Nick Of Time (Blue Ridge Romance 2) (2 page)

He looked a little surprised but nodded.

He’d known her long enough to know she hated being alone. Since her very first boyfriend, she’d always been with someone. Always clinging to relationships that were well past their expiration dates.

If today had taught her anything, it was that being with someone didn’t mean she would be happy. Not if she wasn’t with the
right
person.

When Cooper left, she sat on the sofa and stared at the floor for a very long time before the tears started.

She wasn’t working at the clinic the next week because she was supposed to be on her honeymoon in Barbados, so she stayed at the condo, ignoring her mother’s calls. Sitting by the pool, she thought of all the signs she’d missed and drank a lot.

There were tons of emotions swirling around, but loss was definitely the one she felt the most. She had been with Dennis for so long. He’d seen her through college and medical school, and always put up with her mother. She’d thought he was finally going to give her the peace that came with marrying a person who accepted and loved her the way she was.

Eventually the pain turned into a numbness that settled over her for months to come.

T
ucker’s phone rang as he was heading back to his loft. He stopped on the sidewalk and pulled it out of his pocket, surprised to see the call was from Cooper.

“Hey, big brother,” he said with a smile, seeing his breath in the January air. It was that time of year—when the snow lost its appeal and he wasn’t sure whether his balls would ever unshrink—when he wondered why he had ever moved to New York City. His body wasn’t bred for this kind of climate. He had Virginian genes, which made him a candy-ass in extremely cold weather.

“Hey. How are things with you?” Cooper asked.

“Great. It’s cold as fuck here,” Tucker said, earning a scowl from a proper-looking woman walking along the sidewalk next to him. He gave her one of his grins, causing her to smile a little and look away.

“I was wondering what you were doing next month.”

“When?”

“Third Saturday in February.”

“I don’t think I have anything planned.” He wrote songs for a living. Some of them were hits, some were jingles for commercials. All were sung by someone other than him.

He’d had his chance. A year and a half ago he’d been living the high life. He was a rock star on tour with his band. Then he’d hit the wall or rock bottom or somewhere in between. Whatever he hit, it had been hard and unrelenting.

“Good. I’m getting married,” Cooper said happily.

“I thought that wasn’t until the end of June.”

“Yeah. That was the plan, but we’re moving it up. You know how hot and humid it is here in June.”

“I do, but February is still kind of cold down there.”

“That’s okay. Can you be here?” Cooper asked with hope in his voice.

“Of course.” There was no way he would miss his brother’s wedding.

Cooper hesitated and Tucker waited, guessing what he was going to say.

“I was wondering if you would be a groomsman.”

Groomsman. Not best man. He knew exactly who was going to be the best man. He rolled his eyes as he unlocked his door and went into the warmth of his loft.

“Seriously? You’re having a girl for a best man?” Tucker shook his head and threw his keys on the stand by the door.

“I know it’s not common, but she’s my best friend. Plus she lives down here, so it will be easier.”

Tucker knew better than to buy that line of crap. It wasn’t an issue of geography and he knew it. The problem was that his brother didn’t trust him, and as mad as he wanted to be about that, he couldn’t. Because he had messed up in the past and needed to earn that trust back.

He’d learned that in rehab. At the time it had seemed like a bunch of shit, but here it was staring him in the face. He could see how true it was.

“I would love to be a groomsman.”

“Thank you. It really means a lot to me,” Cooper said. “Promise me you won’t sleep with Roslyn’s sister?”

“Okay.” Tucker laughed.

“No. Say it.”

“I, Tucker Wade Matthews, do so promise not to sleep with Roslyn’s sister . . . ?”

“Riley Fisher.”

“Riley Fisher.”

“And?” Cooper pushed.

“I have to say the whole thing?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Fine. I, Tucker Wade Matthews, do so promise not to sleep with Roslyn’s sister, Riley Fisher, under penalty of my dick never working again.” He cringed just saying it.

“Thank you. And can you please be nice to Nic? She’s been through a lot lately.”

“Sure.” Though he wasn’t putting his dick on the line in a promise about that.

“How are you?” Cooper asked again. They were the same words, but it was a completely different question.

“I’m doing really good. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“I’m still going to. I’ve been doing it for so long, I don’t think I can stop,” Cooper admitted.

“Maybe when you have some kids. Then you’ll have someone else to worry about.”

“Or my ability to worry could increase.”

“Or your head could explode.” Tucker laughed.

“Until that happens, can you plan to be here two weeks before the wedding? We’re doing a bachelor party the Saturday before.”

“Do I get to help with that?”

“You’ll have to check with Nic.” Translation: no.

Basically, he would be forced to do whatever Miss Bossypants wanted to do.

“It’s going to be great,” Tucker lied.

 

“You’re moving the wedding up?” Nichole repeated, looking at them closely across the table. They weren’t making eye contact with her, which meant they were hiding something.

He had been her best friend since middle school, but she was finding Roslyn was just as easy to read as Cooper.

“Right. We just decided we didn’t want to wait,” Cooper said, fiddling with the pork fried rice on his plate.

“Uh-huh.” Nichole stared at Roslyn. “When are you due?”

Both heads snapped up, and then they looked at each other.

“How did you know?” Roz said, while Cooper winced. He knew how Nichole played. He never would have given it away that easily.

“She didn’t know,” Cooper said with a sigh. “She was just guessing, and now you confirmed it.” Cooper smiled at Roslyn before turning a scowl on Nic. “You’re awful.”

“But I’m so damn good at it.”

“We didn’t want anyone to know,” Roslyn explained.

“Um. Sorry to say this, but generally when people want to move up a wedding, it’s either because the groom is being deployed overseas or the bride is pregnant. Besides, I’m a doctor, and your boobs are huge.” Nichole gestured at her friend’s chest.

“I know.” Cooper’s eyes practically glowed, while Roslyn smacked him playfully.

“So when are you due?”

“September. We just found out two weeks ago. I really had no idea.” Roslyn was beaming.

“Well, your secret—as mystifying as it is—is safe with me,” Nic said sarcastically as she finished off her egg roll.

“Tucker will be flying in two weeks before the wedding so he can help you with anything.”

“Oh, good. Do you have someone else flying in to watch over him, so I don’t need any help with anything? Because I have to tell you, he’ll be the thing I’ll need help with.”

“Sorry, no. Just you and him. Roz is having Riley as her maid of honor and Lexi as her bridesmaid.”

“At least I know you won’t take him to a strip club for the bachelor party,” Roslyn said, elbowing him in the ribs.

“As if I’d want to go look at other women when I have you.” He kissed her neck, and Nichole looked away.

She’d gotten over her heartbreak, dealt with the scrutiny once the real reason for her cancelled wedding got out. But there were still twinges when she saw people who were happily in love. She wanted to think she was above jealousy, but she wasn’t sure.

“Do you need me to pick up little brother from the airport?”

“No. I’ve got it,” Cooper said.

“Good, because that would be above and beyond.”

For the rest of the evening, Cooper and Nichole shared stories of Tucker when he was little, and how much trouble he’d got into. Roslyn seemed entertained.

Starting with his stupid pranks in elementary school and moving through his attendance problems and fighting in high school. Followed by more fighting and partying, which landed him in juvenile detention. When he was eighteen he’d started the repetitive cycle of wanting to go to college only to bail or get kicked out after a semester. That had happened four times before he’d joined a band and started partying again. At least that time he was getting paid.

“And then he became a rock star,” Roslyn said. Nichole hadn’t followed Tucker’s career too closely. She’d been busy finishing medical school, plus she just hadn’t cared that much.

“He’s playing a song at the reception,” Cooper said proudly, while Nic fought the urge to roll her eyes. Cooper always defended his brother.

Sure, sometimes he got pissed off, but when Tucker needed him, Cooper was always there. It infuriated Nichole. Or maybe it was jealousy after all. She’d grown up watching the relationship between Cooper and his brother. It never made any sense to her how Cooper could continue to love someone so exasperating. Being an only child, she’d never had the opportunity to experience the strength of sibling bonds. But she felt it between the brothers—an invisible wall—and she’d always been on the outside.

C
ooper had offered to pick him up at the airport, but Tucker knew he would need a car, so he’d declined. He didn’t like feeling trapped without his own transportation. He didn’t need a vehicle in the city, but in Roanoke he wanted his own wheels. Just in case.

Cooper had also begged him to stay with them in their new house. Tucker had tried to get out of it, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer. Apparently, they had a lot of guest rooms.

When Tucker explained that it might be better if he stayed in a hotel in case he met someone, he was reminded again about not sleeping with Roslyn’s sister.

So of course the first thing he’d said when Cooper came out to meet him in the driveway was, “So where is this sister?”

Cooper smacked him on the back of the head, and the two of them hugged, sharing a very unmanly moment. Complete with a trace of moisture in both of their eyes.

“It’s great to see you, man,” Tucker said as he patted his brother on the back. “I can’t believe you’re getting married. I didn’t think either of us would ever fall victim to that trap.”

“Wait until you meet Roslyn. You’ll see.”

“If she’s so great, maybe I’ll steal her away from you,” Tucker joked.

“If there was any worry of that ever happening, I wouldn’t be marrying her.” Cooper seemed happy in a way Tucker had never seen before.

“Good for you.”

Tucker followed Cooper into the house, where a tall blond woman was waiting. She was pretty, but he knew his brother wouldn’t fall for someone just because of looks. She had to have something else to win him over.

“Tucker, this is Roslyn. Roz, this is my baby brother.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Tucker. Thanks for coming. I know you’re probably busy back in New York,” Roslyn said with a pleasant smile.

“Not too busy to see my brother get married. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

“It’s no problem at all. We have plenty of room. I thought you and Cooper might want to hang out and catch up before the wedding.”

She seemed genuinely welcoming, and Tucker glanced over at Cooper to see the big smile on his face.

God, these two were so disgustingly happy, he’d probably develop some kind of allergy from overexposure.

“That sounds great,” he said.

“Let me show you to your room,” Cooper said as he took Tucker’s bag and gestured toward the fancy curved stairs. As soon as they were on the second floor he turned to Tucker and said, “Isn’t she amazing?”

“Yeah, she’s great.” How could he tell? They’d spoken a few sentences. She could be a serial killer for all he knew. “Very pretty.”

“I know, but she’s also a great person.”

“Definitely.”

After Tucker unpacked—which took all of six minutes—the three of them played get to know you over dinner. Roslyn was a really good cook.

Soon they were chatting easily, and Tucker realized his brother had made a good choice. Not that anyone had asked for his blessing.

“So tomorrow night is the bachelor party. It’s casual,” Cooper said when they all headed upstairs to go to bed.

“What time?”

“Seven. A car will be coming to pick us up.”

“I’ll be ready. I’m going to go buy a tux in the morning.”

“Do you need help?” Cooper asked, making Tucker grin.

“Are you afraid it’s going to be a sequin jumpsuit?”

“No. I just thought it would be fun to go with you.”

“You want to drive my rental car?” Tucker guessed.

“Yep,” Cooper said quickly. Tucker had splurged on a Corvette for the trip.

“We’ll make a day of it. Get some lunch.”

“Sounds good.”

Tucker and Cooper had a great time the next day. They bonded, spending the afternoon catching up. Cooper drove the car around town and then Tucker suggested they take it on the Parkway.

“Holy shit! It’s almost six. We have to get back; we’re going to be late,” Cooper said when he finally realized the time on the dash wasn’t correct.

“Relax. So we’re a little late. They can’t start without you anyway.”

“Nichole has spent a lot of time making sure this night goes perfectly.”

“I’ll handle Nichole,” Tucker said.

“Please! You couldn’t handle Nichole if you had an army with you.”

“I’m not afraid of her anymore.” There had been a time when that wasn’t true. Maybe even recently.

“We’ll see about that.” Cooper laughed and revved the engine on the way home.

Despite Cooper’s worries, he and Tucker were both dressed and ready when Nichole got there.

Tucker found himself checking her over like he would a normal woman. She was attractive. He’d known that for a very long time, but he hadn’t let himself think about it.

She was an evil demon beneath the sexy, long legs and the auburn hair. He was sure her green eyes shot flames when mortals weren’t looking. But right now she was rocking a pretty dress that showed off those legs and the perfect amount of cleavage.

Her gaze met his and he felt himself bracing for battle.

 

“Hey, Tucker. How are you?” Nichole praised herself internally for not sounding bitchy.

“Good. I couldn’t help but notice I didn’t get an official invite to the bachelor party.”

“I didn’t have your number.” She looked away, feigning sudden interest in the backyard.

“Uh-huh. So what’s the plan here? Strippers?”

“Um. No. We’re going out for a nice dinner, and then I’ve arranged a special private showing of
The Godfather
.”

“Wow.” He raised his eyebrows.

“What? It’s his favorite movie. He’s never seen it on the big screen. He didn’t want strippers.”

“Every guy wants a chance to look at naked women. If he said he didn’t want strippers, he was lying.”

“That’s why I’m the best man. Because I know him better than you, despite the fact that you share the same DNA.”

“Whoa! Don’t go using that doctor lingo on me,” he said with a wry grin.

She’d only been talking to him for a few minutes and already he was pushing her buttons. She wanted to punch him. “If you’re not up for dinner and a movie, you don’t have to go,” she suggested sweetly.

“Of course I’m going! He’s my brother. Besides, I could use a nap.”

“Very nice,” she said with an eye roll.

“I’m still jet-lagged.” He was trying not to smirk.

“We live in the same time zone.”

“There you go again, showing off all that brain power.”

“Grow up.” She couldn’t help but feel like they were still thirteen and seven instead of thirty-three and twenty-seven.

“Are we splitting the bill?” he offered.

“No, I’ve got it.”

“Fine. Is there
anything
I can help with?” he asked in irritation.

“No. I have everything taken care of.”

“I see. Well, if you think of anything you forgot, like maybe something fun, let me know. I’d be happy to help.”

“I don’t need your help,” she snapped with the tone she had been working so hard to contain.

“Oh, I’m sure of that.” He shook his head and walked away.

Why did she let him get to her?

Nichole had been certain the night would be great, but now he had her doubting whether everyone would have fun. Cooper never lied to her, so she knew if he said he didn’t want strippers he really didn’t. But maybe he only felt like he should say that. Damn.

She took a deep breath and smoothed her dress nervously. There weren’t going to be any strippers. Everyone would just have to deal with it.

Everything was going smoothly. Dinner was delicious, and on time. The group seemed to be having a good time. Some of them were already drinking pretty heavily. Twice she observed Tucker to make sure he wasn’t getting shit-faced, but he seemed to be steady.

He wasn’t sloppy drunk like Darrell from high school or Cousin Kelvin. Her phone chimed a reminder.

“Okay, everyone. Let’s make our way back to the cars so we can head to the theater.”

“Are the strippers at the theater?” someone yelled. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Tucker.

“No.”

“Ah, come on! Who put a chick in charge of a bachelor party, anyway?” someone else questioned. She glanced over to see Cooper in a discussion with another relative. He wasn’t able to come to her rescue.

“We want to see some tits! Are you going to show us yours, honey?” a bigger man with a very red face started stumbling toward her. She felt her heart rate pick up as she tried to remember what she’d learned in her self-defense class. All she could think of at the moment was how to make an origami swan. Wrong class!

“Back off, Baker. This is her show, and Cooper didn’t want strippers. Leave her alone and get your fat ass out to the car or we’re leaving you here,” Tucker said, coming to stand in front of her protectively.

“Thank you,” she whispered into his shoulder.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help with anything?” he asked with a wink.

“You know, just when you go and do something stand up, you have to ruin it by speaking.”

“You’re welcome.” He chuckled and went out to get in his assigned vehicle.

The night wore on, and everyone seemed to have a good time despite the lack of strippers.

People talked through the movie, making comments and reciting their favorite lines. It wasn’t annoying; it was fun.

Afterward, they went to the bar next door for cocktails.

“You’re still awake, I see,” she said to Tucker when she went to the bar for a drink.

“Barely.” He smiled.

She refrained from yelling, “Screw you!” like she would have when they were younger.

“Please don’t get hammered and ruin this for your brother,” she said.

For a second he looked puzzled, and then he shook his head.

“I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.” He held up the proper fingers and gave a stern nod.

“At least you were a scout,” she said as he laughed and walked away.

 

“She did a nice job,” Tucker admitted as the guests mingled.

“She told me you wanted strippers.” Cooper raised his brow.

“I thought there was some kind of rule that the groom had to see another woman’s naked body before he got married.”

“Yeah, well, I need to be coherent by Monday morning. Somehow I need to be in two places at once.” Cooper wiped his hand across his forehead.

“Can I help?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Come on, Cooper. I’m here all week with nothing to do. Let me help.” Tucker could see the anxiety in his brother’s eyes. “I’m not going to let you down. I know how important this is to you.” In the past, Tucker had done nothing but let his brother down. But he was different now. He wanted a chance to earn some respect.

“Okay. I made an appointment with the tent guy. He’s going to be up at the cabin at eleven. I also need to get in touch with someone to run electricity to the tent so we can have heat.”

“About that . . . Who gets married outside in the mountains of Virginia in February?” Tucker complained.

“Two people who love each other and want to get married.”

“And . . . ?” Tucker raised his brow, waiting.

“And Roslyn is pregnant.” Cooper beamed proudly. “When we found out she was having a baby, we moved things up.”

“When is she due?”

“September.”

“My big brother is going to be a dad.”

“Yep.” He looked a little nervous.

“You were kind of like a minidad to me. I think you did a great job.”

“Yeah, but look how you turned out.” Cooper frowned for a second before he broke out in a grin. Tucker wasn’t the best example of Cooper’s fathering abilities, but it hadn’t been his fault. Had Tucker listened to him, he would have been better off.

“Very funny.”

“So if I draw you a map, would you be able to show the tent guy where it goes?”

“I think I can handle it.”

“Good. Roslyn has a doctor’s appointment and I want to be there.”

“You don’t want to miss that.” Tucker shook his head. “Getting married and having a baby. I can’t believe it.”

“We’re growing up, Tuck.”

“Speak for yourself.” He grinned devilishly.

“Remember: Riley is off limits,” Cooper repeated sternly.

“Yeah, yeah, I got it. Is this Riley superhot or something?”

“I only see one woman now.” Cooper was all dreamy-eyed when he said it, and Tucker thought he might need to vomit.

At that moment Nichole walked up, making the urge even stronger.

“Are you having a good time?” she asked.

“It’s not as lame as I expected.” Cooper gave Tucker a
behave
look and wandered off in the opposite direction.

“Tucker Matthews can have a good time with everybody’s shirt on? Who knew?” she joked.

“Surely not me.”

“Do you need another drink? I’m heading that way,” she offered.

“No, I’m good. Thanks, though.” He could finish his Coke at a leisurely pace.

“I promise I won’t put anything in it.” She smiled at him angelically.

“What do you have crossed right now?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Fingers? Toes?”

“Nothing, actually.” She laughed at his accusation. “But only because I don’t have anything to put in your drink anyway.”

“Funny; Cooper was just telling me we were growing up, but then you say stuff like that and I feel like I’m ten again and you’ve stolen my underwear at the pool.”

She laughed. “I remember that. That was funny.” She laughed again.

It appeared the good doctor was a bit tipsy. Just a bit. Enough to make her loosen up a little.

“Not so much for me,” he said but smiled.

“How long are you going to be in town?”

He shrugged. He didn’t have anything pressing waiting for him in New York. The truth was, he could pretty much work anywhere, or not even work at all. He had a healthy bank account from royalties on songs he’d written and sold or performed himself.