told me the truth because I knew eventually she would. It was a matter of time.
A slight sigh from her lips had me holding my breath for a moment to see if she was awake. When I heard her slow, steady breathing, I carefully rolled back over and stared up at the ceiling.
What in the fuck are you doing, Tucker?
At first, I simply wanted to get back at Charlie. Fuck her a few times and leave. Give her a little taste of payback and the awfulness of having a broken heart. I needed to be honest with myself, though. I never had any intentions of leaving her. I’d follow through with this game she played. Hell, I’d even marry her and hope like hell I could convince her to stay married to me. There was never any doubt about the way I felt for Charleston. I was in love with her, and I was almost sure she felt the same way about me.
Glancing her way, I let out a breath and closed my eyes. I needed Charlie to come clean with me, even if I acted like I didn’t know what she had planned. If she didn’t fess up, I’d never truly know how she felt about me.
Charlie rolled over and snuggled up against me, letting out a contented sigh when I wrapped my arm around her.
I kissed her head as I dragged in a slow, hesitant breath and closed my eyes. If Charlie wanted to play this dating game, then so be it. I’d just have to be the better player and play by my rules … and win. Although for me, it was no longer a game of payback. It was a game that involved my heart, and I wasn’t about to lose like I had before.
Game on, Charlie. We’ll see who seduces whom when this shit is all said and done.
NASH STARED AT me, his mouth agape. I silently urged him to say something and when he finally did, I let out the breath I had been holding in.
“Have you lost your damn mind, Middleton?”
I sighed. “No, just hear me out.”
“Hear you out? Tucker, this is a dangerous game you’re both playing, and you’re digging yourself in deeper. Dude, just tell her you know and then work something out like two grown-ass adults.”
I shook my head. “I can’t, I’m already too deep into this. If she found out I knew about ‘Operation Seduce Tucker,’ she’d be pissed, storm away, and find some other jerk to play the part. We’ve really reconnected, and I’m enjoying spending time with her and I think she is too. It was her idea to date, man. That has to mean something, right?”
Nash rolled his eyes. “Because she needs to make it look like a real relationship to her board of directors. Come on, you’re not that stupid. Don’t be her pawn in this game of chess, man. You’re smarter than that.”
The door to the bar opened, and we both turned to look.
“Holy shit, look what the damn cat dragged in!” Nash shouted as he jumped up and walked over to Blake. It had been a number of years since we had seen him. He left town a couple of years after graduation and went to work for some fancy design firm in New York City.
“Blake Grant, what in the hell brings you back to Austin?” I said, jumping over the bar and making my way over to one of my best friends.
“I’m back for good,” he said, reaching out and pulling me in for a quick hug.
“No shit?” Nash asked. “You’re moving back to Austin?”
Blake nodded. “I am. Got an offer from an architectural design company. They work mostly residential, but I’m ready for a change.”
I laughed. “Tired of designing skyscrapers?”
He rolled his eyes. “Something like that. I co-designed the latest one here in Austin, the Bryan Building.”
Nash and I looked at each other. “You designed that?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, it’s not a big deal. Listen, I’m in town for a few days looking for a place to stay. I really could use a night out on the town with you guys.”
Before I had a chance to answer, the sound of Charlie’s voice came from behind us, causing all three of us to turn around.
“Holy shit. Charlie Monroe.”
When Blake rushed over and lifted Charlie into a hug, I balled my fists. He’d always had a crush on her, even knowing my feelings for her, so him holding her nearly drove me to punch that fucker.
What happened next, though, had me wanting to kick the ass of one of my best friends, one I hadn’t seen in more than three years.
BLAKE HAD ME wrapped up in his arms, and the only thing I could focus on was the jealous rage building in Tucker’s face. I’d always known Blake had a thing for me; Tucker had told me that weekend up at the lake house. I’d used it to my advantage a time or two to get a dig into Tucker, but nothing really ever happened between us. Not that Blake hadn’t tried on more than one occasion.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, motioning for him to put me down.