And I'm not talking about Logan . . .
It's all Tucker. Tucker freaking Jameson and his sexy side smile. Tucker Jameson and his deep, rumbly laugh. Tucker Jameson and his innocent, friendly touches that make me melt on the spot. To him, those touches are free of any kind of commitment, but to me, they feel like so much more. I want to ask him to stop because I'm worried my mind will get confused. I'm worried that I will fall for my best friend's ex-boyfriend, her former everything and that terrifies me.
No wonder every girl our age fawned over the man; he's magnetic. There's no use denying the pull, because all you want to do when around him is cling to his side. And I'm having a hell of a time trying to detach myself.
Plates cleaned, drinks consumed, I've watched how effortlessly he's engaged both his friends and Logan into conversation, never allowing a dull moment. And the whole time, all I could think of was how different he is from the boy I grew up with. He's a man now, a confident man with experience under his belt, an addicting man you want to surround yourself with. It's confusing. He confuses me.
For so long, I've been on the other side of the fence, listening to Sadie and her side of the relationship. It's been so long since I've spent time with Tucker, that I've forgotten who he truly is. He was never Sadie's shadow per se, but he was so connected to her, that I wonder if I ever met Tucker the individual. My image has been clouded from the past, but after last night, after tonight, the clouds are parting and I think I'm meeting Tucker Jameson the man for the first time. An effervescent man with a sexy smirk, ovary-splitting laugh, and killer eyes.
"Isn't that right, Emma?" Funnily enough, around company, Tucker has referred to me as Emma, not babe.
"Ehh, what?"
"Sixth grade, your first kiss was with a guy who worshipped the black Power Ranger."
"Daniel? Yeah, he was a bit obsessed. But despite his obsession, he tongued me up real nice."
The table erupts. Well, apart from Tucker who gives me a pointed look that causes me to laugh. He wanted me to let loose. This is Emma let loose. She's a little loose on the lips.
"Daniel sounds like a real winner." Logan tips his bottle in my direction and takes a sip. I'm surprised with how much he's been fitting in with the guys, especially since I hadn't thought they would mesh well together. Tucker and his buddies are rugged, men's men, whereas Logan runs the line of more sensitive.
"Oh shit, I could use a good tonguing, especially after sitting on this piece of trash seat all night." Racer shifts and whacks Tucker on the arm. "Dude, splurge a bit and get a fucking couch. What is wrong with you?"
Tucker smiles over his glass, looking more at ease than he has in the last couple days. "I have everything I need in my bedroom."
"I would say let's take this up to your bedroom, but that would quickly divert this little gathering into a glorified sword fight, and I'm not drunk enough to start whipping my willy about."
Smalls turns to Racer and asks, "Would you ever be drunk enough?"
Racer takes a moment to think about it and then shakes his head. "No, but for the right price, I would smack someone with my dick."
Tucker shakes his head. "There is something seriously wrong with you."
"Hey, I'll take money anyway I can get."
"Let's play a game," I say, interrupting the little battle of whit between Tucker and Racer.
"Yeah?" Tucker asks. "What did you have in mind?"
I hold up my finger and stand up, feeling a little shaky in my legs. Thank you, alcohol. "One second please." Quickly, I run to my room, grab a deck of cards and my makeup case along with a little mirror. When I come back into the dining room, all four men give me confused looks.
Sitting back in his chair, arms crossed over his expansive chest, Tucker says, "No, we're not playing that stupid game."
I set my stuff on the table and take a seat. "Come on. I haven't played in so long."
"No." Tucker stands his ground.
I jut out my bottom lip. "Pleeeease. It will be so much fun."
"Yeah, for you."
Racer leans forward. "Uh, am I missing something?"
Playfully staring me down, leaning back in his chair, giving off a casual vibe, Tucker asks, "You want to tell them? Or should I?"
"I will because you'll just ruin it."
He gestures to me, giving me the floor. "By all means, introduce the game."
"Don't mind if I do." I sit tall and clear my throat. "The game is called Beauty Parlor." All three men groan but I tamp them down. "There is one dealer, or beautician if you will, the rest of the players are the clients. We divvy out the cards equally and on the count of three, we flip our cards over. Whoever has a card that is lesser value than the beautician, they have to put on some makeup-"