Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2)

by Lauren Runow

  “It had songs from The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon in the top ten, but the one that really shocked me was Nirvana.”

  “Nirvana? Seriously? In the top ten?”

  “I know, right?”

  “Weren’t those grunge days during your high school times? You lived it, didn’t you?”

  “In Montana? Really?” I raise my eyebrows at her. “Do you really think that wave ran through here?”

  I laugh out loud at the thought of kids hanging around downtown. “No, I can’t imagine Hazel Jackson putting up with guys walking around with baggy clothes and long hair.”

  I smile. “She’d die. Not in my town! I’m sure she’d say and hold a special town hall meeting to put a stop to it.”

  Her giggling is the cutest sound ever.

  “She totally would.”

  She grabs her phone and types something in.

  “What are you doing?” I ask.

  She’s continues typing on her phone, biting her lip like she’s in thought. I told her I’d be a gentleman, but if she keeps doing that, I don’t know if I can keep my promise much longer.

  “I’m curious about this list you talked about. The top five hundred songs. I’m sure it’s published online somewhere.” She scrolls a bit and then jumps slightly in her seat. “Here it is!” She holds out her phone to show me that in fact she’s found the list online. “Ugh, it starts at five hundred and counts down.”

  “Of course it does. Why would anyone look if they already knew what the number one song was?”

  She eyes me playfully as she starts to scroll. “Ha! This list literally goes from The Rolling Stones song ‘Brown Sugar’ at number four ninety-five to R. Kelly’s ‘Ignition (Remix)’ at number four ninety-four.” She rolls her body in her seat as she sings the song about having every man wishing.

  “Damn, girl,” I drawl out, and she laughs in response.

  She might find it funny, but I have to adjust my pants just from the way she moved her body like she was dancing to the very seductive song.

  “I used to love that song.”

  “Then, you agree that it’s one of the best around?”

  She squints her face. “I don’t know about that. Especially with all the trouble he’s gotten into lately.” She raises her eyebrows as she continues to scroll. “This list has everything. Kelly Clarkson, Beastie Boys, The Supremes, and Van Morrison. Talk about an eclectic mix.”

  “That’s what I liked about it. It spanned across all genres.”

  “They really have Jay-Z’s ‘Big Pimpin’ ’ and Missy Elliott’s ‘Get Ur Freak On’ on here?”

  “Do you not agree?”

  She shrugs. “I mean, do I think that’s in the same category as John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’? No, not really.” She puts her phone down. “I’m only on song four thirty-five. This is going to take forever. But you still haven’t answered my question. What’s your favorite?”

  I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I think. “I guess it depends on the type of song. I have favorites that are fast and favorites that are slow.”

  “Then, tell me both.”

  “For a fast one, I love to play Big & Rich’s song ‘Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).’ ” I smirk in her direction, and she laughs out loud.

  Boy, what I would give for her to ride this cowboy right now.

  “Yeah, because I’m sure you try to get all the girls to picture riding you.”

  I shrug with a grin slowly growing on my face. “Hey, sex sells, right?”

  “Oh jeez.” She rolls her eyes. “When did that song come out? I thought you only played really old country.”

  “I think around 2004.”

  She tries to hide her expression as she nods. It’s the cutest I’ve seen her react to anything, but I get the feeling she’s about to tease me mercilessly. If I get that grin beforehand, she can mess with me as much as she wants.

  “What?”

  “I was twelve.”

  “And I was … never mind.”

  She giggles and then asks, “Okay, what about the slow one?”

  “ ‘The Dance’ by Garth Brooks.”

  She tilts her head, like she’s thinking. “I’m trying to remember that one.”

  I drop my head to my chest, shaking it briefly before looking back to the road.

  “What?” she asks, lightly smacking my arm.

  I grab her hand and keep it on my thigh, loving the complete feeling I get from just having her skin against mine.

  “You weren’t even born when that song came out.” I glance her way, and she’s got the cutest grin on her face as she shrugs her shoulders. “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance,” I repeat my favorite lyrics from the song.

  She pauses, taking me in. “I like that. Have you had a lot of those moments in your life?”

  I let out a breath as my life flashes before my eyes. My parents. My divorce. My past. I decide not to go there. “I guess we all do when you get to be my age,” I joke, trying to make light of the moment. “What about you? What’s your favorite type of music?”

  She inhales a deep breath. “In New York, I got turned on to more popular music. You know, Top 40, the songs that play over and over again on the radio at work. It’s sad to say, I never had time to really seek out new music.”

  “Ah, didn’t want to stick to your country roots?”

  “I guess I never really thought about it. When it’s not around you, you don’t hear the new songs, and you just get used to what they play at the gym or at work.”

  “And now?”

  A slight smile grows on her face. “It’s been kind of nice, turning on the radio and hearing it again. Like you said, it reminds me of the good days I had back here.”

  I pull off the freeway, and after driving a few blocks down the road, I pull into the parking lot. “Try to keep those good feelings in mind.” I point to a white Honda. “You get to meet my son and my ex-wife today.”

  “Wait, what?”

  Chapter Ten

  Justine

  I exit the truck and rush to his side. “What do you mean, I’m going to meet your ex-wife?”

  “She’s here. That’s her new husband’s car.” He points again, keeping his face forward and his features stoic.

  “Um … is this a good thing? A bad thing? You can’t just drop stuff like that on me.” I’m trying not to panic, but I’d be lying if I said my stomach didn’t just drop.

  He takes my hand in his. “It will be fine. Don’t overthink it. We’ve been divorced for about five years. We’re past all that bullshit. And believe me, it’s all good. There’s no reason why she would hassle anyone I bring around. If anything, she owes me one on that.”

  “All good, he says.” I try to laugh out the angst rushing through me. “It’s just his ex-wife. The mother of his child.”

  He kisses my head and leads me toward the stands.

  The park has three baseball fields, all full of players and fans playing America’s favorite pastime. The sun beams down on us, and I’m glad I kept his hat on my head to protect my face from getting burned, but I wonder if I look presentable enough to be meeting the most important person in his life. First impressions are everything, and I wonder if wearing his hat is the same thing as wearing his shirt the next morning.

  I shake off the notion, deciding I’m putting too much thought into it, and try to remind myself that I’m just here to enjoy the game. Tucker and I are still getting to know each other, and it’s not like he’s introducing me as his girlfriend or anything.

  At least, I don’t think so …

  When we reach the field his son must be playing on, Tucker places his hand on my back and leads me to go first. I find a place in the stands and take a seat, trying not to look around too much so I don’t come off as if I’m searching for his ex-wife.

  Of course, my luck, I find quickly that I didn’t make the best choice on where I chose to sit.

  “Hello, Tucker,” I hea
r a woman say as she looks over her shoulder.

  “Michelle.” Tucker nods his head before turning to me. “This is Justine.”

  I wave. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

  The woman turns to me. She’s obviously closer to Tucker’s age, and the way her blonde hair is curled like she’s going out instead of to a baseball game makes me wonder about how they were as a couple. Just seeing the difference between his casualness to her dressed-up attire doesn’t seem to fit.

  “Matthew told me his father was seeing someone,” she says in a sort of flippant way and then turns back around.

  We all sit in silence, so I place my hand on Tucker’s knee and ask, “What position does Matthew play?”

  He places his hand on my thigh, pulling it a little closer to him. “He’s at first right now. But he’s really a utility player, and he plays wherever the team needs him. They have to rotate a lot depending on who’s pitching, so you might see him play elsewhere.”

  “That’s good though. A lot of MLB players played different positions when they were in high school and college. Being a utility player is what they look for.”

  Michelle turns to Tucker as her eyes roam to his hand, and she makes a hmm sound. “I see why you like this one.”

  Tucker runs his fingers over my thigh before gripping it tighter. “Yeah, she’s rubbing off on me pretty good.”

  I meet his eyes, and when he winks, I feel it deep in my core.

  “I’m Kenneth, by the way,” the man says as he turns my way with a curt nod.

  Tucker’s jaw tics, but he keeps his sight glued on the game without saying a word.

  We arrived just in time for the first pitch to be thrown, and it starts off with a bang. A line drive straight to first base that Matthew jumps up and catches before it flies over his head.

  We all cheer but not as much as Tucker. Seeing the pride he has for his son is contagious.

  “Yeah! That’s my boy!” he yells out as he claps loudly.

  “What a catch!” I celebrate.

  “He’s fun to watch,” Michelle says.

  “Wait until he hits. Hopefully, you’ll get to see some shots today,” Kenneth says.

  I feel the way Tucker tenses next to me after hearing Kenneth speak, but when I look at him again, he’s searching the field instead of paying Kenneth any attention.

  We continue to watch the game. It’s three up, three down, and the other team takes the field. Matthew bats fourth, so we watch as the players in front of him work their way through their at-bat. One kid strikes out while the other two get hits, leaving them on first and second base when Matthew gets up.

  Michelle sits ramrod straight as Tucker’s leg bounces up and down.

  The first pitch is thrown, and Matthew fouls it off. He takes a few pitches and misses another to bring his at-bat to a full count. Tucker squeezes my hand in a nervous twitch. When I look in his direction, it seems as if he’s holding his breath as the pitcher throws the ball.

  I watch as Matthew swings the bat and hits a deep ball to center field. He takes off running as the center fielder does the same. The player dives, missing the ball by a few inches, and we all erupt in cheers as the kids round the base, bringing two runs in and Matthew getting to second base.

  He claps his hands together one time while cheering when he stands on the base. Michelle is screaming at the top of her lungs while Kenneth stands to give Tucker a high five, but Tucker just nods at him with acknowledgment.

  After he sits back down, I whisper to Tucker, “Not a fan of the new husband, huh?”

  “Who, Kenneth? He’s fine. We’ve known each other for years.” His tone shows their current friendship is anything but cordial.

  I blow a breath through my teeth. “That sounds awkward.”

  “Just another day in the life.” He tilts his head in a sarcastic way.

  “Seems awkward, having your ex-wife married to someone you know. How are you able to stand it?”

  “Easy.” He points to Matthew, who is taking a leap off of second in an attempt to steal. “Everything I do is for my son.”

  I think that speaks volumes about Tucker’s character. When people split up, feelings can be hurt, and I’ve heard horrible stories of people never getting along again. Whatever brought these two to break up, it was obviously hard, but I love that they can come together to celebrate their son and his accomplishments.

  A young girl comes up with her hair in double braids down the sides under her ball cap, with a baseball jersey on, and sits next to Michelle. “Sorry I’m late. What did I miss?”

  “He just hit a double!” Michelle says, still reeling from the high.

  “Dang, when I heard the cheering, I tried to rush over. Bummed I missed it!”

  Tucker introduces us, “Justine, this is Matthew’s girlfriend, Hannah.”

  “Oh! This is her!” Hannah says with a huge smile on her face.

  Tucker laughs. “Why is everyone so surprised I met someone?”

  “Because we never thought you would,” Michelle says with a low chuckle.

  “Very funny,” Tucker deadpans.

  We spend the rest of the game laughing, cheering, and enjoying the summer day, all together. I’ve never felt so at home with people I just met. I guess that’s because I’ve never met someone new from this town. As soon as I graduated high school, I left and moved to New York, where strangers are anything but friendly.

  Yes, I made friends—really good ones in fact—but there were still these barriers up until you really got to know people. In big cities, everyone is on edge, weary of each other in some ways.

  Not in small towns. In small towns, a handshake and a friendly smile are all you need. I guess I never got to experience that aspect of living in Mason Creek. Funny how things I hated, growing up there, are the same things that make me more comfortable with being back there, no matter what the circumstances were.

  After the game, we all wait for Matthew to have a meeting with his team and gather his things. When he exits the field, we’re all standing by with big hugs. Well, from everyone, except me. I wait to be introduced, wondering if I’ll get the same response I got from everyone else.

  When it’s my turn, Tucker places his hand on my back and says, “Matthew, this is Justine.”

  Matthew reaches out his hand to shake mine. “It’s really good to meet you, Justine.” I smile, but before I can say anything in response, he turns to Tucker, hitting his arm. “Nice, Dad.”

  “Oh jeez,” Hannah says. “Way to be discreet.”

  We both laugh, and I smile big. “It’s nice to meet you, Matthew. That was a great game. I’m glad I got to tag along.”

  “Yeah, thanks for coming,” he responds as we all head toward the parking lot.

  Once everyone says their good-byes and we all get in our own vehicles, I turn to Tucker. “Why is everyone so surprised you brought someone?”

  “Because you’re the first woman I’ve even talked about with them since my divorce from Michelle,” he says nonchalantly. Like he didn’t just drop a huge bomb in my lap.

  I gasp in a breath as I sit, a little stunned by the thought of what those words really mean.

  Once we’re on the road, he instantly puts his hand back on my thigh. I run my fingers through his, and he gives me a smile in return.

  I turn to him. “So, Kenneth and Michelle?” I ask cautiously.

  “Still intrigued by the ex-wife and the old friend?” He shakes his head slightly.

  I smile as I look down at our joined hands. I am intrigued. It’s possible because I don’t know how I would react, having to see my ex the way he does so often. Maybe it’s because my mom said there was gossip around him and his ex-wife. Mostly, it’s because I’m fascinated by everything that has to do with Tucker.

  “I’m just realizing that the man who everyone in town says is a mystery isn’t one at all.”

  He arches a brow. “No?”

  “If you’re paying attention, you can see everything
that you’re about is right there on the surface, just waiting to be admired.”

  He lifts our hands and kisses mine before putting his focus back on the road.

  Our drive home is just as relaxed as it was on the way there. As we pull up to my place, I glance in his direction, not wanting our time together to end.

  He puts the car in park and turns in his seat to face me. Reaching his hand over to grab me, he says, “Thank you for coming with me.”

  I squeeze his hand. “I’m glad you brought me. I forgot just how much fun baseball games could be.”

  “I’m going to miss them when he goes off to college.”

  We sit in silence, staring at each other. He leans over, places his head in the crook of my neck, and kisses right below my ear in that sensitive spot that makes my toes curl.

  “I want so badly to kiss you right now, but I know your dad is watching from the window,” he whispers before placing one more kiss on my jaw and leaning back to his seat.

  I inhale, trying to calm the way my body is on fire now. I want to grab him and yank him on top of me, but he’s right. As we pulled up, I saw my dad in the garage, and now that’s he’s gone, it only means he’s sitting at the kitchen window, watching us.

  I grin and go to unbuckle my seat. “I’ll see you tonight?”

  “You know I’ll be there.” He holds my hand tighter, like he doesn’t want to let go.

  “Thanks again.”

  I turn to leave and hate the feeling of my hand slipping away from his. When I enter my parents’ house, I look out the window and see him hit his steering wheel in frustration as he drives away.

  Glad to know he wanted something to happen there just as much as I did. We’ll have our right time though, and in front of my parents’ house was not that time. When I catch my dad staring at me from his chair, I know he watched just went down, and I’m glad we didn’t take it any further.

  Chapter Eleven

  Justine

  As Laken and I pull into the parking lot at Pony Up, a rush of excitement races through me. I’ve heard people talk about Tucker’s concerts, but I’ve never seen one for myself. The thought of seeing him onstage turns me on more than ever. I’ve always thought he was sexy, but seeing him with a guitar like that makes me giddy.