“What’s her name? I don’t know if I’ve met her,” I said with a mischievous grin.
“He only ever calls her firefly,” Isaac said with a shrug.
“So, the only girl you ever talked about was your best friend huh,” I said as I turned to Carson with a teasing grin.
“Well she is the most important girl in my world,” Carson said before dropping a kiss on my lips.
“Dude, how can you say that right in front of your girlfriend? How can you possibly let him get away with that,” Isaac asked with a frown.
“Well we are the same person, so I’ll let it slide,” I said with a laugh.
“No way, there is no way you are the same person,” Isaac said, disbelief written all over his face.
“Well I am. Why is there no way,” I said with a raised eyebrow.
“I don’t know. I guess he just made you sound so legendary. It’s weird to see you and have proof that you exist.”
I laughed and Isaac smiled. “I’m anything but legendary. I’m about as normal as a girl can get.”
“Don’t listen to her Isaac, she’s anything but normal,” Carson said as he pulled me closer.
I stuck my tongue out at him and Isaac laughed. He pulled me out of Carson’s arms and right into a hug. I hugged him back and laughed when I saw Carson pull a jealous face. I kissed Isaac’s cheek when he let me go and Carson grabbed me up into a passionate kiss.
“Mine,” he said breathlessly.
“Always,” I said as I cuddled against him.
Kami cleared her throat and we turned to her. I had totally forgotten that my best friend was still there. She was smiling happily, so I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. I could tell she was itching for an introduction to Carson’s handsome cousin by the way she was looking at him.
“Isaac this is Kami, my best friend. She is part of our little group. Only one person is missing but we won’t see him until later.”
“Kami, this is Carson’s cousin Isaac, the artist and now gallery owner.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Kami said as she held her hand out to shake his.
Isaac’s eyes went wide as he looked Kami up and down. I knew that look, he was interested in my best friend. Many guys wore it when looking at her. He took her hand but only to pull her into a hug. Kami’s eyes went wide as she looked up at him. Seems like she might be interested, very interested, too.
Instead of letting her go, Isaac pulled her closer. Her hand reached up and traced a spot on his cheek that was covered in paint. She was smiling softly and I knew that she wanted to know more about him. Her eyes flicked to a burn on his other cheek before slowly making their way to his eyes.
“You’ve been painting today,” she asked quietly.
“Yep. I also burned myself when I was working with metal. I forgot to grab my mask and didn’t realize it until it was too late,” he said with a sigh as her fingers traced the burn.
Those two were too cute, and I wondered what was going to happen. Carson looked worried before he smacked the back of Isaac’s head. Isaac frowned, but didn’t look away from Kami right away.
“So, how’s Lennon, you know your girlfriend,” he said when Isaac turned to him.
Kami’s eyes widened and she pushed away from him. She told me we would talk later and I nodded, not taking my eyes away from Isaac. As she walked away Isaac’s eyes followed her. I snapped my fingers in front of his face and shook my head.
“Don’t go there Isaac. She’s been burned before by a guy who had a girlfriend, so she won’t go for you. Just let it go. She is looking for someone who wants her and only her,” I said as I grabbed Carson’s arm.
I checked my phone and told Carson we had to go. We were going to be late if we didn’t go. Carson promised to see Isaac later and we walked away, but when I looked back at him I saw that he looked confused and unsure. This was going to be an interesting situation.
When we sat down I could tell that he was still thinking about Isaac, because he had his brooding/pensive face on. I slipped my hand into his and he looked over at me, his pensive expression slipping into a large smile. He brought my hand up and kissed my knuckles.
“We’ll have to keep an eye on him,” I said quietly.
“Of course, baby,” he said before pulling me closer.
“I guess it’s good to know that someone other than Reed can catch Kami’s attention though,” I said with a sigh.
“Yeah. I mean maybe this whole situation will help push Reed to man up and be what she needs.”
“I think that he really wants to but he just doesn’t know if he can. He’s been burned too, so I know they each have some work to do before they can get together,” I said before turning to watch the teacher walk in.
We paid attention to class, shutting out all the craziness. He kept his hand in mine, but today it was less of a distraction and more of a comfort. I glanced over at him only once, and when I did I saw that he was looking at me too. I smiled and went back to paying attention. Just knowing he was staring made me happy. It made it seem like just maybe he felt the same way as me.
After class we went to the coffee shop located on campus. While he stood in line paying for our coffee I grabbed us a table by the window. While I waited, Allie walked in with a group of her friends. I prayed she wouldn’t see me because I didn’t want to deal with her today. Allie didn’t see me at first, but she did spot Carson, and a wicked smile spread across her face.
“Carson! I’ve been looking for you all over the place. I really need to talk to you,” she said as she walked up to him.
I sucked in a deep breath. I will not get jealous. There is no need, I thought as I shut my eyes.
I opened my eyes and I saw his eyes on mine. I felt a smile tug at my lips. He was mine, I was sure of that. Allie must have wondered what he was looking at, because her eyes flew to me. She scowled and looked back at Carson.
“I still don’t understand Carson. What does that girl have that I don’t,” she said angrily.
“She is the smartest, sweetest, funniest, and kindest person I know. She sees me as I am, and she still cares about me. We fit, always have, always will,” Carson said as he stared at me.
Her eyes went wide and she looked at me again. Carson walked right by her and handed me my coffee. I was feeling warm, happy, and now caffeinated. Carson took my hand and kissed my knuckles, smiling warmly at me. After a few minutes we had to go, but I didn’t mind. I couldn’t really take another minute of feeling Allie glaring at my back.
“Walk me to class,” I asked as we walked out.
“Of course, honey. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said as he took my hand.
We walked hand in hand, calling out a greeting to a few people along the way. I saw Reed and I called out to him. He turned from the girl he was talking to and smiled at me. He took in our joined hands before coming over to us. He kissed my cheek and took my other hand.
“So where are we going,” he asked as we started walking again.
“We’re walking my girl to class,” Carson said as he tried to dislodge my hand from Reed’s.
“Oh Carson, let him have his fun. He’s upset, can’t you tell,” I said as Reed let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
Both guys looked at me, obviously confused. “I can read people, half the reason I know I’ll be a good therapist,” I said with a shrug.
“What’s he upset about,” Carson asked curiously.
“My guess is he saw Isaac talking to Kami. She’s his, even if he is too stupid to try, so that makes him feel jealous and upset. He hates that he might lose Kami because of his issues, but he doesn’t know what to do to make it right. More than that he hates the thought of losing her to someone else while he tries to work through those issues.”
Reed opened and closed his mouth. I seriously need to sit him down for a session one of these days. He took his arm away from my shoulder and walked away. I sighed and looked at Carson. Reed needs help
, but I can’t help him if he won’t admit that he needs it. Carson smiled and shook his head.
“He needs to come into his own Alara. He needs to find out that she’s worth fighting for before he’ll ask for help. Just give this some time, he’s starting to see that he doesn’t want her with someone else, but he’s still got a long way to go.”
“Alright, well let’s go. Thanks to that mini session I’m cutting it close,” I said before snuggling into him.
“Why don’t you skip class and come hang out with me. I mean I just want to keep you with me for as long as I can. Besides, I want to take a nap with you in my arms. I won’t have time if we wait until later. I really don’t sleep well without you now sweetheart.”
He pulled me to a stop. I smiled at his adorableness and thought about saying no, but the look on his face just made me want to curl up with him. I laid my head against his chest and nodded. After seeing Allie I needed some alone time with him too.
“I don’t sleep well without you either. I woke up this morning and I was way cranky. I wasn’t cranky when I woke up in your arms,” I said quietly.
“Ok then, let’s go. I need some cuddle time,” he said as he started dragging me to his truck.
When we got there he looked torn between kissing me breathless and getting me home. I smiled at his indecisiveness and pulled him down for a quick kiss. He tried to pull me close to deepen the kiss, but I pushed him away and told him I needed cuddles. He laughed and ran around to get in while I hopped in.
When he was in, he turned the car on and gunned it towards home. When we pulled up to his house he dashed out and came over to my side, beating me to opening the door. He lifted me out and cradled me in his arms. He kissed me before rushing us inside. I laughed at his eagerness.
When we walked in I noticed his dad in the kitchen. He looked at us with a raised brow but didn’t say a word. I waved and his dad laughed. He came over and ruffled my hair before going to sit at the table in front of his computer.
“So, what are you two up to,” he asked with a smile.
“Nothing much, just gonna cuddle up and watch a movie,” Carson said.
I looked up at him, and instead of smiling, he looked annoyed. He obviously doesn’t like interruptions when it comes to spending time with me. I kissed his cheek and his look softened. I love that I can help him remember his patience.
“Relax, we’ve got all the time in the world to be together,” I said quietly.
His mom walked in and smiled when she saw how Carson was holding me. I waved to her and she waved back. She walked over and kissed Carson’s cheek and then mine. I kissed hers back and she told Carson to put me down because she wanted to talk to me. Carson looked down at me and he raised his brow. I nodded and he sighed before putting me down.
“Take as long as you need, I’ll just be downstairs, picking the scariest movie I can find,” he threatened.
“Carson Tyler Kendrick you will not,” I said with a laugh.
“Oh jeez, she’s full naming me, I’m most definitely in trouble now,” he said with a smile.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” I called as he ran downstairs.
I turned back to his mom and she looked ecstatic. “So, it seems you two are doing well.”
“Yeah, we’re great. I still don’t know exactly how he feels though. I can tell he’s crazy about me, but I’m still waiting for those 3 magical words,” I said with a sigh.
“Don’t worry, he will,” his dad spoke up, obviously listening to everything that was going on without looking up from his computer. “I know my son, and I can tell he doesn’t want to waste a minute with you. Now that he has his perfect match he won’t want to wait too long,” his dad said with a grin.
“Thanks y’all. I really do love you guys,” I said before dropping a kiss on each of their cheeks.
I went downstairs and saw Carson on the couch, stretched out and waiting for me. I put my school bag on the floor and grabbed his jacket from the bag. I slipped into it and zipped it up a little. Just being in his jacket made me feel more relaxed because it made me feel like his arms were wrapped around me. I looked over at him and he was watching me, his arms opened for me.
I walked over and immediately laid on top of him. His arms closed around me and I had all I needed. I looked at the TV and noticed he had put on The Notebook. I squealed and laid my head back on his chest. He stroked my hair throughout the whole movie, causing me to feel all warm and fuzzy. I had never in my life been that content.
When I inevitably cried because, I’m sorry but that movie is my kryptonite, he tightened his hold on me. He didn’t laugh or tell me how girly I was, he just held me. When the movie was over I tapped his bottom lip and he nibbled on my finger. He sat up, keeping me in his lap. He kissed me breathless before moving me and switching to a scary movie.
He sat at the other end of the couch and I frowned. I was not going to make it through a scary movie without his chest to hide in. When the movie started getting scary I crawled up beside him and right into his lap. He kissed the top of my head and I could feel his smile. He had needed those few minutes apart to get himself together but he didn’t want to tell me that. He wanted me come back to him when we were both cooled down.
He swung his legs up onto the couch and cuddled me again. When things got too scary he would stroke my hair and assure me that everything was okay, that he was there, and he wasn’t going anywhere. At one point I closed my eyes, shutting out the movie entirely and just listening to the sound of him breathing there beside me. I guess at some point I fell asleep, because the next thing I knew I was jolting awake from a nightmare.
I felt myself shaking, and no amount of telling myself it was just a dream could stop it. That dream was my worst nightmare, losing Carson. In this nightmare we had gotten in a car wreck, he didn’t make it, but I did. I felt the tears coming as the entire thing starting replaying in my head.
“Hey, did you have a nightmare,” Carson asked sleepily.
I couldn’t speak, so I nodded. After he rubbed the sleep from his eyes he looked at me and immediately sat up. He slid me into his lap and wiped away a few rogue tears. He wrapped his arms tightly around me and rocked us. His sweetness seemed to tear away the wall holding the rest of my tears back, because I sobbed into his chest until there were no tears left in me.
“Baby, talk to me. What happened,” he said as he rubbed my back.
I took a few minutes to start calming myself down enough to tell him without crying all over again. When I finally got the shaking to stop I looked up at him. He looked so worried, and I knew if I looked at him while I told him what happened I would lose it all over again.
“Horrible nightmare. The worst. Lost you,” I said after I laid my head on his shoulder.
He slipped two fingers under my chin and tipped it up before looking deep into my eyes. “Oh sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, and that isn’t going to change. It’s you and me, no matter what. Besides, I could never leave you baby, I need you, and I know you need me just as much.”
He dropped a kiss on my lips before laying back down and pulling me tight to his chest, my ear resting right over his heart. He grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around us. As I was drifting back to sleep I thought about what he said. It was the most heartfelt thing he had ever said to me. Okay, sure, he didn’t tell me he loved me, but he needs me, and that was good enough for now.
Chapter 5
I checked the date, only 5 more days until my birthday. I had been busy, so the time had flown by, I had barely noticed. I’d been hanging out with my friends, going on dates with Carson, though not as many as I’d like since he has had a lot of practices and games. He even ditched out on scheduled plans because of baseball a few times. I mean I understood, he loves the game, but I hate that it takes him away from me. In my spare time I’ve been helping Isaac with his gallery while he was preparing it to open. I told him that I’d keep working there a
fter my graduation, at least until I figure out what I’m going to do.
I was sitting in the gallery, working on coming up with some kind of system for the storage room that would actually make it less of a mess. I heard the chime from the door and heard someone calling out. I didn’t recognize the voice, so I figured it might be some artist looking to talk to Isaac about getting a painting displayed. I left the storage room and headed towards the front desk.
“Over here,” I called with a smile.
I loved working with people and helping them out, so for right now this was enough for me. Carson had said I should go to grad school but I didn’t know if I wanted to. I mean, I wanted to be a therapist, but I was kind of burnt out on school at this point in time. I kept telling him I was going to take a year off and think about it, but I think he was worried. He didn’t want me stuck here without him for a year because he knew I that I would be lonely, and he figured that if I go to grad school somewhere I wouldn’t be missing him as much, that I won’t have time to miss him.
Catching His Heart (Love And Baseball Book 1) Page 9
