They’d worked part of this out on the plane. “About six months,” said Callie.
“And how did you meet?”
Tucker took a drink of water and said, “I was being chased by some paparazzi in Vegas after a concert. I ducked into a coffee shop and kind of took a seat at the table she was sitting at. I wanted to look like I wasn’t alone. We struck up a conversation, and the rest is history.”
The fact that he left out the part where they dated her last year in college only reconfirmed that he didn’t totally remember her.
Rachel’s eyebrows knitted together as her gaze locked on Callie. “You were in Vegas? When?”
“Yeah, the, um, CPA firm was having a retreat. We had a little bit of free time, and in one of Guy Fieri’s Diner’s, Drive-ins, and Dive’s shows, he featured the café I was in. They had excellent muffins.” Callie smiled.
“That’s interesting. And Tucker was there for a concert?” Georgia’s lips twitched up. “You sure there was a retreat and it wasn’t just a thin excuse to go to one of his concerts?”
Callie rolled her eyes. “Yes, there was a retreat. I didn’t even know he was having a concert in Vegas.”
“If you say so,” Georgia said.
“Are you going to be in the talent contest?” asked Vivian. She was sandwiched between her two little girls, Mary and Tabitha.
“He knows about it,” Callie said.
Tucker shrugged. “I’m down for a talent contest.”
Vivian and Michelle exchanged a glance. “You’d have to come up with a new song,” Vivian said.
“That’s not a rule,” Callie said.
Rachel laughed. “Hey, if we’re going to have professional talent to compete against, we need to level the field.”
Georgia nodded. “Yep, I agree.”
Tucker shrugged. “It’s fine. I’ve been wanting to work on new material. If I can’t, I won’t compete.”
“You don’t have to worry about it,” Callie said. “You’re here to relax. If you want to write a song, great, and if you don’t, don’t stress about it. They’re just giving you a hard time. Right?” She gave each of her sisters a pointed look.
Ethan, Vivian’s husband smiled. “Don’t let them get to you. They’re all bark.” Her brother-in-law winked at her and then looked at Tucker. “We’re going jet skiing in a little while. You want to come with?”
Tucker’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that.” He caught Callie gaze and held it. “If that’s okay with you.”
Callie nodded. “Of course that’s fine with me.”
“Then I’m in,” he said and began chatting with Ethan while they finished their lunch.
This was good. Her sisters had embarrassed her, but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. Ethan had invited Tucker to go with the rest of the guys. This was as smooth as it could have been. Callie was a little apprehensive about bringing Tucker with her, but if the week went this smoothly, everything would be fine. She sighed and let herself relax. Yep, this was good.
Chapter 6
Being on the water had always relaxed Tucker, and getting an invite from one of Callie’s family members made him feel like he’d won on more than one front.
Lunch went better than he thought it would. Callie’s parents were pleasant, even if her mom was a little scary. Her sisters…he chuckled as the scene replayed in his mind.
Callie’s sisters had embarrassed her, and he smiled as her pink cheeks came to mind. She’d had a crush on him when she was younger. Having her sisters tease her meant she must have mentioned him more than just a little. It went a long way toward helping him trust her again.
After they finished lunch, he helped take in the dishes until then the women shooed the guys from the kitchen. Not because they didn’t want the guys to help, but as Vivian put it, “There was girl talk to be had.” Poor Callie. He knew an interrogation was in her future, but his marching orders were to put their luggage upstairs―making sure to put hers in the room across from his per the instructions given to him by her mom—and then quickly change into his swim trunks.
Before he could get out of his room, Clementine stopped in the door with her arms crossed over her chest. “I believe you and I need to have a little talk.” That was Southern Momma speak for “You ambushed me, and now you’re gonna get it.”
“Uh, yes, ma’am.” Whoa. He hadn’t felt this nervous in a long time.
She lifted her nose and looked down it at him like she was sizing up a Christmas ham. “Tell me why you think you’re good enough for my Callie.”
Gulp. No, double gulp. Good enough? He nearly snorted, but the woman scared the daylights out of him, and as he was already on her bad side. He didn’t want to make it worse. “I’m not.”
“Mama!” one of Callie’s sisters yelled. “Where are you?”
Narrowing her eyes, she said, “Georgia’s wedding is this week. Any foolishness that’ll draw the attention of the press…and you’ll meet my not-so-nice side.”
His eyes went wide. He’d meet her not-so-nice side? Then what side was this? His gut said he needed to check the house for cauldrons and brooms. “No, ma’am.” He slashed a finger over his heart. “On my honor, no foolishness.”
With a nod of her head, she left him standing there, feeling like he’d just had an encounter with the female version of the boogeyman. Once he had his wits back, he set out for the beach.
Tucker was the first one out there. As the hot August sun beat down on him, he looked out over the horizon with his arms crossed. His feet sank farther into the sand as the waves rushed in and out.
Getting married hadn’t been high on his list of things to do, but he had to admit, if he was going to be in a fake relationship, this was the way to start one. He’d been anxious about meeting Callie’s family, and her mom was downright terrifying, but the rest of them weren’t too bad.
“Hi.”
Tucker looked down, and a little girl, Vivian’s oldest, stood next to him in a princess swimsuit. Her blond hair was pulled back into a braid, and freckles dusted her cheeks and nose.
“Hi. You’re Mary, right?”
When she smiled, her two missing front teeth made her even cuter. “Uh-huh.”
Mary was nine, and she’d been one of the nieces he’d caught staring more than once.
“Are you having a good time so far?” he asked.
“Yep,” she said and toed the sand. “Can I ask you a question?”
He smiled. “You bet.”
“I know you’re a famous country singer. My mom listens to your music in the car all the time.”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Do you ever get scared to sing in front of people?”
Tucker chuckled. “Not as much anymore, but when I started out, I’d get so scared I’d throw up.”
She scrunched up her face and smiled. “But you don’t anymore?”
“No, but I still get nervous.”
“How did you get over it?”
He went down to one knee so he could be eye level. “Over time, I just got used to it.”
“I want to dance for the talent contest, but I get so scared. I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it.”
“Ohhh,” Tucker said. “Why are you so scared?”
Mary shrugged. “I don’t know. All those people looking at me. What if I mess up?”
“But they’re your family. If you’re going to mess up, it’s better to do it in front of people who love you.”
“They sometimes make fun of people.”
“I don’t think they’d make fun of you. I bet your grandma would love to see you dance.” Clementine struck him as the type of grandma that wouldn’t only love it, she’d take video to re-live it. Even though she was tough on Tucker, he figured she was only protecting her daughter because she loved her so much.
“Yeah, that’s what she says, but I’m just afraid the others will make fun of me.”
Tucker nodded. “Mary, do you love to dance?”
&nb
sp; Her smile lit up her entire cute little face. “With all my heart.”
“Do you want to share that love with other people?”
Mary nodded.
“Then don’t be afraid to dance in front of people. Give it all of your heart, and let people see how much you love it.” He paused. “And if they laugh, take it as a compliment. You made them happy. Maybe not in the way you intended, but you did, and that’s all that matters.”
Her little eyes sparkled. “You really believe that?”
“I really do. Plus, you’ll have me in the audience, and if you struggle, you just look my way, and I’ll be cheering you on.”
The little girl smiled. “Thanks, Mr. Hawk.”
“You can call me Tuck,” he said with a wink.
“Thanks, Tuck.” She giggled and ran off.
“Making fans everywhere you go, huh?” Callie’s soft voice came from behind him.
Tucker looked up, and his mouth went dry. Callie was gorgeous, and in a tankini, she made his heart pound against his ribs. It was modest, but it hugged her in all the very best ways. The woman could fill out a swimsuit better than any woman he’d ever seen.
“Wow, you look…amazing.”
“In a faded swimsuit? My family isn’t here. You don’t have to keep up pretenses.”
“I’m not. You look great.”
She eyed him as her cheeks took on a rosy tint, and then she dropped her gaze to the sand. “Uh, well, thanks.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “And thanks for what you said to Mary. She’s tried so many times to participate in the talent contest, and right before she’s supposed to perform, she gets scared. I hope that pep talk helps her.”
“I hope so too. She’s really cute. I look forward to seeing her dance.” He smiled.
“Me too.” She laughed and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Thanks for taking my luggage to my room.”
“Not sure I had a choice about that. Your mom can be a little intimidating.”
Callie laughed. “Imagine living with her.”
“No thanks.” Based on just the short interaction he’d had with her, he couldn’t imagine living with her.
“I—”
Ethan jogged to a stop next to Tucker. “Hey, we’re all ready to go. You ready?”
Tucker glanced at Callie. “Still okay?”
“Go have fun.” She narrowed her eyes at Ethan. “He comes back in one piece, or I’m feeding all of you to the sharks.”
Ethan mock saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
Tucker dropped a kiss to her lips like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I’ll be back. In one piece.” He winked.
“You’d better.” She lifted on her toes and kissed him, and he found himself liking that. His spotty memory of them was getting clearer with every moment he was around her. If he recalled correctly, the zings racing through his body from her kiss was something that happened back then too.
He and Ethan took off for the pier jutting out from the house where a boathouse sat at the end. Near it, three jet skis were already out. Ethan, Vivian’s husband; Rachel’s husband, Denver; and Michelle’s husband, Will, were already working with Callie’s dad to pull out the remaining jet skis.
“You know how to ride?” Denver asked.
Tucker grinned. “Yeah, I’ve ridden a time or two.”
Will clasped a hand on Tucker’s shoulder with a smile. “Great. We won’t have to go easy on you.”
“Like you’d go easy on him even if he was new,” Denver said with a chuckle.
“Don’t listen to them. They’re all talk,” Ethan said.
Once on the water, the smack talk never wavered. Tucker found that Will and Ethan were especially good at it too. Tuck was sure if they weren’t good friends, they’d be throwing punches.
Before long, Tucker was jumping waves, doing twists and flips. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone; he was simply enjoying himself. When he stopped to watch the others, he smiled to himself, amused by watching them try some of his tricks. It was then that he noticed another guy approaching on a jet ski.
Ethan sidled up next to Tucker and patted him on the back. “Those were cool stunts.”
“Thanks.” He glanced in the new guy’s direction. “Who’s the guy that joined us?”
Ethan followed his line of sight. “Oh, that’s Edmund Richards.”
So that was Edmund? The built guy with the thick, wavy dark hair? Why did Tucker suddenly feel inferior? And why did it matter what the guy looked like? Callie had made it clear she wasn’t interested in him. Was there a chance she actually was and just wanted to bring along another guy to make this Edmund guy jealous?
“He and Callie go way back, don’t they?” asked Tucker.
“Yeah. Rumor is that they dated in high school, but I don’t know. That’s just what Edmund says.” Ethan continued when Tucker didn’t say anything. “I wouldn’t worry about him, though. Clementine invited him, and since I’ve been in the family, which is twelve years now, Callie hasn’t shown him even the slightest interest. Which is why I’m not sure I believe they were ever involved.”
Tucker nodded. “She said they weren’t.”
“There ya go. Edmund is known to…exaggerate.” Ethan threw up a hand and waved. “Oh, hey, Heath’s here.”
That was Georgia’s fiancé. He’d arrived late because of a real estate deal that kept him in Wilmington. Tucker waved, and he and Ethan sped over to the dock.
Ethan lifted off his jet ski and shook the man’s hand. “Hey, about time you made it.”
Heath grinned. “Gotta get the deal, right?”
“Yeah,” Ethan said and tipped his head in Tucker’s direction. “This is Callie’s boyfriend.”
Heath’s eyebrows went up. “Wow. I thought Georgia was pulling my chain.” He shook Tucker’s hand. “Nice to meet you, and welcome to this crazy family.”
“Thanks,” Tucker said and smiled. “I’m told I’m singing at your wedding.”
Heath and Ethan laughed.
“Vivian may have us renew our vows just so you can sing. My wife is a huge fan,” Ethan said.
Tucker snorted. “You do what you have to do for family, right?”
“Exactly,” Ethan said and grinned. “I like this guy.”
A familiar ringtone filtered from the boathouse. Tucker pointed to his jet ski. “Uh, hey, Heath, if you want my jet ski, you can take it. I’ve got a call coming in.”
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
Tucker sidled the jet ski next to the deck and pulled himself up. He jogged to the boathouse and grabbed his phone, noticing the caller ID as he put it to his ear. “Hey, Stacey.”
“Hey, Tuck. Um…”
He’d heard that tone before. It was the one she’d used when Reckless pulled his contract. “What?”
“Somehow, your marriage has been leaked. It’s everywhere. The only thing they don’t know is where you are, and we’re doing our best to keep that information from slipping out.”
“Slipped out? How did it slip out?” he asked, his tone clipped.
“Derek says he doesn’t know.”
Tucker swore under his breath and raked his hand through his hair. He didn’t believe Derek for a second. “The control freak doesn’t know how it got out? I’m supposed to believe that? Callie didn’t want this out before her sister was married.”
“I know, but there’s nothing I can do now. We’re just going to have to handle this the best way we can. Do you think her family will be okay?” Stacey asked.
Her brothers-in-law seemed okay, but he wasn’t sure about her mom and sisters. He was especially worried about her mom. “How bad is it?”
“It’s everywhere. They’re already beginning to dig into Callie.”
Tucker groaned. “Great. I know she signed up for this, but she wasn’t expecting it so soon.”
“Is she with you right now?”
“No, I was out on the water.”
“If I were you, I’d find her an
d tell her.”
Tucker raked his hand through his hair. “My parents! I have to go. I’ll call them, and then I’ll tell Callie.” He paused a second. “Have security on standby in case the paparazzi find out where I am, okay? I don’t want them disrupting Georgia’s wedding.”
“I’ve already taken care of it. I’ve got some on the way. They’ll be close in case you need them.”
“Thanks.”
They said their goodbyes as Tucker ended the call, and then he phoned his parents.
“Hey, bud,” his dad said.
“Hey, Dad. Can you put it on speaker and let me talk to you and Mom together?” Even Tucker could hear the doom in his voice.
“Is this about you being married?” his mom asked. Apparently, his dad had answered with the phone on speaker.
“Yeah, Mom. I’m sorry you found out like this.”
“What were you thinking? Getting married?” she asked, the hurt in her voice breaking his heart.
Tucker squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m sorry. I wanted to call you, but it happened so fast.” He hated lying to them, and now that he was, rehab would’ve been better.
“Nothing ever happens so fast you can’t call us,” his dad said.
“Who is she? How long have you known her? What’s her name? What—”
His dad cut her off. “Honey, slow down so he can tell us.”
“Her name is Callie Chapman. She’s a CPA. She’s sweet, kind, and she’s been a fan of mine since Tex.” He paused, debating whether to tell them he’d dated her when he was in Nashville. “I dated her before I got my first recording contract.”
“You did?” His mom’s voice pitched a little higher.
“Yeah, and she’s down to earth, beautiful, and I enjoy spending time with her.” At least he could be honest about that.
“Are we going to get to meet her?”
“Yeah, you are. We’re staying at her parent’s vacation home until her sister gets married, and then we’ll stop by for a visit.” Tucker could hear Derek objecting now, but the man would have to deal, especially since Tucker was sure he was behind the leak. His parents needed to meet Callie. Hopefully, his mom wouldn’t see right through what he was doing.
“And she’s nothing like that Petra girl?” his mom asked.
The Star's Fake Marriage Page 5
