Page 48 of Coming Home Country
Unbothered, he lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know why you’re acting like it’ll be a difficult decision. They’re your past. I’m your future.”
“You’re unbelievable.” The words came out muttered under my breath.
“I don’t care for your attitude. It doesn’t suit you, Rebecca.”
The detonator went off. “Rebecca doesn’t exist here! Bex does. And if you don’t like it, then you can leave.”
He scoffed. “You’re acting as childish as that nickname.”
Folding my arms across my chest, I lifted my chin defiantly. “I’m staying.”
“Whatever.” Aaron shook his head. “Don’t expect me to wait up for you.” Without another word, he weaved through the cars parked in the dark lot and out of sight. Within minutes, a car ignition sounded, and headlights flashed on, moving toward the street.
His presence carried a heavy weight, so his departure came with relief. Though that feeling was short-lived when I heard footsteps behind me.
Expecting Aspen demanding an explanation, my shoulder drooped as I turned around. “Listen, I’m—”
The apology died on my tongue when my eyes lifted from my feet to find Tucker standing opposite me. I knew instantly he’d been witness to the entire fight.
Fuck my life.
Completely drained, I sighed. “Is this the part where you judge my terrible taste in men?”
He stuffed both hands into his jeans pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Would be pretty foolish if I did.” The implication that, in doing so, he’d be insulting himself was left unsaid.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to go back inside.”
“Of course.” Ducking his head, he extended an arm, signaling for me to precede him.
Mac and Aspen were waiting right inside the door, wearing identical expressions of concern. Embarrassment coursed through me, and I found myself blinking back the tears that came along with it.
Aspen pulled me in for a hug as Mac tried to apologize. “Shit, Bex. If I’d have known he was going to take it out on you . . .”
“It’s okay.” I offered him a weak smile.
“No, it’s not,” Aspen declared firmly. “I can’t believe he had the audacity to call you childish when he was the one throwing a temper tantrum because someone called him out on his bullshit.”
So much for hoping they hadn’t heard any of that.
God bless him, Tucker put an end to the conversation. “Probably best that we get the guests of honors back to their party.”
Peeking back at him, I mouthed,Thank you.
“Go. We’re right behind you.” I shooed the happy couple who were reluctant to leave.
Once they were out of sight, my knees finally gave out, and I sagged against the wall.
With my eyes closed, I said to Tucker, “You don’t need to stay with me. I just need a minute.”
“I’ve got nowhere better to be. Take all the time you need.”
His silence as we stood there shocked me. I expected him to ask a million questions the minute we were alone. Chief among them: why was I with a guy who treated me as badly as Aaron had?
Honestly, I was used to Aaron’s condescension. It was no secret he thought he was better than everyone. And while I’d been witness to his temper at work—when deals didn’t go his way—it had never been trained on me before. Tonight was the first time either of us had raised our voices at each other.
Perfect fucking timing.
A finger brushed mine, and my eyes flew open. Turning my head to the side, I found Tucker watching me.
