Page 79 of Hauling Ashe

“What?” I snap. This is unbelievable.

“We’re getting the band back together,” Hank chuckles and slaps me once on the shoulder blade.

Only, I shrug away from him. Fingers pressed to my forehead, I scrub at the onset of a headache. It’s all too much. Mae leaving. The band present. Julia’s wedding. I just need a minute and I need to find Mach. Suddenly, my best friend is the perfect excuse.

“Can you excuse me a minute? I need to find my business partner, who is around here somewhere.” I scan the small selection of tables as if I’ll find the man, as if I’m willing him to appear.

“Sit. Have a drink,” Tommy suggests, waving at his table. I’d love nothing more, but I need to find Mach. I need…Mae. Like I’m taking that first flight once more. I know I can do this as long as I have Mae by my side. I need her sunshine. My hand slips into my pocket and I find the harmonica she gave me, and while I’d like to pull strength from the gift, it isn’t enough. I need her here with me.

As if the universe is both working for and against me, Mach enters the small wine bar. After quick introductions, I pull him aside, explaining my urgency to find Mae.

“We’ll just order you a new phone. It can be here in a day, and we’ll transfer everything.”

I don’t care about contacts and social media apps. All my photos are on that phone. Then I remember Mae and I airdropped a folder together. But still, I need access to her.

“It’s not about the fucking phone,” I say, my voice rising, and I glance over my shoulder to see my old band and new in-laws staring at me. Turning back to Mach, I tell the truth. “I need Mae.”

Mach eyes me before a slow smile curls his tight lips. “Interesting.”

“Mach,” I groan.

“Okay, okay.” He reaches for his phone and sends a text to Jane. I wait, staring down at the device in his hand. He shakes his head. “She likes to play this game when she’s pissed at me and not answer right away.” He chuckles to himself, and I wonder what kind of game he plays with her. I’m reminded that Mae suggested Jane has a crush on Mach. Does he feel the same way about Jane? Whatever. I don’t have time for this kind of office scandal.

“Tell her it’s about Mae.”

“I did. Chill.” He laughs again at my frustration, and I swipe a hand down my face.

I glance once more at my daughter waiting patiently with her fiancé and his family. His family’s friends who happened to be my former band.

Play something, Julia said. She cannot be serious. While my children know I was once in a band, they also know I don’t like to talk about those days. We eventually had a piano in our home but neither child played well, and I ached when I listened to them. My fingers itched to touch the instrument, but the reminder was too painful.

I scrub at my head again.

“Relax. Maybe you need a drink.” Mach is the second one to offer the suggestion. What I need is some air. It’s all too much too fast.

“Yeah, just…I need…” I don’t even finish, just point toward the hallway and head toward the exit of the small lounge. In my rush to put space between myself and my thoughts, I turn the corner too quickly and slam into someone. Wine splatters across my chest and I reach out to right the person, clutching at feminine shoulders to stop her from falling back at the impact. The glass drops to the floor and shatters as our eyes connect, and I inhale, taking my first real breath in the last hour. Relief washes over me as wine seeps through my T-shirt.

“Sunshine.”

38

Playlist: “Good As You” – Kane Brown

[Mae]

Wine soaks my shirt and I glance down at the glass I dropped. The shattering made quite the noise. Strong hands cup my shoulders, pressing me back while holding me steady. We collided hard into one another, but I look up once I hear my nickname said in breathless relief.

“Tucker,” I whisper.

“You came back.” His voice cracks. His eyes are wild, and he places one hand on my cheek.

“I didn’t get very far,” I admit, still embarrassed that Mati found me sobbing in my car on the driveway. She’d been out for a run she told me, keeping up with her personal conditioning as a women’s volleyball coach at the college level. She is a little thing for a volleyball player, but she has intense drive and passion for the sport.

“I need you,” he says.

On those words, his mouth crushes mine and I’m clutching at him. Wet, wine-covered shirts plaster us together, but I don’t care. It’s only been an hour or so, but I missed him. I couldn’t drive away after telling Mati everything and hearing what was next for him. Hearing him say he needs me, I was exactly where I should be—in his arms. With one securely at my back, the other tightens around my shoulder. His fingers dig into my hair. We kiss like we don’t have an audience, which we must, because clapping occurs around us.

Slowly, Tucker pulls away, and I tuck my head into his chest. He waves out at the people surrounding us, but the person I’m most worried about is the female voice softly questioning, “Dad?”