Page 128 of Sweet T

“Please don’t hurt me,” Emmett said.

“Is that what Evan said when you beat him up?”

Tucker took a step toward him. Alden moved in from behind. “Tucker, let’s–”

Tucker turned, lightning fast, eyes clear, finger raised. Alden said nothing, lowering his hands and backing up.

Tucker’s gaze returned to the cowering Emmett. “How many times did you kick him when he was down?”

Emmett was shaking his head, mouth bleeding. “I–I don’t know.”

“How many times should I kick you?”

“No,” someone said behind him. Tucker yanked around again, fist raised. It was Evan, reaching for him. Tucker froze, his face cracked with horror at the possibility of striking Evan. He lowered his fist.

“No more. It’s enough, T. We’ll sort it out tomorrow,” Evan placed his hands on Tuckers arm’s, soothing the beast. “Please, no more. It’s your parents’ wedding.”

Tucker looked around. All eyes were on him, from the dance floor all the way around the pool–everyone. Some were shocked, appalled, some amused, but all were watching. He looked across the pool at the buffet and the people there, Pedro and Titus among them. Pedro looked concerned. Titus was curious, but understanding, and maybe even a little proud. To the right of the pool, in the people there, he saw Sebastian, who raised his brandy, toasting him with a devilish little grin.

His gaze returned to Evan. “Are you sure?”

Evan nodded.

Tucker glanced at Emmett, who was still where he’d left him, waiting for the worst. His eyes cut back to Evan. “One last thing,” he said, disengaging from Evan’s grip and stalking back toward his prey.

The brief glimpse of relief on Emmett’s face fled when he saw Tucker fast approaching, mammoth-like, still brimming with anger. But instead of lashing out with another punch, Tucker lifted Emmett, throwing him over his shoulder as if he weighed no more than a bag of mulch.

“You’re nothing but a gutless, self-loathing sociopath,” Tucker said, loudly enough for everyone to hear. He was headed for the pool. “And you need to... Wake. The. Fuck. Up!

Tucker lifted Emmett again, high above his head like the Incredible Hulk, and threw him in the water.

There were gasps, whoops, and catcalls. Marjorie Carmichael drunkenly went “Wheeee!” and jumped in herself, followed by two of Alden and Shelia’s younger daughters and Jasper Compton. Duke Renfroe pushed Misty Norris in, and Junior Sikes returned the favor, shoving Duke in right behind her. Suddenly, the pool was filling up faster than Tucker’s Tavern on a Friday night.

Hootie and the Jets resumed, this time with an oldie: Shining Star by Earth, Wind & Fire. Several folks that weren’t up for the pool party returned to the dance floor to shake their groove things.

Tucker eyed Emmett, just to make sure he surfaced and didn’t drown, then lifted his gaze across the pool to Pedro, who was laughing, shaking his head in disbelief. Evan came up beside Tucker and put his arm around him.

“Thank you,” he said.

“You know I’d do anything for you, Ev.”

“I do.”

“When I saw the look on your face and realized, I—”

“I know.”

“Please don’t hate me.”

“No. Never.”

“That wasn’t me. I’ve never lifted a fist to anyone. ”

“I’m glad you did.” Evan took Tucker’s face in his hands and kissed him. Tucker was trembling.

“I love you so much, Ev.”

“I love you too.”

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