Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) (10 page)

We’re currently working on a big project, building 30 new homes for
B&B
. We just happen to be building in a subdivision that’s close to my childhood home, which was the deciding factor for me to stop by and check in. I have a little bit of time to go by the house and see how everyone is before I need to get back to the site. My dad works from his home office a couple days a week, so at least he should be there.

“Hey, you ready to blow this place and grab some lunch?” Tucker semi-shouts as he and Holt make their way over to me.

“I’m actually going to head over to see my dad and check in. I’ve been slacking on keep in touch lately. What about you guys? Any plans?”

“Not really. I sent Halley a text to see what she’s doing. She’s supposed to have lunch with Charlie today and make a plan for this weekend to meet up with us.” Holt says, double-checking his phone for an update. “But she hasn’t responded back about it yet.”

“Do you really think it’s going to be that hard to convince her to come out?” I didn’t get that vibe from her last weekend. I thought she wanted to see us —
me
—again.

“I think the girls will be able to get her out. I really don’t think it will take that much convincing. She seemed pretty into you, especially for being super shy. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” Tucker tries to reassure me, but you never know. Sometimes people can surprise you with who they really are.

Holt looks down at his phone again when it dings. Reading the text, he smiles, looking back up at Tucker. “Have any lunch plans?”

“No. Why?”

“You do now. Halley says she’s meeting Charlie at
Freebirds
. Feel like burritos?”

“Sure, why not? Food is food, and I don’t care where we go. I’m freaking starving right now.”

“Good. You ready to surprise the ladies and crash their lunch date?”

“I’m definitely game. Let’s get a move on already before I start eating dirt.” Tucker says, as he heads towards Holt’s truck.

“Hey, are you sure you don’t want to tag along and see the pretty little mouse?” Holt taunts me.

“Man, you guys suck, you know that?” I give them an unhappy look before scrubbing a hand down my face. “As much as I want to see her, I can’t. I really need to check in if I want to have a fun-filled weekend. I would go after work, but I’ll be too beat and much dirtier. It’s best to get it over and done with now, rather than later.” I tell him, letting out a long breath.

“Fine, suit yourself. Enjoy lunch, and tell your pops we said hi. Kiss that sister of yours on cheek, and make sure you tell her it’s from me, too.” Holt winks at me as I try to sock him in the arm. He sees it coming and easily dances out of my way. He’s a big flirt, and doesn’t really mean anything by it. Carianna is practically a sister to both of the guys. Holt just likes to get under my skin whenever he can. Although, right now, I believe he’s trying to lighten my mood before I head home.

“Don’t have too much fun without me, and make sure you tell Charlie that tomorrow night her dance card will be full, with only my name on it.”

“Aye aye, Captain!” Holt says, giving me a mock salute. “See you in less than an hour. Chin up, man.” He says, slapping me on the back as he leaves me to go have lunch with my girl.

What a day. Can’t time just speed up so I can get to the part where I’m holding Charlie in my arms, swaying to the slow beat of some sappy country song?

“How’s work today?” I ask Halley before taking a really big bite of my burrito. This place is awesome, and I’m so dang hungry, I’m surprised I didn’t order two of everything.

“It’s going okay, nothing special or major at the moment. Although, the weather is awesome, so I would rather be at the beach. Or hanging at your pool would work, too.”

“Is Kyle still striking out on getting a date out of you?” I ask. Kyle works at the same medical center with Halley, but in a different department. He doesn’t seem to get that Halley isn’t interested. He feels that if he keeps being persistent, she will eventually cave and accept at least one pity date with him. Although, it wouldn’t be a hardship, seeing as he’s a good-looking guy. Why he’s so fixed on Halley is beyond me, though. You would think he would take a couple of ‘no’s’ from her as a hint, then move on. However, the rejection only seems to egg him on further in pursing her.

“Don’t even get me started on him right now. It’s the same old garbage as usual. He asks, I say no, he thinks I’m playing hard to get, and the cycle starts all over.” She says, waving her hands at me in a shooing action. “Enough about him, let’s talk about what our plans are for the weekend. What are you doing?”

“I plan to relax and swim a few laps in the pool. What about you?”

“I’m thinking we need a night out dancing again. I had a blast last weekend, and I want to see the guys again. What do you say?” she asks with a hopeful look on her face.

“What about Naomi? Is she up for going, too?”

“Of course! I think she really liked Tucker, so she’s definitely on board to run into the guys again.” Halley says through a grin before taking a drink of her soda.

“Fancy meeting you here, you saucy woman,” we hear Holt say as he stands over Halley, looking down at her with a sexy grin on his face.

“Of all the places, in all of the burrito joints, in the entire world, you had to walk into mine.” Halley deadpans while looking up into Holt’s eyes and carefree, smiling face.

“Babe, you have to know I would follow you anywhere.” He quips back at her.

“So — what are you two doing here? Stalking much?” she asks with a tiny smile playing on her lips.

“Hey, it’s your fault for texting Holt where you would be. You had to know after last weekend that he’s head over heels in love with you. He would kiss your feet if you asked. You know, I bet he would even let you paint his nails and curl his hair,” Tucker teases both of them.

Holt cuts Tucker a look and replies sarcastically, “You’re oh so funny there, Jim Bob.” He turns back to Halley. “What? We were hungry, and decided to stop by. Is it a crime that two handsome men wanted to eat lunch with two hot babes?”

Rolling her eyes, Halley smiles sweetly at them. “Well, when you put it
that
way, how can a girl resist the likes of you two and your charms? Go ahead, pull up two chairs, cowboy, before my food gets cold.”

“Yes ma’am.” Holt mockingly tips his nonexistent cowboy hat at her.

“Where’s your little firecracker friend, Miss July?” Tucker looks around the restaurant like Naomi might appear out of thin air.

“She’s at work, like every other red-blooded American. You should have sent her a text to meet you for lunch.”

“Well, I didn’t know I would be coming here until the last minute, when I was roped into spying on Charlie for Nate.” He winks at me.

“Spying? Why, if he wanted to know what Charlie was up to, all he had to do was tag along with you all,” Halley huffs out.

“We aren’t here to spy for Nate,” Holt corrects. “However, he was pretty bummed to be missing out once he knew we were coming to see you both for lunch. Okay, mainly it was because he would be missing out on seeing Charlie.”

“Why didn’t he come?” I wonder out loud.

“He had some family stuff to take care of. He did leave an important message for me to pass on to you though,” Holt says, wagging his eyebrows.

“Oh yeah? What is it?” I ask, trying
not
to sound too eager at what his response would be.

“That he would see you tomorrow night, and your dance card would be full with one name on it—his.” Holt says, watching to see what my reaction will be to this news.

On the inside, I’m giddy; butterflies are swimming around, and my heart races. On the outside, I try to remain cool and collected. However, when I look back up, three faces are staring back at me with probing eyes.

With a small smile, I say, “Well, I guess I’ll just have to go out with everyone tomorrow night and see about fulfilling that request, now won’t I?”

“‘Atta girl.” Tucker says, throwing a wide grin over at the other two.

“Well, Tuck-boy, we’d best get something to eat and leave these pretty ladies alone. We need to grab lunch to go and get back to the jobsite.” Looking back at Halley, he says, “And you, woman, I’ll text you for the details later. Until then,” he reaches over and grabs her hand, eyes locked on hers, as he places a kiss on her knuckles whispering, “later, babe.”

“Later, ladies.” Tucker echoes in a deep sexy voice as he walks over to the counter to place an order to go.

“Oh. My. Gosh. Those two —” Halley sighs as she fans her flushed cheeks with her hand.

“Pull it together,
woman
. We need to meet up after work with Naomi. We have plans to make for tomorrow night.” I snap my fingers in her face. “Time to get back to work. The clock is ticking, and we are wasting time.” I say while getting up to throw my trash away. “I’ll text you later to let you know when I’m off.”

“Okay, sounds good. I’ll get Naomi on board. She’ll be so upset she missed Tucker today.” Halley replies as she gathers up her belongings.

“All right, I’ll catch you later.” I tell her, then look over and see the guys grabbing their orders. “See you later, boys!” I call over my shoulder as I saunter out of the restaurant.

“How did it go with your dad?” Tucker asks me as we’re putting things away for the night at the job site.

“Not bad. He was actually at home working, and Carianna had stopped by for lunch in between classes. I think they were both surprised to see me. It was a short visit, but pleasant at the same time.”

“I’m glad it went well. Do you plan on stopping in again now that we’re working close to the house?” asks Holt. “If you do, next time, I’d like to tag along and see your family. It’s been awhile for us too, you know. That is if you’re cool with it, and all is well on the home front.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, Holt, I don’t mind. I would actually prefer to have you guys with me. It would make it easier and less awkward. I’ll give you plenty of notice when I decide to head that way again. Anyway, enough heavy stuff. I want to know how lunch was.”

“Oh, you know — Charlie was cute as ever, and good old Tuck had her convinced we were there to spy on her for you,” Holt laughs.