Read Online White Trash Damaged by Teresa Mummert - Free Book Online Page B

snacks and slid in the seat across from me at the table.
    “You did this, Cass?” Chris asked as he pulled a Gatorade from the mini fridge.
    “I did,” I said, beaming. “And I bumped into Sarah, too, actually. It was fun.”
    “If that’s what you consider a good time, Tucker is not fulfilling your needs,” Eric joked, and Tucker smacked him on the arm before nudging me over so he could sit next to me.
    “It was! We hung out, gossiped in the cereal aisle.” I grinned at Eric who suddenly looked more interested in my shopping spree. Something about his expression made me wonder if he had an interest in her.
    “What’s this?” Tucker pulled my notebook out from under him.
    “Nothing. It’s stupid.” I reached for the book as Tucker flipped it open and his eyes danced over the page. He let me pull it from his hands as he stared ahead. His expression was unreadable. “I told you it was stupid.”
    “No. It’s . . . beautiful. You’re a natural.”
    “I want to see!” Eric reached across the table, but I pulled the book back before he could grab it.
    “Reach across this table again and you will pull back a nub!”
    “Damn! She has been hanging out with Sarah.” Chris laughed as he shoved some crackers in his mouth.
    “So what did you guys talk about?” Eric leaned back in his seat, trying to look unconcerned, but it was obvious he was crushing on her.
    “A lady never tells.” I smirked.
    “True. Now spill it.”
    I narrowed my eyes at Eric as Tucker chuckled. He slid his hand under the table and squeezed my knee as he winked at me, which sent butterflies into flight in my stomach. Sometimes it still didn’t seem real that I was dating him.
    I leaned my elbows on the table like I was ready to spill all of the juicy details of our chat.
    “She said you have a really big . . .”
    Eric leaned forward, giving me his undivided attention.
    “Ego.” I let out a laugh, and Eric threw a fruit snack at my head.
    “Fine. Don’t tell me.” Eric’s focus turned to Tucker. “What’s in the notebook?”
    All of the band was quiet waiting for some big reveal.
    “Poetry,” Tucker replied as he ran his hand through my hair, slipping it behind my ear.
    “I had no idea you were so deep.” Terry looked genuinely surprised.
    “That’s what . . .” I began, and all of the guys burst out in laughter.
    “No . . . just, no,” Chris said as he shook his head.
    “You should write more. You have a real talent, sweetheart.” I could have melted under Tucker’s gaze.
    I shrugged, embarrassed at the attention, especially since it didn’t feel warranted.
    “We have a meeting with a potential manager in half an hour. We should get ready.” Tucker kissed my temple before sliding out of the booth and stretching.
    The band scattered as they took care of personal business before the meeting. Tucker smiled as he held out his hand to me. I took it, letting him pull me from the booth. His hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me against him.
    “I’m serious about the poetry,” he whispered. “You should keep writing.”
    “Thank you.” It was incredibly hard to slip back into the mind-set of who I was back in the trailer park, but it was worth it to hear someone as talented as Tucker tell me I was good at something. I pressed my lips against his and let my eyes fall closed. I loved how his kiss could make us feel like the only people in the world, even in a crowded bus. My lips fell open as Tucker’s tongue ran over my bottom lip. We deepened our kiss, and I was breathless by the time I pulled back for air. My eyes slowly opened to see the rest of the band watching us. I was mortified.
    “You guys need to get a life.” Tucker laughed and shook his head. I wanted to crawl in our bed and hide from the world.
    “We need to get a video camera,” Eric shot back, and Chris held up his hand to give him a high five.
    “So . . . a new manager.” I cleared my throat, hoping to change the