by Nikki Ashton
“She does a lot of mentoring and mock trialing with some of the big law firms and it earns her a whole lot of money. So, if it’s on my transcripts, any law firm I try and get a job with will want to know the details. She’s worried they’ll spread it around, or even stop hiring her. Plus, what TV station wants their star caught up in scandal?”
“Oh, they’d love it,” I offered enthusiastically. “I mean look how much airtime the Kardashians get when Kanye pitches a fit about something.”
Dad gave me a withering look and sighed heavily. “Damn it, Shaw.”
“I know and I’m sorry, but he deserved it. I liked her you know.” He exhaled slowly and sadness shadowed his eyes. “Thought she might have been the one.”
My heart sank for him. “Oh, Shaw, that’s so sad.”
He shrugged. “At least I know now she’s a cheater and not when we’ve been married for a couple of years.” He turned to me and winked. “You’re lucky you found a good guy like Carter. He’ll never let you down.”
“But your sister broke up with Carter,” Mom said with a sigh. “Don’t forget that.”
“That’s only temporary. Right, Bronte?” Before I had time to reply, he turned to Mom. “Anyway, I’m starved. What’s for dinner?”
As Shaw left for the kitchen, closely followed by Mom and Dad, I thought about his words. He was right, I was lucky to have found Carter even if he did drive me crazy from time to time.
So, I was decided I was going to get a good night’s sleep and then tomorrow I was going to see Carter and tell him I wanted him back. I just hoped he still wanted me.
When Delphine placed the plate of pancakes and bacon in front of me, I wasn’t even sure I had the energy to eat them. Problem was my stomach was growling like a bear who’d just woken up from hibernation.
“Oh honey, you look exhausted,” Delphine said, giving me a sympathetic smile. “Long night?”
“Yeah,” I said around a yawn. “There was an RTA involving an SUV and a horse trailer. The horse was pretty messed up.”
“Oh no.” She clutched her hands to her chest, her smile disappearing. “Did you manage to save it?”
“So far so good. Chase Cameron the equine vet was treating a racehorse in Saratoga, but he arrived back a couple of hours ago. He’s with him now, so fingers crossed.”
“That’s great, honey.” Delphine gave my shoulder a squeeze. “You eat up and then go home and sleep.”
Nodding, I popped a pain killer for my damned toothache and swallowed it down with a gulp of milk.
“They look great, Delphine.”
She left me to go serve a group of girls that had come in for coffee on their way to the high school. Ten minutes later, I was slowly getting through my pancakes. Slowly because every couple of minutes I felt my eyes closing. Lack of sleep and painkillers for my toothache were killing me.
“Carter, you okay?” It was Nancy Andrews, my neighbor.
She was a teacher’s aide at the Kindergarten and had no family to speak of after her folks died in a fire while on vacation a few years back. “You look awful,” she said.
Prizing my eyes open, I looked up at her. “Jus’ exhausted. Been up all night with a horse.”
She bent down to look me closer in the eyes and frowned. “Have you taken something?”
“Jus ma pain killers for ma tooth.” I could barely open my mouth to speak, everything came out slurred.
“Let me see them,” she said quietly.
So quiet and soft, like a sweet, sweet, lullaby.
“Carter, show me what you’ve taken.” Nancy shook my shoulder and gave my face a little pat.
Reaching into my pocket, I felt my head loll, like it was just too heavy for me to keep it upright.
“There ya go.”
I slapped a pill bottle onto the table and watched through half-closed eyes as Nancy picked it up and read the label.
“Carter, how many have you taken?”
“W-wha?” I tried to take it from her, but missed my aim, landing my hand onto the table. “Shit. I don’t think I can see.”
“God,” she groaned. “Okay, you sit tight while I call Doc Browning.”
“Nah,” I replied, waving her away. “I’ll jus’ sleep here.”
“Carter, these are Extra Strength Tylenol,” she said and put the bottle on the table. “How many have you had?”
There was an edge to her voice, like she was worried. I had no idea why and didn’t care. I just wanted to sleep.
“I dunno. I need to think about tha...”
“Everything okay here?” It was Delphine’s voice, but I couldn’t see her. I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
“He’s taken Extra Strength Tylenol, but I don’t know how many,” Nancy said, her voice sounding far away.
“Carter, honey, can you tell us how many pills you took?” Delphine asked, shaking my shoulder.
“He doesn’t know,” Nancy replied. “You think I should call Doc Browning?”
“No, no, no, no,” I said. “I know how many I took—six. Oh,” I added holding up a hand. “I took three Advil PM as well.”
“Oh my goodness,” Delphine exclaimed. “Since when?”
“Since I wen’ see my Lollipop las’ night.” I smiled thinking of her. “Imma gonna dream about her now.”
“Carter, I think we should get you home,” Nancy replied. “I’ll take him. My class is on a field trip with Mrs. Baker and the Principal, so I have the morning off.”
“You sure, Nancy?” Delphine asked.
“Carter, can you stand?”
I nodded and pushed up out of my seat. “Hey, I’m fine.” My eyes opened and I straightened up, feeling a little burst of energy. “No nee’ to come with.”
Nancy shook her head. “No, I think I’ll make sure you get home okay. Delphine, is his truck okay parked outside for now?”
“Sure. You want me to ask Garth to help you?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, waving them away. “It’s a five-minute drive home.”
“No way, mister.” Nancy threw her purse over her shoulder and took my arm. “I’ll drive you.”
“I nee’ to pay,” I protested, feeling sleepy again.
“Don’t you worry, honey,” Delphine replied, opening up the café door. “It’s a few pancakes is all. You get home and get some rest and make sure you get that tooth looked at.”
I saluted her and smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Come on,” Nancy said. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Fifteen minutes later, after some pulling and pushing, Nancy finally had me leaning against the wall while she opened up my apartment. I’d got even sleepier and as I was on the third floor, I think she was pretty damn grateful the elevator wasn’t having an off day. We lived in the same block, with Nancy just across the hallway, so when she got the door open, she knew exactly where the bedroom was.
“Okay,” she huffed. “Here you go.”
She practically threw me onto my bed, but as she did, I forgot to let go and pulled her down with me. As soon as my body hit the comfy mattress, it knew it had to go into sleep mode. Nancy tried to move away but she was all warm and comfy and so I just held on, rested my head against her chest and fell fast asleep.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the stair door which led to Carter’s third floor apartment. I’d made my mind up; I was going to tell him how much I loved him and how much I wanted us to be a family.
Shaw had been right, Carter, for all he could be a fool at times, wouldn’t let me down. I knew that but the shock of finding out I was pregnant had kind of spooked me. It’d had me second guessing everything, most of all, Carter.
Approaching the door of his apartment I saw that it was slightly ajar and wondered why. I knew Carter was home because I’d spoken to Lance. He’d told me that after staying up all night with the injured horse, Carter was taking the day to catch up on some sleep.
“Carter, you there,” I called, rapping a couple of times on the door.
>
I pushed inside, straight into the large, airy living space with its black leather sofa and huge Lazyboy recliner. I damn well hated that chair; it was big and ugly and reminded me of trying to get Carter to put down his damn PlayStation and show me some attention. Over the months we’d been together, I’d tried to gussy up the apartment a little with lamps, throw pillows, rugs and towels which actually matched the bathroom, but the stupid chair was a real blot on my otherwise homely landscape.
Looking around the room, I was surprised to see it was still fairly tidy. I’d expected to be faced with a Carter size level of mess and destruction, but maybe my nagging had finally sunk in.
Moving through the living area to the kitchen, which was separated by a slatted, wood partition, I couldn’t help but smile. The sink was piled with dishes, even though there was a dishwasher and on top of the stove was a dirty pan with what looked like dried up, day old spaghetti sauce—okay, so maybe he wasn’t totally converted to be clean and tidy.
“Carter, babe, are you here?” I called, walking down the hallway off the kitchen.
It led to the two bedrooms and bathroom and I guessed that was probably where I’d find him.
“Carter.”
“Shit.”
The voice I heard wasn’t Carter’s and was a little too feminine to be that of a burglar—or maybe that was me being sexist.
“Oh my God.”
Whoever it was started to groan and pant heavily. My heart started to pump rapidly, and my throat felt as dry as the desert as the noise of my rushing blood and that of the moaning thudded loudly in my ears.
The bedroom door was ajar and when I peeped through my nightmare became reality. I was right, it was a woman and she was writhing around underneath Carter.
“Oh my God, how could you?” I cried, tears burning my eyes.
“Bronte, no,” she called.
I looked closer and was shocked to see Nancy Andrews’ face peering at me over Carter’s shoulder. Her face was crimson, and her hair was a mess as she clung onto his shoulders.
I gasped as the douche canoe who I’d thought I’d wanted to make a life with, nestled closer to her and wrapped his arms tighter around her. He was either totally oblivious that I was there or didn’t give a shit at how many pieces my heart was shattering into.
“I-I hate you,” I cried, turning to run, only hearing Nancy’s voice resounding in my ears as I bolted the apartment block into the parking lot.
“What the hell is wrong?” My brother asked as I ran into him.
I’d given him a ride into town as he wanted to go to the bank while I visited with Carter, but he must have finished and been looking for me as he was walking toward Carter’s apartment building.
“I-I can’t say,” I cried.
His arms came around me and held me tight against his chest as I sobbed and desperately tried to erase what I’d just seen from my memory.
“Sis, what is it?”
I gulped in the air my shoulders shuddering up and down. “C-C-Carter and N-N-Nancy.”
When I let out a loud, shrieking cry, my brother pulled his head back and grimaced. “Shit, Bronte, that was loud.”
“I’m heartbroken,” I yelled. “What do you expect?”
Another loud sob pushed out of my mouth, but this time Shaw pulled me closer to him and tightened his arms.
“Tell me. What about Carter and Nancy?” he soothed, brushing a hand down my hair.
I shook my head, unable to say the words or articulate what I’d seen.
“Sis, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me,” he whispered against my ear. Another sob and my brother’s hand rubbed up and down my back. “Tell me.”
“I went up there.”
Shaw nodded. “Yeah, I know, so what happened? Did you argue?”
“No,” I sobbed shaking my head. “He was in bed with Nancy Andrews.”
Shaw held me away from his body and stared at me. “Say what?”
“Carter was in bed with Nancy when I got to his apartment. He didn’t even look at me.”
“What!” Shaw’s eyes went wide and his nostrils flared as he looked down on me. “The father of your kid was in bed with another woman?”
My bottom lip jutted out as my chin quivered. “He was so into her he didn’t even know I was there.”
Shaw gasped. “What like literally ‘in’ her.”
Images of Carter on top of his neighbor flashed through my mind, tearing another sob from my chest.
“He was actually having sex with her?”
“They had their clothes on,” I said through my tears. “But it was obvious where it was going. He was writhing up and down on top of her, Shaw. He was snuggling her boobs.”
Another round of weeping from me brought more soothing whispers from my brother as he hugged and rocked me from side to side. Finally, I stopped crying and pulled away from him.
“I can’t believe it. He didn’t even stop, Shaw.”
Shaw’s eyes were dark as he looked down on me. “Fucking dick. Well, he doesn’t treat my sister like that.” He turned me around and pushed me toward my car. “Get in the car.”
“What?” My mouth dropped open as I watched him storm toward the entrance. “No, Shaw, leave it.”
Running up to him, I grabbed hold of his hand, but he shook me off and pushed at the door.
“What the fuck is his code to get in?” he asked.
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m not telling you. I don’t want you to go up there.”
“He doesn’t hurt my sister and get away with it.” Shaw growled and pulled his phone out of his pocket and began stabbing at the screen.
“Let’s just go,” I pleaded, in between sobs. “Please, Shaw.”
“No, the little fucker is getting what’s owed to him.” He looked to the keypad on the door and started to punch numbers in. “Yes,” he hissed as the door pushed open.
“How-?”
“Blake Lively’s birthday. I Googled it,” Shaw muttered. “He’s nothing if not predictable.”
As he pushed inside the building, the door almost whacked me in the face. I just managed to put out a hand and stop it before chasing after my brother.
He bounded up the stairs almost two at a time, with me trying to catch up to him.
“Shaw, no,” I hissed as he banged on the front door that I’d only minutes earlier slammed shut.
“The little cock sucker is going to get a punch on his nose.” Shaw thumped his closed fist against the door again. “Maples, get the fuck out here now.”
The door didn’t open, but I could hear muffled shouts from the other side.
“Is she fucking kidding?” Shaw asked. “She’s shouting your name. Is Carter a damn kink or something?”
I listened carefully and Shaw was right, Nancy was shouting my name.
“He’s gone crazy,” I hissed. “Why is he making her call my name?”
Shaw’s jaw tightened as he shook his head. “He’s a damn sicko, that’s why.” He turned to face me. “Key, now.”
I stared down at his open palm. “Nope. You’ll do something stupid.”
“I’ll punch his damn lights out, that’s what I’ll do. Now give me the key, Bronte.”
“Please don’t punch him.” I grabbed hold of his fist that was about to bang on the door again. “He thinks we’re on a break.”
Shaw’s mouth dropped open and his eyes went wide. “What? Do I need to call you Rachel Green now?”
“No,” I replied. “But I’ve been pushing him away and he must have just got pissed at waiting for me to wise up.”
“Wise up to what?” Shaw demanded. “That he’s an idiot with his brain in his dick.”
When Nancy’s voice shouted out for help, we both looked to the door.
“Is he forcing her?”
“No, Shaw, he wouldn’t do that,” I gasped and pulled out my keychain. “Here, go in but don’t you dare punch him. If you do feel the need to hurt him just stay away from his hand
s and his face.”
“I get the hands,” Shaw said as he put the key in the lock. “He needs them for his job, but his face?”
I sighed and hated myself for thinking it. “He’s too pretty.”
As he pushed open the door, Shaw rolled his eyes. “Maples get the fuck out here now. I do not want to see your bare ass.”
“Help me please.”
“Help her,” Shaw said storming toward the bedroom. “I’ll throw her out naked if I have to.”
“Shaw, no.”
He held his hand up to silence me and continued toward what I’d started to consider our bedroom, even though I didn’t live there. That thought hurt my heart seeing as it wasn’t our room any longer. I paused as Shaw reached the open door and when he disappeared inside, I knew I couldn’t avoid it any longer. As much as it would kill me, I had to know for certain that Carter had done something I’d always known he eventually would— to realize settling down wasn’t for him.
Rushing after Shaw I followed him to the bedroom and barreled into the back of him.
“What’s going on?”
I looked over Shaw’s shoulder and inhaled sharply. Nancy was grunting and huffing, trying to push Carter off her. His deep auburn hair was all mussed up, his arms were wrapped around her like she was the comfiest pillow and he was snoring, sounding like a chainsaw.
“What the actual fuck?” Shaw moved forward and pointed at Nancy. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You do know he’s having a baby with my sister, right?”
“Of course, I do. Now do you think you could get him off me?” Nancy gave Carter another shove and then blew her bangs from her eyes. “A hand would be nice instead of being rude to me.”
The glare she gave my brother could easily have turned anyone to stone. It was full of spit and fire.
“Rude,” Shaw exclaimed. “Me, be rude to you. The woman who has hopped into bed with my sister’s baby daddy. Now, how the hell do you figure that out?”
“Hmm, Lollipop.” Carter snuggled closer to Nancy and smacked his lips. “So comfy.”
“He thinks that’s me.” I poked Shaw in the side. “Why would he think that?”
“Probably because she got him drunk and then enticed him into bed.”
