18. Tucker

Riley has thrown up four more times since I picked her up from school. She’s passed out on the couch with a trashcan next to her just in case she needs it. I really hope she doesn’t, I can only take so much vomiting.

I’d love to go hang out with Colt, but I”m not about to leave my little girl’s side when she’s sick. I let out a sigh before lifting her off the couch and carrying her to her bed. On my way back to the living room, I grab a beer out of the fridge and turn on some action movie. I lay back on the couch, sprawl out, and yank the blanket over me.

I”m about halfway through the movie when my phone dings from the coffee table, I find a video from Colt. When I press play, my jaw drops and my eyes widen.

Skylar’s pressed up against her friend from work, grinding on each other, hands on each other’s hips. It’s by far the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I”m quickly regretting my choice to stay in tonight.

Skylar was always carefree as a teenager, but seeing her let loose now is intoxicating. I watch the video over and over, addicted to how her body moves.

Tucker: Wow.

Colt: I know, right? Did you know who Leslie was?

Tucker: Yeah, she works at the elementary school. Moved here last year. I’ve pointed her out to you several times.

Colt: How did I not notice her! She’s hot as hell!

Tucker: How much has Sky had to drink?

Colt: I don’t know, she’s only slurring her words a little bit.

Shit. She asked me to call her tonight, but I guess that won”t be happening. I feel bad for her. No one in this town seems to want to accept she grew up and left her bad girl behavior in the past. It took a long time for me to outlive my reputation, but having a daughter and my own business forced them to take a deeper look at me. Slowly but surely, I won over all the people who used to hate me.

If I had to guess, Skylar’s near her breaking point. She’s going to do one of two things. She’ll either keep her chin high and prove she’s changed or she’ll show the town the girl they’ve all been expecting. Based on that video, I think she’s leaning towards the latter.

Tucker: Can you get her home before she does something she’ll regret? Riley’s sick or I’d come get her myself.

Colt: Do I have to? I’d really like to see what she’ll do after another drink or two.

Tucker: Don’t be an ass, she’s hurting and you know it. She only does shit like this when she is.

Colt: What’s going on with her?

Everything inside begs me to tell Colt the truth. He deserves to know exactly what went down with Skylar and I, he deserves to know why she’s back. But it’s not my story to tell. It’s both of ours and I can”t tell him without her permission. I’d never do anything to hurt Sky.

Tucker: Just get her home, Colt. You can ask her in the morning.

Colt: I got her, don’t worry.

He says that, but I’ll still worry. I’ve worried about Skylar Barren for the last twenty some years, I don’t plan to stop tonight.