Force: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

had to convince Mom and Dad to stay home. Duke was looking up flights when I was over there, and Mom was halfway through packing a suitcase.”
We both let out a chuckle at that, and it ends with me letting out a long groan at the thought. I love my parents more than anything, but I don’t have the headspace to deal with my mom and her fretting right now.
“How is he doing, really?” Bailey asks, watching Tucker through the glass door as he paces around the room. His phone is pressed to his ear, and his hand rakes its way through his mop of wild dark hair.
“He’s up and down. One minute he’s ready to fight the world and take on this bullshit head-on. The next he’s asking why he should even try. He thinks his career is already over.”
“You’re sticking this time, right?”
“Like glue,” I answer without thought, not once taking my eyes off the man I love. The man I know I’ll do anything to protect.
“I’m happy you found him again, sissy.” We both watch as Tucker ends the call. He stares at the ground a minute before he comes toward the door. Sliding it open, his tortured eyes find me.
“They’re coming here now. Colton and Becks want to talk to me.” My heart clenches at the desolate sound of his voice. “They’re kicking me off the team, Brooke. I’m done.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
TUCKER
Standing in my kitchen, my insides burn with the need to get the bottle of Jack down from the cupboard. Just a few shots. Just something to take the edge off what’s coming any minute now. It's taking everything in me to refrain.
Brooke’s arms slide around me, and I feel her rest her head against the center of my back. “I love you. No matter what, okay?” Her hot breath seeps into me, soothing that need just enough for me to be able to resist it.
"I should have known this was all too good to be true.”
“You don’t know what he’s going to say yet—”
“Brooke,” I cut her off, not wanting to hear her saying I’ve gotten it wrong. Colton might not have said the words on the phone, but there’s no other reason he would be coming here. Not now. “It’s fine. I’ll deal with it. At least I got a chance at the dream. Not many can say that.”
She’s silent after that. I know she wishes she could take all this shit away; she’s just as frustrated as me. We stand there, her at my back for long, quiet moments until I feel her body jerk in surprise at the door buzzer.
I don’t move as she goes to let them in. Pull yourself together, Tucker.
I’m stuck in place as I listen as Brooke introduces her sister to Colton, Becks, and Zander. I don’t move as she offers them all a drink, and they all decline politely. My mind races with thoughts, none of which are good. I can’t find the strength to get through much more of this shit.
Brooke’s soft hand slides into mine. Squeezing me gently, I know that’s her way of saying she’s got me. She’s by my side.
“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter as I squeeze her back gently.
“Thanks for letting us come over this morning, I know you have a lot going on.” Colton starts as the others watch him. I avoid looking anyone in the eyes. I can’t stand to see the pity they’ll be showing. “I’ve asked someone to meet us here. He shouldn't be too much longer now.”
“Just say it,” I manage to get the words out.
“Say what?” Becks asks, his Southern accent sounding a little too amused for my liking.
“You want me off the team. Fine. I’ll sign whatever you need. No arguments.”
“What the fuck?” Someone barks, but it’s the thick snort of laughter that comes from Zander that grabs my attention.
“You’re a fucking idiot sometimes,” he says, but any response from me is cut short by the sound of a heavy knock on the door. Bailey scurries over to answer it, and a man I’ve never seen before follows her into the room. He’s an older guy, with thick gray hair and a weathered face. His black suit pants look well-worn, and his shirt looks like it’s never seen the hot side of an iron.
“Been a while since I got a call like this from you, Donavan.” He grizzles as he moves to shake Colton’s hand.
“Kelly, it’s great to see you again man.” He takes his time to shake everyone’s hand as Colton introduces him around the room.
“Tucker Neal. Fantastic race in Florida last year, kid. Won a shit ton of money on that one.” He chuckles, and the sound grates out like he’s been smoking twenty a day since he was a kid a long time ago. He grabs my hand and pumps it firmly in his.
“Can someone tell us what’s going on?” Brooke asks the question that I’ve been struggling to formulate. “Who are you exactly?”
“I’m the guy that just saved your ass,” Kelly announces, getting a round of laughter from the other guys, but Brooke and I don’t join in.
“Kelly here is a PI,” Colton says. “I called him the day you were arrested. I knew there was no way those claims were true, and if there was a way of proving it, Kelly would find it.”
“And I did.” He grins cockily.
Hope bubbles inside me, and I feel Brooke deflate at my side. Her grip tightens on my arm as she tries to keep herself from falling to the floor.
“Tell me.” My voice wavers with desperation for him to hurry up.
“She’s been touting the press with an exclusive interview. A buddy of mine at the Enquirer had a face-to-face meeting with her. I have to say, she’s a damn good actress. She turned it on good when they met. What she didn’t know was I was there for the whole thing, sat at the table behind. Once the journalist