Fumbled Love

by Lila Rose

  Then Dad added, “And the other is a lawyer? Carter’s dad’s sperm must be amazing.”

  My head jerked back. “Tell me you didn’t just say that?”

  “He said it,” Mom muttered.

  “Dad, I swear if you mention to Patty anything about his sperm, I won’t get you tickets to the Super Bowl.”

  His eyes widened. “My lips are sealed.” He nudged Mom. “She called him Patty.” He sniffed.

  Dear God, please let me get through this night without thinking of murder.

  “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  I took Mom’s bowl of potato salad in my hands and then led them to the kitchen.

  Everyone had disappeared except for Carter, Patty, and Beth. “Beth and Patty, I’d like you to meet my mom, Elaine, and my dad, Herb.”

  Patty stepped forward with his hand out, and I saw when Dad’s hand came up it was shaking. “Great to meet you, Herb.” Patty smiled.

  “Y-you too.” Dad nodded.

  “Dad,” I whispered, and Dad quickly dropped Patty’s hand. He grabbed Mom by the shoulders and shoved her forward. “My wife. Elaine.”

  “Hi, Elaine.”

  “Hello,” Mom replied, and I thought that would be it. My shoulders started to sag, losing the tension I’d been holding, but then Mom just had to open her mouth again. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you both. Your son is amazing. You have a fantastic family actually. The genes in your family must be superb.”

  I dropped my head back, eyes to the ceiling. Beth and Patty laughed. “Thanks, we’re really proud,” Beth replied.

  I only straightened when Carter came to my side and placed his hands on my shoulders. “Relax.”

  Out the corner of my mouth, I told him, “It’s easy for you to say. My dad was just talking about your dad’s sperm at the door.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. They’ll all like each other.”

  Why was I worried about them liking each other so much? Honestly, I didn’t realize just how much that was true until Carter spoke, but the truth was, our families getting along was important to me. Maybe because I was concerned if they didn’t like one another, then I could lose Carter from my life.

  I didn’t want that to happen.

  The thought even churned my stomach.

  If Carter disappeared from my life, while it sounded strange, my days would be bleaker.

  I enjoyed Carter’s company.

  I liked talking with him and having him come home as if it were his own.

  I was falling in love with Carter.

  There, I admitted it to myself. Now, what did I do with that information?

  If I shared it with him, would he run?

  Then again, he’d been the one to first reach out to me, kiss me, and he called me sweetheart…. Was Brooke actually right? Did Carter like me?

  Oh God… oh God! It wasn’t the time for an epiphany.

  “You okay?” Carter asked in my ear. I shivered.

  “Yes!” I cried. Then when everyone turned our way, I laughed nervously. “Yes, I’m going to get the cold dishes for dinner set out soon. I can’t wait. Everything looks yummy.” Shut up, Reagan. Turning to Carter, I rested my hand on his back and said, “Why don’t you take Dad and Patty outside and help with the meat.” I twisted around, shoved him forward and he stepped past me, I slapped him on the butt. “Good job.” I nodded when he looked back over his shoulder. I also threw in two thumbs-up.

  “You sure you’re okay?” he asked.

  “Great. Fine. Wonderful.” I smiled, only it wobbled a bit.

  “Reagan?”

  “Carter.” I laughed. “Honestly, I’m fine. You should actually tell your parents your news.” He’d told me yesterday he was finishing up at the end of the season. He’d thought about it for a while, but he finally told the team manager. Only, due to his plans to leave, he had to go away for three weeks of events, interviews, and away games. The Super Bowl, though, would be in our town, and he wanted me there with my family, and us all to be with his family in the boxed area.

  “What news?” Beth asked.

  I blanched for blurting it out. Carter ran a hand over his face. “Come on, let’s all head outside and I’ll tell you.”

  After more introductions were made, Carter told his family his plan. They were all happy for him. Only Beth didn’t like he’d be away for three weeks. I didn’t either, but I wouldn’t say anything. Carter had to leave, for himself and for his team.

  “It’s only three weeks, Mom,” Carter said. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  She glanced from her son to me for some reason. “Yes, I know.”

  I jumped when Casper came up to my side and flung his arm around my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Carter. I’ll be sure to pop in to make sure our sister is okay.”

  Our sister?

  Had Carter told Casper he saw me as his sister?

  Since I was looking at Casper in confusion, I then peered at Carter and was surprised to see Calvin and State standing with him, but with their hands on his arms. Casper chuckled beside me, and I shifted my gaze his way.

  “Ree,” Court called. “Don’t mind the idiot. Come sit by me.”

  Nodding, I slipped out from under Casper’s arm and headed over to where Courtney was sitting. Crispin and Caitlyn went out into the backyard further to throw the ball around with Dad. I could already see how Dad would make a good granddad. As I sat next to Courtney, I glanced at Mom, Beth, and Patty talking quietly. I shuddered. God only knew what Mom could be saying.

  Courtney’s laughter brought my attention back to her. “Don’t worry about them. I have faith everyone will get along.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Because you like Carter living here or because you just like my brother?”

  My body locked, but I felt my eyes widen while my mouth gaped.

  She let out another laugh. “You do.”

  I snorted. “No. I mean, he’s great to have as a housemate, but we’re friends.”

  “Hmm,” was all she said. I really hated it when people just hummed and said nothing else. I wanted to shake her and make her tell me what that “hmm” meant, but I had a feeling it was best to leave it alone.

  “So, ah, how did you and State meet?”

  She smiled. “My friend was dating the president of his MC club. She asked if I wanted to come to one of their parties. I was scared. Very scared. But I did, and that’s when I met him.”

  “Have you been together ever since that night?”

  She shook her head. “Oh no. He made me feel things too fast which kind of scared the bejesus out of me. I ran, and it wasn’t until he walked into my work to ask me out that I realized I regretted running that night because all I could do was think about him and the what-ifs. I said yes to a date to see how it went.”

  Grinning, I asked, “How did it go?”

  “Terrible. He got arrested for being a suspect in a murder. He didn’t do it of course. Some of the cops have it out for his club. Think the MC deals in drugs and all types of illegal stuff, but they don’t. I freaked out, ran home to Mom and Dad. They helped me find the best lawyer and the next day when he walked out of jail, we were an item.”

  “Not an item, baby. You were my woman and I was your man,” State said, coming up to us. He picked Courtney up, sat in her spot and placed her on his lap. “How you handlin’ everyone gettin’ together?”

  I smiled. “Better now.”

  “Saw your expression earlier. It wasn’t what you think.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “State,” Courtney warned.

  He winked at his wife. “Carter doesn’t see you as a sister.”

  My lips parted. Oh. What did I say to that?

  “Erm….”

  State chuckled.

  “Oh, look, someone else has arrived,” Courtney pointed to the house. I glanced over my shoulder.

  “What the fuck?” I whispered.

 
Brooke saw me. She bounded up and left the other person behind. “She spotted me down the street. Somehow I mentioned the barbecue, and she wouldn’t listen to me when I said she wasn’t invited. Apparently, she had to show and see Carter’s family because she remembered them so fondly.”

  “Who’s that?” State asked in a rough tone.

  All I could do was stare at Elena standing in my house. Well, on my back patio. While she knew where I lived, to show up like this was all levels of not okay. She beamed a pleasant smile at Beth and Patty while making her way over to them. Carter hadn’t even noticed her. He was talking to Casper and Calvin at the grill.

  “Hi,” I heard Brooke reply to State. “I’m Brooke. Reagan’s best friend. And that’s the spawn of Satan.”

  “Carter’s ex, Elena,” Courtney supplied.

  “Babe,” State called.

  I fisted my hands so I wouldn’t storm over to Elena and shove one of them down her throat. Did she have no brains at all? Why was she still trying with Carter?

  “Babe,” State called again. Since no one else answered him, I turned. When he had my eyes, he asked, “She a problem for you?”

  “I….” I didn’t know. I didn’t think Carter would be charmed by her, but a small part of me thought she was perfect in looks to be with him. I hated I felt that way. I loved myself enough to know I wasn’t an ugly duckling. But Elena was stunning, plus they had a past.

  State went to stand. Courtney said, “Wait. Just wait. Carter will deal with it.”

  It was then Patty called out to his son, “Carter, ah….” When Carter looked over to him and Patty thumbed toward Elena, Carter spat out his drink.

  “Elena, what are you doing here?” he called, and then his eyes sought me out. When he rolled his eyes at me and smiled, my body relaxed. I undug my nails from my palms because he didn’t want her here either.

  Carter handed his beer over to Casper and started toward Elena. Everyone watched in silence. “What are you doing here?” he asked again.

  She smiled. “Brooke was telling me you were having a barbecue, she asked me to come along.”

  “Lying bitch,” Brooke coughed loudly into her fist. Everyone glanced at her. She looked over her shoulder. “Who said that?”

  State chuckled, and I saw Casper and Calvin look at one another before they made their way over.

  “Sorry, but Brooke shouldn’t have said anything. This is just a family event.”

  Oh, wow. That warmed my belly, melting the ice I’d let form.

  When she placed her palm flat against his chest, Brooke’s hand landed on my forehead pushing me back. I hadn’t realized I’d already started to get up, but I didn’t like seeing Elena touch him.

  “Thanks,” I muttered.

  “No worries.” Brooke smiled. “Sorry about that. I didn’t think she’d have the nerve, but she drove right here. I even tried to tackle her out front, but she’s a slippery bitch.”

  “Will you marry me?” Casper asked.

  Brooke looked at him, eyed him up and down, and then shook her head. “No. Thanks though.”

  “Elena, you should go,” we heard; it was louder than our own conversation, so I could tell Carter was becoming irritated.

  “Come on, Carter. My place is so much better than here. I’m sure Reagan wouldn’t even let you have parties. She’s so straight-laced. You can have all the parties you want at my place. Even invite your friends over.”

  “And there we have it, ladies and gents,” Brooke announced. I nodded.

  “What?” State asked.

  I shook my head. “I didn’t actually think she was serious when she wanted me to offer Carter her place to live instead of here.”

  “She did?” Calvin laughed. “That’d never happen.”

  “I’m guessin’ her ulterior motive is to sink her claws into one of Carter’s friends then. Another reason she’d fight to have Carter live with her,” State said.

  I nodded. “If she has Carter at her place, she’ll have a greater chance of snagging a football player.”

  “When Carter left for college, I was down the street and overheard Elena talking,” Casper said. “She was telling her friends the only reason she was with him was she’d get his money to spend if they stayed together.”

  “Jesus,” State clipped. “I swear there are some real dumb bitches out there. It’s like she’s the evil, yet pathetically stupid character out of a book.”

  We all agreed. I glanced back in time to see Elena being led out by Mom and Beth. Her arms were flailing around, which told me she would be ranting and raving.

  Carter made it our way, while Patty went to the grill and Dad stepped up with him. Carter stopped just before me. “You all right?”

  More warmth spread through my belly and up into my heart. “Yes. We all know what she’s like.”

  He searched my face. Maybe to see if I was faking being okay, but he wouldn’t find anything because I was fine. He got rid of her.

  “Good.” He nodded, and then turned going back to the grill with Casper and Calvin following.

  “Aww, he’s so cutely obvious,” Brooke gushed, taking a seat next to me.

  I just stared at her wide-eyed.

  She sighed, reached up and patted the top of my head. State and Courtney laughed.

  I gulped. Brooke had been right. Carter Anthony did like me.

  Eeek!

  What did I do with that information?

  Act on it?

  Ignore it?

  Try to pretend I didn’t know?

  Wait for him to act on it?

  Maybe he thought that I thought we were just friends. Should I show him I wouldn’t mind more or was it too early?

  Oh God, I didn’t know how to think or what to do.

  If it were anyone else other than Carter, I wouldn’t be so freaked out, but this was Carter, and I didn’t want anything or anyone, myself included, to stuff up what could be between us.

  “You okay there?” Brooke asked, interrupting the conversation she was having with Courtney and State.

  “Yep,” I replied. But I wasn’t because I was finding it hard to breathe. Was I sweating? It felt like I was sweating.

  “You sure?” State asked.

  “Ree, you don’t look so good.”

  Brooke giggled. I felt another pat on my head. “She’s all right. Just finally understanding something. She’ll come out of it shortly.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Carter

  Something was wrong with Reagan. Throughout dinner, she wouldn’t meet my gaze. If I moved over toward her, she would find an excuse to be somewhere else. After the fifth time that happened, I let out a frustrated growl.

  “Don’t worry,” Brooke said from beside me.

  “Sorry?” but just then my phone rang. I held up one finger for Brooke to wait, while I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and then answered, “Hello?”

  “I have some bad news,” Ted said.

  “What?” I drew out.

  “Some schedules for interviews and photo shoots have been moved up now Alexander knows you’re serious about leaving.” Alex would have known for sure if he didn’t think himself too good to even talk to his own goddamn team. Instead, he went through our agents to reach out to us. He’d been our manager for all of a year. But I was sure Alex didn’t know shit about football.

  Unclenching my jaw, I asked, “Moved up to when?”

  Ted paused, and whenever he did that, I knew it would be bad. “I’ve booked you on the last flight tonight to make it to your appointment tomorrow in LA.”

  “Fuck off,” I growled out. “Tonight?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, Carter.”

  “Shit.” I shook my head. “What time?”

  “You have to be at the airport in a couple of hours.”

  Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair and gripped the back of my neck. “You’re killing me, man.”

  “And I do hate that, but it’s not my fault.”

  “I
know.” I sighed. “I’ll be there.”

  Ted rattled off the information on where he’d have my ticket waiting, but I wasn’t really listening. Instead, I glanced up to see everyone’s eyes were on me.

  “Do you have that, Carter?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  He groaned. “Just get in the cab I send there and call me when you get to the airport.”

  “Thanks,” I replied and then ended the call. “Looks like I’ll have to head off early. Tonight, in fact.”

  “Sucks, brother,” Casper said.

  “Yep.” I nodded.

  “You just have to think at the end of it all, you’ll be a free man,” Dad suggested.

  I nodded and glanced over to see Reagan standing at the table holding a bowl. She gave me a sad smile.

  Mom clapped. “All right. Let’s get this place cleaned up so Carter can pack.” Could always count on Mom to get the ball rolling. Even though she hated me traveling like I did, she’d support me. People moved about, and I went to go to the table to start clearing, but Brooke grabbed my arm.

  “This time away from Reagan will be good,” she whispered.

  “Why?”

  She shrugged, her lips lifting into a smile. “Just make sure to call her and text.”

  My brows dipped. “I always do.”

  “Good,” she said, then punched me in the arm and walked off.

  What in the hell was that about?

  I put it to the back of my mind and set to help everyone clean up. The faster we did it, the quicker everyone would leave, and I could spend at least a few minutes alone with Reagan before I left. I needed to know she was okay.

  By the time I kicked everyone out, I had about an hour to pack before the taxi showed. I quickly raced through my room and shoved things in my bag, knowing if I forgot anything, Ted would help get it to me. My gut was messing with me. I didn’t know if I needed to fart or it was the start of something worse. Maybe if it was worse, I’d get to stay home. The truth was it wasn’t anything but me not wanting to walk out the front door.

  I’d only just come back and had been hoping to at least get a full week of waking Reagan up in the morning and watching her dazed-self gaze at me like I was her favorite chocolate. I wanted to stay and have coffee with her every morning before I hit the shower and she had to leave for work. I wanted those light brushes of skin I allowed myself and the kisses I gave her on the cheek or neck. Shit, just thinking of the last kiss I gave her on her neck, had my cock paying attention to my thoughts. He liked it when Reagan crossed my mind, even better when I was alone in the shower and I got to jerk off while picturing her under me, over me, beside me… anyway I could take her.