EVERY MORNING THIS WEEK, AND every night for that matter, I’ve been counting down the days.
Not to the wedding or to seeing Piper, but to Sophie’s return and meeting Sammy.
I’ve never over-thought something this much in my entire life. Usually, I just do what feels right in the moment, but this has me thinking and re-thinking, and when I feel like I’ve explored every nook and cranny, I find something else to worry over and think about.
My newest worry is that this thing I’ve been doing with Piper might have to come to an end.
Our relationship, if you can call it that, has been built around secrecy. Most of our hook-ups happen on the fly and usually by one of us driving or flying somewhere to meet the other.
Lately, we’ve been forced into the same situations, which have given us opportunities to sneak off and get our kicks. But after Sammy comes to live with me, if Sammy comes to live with me, all of that will come to a halt.
There’s no way I’ll be able to run off on a whim to Birmingham, or leave in the middle of the night to meet Piper in Baton Rouge. And I know her, she won’t want to come here. Besides that, I can’t do the shit we do with Sammy around. That wouldn’t be setting a good example or providing a stable environment, and that’ll be my job. That’s what kids need.
This kid, my kid, that I don’t even know.
For someone who is merely a thought—an idea—she’s sure found a way to infiltrate my mind.
Speak of the devil.
I pull out my vibrating phone and see the incoming text message from No Caller ID. All I can see is the little bit of text that comes up with the notification, because I refuse to open the message.
Today’s says: You’re a dick.
At least that gets a snicker out of me. It’s the only thing that gets me out of my head for a second, and I think about opening it up and replying. But I can’t. I can’t pretend everything is fine when it’s not and I can’t tell her about Sammy. I’ve never lied to Piper, so I’m not going to start now.
Besides, I don’t have enough room in my brain to think about Piper, Sophie, and Sammy. It’s too much.
But tomorrow, I’ll have to see her. It’s Micah and Dani’s wedding and there’s no getting out of it. Not that I’d want to, but I’m just not in the mood for a wedding. I can barely lie my way through a day on the farm. I don’t know how I’m going to get through an entire day of putting on a show for people who know me far too well.
At least here, my dad doesn’t ask a lot of questions and he keeps me busy. When he doesn’t have a job for me, my woodworking is there to occupy my time.
Maybe that’ll be my game plan for tomorrow, just keep myself as busy as possible. I’ll play the dutiful best man and be at Micah’s beck and call.
No Caller ID: You can’t ignore me all weekend.
Piper’s message pops up on my phone as I pull onto the main highway, headed to New Orleans.
Me: I know.
It’s the first reply back I’ve given her and I know it’s short, but I don’t know what else to say. Of course, I won’t be able to ignore her. I know that she’ll be drop-dead gorgeous. And, honestly, I’m not ignoring her. I’m saving her. Because I know what Piper wants. She wants convenience. She wants someone she can call and have them jump when she says jump. She wants no-strings attached and no commitment.
I thought I could give her that, but I was wrong.
When my phone rings a few minutes later, I’m not surprised.
“Hello?” I say, putting my phone on speaker and placing it on the dashboard in front of me—redneck hands-free.
“What’s your deal?” Piper’s voice is hushed and if I had to guess, she’s probably with Dani and my sister and she’s trying not to be heard.
“Nothin’, darlin’.”
“Don’t darlin’ me. You haven’t answered any of my text messages this week. Are you that pissed about last weekend?”
“No.”
“Then what’s wrong? You aren’t going to be weird today, are you?”
“No weirder than usual.”
“You know what I mean.” It’s a half-whisper, half-yell, and I wish I could see her right now. I love when she gets all worked up.
“It’s not gonna be weird, Piper. We’re gonna play our parts and that’s that.”
“That’s that?” she questions and pauses. “You’re pissed, aren’t you? This is your way of getting back at me. You need to give me a taste of my own medicine?”
Her tone goes a bit playful and I don’t know if I should keep up the charade or tell her right now that it’s all over. Everything.
“You got me. Now, tell me what you’re wearin’.” I decide to go with the charade. Except, it’s really not, because hearing her voice has me wondering if there’s a way I can keep this thing with Piper and do whatever else I need to do.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she purrs. “Guess you’ll just have to wait and find out. Maybe I won’t wear any panties. You always like that.”
“Now who’s bein’ mean?” I drawl, appreciating the vision of Piper in a sexy dress with nothing underneath.
“I’ll see you at the altar.”
I know what she means, but the sentiment isn’t lost on me.
After Piper hangs up, my mind is immediately back on the events of the past week and tomorrow. I think about calling her back, making her distract me.
A few weeks ago, my biggest concern was trying to cover up a wedding proposal that went viral and now I’m trying to figure out fatherhood and contemplating mortality.
When I pull up to the chapel, just down the street from Lagniappe, I hesitate to get out of the solace of my truck. This isn’t me. I’m Tucker the Fucker. I’m fun-loving, life of the party, and the guy everyone else depends on for a good time.
You can do this.
Put on a fucking smile and play the part.
It’s Micah and Dani’s wedding day. Don’t fuck shit up.
Reaching under the seat, I feel around in my hidey hole for the half-empty bottle of Crown. I need a little liquid courage to get me through the day. Unscrewing the lid, I tip the bottle up and down a few good swallows before getting out of the truck.
Cami is the first person I see when I get inside and she grabs my arm, pulling me into a dark hallway.
“Are you okay?” she asks, straightening my tie.
“Yeah, why?” I ask, raking my hands through my hair. I probably could’ve used a haircut, but it’ll be fine. At least, I shaved.
“Just checking. Any word from . . .”
“No,” I tell her, cutting her off before she mentions names and ruins my mojo I worked up in the truck. “Probably won’t until she shows up tomorrow, if she shows up tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she says with a nod. “Piper’s in a mood. Just wanted to give you a heads up, seein’ as how you’ll be walkin’ her down the aisle.”
“10–4,” I tell her with a mock salute.
“Can y’all play nice for one day?”
“Sure.” I give her a placating smile, hoping she’ll drop the talk and let me get back to pretending like everything is fine, at least for today. “Go take care of your girl stuff. I’ve got manly things to do,” I tell her, holding up the bottle I brought in with me.
“Tucker,” she warns with a pointed glare.
“Camille,” I reply in a placating tone.
“Be on your best behavior,” she demands. “No, actually, be on someone else’s best behavior. Like, a good person. Someone who follows the rules and doesn’t get drunk before a wedding. That person. Be on their best behavior.”
“Stop worryin’. It’s bad for the baby.”
“Maybe you’re bad for the baby,” she snaps back.
“Whoa, hold on there. I’m the favorite uncle. You better be tellin’ him that every day.”
“Keep that to yourself!” Cami’s small fist is now gripping the tie she just fixed.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. It’s fine. Everything is fine,” I say calmly, like I’m speaking to a caged animal.
“Okay.” She loosens her grip and takes a deep breath. “Sorry, I’ve just been feelin’ a little crazy today. I’m tired. Being pregnant is exhausting.”
I don’t know what to say right now, except God bless Deacon.
“I’m sorry.” It’s the only good thing I can think of at the moment, so I say a silent prayer it was the right choice.
Cami doesn’t respond. She just straightens my tie again and pats my chest, giving me a tight smile before she leaves me standing in the hallway.
The fuck?
I’ve gotta find Micah and Deacon. I have a feeling they might need the rest of this bottle more than I do.
Walking down the hall, I see a sign that says “Bride” and assume that’s where Cami went, so I keep walking. I don’t need to see a sign for where Micah and Deacon are because I can hear them before I get there.
“You did not!”
“Yes, I did. It was at least three months before you!”
“You’re a lyin’ sack of shit.” Deacon’s voice booms from the other side of the door and I have to get in there and see what this argument is about. Also, I need to shut them the fuck up before my sister comes down here.
“Would you two fuckers shut up,” I tell them as I slip through the door and shut it behind me. “Do you know the level of bat shit crazy your wife is runnin’ on today?” I ask, looking at Deacon.
“Dude.”
“Exactly. I just got a healthy dose of it before I barely stepped foot in the door.”
“Glad it was you and not me . . . this time,” he says with a wince.
“So, what’s the argument about? I bet I can settle it.”
“Deke claims he lost his virginity before me.”
“Bullshit.” I turn to Deke and hold up the bottle of Crown, pointing it at him. “You did unspeakable things to my sister in the back of your truck after graduation. Micah fucked the Johnson twins the night of prom. So, he beat you by at least a month.”
“Give me that,” Deacon says, grabbing the bottle from me. He takes the lid off and tilts it up, keeping his eyes on me. “Why you gotta take his side? Just because it’s his wedding day doesn’t mean shit.”
“Because he’s right . . . I’m right. You know this is like Fort Knox,” I tell him, pointing to my head.
Micah is smirking at the two of us through the mirror, where he’s attempting to tie a bow tie.
“Let me help you.” I walk over and undo the mess he’s got going, evening the two sides and then deftly turning them into a work of art. Pulling the two ends tight, I step back and smile. “Who’s your best man now?”
“You both are. Don’t get him started,” Micah says, motioning over his shoulder.
“You tryin’ to squeeze me out of this one, Deke?” I ask, turning on him and snatching the Crown back and handing it to Micah.
“Well, Micah was my best man . . . and I thought he could be yours. You know, we all get a turn.”
“Tucker’s never gettin’ married,” Micah says, taking another swig from the bottle before handing it to me. “Ain’t that right?”
“Probably not,” I tell him, wanting that conversation to die fast. “But you are.” Looking down at my phone, I see a text from No Caller ID and swipe right to clear it off my screen. “Less than an hour to go. When’s your mom and dad supposed to be here?”
“Any minute. Dad said they’re riding with Kay and Clay and bringing Carter with them.”
About that time, there’s a knock on the door and Sam sticks his head inside. “How’s it goin’?”
“Good, get in here and have a drink with us,” I tell him, handing him the bottle and shutting the door behind him.
The four of us finish off the last of it, passing it around.
“I can’t believe y’all are old enough to get married and shit,” Sam says with a wink.
“Well, you should’ve been here earlier, your two prized ponies were arguing over who lost their virginity first.” Micah cuts me a glare while Deacon slaps the side of my head, but Sam makes my day.
“Micah,” he says without thinking, like it’s a no-brainer.
“Told you,” Micah says, flipping Deacon off.
“He wouldn’t take mine and Micah’s word for it.”
“Never has, why would he start now?” Sam asks, smirking as he adjusts his own bow tie, looking like he just stepped out of a men’s fashion magazine. He’s always been one of the smoothest mother fuckers I know.
“What is this? Gang up on Deacon day?” Deke’s arms fly in the air and he looks like he’s actually offended that nobody is taking his side, even though he’s wrong. “First Cami tells me I can’t do anything right, then I get here and everybody is against me. Shit.”
“Some days are just like that,” Sam says, in all his infinite wisdom. “That’s a lesson for both of you, even you, Tucker. Some days, you’ve just gotta take the beating and say you’re sorry. Admit you’re wrong, even when you’re not. It’s easier that way. You’ll save yourselves a lot of grief.”
“That’s just messed up,” Deacon mumbles.
There’s a knock at the door and Annie is the next person to pop her head inside. She smiles, shaking her head. “All my boys. Look at y’all. You’re so handsome.”
“Don’t cry, Mama,” Micah warns. “I already told you. It’s a happy day.”
“And I told you I can cry if I want to. Besides, they’re happy tears.”
“Remember what I said, son,” Sam whispers through his teeth, smiling over at Annie.
“Sorry, Mama. You’re right.”
“That’s a good boy.” She reaches over and swipes at a piece of Micah’s hair, putting it in its place. “Now, your bride is ready to meet you at the altar. Don’t be late.”
“I’ll be there with bells on,” Micah tells her, kissing her cheek.
“Sam, I need an escort.” She holds out her hand and he, of course, obliges, giving the three of us a nod on his way out.
Walking up behind Micah, I give him an encouraging slap on his shoulder. “Ready to do this?”
“I think I’ve always been ready. I just hadn’t met her yet.”
“Are you getting mushy on us?” Deacon asks, coming to stand on the other side of Micah.
“Maybe. But it’s my wedding day. If you can’t be mushy on your wedding day, when can you?”
“Well, I have to say that I’ve known Dani was it for you since the first time I met her at Pockets,” I tell him, because it’s the truth. Until that day, I’d never seen Micah that enamored by a girl. He couldn’t look away. She challenged him and made him rethink his whoring ways. Ever since then, he’s been a changed man—committed, devoted, and completely in love.
“You wanted to hit on her,” Micah grumbles.
“Can you blame me?” I ask, looking over at Deacon for a little back-up. “You’ve seen her, right?”
That second part I tacked on just to get a rise from him.
“Don’t,” Micah warns.
“Actually, I’ve always seen Dani as a little sister,” Deacon says, smiling back at me.
Fucking ass kisser.
“Wipe your nose off, Deke. You’ve got a little somethin’ brown on it.”
“Would you two dickwads knock it off?” Micah walks toward the door and opens it. “Get your asses out there and don’t fuck it up.”
“We haven’t even practiced,” Deacon retorts.
“You’ve been walking for twenty-eight years. I think you can manage.”
“Do we have a special song?” he asks, still standing in the middle of the room.
“Are you a fucking girl?” Micah growls. “Get your ass out the door and walk your wife down the aisle. For fuck’s sake.”
I walk out and Deacon follows. Cami and Piper are standing at the end of the hall when we get there. Cami smiles at Deacon, all signs of her earlier melt down gone without a trace. Piper looks over at me, but then quickly faces forward.
Thankfully, Cami takes the reins.
“You two are walking first. When you hear the music start, walk slowly, but not too slow. Deacon and I will be right behind you.”
“Sounds easy enough,” I tell her, turning around and offering Piper my arm.
She takes it and I feel the light squeeze she gives it, causing me to glance over at her just in time to see a small smile on her beautiful lips. They’re a light pink, not too much, but enough to set off her skin tone. Her dark hair is hanging in loose curls down her back, with the sides pulled up, showcasing her slender neck. I have to look away before I forget where I am and who we are . . . and just everything.
The music starts and we walk. I smile at the familiar faces we pass, but the entire time I’m thinking about how good it feels to have Piper this close to me. When we get to the end of the aisle in the small chapel, I reluctantly let go of her hand and walk to a spot on the right side, next to Micah.
As Cami and Deacon are making their way down the aisle, I steal one more look at Piper. The soft light coming in the stained glass makes her look like an angel, even though I know she’s not. I almost snicker to myself at the thought. She’s definitely no angel, but she is a good person. Our arrangement is a unique one and it’s based off of hating each other, but even I can admit that Piper isn’t the devil. She’s genuine and giving. I’ve seen her be a great friend to Dani, and Micah likes her, so that has to account for something.
Deacon steps into place between me and Micah, blocking my view and it’s a good thing. With the space between us, I’m able to focus and it’s then I remember what my life is about right now. I also remind myself that Piper doesn’t fit into it, just like I don’t fit into hers. We were never meant for more than a good time.
Turning my attention down the aisle, I watch as Dani walks through the chapel doors. Her eyes light up when she sees Micah. Glancing over at Micah, I see the same. He’s looking at her like she’s his favorite thing in the whole world.
The vows exchanged are simple and sweet. Micah and Dani add their own personal touches and then the minister announces them as husband and wife.
It’s short and to the point, but it’s perfect.