Whiskey Wedding (Tasting Nashville series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t know. I ought to kick your bullheaded ass.”
    I rub my hand along my jaw and hop onto the counter. “So you already know then.”
    “You’re damn right I already know. I’ve had to listen to our girl bawling on the phone because she doesn’t know what got into you, much less where the hell you are. How do you think Joselyn’s feeling right now?”
    “She’s in pain, I know that. I’m not proud of what I did. Hell, I don’t even know where I was going. I got in an accident and hitched a ride. I just can’t go home yet.”
    Mel crosses the room to the freezer and throws a white, paper package at his adopted nephew. “Bullshit. Throw a steak on your damn boo boo and fix things with her. I’m not gonna stand by and watch you fuck things up and break her heart. That girl’s been through enough and you know it.”
    “Yeah, I know. I don’t want to hurt, Joselyn. She’s everything to me.”
    “And yet, here you sit.”
    “Dammit, Unc. It’s not that easy. Did she tell you what’s going on?”
    “Son, I knew what was going on long before today.”
    Confused, I furrow my brow. “What the hell does that mean?”
    “It means, your girl was trying to do something nice. She was trying to pull off the ultimate surprise. She knew your daddy got out of prison and she planned on having him sing at the wedding, you dumbass.”
    “Damn, I didn’t know.” I close my eyes for a second. “Not that it would have changed anything. I don’t want anything to do with him. And I sure as shit don’t want him at my wedding. You were in on this crock of shit?”
    He flings a dishtowel across the countertop. “Yeah, I tried to tell her it was a bad idea. I thought it might backfire. But you know her. She had her heart of gold set on making it happen. That girl gets to me like no one else. She makes me a big old softie. I got on board and crossed my fingers.”
    “Dammit, Mel, you should have warned me or something. This is bad.”
    “Why don’t you just call your woman. Make things right. Go back home, tie the knot, and call it a day.”
    His words jumbled around in my thick skull. Maybe the old man is right? As I pull my cell from my pocket, a Jeep pulls up in front of the restaurant.
    All of the air is sucked from my body as Clive Covington, my sperm donor, steps out. He reaches for the front door and our gazes lock. I pull back my shoulders, struggling to restrain myself from losing it in the middle of my uncle’s bread and butter.
    “Boy, don’t do anything stupid.” Mel chucks me in the arm. “Hey, brother,” he spouts before extending his hand.
    I observe like a hungry vulture. They shake hands, Clive smiles, but never stops staring at me. I flare my nostrils and pull my lips into a hard line.
    “Son,” he says with a nod.
    “Clive.”
    My backhanded response makes him drop his head.
    Mel huffs, folds his arms across his chest, and peers back and forth. “You two look like you might have some things to work out.”
    “I ain’t got a damn word to say to this prick.”
    Clive shakes his head. “Don’t be like that, son.”
    “Don’t call me that.”
    “Ok,” he nods. “How you been, Dean?”
    “How the hell do you think I’ve been? How long have you been out?”
    Mel slowly backs away and ducks into the kitchen.
    Clive clicks the tip of his new, pointed toe boots along the floor. “A couple weeks now.”
    “Didn’t take long to go shopping. Who’d you hit up for a handout?” I tip my head toward the concrete.
    “You always did assume the worst of me, didn’t you?” He pauses. I ignore the snide comment, only because it’s true. “No handouts. Not this time. Mel set me up as a cook. These came out of my first paycheck. Like ‘em? I can pick you up a pair.”
    “I don’t need shit from you. Besides, not exactly my style.” I adjust my stance as his gaze falls on my chucks.
    “Yeah, I guess not. Surprised to see ya here. We must have passed each other on the road.”
    My blood