Page 50 of Highball Rush
“Let’s see if you can guess.” He strummed a few more times.
I picked up on the melody instantly. “That’s ‘It’s Your Love.’ It’s a duet.”
“I thought you’d like that.”
Smiling, he continued playing. I listened for a minute, letting the music wash over me. I never felt as peaceful as I did when I was out here in the woods with Gibson. It wasn’t his bad boy reputation or his formidable good looks that made me risk my parents’ wrath to spend time with him. It was the connection we shared. The blissful relaxation of being away, alone in the woods, nothing but our voices and his guitar.
He looped around and started the song again, this time adding the words. His voice was like warm maple syrup, smooth and rich. I listened for a few bars, then found the harmony, singing along. He smiled as he sang, nodding to me in approval.
There was magic out here. The secrets I kept locked up so tight didn’t exist. The weight on my shoulders lifted as I sang, as if our music wove a protective cocoon around us both.
I was never as happy as when I was singing in the woods with Gibson Bodine.
16
MAYA
Gibson pounded his fist against the Tuckers’ front door. I stood next to him, resisting the urge to slip my hand in his. We weren’t pretending to be together, tonight. I hadn’t seen the Tuckers in person yet, but they already knew the truth about me, so there was no need to perpetuate theGibson’s girlfriend Mayastory. So I kept my hand firmly by my side.
But I was riddled with anxiety. I felt like Callie again. A girl with too many secrets, trying to hold the threads of her life together. Afraid of what it would mean to reveal the truth.
I took a deep breath. I’d be safe here. We weren’t in public where someone could overhear. And I knew the Tuckers were trustworthy. But the box in my mind bumped, as if the demons inside could sense their time was coming.
There were so many things inside. Things I still couldn’t see.
Gibson took my hand and squeezed. That little gesture of reassurance calmed my racing heart. Glancing up at him, I squeezed back.
Harlan Tucker opened the door, greeting us with a smile. His mustache had gone white, as had his hair, and he wore a flannel shirt with jeans. His wife Nadine appeared at his side, looking just as pretty as I remembered. Her silvery blond hair was pulled back and her green eyes were bright.
“Oh sweet heavens, look at you,” Nadine said. “Come in, come in.”
They ushered us inside and shut the door. It wasn’t quite dark out, but I noticed the curtains had been drawn. I didn’t know if that was on purpose, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Made me feel a little more secure.
Nadine wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “My goodness, Callie Kendall. Is it really you?”
I nodded and before I could answer, she wrapped me in a tight hug. I hugged her back, blinking against the sudden sting of tears.
“Now, now, let’s not smother the poor girl,” Harlan said.
Nadine didn’t let go. “I haven’t seen her in thirteen years, Harlan. I’ll smother her all I want.”
I laughed. Her motherly hug was nice. “Smother away, Mrs. Tucker.”
She pulled back, but held my arms. “Call me Nadine. It’s so good to see you. I almost didn’t believe it when Harlan told me the news. I’ve been dying to get a proper look at you. What a lovely woman you’ve become.”
“Thank you.” A part of me wanted to shy away from her scrutiny. The scar on my face was a frustrating reminder of what I’d been through, and I knew it was often the first thing people noticed. But her eyes didn’t linger there. She seemed to take all of me in, looking at me like an aunt who hadn’t seen her niece in a long time.
“Mom, are you going to let them come inside, or should we move the table to the front door?” Cassidy asked. She stood in the living room with Bowie, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
“Oh, don’t get your knickers in a twist.” Nadine let go of my arms. “I’m just so darn excited to see you.”
Gibson stood to the side, his arms crossed, his eyes never leaving me.
Bowie patted him on the shoulder. “Calm down, Gibs. It’s just us here.”
He grunted, dropping his arms to his sides, but he didn’t move. Or take his eyes off me.
“Dinner is just about ready,” Nadine said, ushering us in. “Let’s have a good meal before things get too serious.”
