Page 86 of Here's to Yesterday

“Yes, Maura, please assume that the musician with two full sleeves of tattoos is into drugs because that’s what all rock stars do. Thank you for that stereotype. I’m glad you think so highly of me. Oh, wait. You don’t. You assume that because I ask you to keep quiet about something, it’s automatically illegal.” I shake my head in disgust. “Wow. I honestly thought you were better thanthem. You know, maybe youaren’tready forthis.”

I brush past her, heading for the door because this is too important to waste on a person who doesn’t view me as theirequal.

Maura quickly follows behind me and grabs on to my arm. “Tucker, wait. No, no. Please, don’t leave. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it thatway.”

Seriously?I spin around, and she steps backwards. “Then how did you mean it? How is there any other way to meanit?”

“I-I,” she stumbles in that cute way of hers. Which is annoying because even when I’m pissed at her, she’s still fucking adorable as hell. “I only meant that this whole thing is…ominous. You’re acting secretive, and my mind went directly to something illegal.” She wrings her hands together in front of her. “It’s nothing to do withyouand everything to do with how this alllooks.”

I stare her down as I consider what she said. She may have a point, but it still doesn’t alleviate my irritation over how little faith she has inme.

“It’s the fact that you obviously don’t trust me, Maura. If you did, your mind wouldn’t have gonethere.”

She winces. “Fair enough. I’m sorry. I wish I had an excuse as to why I don’t, but there isn’tone.”

“Maybe it’s all the other shitty people in your life?” I try. I must admit that her honesty about that is much appreciated in themoment.

She shrugs. “Probably. Can…can westay?”

I clench my jaw and stare off above her head. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, but still pissed, I nod. “Yeah, we canstay.”

“Good. Now, where is everyone? I notice we’re hereearly.”

We walk toward the bar, and I yell, “Yo,Gary!”

“In theback!”

“Come on,” Isay.

We make our way back down a narrow hallway, passing the restrooms and stopping at a bright red door at theend.

I knock once on the frame and step into the small office, Maura on myheels.

“Hey, kid,” he beams at me. “Who’s yourfriend?”

I glare over at the old man because he knows damn well who Maura is. Well, not officially, but he’s heard me talk about herenough.

“Hi. I’m Maura, Tucker’s…” She trails off, glancing to me forhelp.

“Friend,” I sayawkwardly.

“Friend,” Maurarepeats.

Gary gives a heartychuckle.

“Maura, this is Gary. He owns Mic’s. He’s, uh, he’s myfather.”

I watch as her jaw flies open. “F-f-father?”

“Surprise?”

Her eyes are wide and confused, unsure of how to take this news. “I-I had no idea.” Then they fall to slits, and she hisses out, “And you said for me to trust you. Surprise my ass,Tucker.”

“It’s not common knowledge,” Ishrug.

“Tanner?”

I shake my head. “Nope. He has no idea. We’re only half-brothers.”

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