Tucker (The Family Simon 1)

Tucker undid his tie and slipped out of his suit jacket. He handed them to Abby, though his fingers trailed across her wrists, and he didn’t let her go.

“You’re lucky your brother gives a shit. And because he does, I have to ease him into the fact that we’re seeing each other.”

“You guys are being ridiculous. You know that, right?” She shot a look toward Mick. “I would have told him myself, except this is my first shift since I got back from Florida. I mean, I knew he’d be a little over-protective. Especially with Mom and Dad in Arizona for five months, but still...I don’t know what the big deal is. God, he never said anything about Tony.”

“Your ex.”

She nodded.

“Why would he? The guy was a knob.”

Abby tried not to smile, but she took his stuff and carefully folded Tucker’s jacket. “You and Mick are a lot alike, you know?”

Tucker didn’t answer but turned around and headed for the back room where the dart board and two pool tables were located. Mick was waiting for him with his arms folded, his tall body leaning against one of the pool tables. He might look relaxed, save for the intense eyes trained on Tucker—they were anything but. He looked like he wanted to use something as a punching bag.

Namely Tucker’s face.

“What are you doing with my sister?” The words were controlled, hell, they even sounded conversational. But he wasn’t fooling anyone, and as soon as Mick uttered those words, the two guys playing pool on the adjoining table decided it was a good time to head to the bar and buy another round.

Tucker wasn’t intimidated. He dealt with oversized, testosterone laden men all the time. Hell, take away his suit and tie and he was just as bad-ass as Mick Mathews.

Where the hell were Cooper, Teague, and Maverick when he needed them? It had been a long time since he’d gotten out of hand. Maybe it was time to let some shit fly. From the looks of it, Mick was itching for it.

Tucker smiled at the thought, but then pushed it aside. It really wasn’t the time or place. Besides, he wasn’t a twenty-year-old college kid anymore. He was a long ways from that.

“Look, Mick. I get where you’re coming from,” Tucker replied. “I have a sister, too. But Abby isn’t a kid and neither am I.”

“You didn’t answer my question. What exactly are you doing with her?”

“We’re friends.”

“Friends who go away together.”

Okay, things were getting delicate, but Tucker didn’t see any other choice but to meet him head-on. “Look. Abby and I have been friends for a long time now and well, things have changed between us. We’re…” How could he put this? “Hanging out.”

“Hanging out.”

He nodded. “Yep.”

Mick’s eyes flashed, and he took a step closer. “She’s not the type to just hang out, and you, my friend, are going to hurt her.”

Tucker rolled his shoulders and unclenched his hands. “I’m not going to hurt her. We’re both adults, Mick, and we know what we’re doing. I get your concern, I’ve got a sister too, but she’s also a twenty-six-year-old woman. And in case you haven’t noticed, Abby can take care of herself.”

Mick was silent for a few seconds. “She’s different from the women you bring here.”

“Yes she is. A lot different.”

Mick opened his mouth but didn’t get the chance to say anything. Abby strode between the two of them, eyebrows raised.

“Okay, if you guys are done holding hands, I could use some help out there. The Black Dog seems to have attracted several New York Rangers and everyone is pretty much going crazy.”

“Rangers?” Mick asked.

“Yes,” Abby replied, knocking Tucker with her hip. “And some guy named Dean is asking for you.”

“Ah,” Tucker said. “They’ve got the night off, and some of the young pups were looking for a place to hang. I told them where to find the best wings in town.”

“Thanks,” Abby said softly, a slow smile spreading across her face. Mick snorted, and Abby’s eyes slid back to her brother. “I’ll see you behind the bar, and we’ll have our own little chat later. Trust me.”