Page 24 of Here's to Yesterday

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An hour or so later,Tucker leans over and asks if I’m ready to go yet—the first words he’s spoken to me since the poet was onstage.

I nod and turn toward Rae. “I’m gonna head home. Tucker’s myride.”

“We’re getting ready to bounce too. You want me and Hudson to take you? You live closer to us than Tuck,” shesays.

I start to answer, but Tucker interrupts me with, “I’ve gother.”

Rae gives me an odd look, so I shrug, letting her know I have no idea why he’s insistingeither.

“Catch you Monday, assholes,” Gaige says, throwing down ten bucks for a tip. He fist bumps Tucker, Hudson, and Perry, and gives Rae ahug.

Then he comes over to me, wrapping me up in his arms. “Secret’s safe, love,” he says in my ear, so low Ialmostthink I make it up for amoment.

I give him a firm head shake and quickly pull away from hisembrace.

“I see you, asshole,” Hudson says to Tucker, patting his back as he walks past us with Rae under his arm, air-typing to let me know she’ll text melater.

“I see you too,” Tucker replies, smiling after hisfriend.

That whole exchange is this odd thing they’ve apparently always said to one another. At first I didn’t get it, but over time I’ve come to understand it’s their way of either saying, “Hey, I see through you” or “I get you” or “I love you” or a combo of all three. It’s neat to witness them interact in the way they do. Their bond runs deep. It’s refreshing to see two guys who aren’t afraid to show they give a shit about oneanother.

“You heading out too, Perry?” I shout to him. He’s currently talking with a waitress about three tables over and not paying attention. I walk over to the table and give him a kiss on the cheek. “We’re heading out. Let me know when you make it home safely,” I tell him in a lowvoice.

He nods at me, so I walkaway.

“Maura?” he says when I’m about two tables away. I turn back to him. “It was good to see you out and about. We’ve missedyou.”

“I’ve missed you more, PerBear.”

“Liar,” he shoots back with agrin.

I laugh as I walk back to the table to find Tucker talking to one of the suits. He’s shaking his head steadily. The suit tries to hand him a business card, but Tucker keeps refusinghim.

It’s frustrating to see him stand there and basically tell his future to suck it. So what do I do? I march my ass up to the suit and introducemyself.

“Hi,” I say, stepping between them and sticking my hand out. “Maura Doughers, Mr. Bentley’s manager. And youare?”

The suit peers down at me like I’ve lost my mind—because let’s face it, Ihave.

“Daren Darren from Hot House Records,” he replies, giving me a heavy, professional handshake as I fight the urge to laugh over his double name. “We’ve been trying to get your client here to sign with us for months now, Ms. Doughers. Maybe you could talk some sense intohim?”

If only he knew how desperately I wantedto.

“We’d be more than happy to take your business card and get back in touch with you if we find you to be a suitable fit,” I tell himconfidently.

“Perfect. I’m glad one of you thinks working with us is a good idea.” I take the business card he offers. “Ms. Doughers, Mr. Bentley. I hope to hear from you both,” the record label executive says, giving us one more polite handshake and walking away smiling like he hit the damnlottery.

Because that’s how it would be if you had Tucker as a client—money, money, money since he’sthatgood.

I can feel the heat radiating off him as Tucker steps up closely behind me. He bends down to my ear. “Thanks,Ms. Doughers.I’msoglad mymanagerwas here to handle that one forme.”

He brushes my arm as he walks around me and toward the door, expecting me to followhim.

I glance over at Perry, who’s giving me a concerned look.What?he mouths. I shake my head, because I don’t knowwhat,and follow Tuckeroutside.

When I reach his car, he’s waiting at the passenger door, pacing back andforth.

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