Hayden (A Next Generation Carter Brother Novel Book 4)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Don’t let your mother hear you swear. You know how she gets,” he snaps, moving in closer and toning the volume down.

  “She only does it to piss you off,” I admit.

  “So…?” he drawls, glancing at the back of Reid’s head.

  “So nothing, Dad. He was in the loo. I went to make a phone call and we happened to come downstairs at the same time. But you really should give him a break. You’re more alike than you know.”

  He rears back like I’ve punched him, staring at me like he doesn’t know who I am. “Take that back. I’m better looking than that fucker.”

  I twist my lips in amusement. “That’s not what Mum said,” I tell him nonchalantly.

  “She said what?” he screeches, drawing attention from everyone around us.

  “Lily and Jaxon are here,” Charlotte squeals, running through the door, her thick, fiery red hair flowing behind her. “She looks so happy.”

  “This isn’t over,” Dad hisses, making my grin spread wider. “Now, where is that mother of yours.”

  Lily and Jaxon step through to the living area and cheers echo around the room. Lily jumps, reaching for Jaxon, before she realises what’s going on, her mouth gaping open at the huge ‘Congratulations’ banner hanging above the large archway.

  Uncle Maverick is the first one to reach her, lifting her up and swinging her around. “I’ve missed you, princess.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Dad,” she murmurs, choked up.

  He gently places her back down on the floor, leaning back to get a good look at her. “Hey, I thought you had a good time.”

  Tears brim the corners of her eyes, yet her smile is blinding. “I’ve just missed you all like crazy.”

  Her mum, Teagan, hugs her. “We Facetimed every day.”

  “It wasn’t the same,” Lily explains, ducking her head. “But we had such an amazing time, Mum. It was magical.”

  Resting her hand on her daughter’s cheek, Teagan gives her a gentle smile. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

  Lily nods, a pink flush rising in her cheeks as she cuddles back up to her husband, who happily wraps his arm around her as he chats with his brothers.

  Charlotte steps up next, while I wait, not wanting to crowd her. “You look amazing. So radiant. Are you pregnant? I mean, it could happen. You’ve been married a while now and have probably been going at it like rabbits. I can’t wait. I’m seeing someone. I think it could be serious,” she rambles, and the tension in the room expands.

  There’s not a male Carter in the room not tense right now.

  Myles opens his mouth to argue, but the women in the room look expectedly at him, warning him with their glares to shut up. He sighs, glancing at the floor, knowing he can’t argue. He can’t make the same mistake Maverick did when it came to Jaxon. They promised they’d never overreact again.

  Reid steps up beside me. “I’m a little concerned for my brother’s safety, but right now, I’m more concerned for the fucker crazy enough to take on Charlotte Carter.”

  “And what’s wrong with Charlotte?” I grit out, my hand clenching into a fist.

  He raises his eyebrows. “What’s right with her would have been easier to answer. She’s batshit looney. She’s hot, don’t get me wrong,” he rambles, so lost in being an arsehole he doesn’t notice me stepping forward until my fist meets his stomach.

  “Any fucker would be lucky as hell to be with her.”

  “Okay, okay,” he wheezes.

  “She’s got time to have babies,” Maverick comments, not looking happy about Charlotte revealing personal details about the couple.

  Charlotte shrugs. “I can’t wait. I love babies.”

  “Yes, but you’re happy to wait, right, baby?”

  Aunt Kayla glares at her husband. “I’m happy to have grandkids running around when she’s ready.”

  “Yeah, but not yet, right?” Myles wheezes, questioning Charlotte.

  “Not yet. We’re going on our first official date tomorrow. I need to get waxed and have my nails done.”

  “What?” Myles and Dad yell, causing everyone in the room to startle.

  “Baby, you don’t need to do anything like that,” Myles warns her, looking so pale I’m worried he’s going to faint.

  Mum and Harlow are laughing, leaning against each other as Aunt Denny tries to smother hers but fails.

  “Baby, I need to sit down. I do. I need to sit down,” Dad tells Mum shakily. “She’s going to be in so much pain,” he whispers, and I gape at his overreaction.

  He’s put it on in the past, but never like this. He looks truly distraught.

  “Dad, what would you know about the torture of waxing?”

  Both Mum and Kayla bring their men a chair and Dad sits down, gulping. “I can’t talk about it.”

  Uncle Myles nods in agreement, staring down at the floor. “I can still feel it.”

  “Me too, brother. Me too. And the smell... I still smell it.”

  Myles whimpers. “Our girls.”

  “The pain.”

  “Oh, stop being babies,” Harlow snaps.

  Dad glares, pointing his finger at her. “I nearly died!”

  “I was traumatised,” Uncle Myles cries out. “She can’t do it. I’m not having my baby go through that.”

  Charlotte takes a step back, her eyes wide. “Sheesh, I can use a razor.”

  Dad’s watery eyes meet mine. “And no babies. Or dating. Or waxing.”

  I roll my eyes. “Not all of us are wimps, Dad.”

  “Nobody cares that I suffered a traumatic experience that day. Laugh it up. One day it could be you,” he warns, glaring at Maverick and Mason, who are also laughing.

  My uncle Malik, as always, stands stoic, listening to Maddison as she talks to her mum.

  “I’m lost. Did you get waxed? Like, on purpose?” Liam asks, watching Dad with disgust.

  “Son, don’t make me smack you. No one willingly gets waxed,” he grits out, glaring at the mums.

  Walking over to Lily, I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek. “You look absolutely stunning, Lil. Marriage looks good on you.”

  “Thank you.” She beams before looking adoringly up at her husband with so much love it hurts to witness.

  “So, when are the babies coming?”

  Jaxon stiffens slightly, glancing over my shoulder before looking down at Lily. “Why don’t you give your mum her present?”

  Lily nods, picking a bag up off the floor. “Good idea.”

  Once she’s gone, Jaxon turns to me. “Are you trying to get me killed?”

  I grin, crossing my arms over my chest. “I need a distraction.”

  His eyes narrow into slits. “So, you’re using me?”

  “Yep. My dad doesn’t know Mum baked an extra box of cakes. I want them before he finds out.”

  “So you’d hurt Lily to get cake? I’ll buy you a fucking cake.”

  It’s my turn to glare at the handsome fucker. “No, they’d never hurt you again. And I’d never hurt Lily. They’d just give you a stern warning.”

  “You do realise Aiden has a kid? They can’t say anything. And we’re married.”

  I hold my hands up. “Don’t try to understand their reasoning. They’re Carters. They won’t see it like that.”

  “Now I’ve got to spend our time here with your dad and uncles glaring at me.”

  “It could be worse,” I tell him.

  He scrubs a hand across his face. “You are all crazy. I don’t know why I’m standing here arguing with you. Just don’t do anything to hurt Lily.”

  “Wait,” I call out when he goes to leave, curious about something. “You didn’t answer about kids…”

  The corners of his lips twitch. “I’m ready whenever Lily is. Having a son or daughter that takes after their mum will be a blessing.”

  “Really?” Lily asks, her voice low. She twists her fingers together in a nervous gesture. “Do you mean that?”

  I watch as the hardened
man’s features soften. Jaxon pulls her into his arms, gazing down at her. “Of course I did. I’m already a lucky man where you’re concerned. But having a child that follows their beautiful, kind, loving mother… I’d be blessed.”

  A flush rises up her neck, to her cheeks. “We can talk about it later.”

  I smile, leaving the happy couple to it.

  Dad’s sharp glare is still following my movements, so I head over to him, ready to get it over with. He should know by now that he can’t control me.

  “Dad, you’re going to give yourself an aneurism. What is it?”

  “Look, I know we said we wouldn’t interfere when you guys found someone, but I’m not ready to be a granddad. Not yet. I just got over you three moving out. And you aren’t allowed to date until you’re twenty-eight. We agreed. Ask your mum. I made the promise when you were a baby, and you know I can’t break my promises.”

  Seeing the rare seriousness coming from him, I walk over and hug him. “Dad, even if I was ready for kids—which I’m not—you wouldn’t be losing us. You’d be gaining another person, one who will love you.” I take a deep breath. “And just to add: not your promise to make.”

  His eyes are watery when he stares up at me. “I know, but they’d have Carter blood.”

  My nose crinkles at the statement. “Um, what does that have to do with anything?”

  A tear slips down his cheek. “It means less food for me. I can’t deal with that kind of loss. Feeding you three growing up nearly had me starving to death.”

  “Oh my God, Dad,” I groan, glancing at Mum when she steps over.

  “Is he giving you the speech about food, because I had to hear it all night whilst I was baking.”

  A cunning thought enters my mind, and I let my shoulders sag as a sniffle escapes me. I pretend to wipe a tear away, letting my eyes tear up.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” Mum asks, glaring down at my dad.

  “I just… I just thought Dad loved me,” I sniffle, resting my head on Mum’s shoulder.

  Dad stands, reaching for my hand, and I pretend to flinch. “Hey, I do,” he explains softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  I fake sob, letting the tears fall. “But you won’t love my baby. You’d be such a great granddad, but my kid won’t know because you’ll hate him or her.”

  “Max,” Mum snaps.

  “What? I didn’t—I didn’t mean that,” he rushes out. “Baby, Hayden, I didn’t mean it like that. I swear.”

  “But you did,” I cry. “And you said we nearly killed you.”

  He forces out a laugh, gulping when Mum tenses. “I was joking, sweetheart. I tell you what, when you have babies in the very far future, I’ll give them half my food.”

  Mum snorts. “Like that will happen. He ate my last chocolate bar when I was pregnant with you, claiming he had my food cravings.”

  “I did,” he snaps, but then softens his voice when he turns to me. “I’m going to love my grandkids no matter what. Why don’t I go to the car and get you your favourite cupcake?”

  “We brought them all in,” Mum tells him.

  Shuffling on his feet, he glances at the floor. “I may have left a few in the car.”

  “Max, go get them. Now.”

  “Are we good?”

  I shrug, looking away. “Depends. Hearing I’m your favourite always helps.”

  “You’re my favourite,” he claims, pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. Your mum not letting me eat any cupcakes last night has made me irritable. But then she happily went and shared my yummy goods with the others.” He puffs out a breath. “And the more mouths we have to feed, the more I lose.”

  “It’s okay, Dad. I understand,” I tell him, sniffling.

  “As for dating, I’m your dad. It’s going to take time to get used to, but I do promise to try my hardest not to kill them. It’s just hard for a dad to see his daughter growing up.”

  He leans down, kissing my forehead, before he walks out to get those cupcakes. He’s going to be looking for a long time, because I ate them on the way in.

  “You’re a mean girl,” Mum scolds. “But I love it.”

  I laugh, leaning into her. “He deserved it. At least now he’ll be nicer when he realises I ate the cupcakes and am about to find the extra stash you brought in.”

  “Liam ate them already,” she tells me gently.

  I twist around to glare at Liam. That traitorous bastard didn’t even share. “I’m going to kill him for not sharing.”

  “I’m sure the chocolate fudge cake Harlow baked is still in there somewhere. But Denny also did pulled pork and stuffing, so don’t go stuffing your face,” Mum warns, but then runs her gaze over me. “Never mind. You’re going to do it anyway. I’ll go tell Teagan to unlock the kitchen.”

  I glance away quickly, but it’s too late. She sees the guilt on my face. “What did you do?”

  I look around, making sure no one can hear. “Don’t tell anyone, but Landon saw Charlotte take a cake in when she arrived.”

  “Oh,” Mum drawls, understanding. “Did you get it?”

  I glare at her. “Yes, after Teagan locked the door. She didn’t see the cake she brought in.”

  “And you didn’t touch the food?” she questions.

  “Who ate my cupcakes?” Dad roars, walking into the room. “Who? I mean it—who?”

  I give Mum a sheepish smile. “I may have helped myself to the tray of pigs in blankets. But Landon did help.”

  “They were the only ones we had,” Mum hisses. “They sold out at the shop.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you. They were delicious,” I tell her, before rushing off.

  “I mean it. I’m not having it. They were my cupcakes!”

  Landon sidles up beside me, Paisley at his side. “Did you grass?”

  I narrow my eyes. “No, I didn’t, but there’s something you should know.”

  “What?” he asks, his gaze watchful, wary.

  I lean in closer when Madison and Maddox begin glaring at us. “Liam ate the spare cupcakes.”

  “Without us?” he asks, his tone deadly.

  “Yep.”

  “You guys are really scary when it comes to food,” Paisley comments, grimacing when I glare at her.

  Landon shrugs. “I’m not going to defend my sweet tooth. We all have issues. This is our family’s.”

  “And Liam knows the rules. We always share with one or the other, but we never, and I mean ever, share with Maddox and Madison.”

  “Maddox is the worst. Madison isn’t as stingy with food as him,” Landon comments.

  “Are you serious?” Paisley asks, eyes wide at Landon. “You ate a large breakfast and a McDonalds before we arrived.”

  I snicker. “She’s rethinking being with you.”

  He pushes me lightly, glaring, before pulling Paisley tighter against him. “I’m going to see Liam.”

  I turn to face the others in the room, ignoring Maddox and Madison’s glares. Dad is arguing with Malik over food, and although Malik looks bored, inside, he’s probably planning Dad’s murder.

  Lily is cuddled up with Jaxon on the sofa.

  Faith is sitting on Beau’s lap, her dogs by her feet.

  And then there’s me.

  I want more.

  Need more.

  I’m a Carter, so I’m willing to fight to get it.

  Whatever that ‘more’ is.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A yawn escapes me as my eyes begin to droop at the sound of rain pattering across the window.

  Yesterday, I took a shift at the home Hope works at, and instead of finishing at five in the evening, I worked till four this morning.

  One of the live-in residents who was admitted that night was struggling with the new adjustment.

  Okay, struggling was putting it mildly. The woman was a bitch and didn’t want to be there. I could understand why her grandkids were eager to get rid of her. She caused a fucking riot, and war broke out bet
ween other residents on her floor.

  And let me tell you, old people aren’t as weak as they portray.

  I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out the new resident was related to Lily’s next-door neighbour, Blanche.

  Lily has a good sense when it comes to reading people, but somehow, the witch, Blanche, has put a spell on her. She’s blind when it comes to Blanche. Lily can’t see her for who she is.

  Satan.

  That old bat threw what she thought was a cup of juice down my back when I was trying to stop Edna from ripping out Betty’s dentures. It wasn’t.

  It was urine.

  I wanted to commit Blanche after that incident. The only time she’s ever nice is when her grandkids are around.

  Maybe no one will find it suspicious if she suddenly dies. I mean, she’s old, and old people die all the time.

  Right?

  “Are you even listening to me?” Clayton snaps, bringing his fork sharply down on his plate.

  Pulled back to the present, I push my thoughts of murdering Blanche aside. I remember why I’m here and pay attention.

  Clayton looks stressed, and I know he’s working hard to get the station back on track.

  Still, that’s no excuse for being rude, especially when he could have waited until tonight at work to talk to me. I could have gone out myself and got my damn outfit.

  “Not even a little. You ramble a lot,” I tell him as I reach over, stabbing my fork in a piece of his steak before shoving it in my mouth. If I can’t have sleep, at least I can have food.

  “This is a business meeting,” he snaps, slapping my hand lightly away when I go for more. “You need to pay attention.”

  “Hey! If you aren’t going to eat it, I will.”

  “If I knew I wouldn’t get a word out of you whilst you ate the restaurant out of supplies, I would have just met you in the office,” he growls, running his fingers through his thick hair.

  I glower at him, chewing quickly and swallowing. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

  Mid-sip of his water, he begins to choke. “No, but you’ve eaten all your spaghetti bolognaise, your two side orders of garlic pizza bread and a bowl of onion rings, and all the extras you had. And don’t get me started on the amount of cheese you put on your bolognaise.”