

  She huffed, releasing her arms. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t like finding her half naked in your shirt when she opened the door to me. Of course I’m jealous that my fiancé would be shacking up with his ex. I missed you, Tucker. I want us to be together again.”

  “There is no us, Abby. There never was. We both know it was nothing more than a modern-day arranged marriage for the benefit of our families’ businesses. So quit trying to make it out as if it was something more. What you and I had doesn’t touch what I have with Lottie. And
I’ll be damned if I’m losing her again over this.”

  I pushed past her, not wasting any more time.

  “What about that night after the engagement party?” she shouted at my back.

  I stopped dead in my tracks, my whole body stiffening at the memory of the one drunken night we slept together. I turned to face her, making damn sure she saw the truth in my eyes.

  “That was a mistake. And will never happen again. Now stop playing games with me and get the hell out of my house.” I turned away once again on a mission, ignoring the false hurt she wore on her face.

  The door banged shut behind me.

  I floored it the whole way to the Davis Farm, praying I wasn’t too late, losing momentary control of the tail end of my truck as I took the turn onto their dirt drive a little too fast.

  I felt a momentary wave of relief when I saw her car still parked out front. It quickly disappeared along with the air in my lungs when she came barreling out of her house with her luggage in tow.

  I skidded to a stop behind her car, annoyed by all the open land prohibiting me from blocking her in. I jumped out of my truck, rushing toward her.

  “Lottie, where the hell are you going?”

  “I told you, Tucker. Seattle.” She heaved her suitcase into the trunk.

  I moved to assist her and then resisted, refusing to help her leave me. “Stay. Don’t do this, Lottie. You don’t understand. Abby and I—”

  “Stop! Just stop it, Tucker.” She slammed the trunk lid. “I don’t want to hear about your and Abby’s relationship.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  She snorted a fake laugh. “You were engaged, Tucker.”

  “Yeah, we were. Things with us are over, though, and never should have started in the first place. I may have promised to give her my name, but I never gave her my heart. It was never mine to promise.”

  Ignoring me, she reached for the door handle, squeezing it to pull it open. She was done with our conversation. I wasn’t. I gripped her arm, yanking her to me. I held my hands at the sides of her face, bringing our foreheads together as she fought the urge to meld into me. “It’s always belonged to you, Lottie. Since I was ten years old. Maybe even longer.”