“Yeah.”
I press the button, so the movie can start. It’s pretty good too. Kinley smiles and even laughs. She snorts at one point, which makes me laugh a clutching-my-stomach kind of laugh. That didn’t make her laugh. She shot me a look of annoyance mixed with a healthy dose of embarrassment. A small part of me is genuinely surprised. I wasn’t sure that Kinley had it in her.
Feeling thirsty, I walk over to the mini fridge. My phone rings, so I grab it.
“Want something?” I ask Kinley, who nods. I swipe to answer the phone and then put it on speaker. It’s only Mike. “Hey, Mike. What’s up?” I question, surveying the fridge.
“Just wanted to see how things were going so far and I had some other news.”
“Like what?” Grabbing two cans of soda, I hold them up for Kinley to see. She nods her head at the one on the left.
“The donations to your usual round of children’s hospitals were delivered today. The kids were all very disappointed that you weren’t there like normal, especially your little girl, but I let them know you’ll stop by before summer’s over.”
I purposely don’t look over at Kinley, which means I’m standing in front of the fridge with two cans in my hands like a dummy. “Great. Go ahead and get a date scheduled, so it’s all set and I can make sure not to be out of town.”
“Will do.” He pauses. “So…has she kicked your ass yet?”
“Not yet, but there’s still plenty of time.”
Mike sighs. “Remember what I told you, Carson.”
“Yeah, I got it.” I set down one of the cans and hang up before he can say more. Before I can even face Kinley, I regret putting it on speakerphone. How I spend my money is none of her business and I don’t need anyone thinking that there’s actually a kind bone in my body. Not to mention that he brought up Gracie too, but that’s no one’s business either.
Her lips are slightly parted and her eyes are a bit wide. I’m guessing she wasn’t expecting that.
“Here you go,” I mumble, handing her the can.
“So, do you play Santa all year or just when it’s convenient?” She pops the top and takes a sip while I answer.
“If it was when it’s convenient, I would have actually been there instead of here.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend you. I thought it was for show. Do you usually do that? I mean, help out kids?”
For a moment, I debate lying about it because I know how this conversation goes. It’s always the same when someone finds out what I do with the kids. My gut says it’s stupid to tell the truth, but I do it anyway. “A few times a year, that’s all.” Maybe if I brush it off, she’ll leave it alone.
“Why?”
“What do you mean ‘why’? I have the means to do so and the kids enjoy it. Why wouldn’t I?” Seems pretty simple to me.
“Have you looked in the mirror? You’re Carson Lee. You’re the bad-boy of hockey. Nowhere on your resume does it say, ‘good samaritan’.”
“That’s not who I am to them and there’s a reason it’s not on my resume.” Conversations like this for example. Who I normally am wouldn’t coincide with the guy who visits kids in hospitals anyway, so it’s good that no one knows. It’s no one’s business either. “I do something good, shouldn’t you be happy about that? Just smile and say, ‘That’s nice of you, Carson. I’m surprised, but it’s still nice.’ Or smile and keep your thoughts to yourself. That works too.” I try not to be snappy, in part because I do hope she’ll smile. So my voice is as nice and casual as I can make it. I even smile at her.
“If you’re trying to get me to smile, it’s not working. Although, I am surprised, didn’t think you had it in you. May I ask who Gracie is?”
“No,” I answer curtly.
“Oh, okay.” She drops the topic for a moment. “I’m still surprised that you have a good side.”
I shrug. “Well, I do.”
“And all this time I thought the only thing you did good was have sex with all of Alabama.”
“Good is a huge understatement when referring to sex with me. If good is all the women are saying, then I’m slacking,” I say seriously.
Kinley smiles and cracks up in a laugh but quickly covers her mouth.
“That’s one!” I point at her, grinning. “It should count for two since you laughed.”
She gazes at her drink before looking back at me. “You must have slipped something into my soda, and it’s one, not two.”
“Okay, only one then,” I concede. “I’m halfway to winning and it’s only day one. You’ll be cooking me dinner in no time, Kinley.”
“Ha, I doubt it, and now I’m leaving.” She stands, sets her drink on the table, and walks across the room and out the door before I can say another word.
Chapter Thirteen
Kinley
“Cassie, do you think this will work?” I stare out at the scenery in front of us.
“It could. I mean, the mountains are stunning,” Cassie says while looking through a camera lens.
“Well, I have the fake leaves and autumn trees coming tomorrow. So, it will look more like fall.” The original area I had planned fell through because of so many weddings that are booked. This is the last resort.
“Kinley, it’ll be fine. Stop stressing.” Cassie takes her face away from the lens and pats my shoulder.
“I need to make sure this is perfect.” I push my hand through my hair.
“Come on, let’s grab a drink and relax.”
“I can’t. I need to double check everything before the first shoot tomorrow night. Did you get the schedule?”
“Kinley, everyone has it. You emailed it to all of us, twice, and then made all us confirm that we had it. Twice.”
“Well, I’m making sure that you all have it.”
Cassie laughs. “You were this way when you were the sorority president too.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t make fun of me because I’m thorough with my job.”
Cassie giggles and we head back to the hotel.
~
I sit in my room and have all the pictures of the clothes spread out on the spare bed. I have the models pictures taped up on the mirror. I have a list of mock pictures with the clothes and models laying all over the place, and I’m trying to make sure it all works smoothly.
My phone ringing breaks me away from my thoughts. “Hello, Mama.”
“Kinley, how is Utah?”
“It’s busy, Mama.” I look at everything all around me. “How’s Alabama?”
“I’m so glad you asked me that because I think I have found the perfect man for you.”
“Oh dear,” I mumble. “Mama, I don’t need to be set up. I’m perfectly capable to find a boyfriend on my own.”
“You don’t need a boyfriend. You need a husband. You’re twenty seven. The fish in the pool are being caught up by other mermaids.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“My point is, your eggs are drying up and I want grandchildren!” Mama almost screams at me. “Every other woman my age has them, and I don’t have any. Not even one.”
“Mama, I’m not going to marry some random guy to give you a grandchild!” I yell at her.
“Young lady, don’t take that tone with me.” Her voice goes low, and I clamp my mouth shut. “I’m trying to help you.”
The knock on the door makes me take a longer pause with my mother and when I answer the door, I roll my eyes.
Carson.
I wave him into the room and go back to the conversation with Mama. “I’m sorry I took that tone with you. I’m a little stressed out right now, but I shouldn’t take it out on you,” I soothe her.
“Kinley, you need to settle down. You’ve had fun these last few years playing career Barbie, but now it’s time to be a mother and a wife.”
Mama’s words cut deep. I’m not playing. I want a career. I want this life. I shut my eyes and pray that no tears will fall. “Mama, I need to go.�
� I hang up, not even saying goodbye.
“Stress with the parents?”
I spin around to him. “Something like that. What do you need, Carson?”
“Well, I would say a place to sit but considering this mess that you have,” he trails off looking around the room.
“Carson,” I say more firmly. “What do you need?”
“I was about to watch a movie and was going to see if you wanted to watch it but looks like you need help with all of this.” He waves his hand all over the room.
“I’m trying to make sure that everything is in place. We have our first shoot tomorrow. I’m sure you know this,” I growl at him.
“I sent two confirmations back to you, so yeah, I know.” He pins me with his look.
“Why is everyone making fun of my emails today?” I throw my hands up in the air. “I want to make sure everyone knows what’s going on and not be late,” I clarify to him. “Anyway, thanks for the offer but unless you’re going to help me here, you can leave now.”
Carson looks around the room for a moment, actually pondering the idea. “What do you want me to do?”
I roll my eyes. “Carson, do you even know anything about planning a large photo shoot, commercials, or any of this?”
“I have experience being in them.” He looks at me as if I’m heading to the looney bin. “But if you don’t want my help, I’ll go.”
“No, stop.” I hate that I might need his help. “I…I’m a little overwhelmed right now,” I tell him honestly. “We lost the booking for the first place, and I hate rushing around. I’m stressed out.”
“How about I give you some advice?” He takes a step closer to me, and I nod. “This is a lot like a playoff game. It’s stressful, things don’t always go as planned, and everything is on the line, right? So you need to take a deep breath, focus on whatever needs to be done first, and then do it.”
I take in his words, realizing he’s right. I’m beginning to hate it when he is this way. “You know what, thank you, Carson. I mean it, that really helped, and I would love to have your input on this.” I give him a smile.
A huge grin appears on his face. “I win.”
“What?”
“You just smiled.” He points at my face, and I didn’t even realize I had done it. “That’s smile number two, Kinley. I win.”
“Son of a,” I stop myself before I finish the cuss word and sigh. “It wasn’t a real smile. It doesn’t count,” I try to explain to him, even though it’s a lie.
“Yes, it does. You didn’t list any qualifications for a smile. A smile is a smile and it counts. Don’t be a sore loser.” He winks at me.
I narrow my eyes at him and hiss, “Fine, whatever, I’ll cook you dinner. But right now, you’re helping me.”
He chuckles and nods. “What’s first?”
“Well, considering I have you all spread out on this bed, we’ll start here.” I walk over to the spare bed.
“Spread out, bed, and start here are my favorite words to have in one sentence.” He uses his seductive tone with me.
“Ugh, Carson, focus with the head on top of your shoulders and not the other one.”
“I am. That was a pretty mild comment thanks to the head on my shoulders. Could have been worse.”
“I’m sure that it would have been. Now, let’s focus.”
It took several hours, but with Carson’s help, I’m able to finish and not stay up all night. All the mock boards, with the clothes and models names, were ready to go. I had all the confirmations that I needed for the props and the camera for the commercials ready. I even checked the weather and it looks like a beautiful week.
“Carson, thank you for everything. I mean that too,” I say, opening the door. He really did help me out a lot.
“You’re welcome.”
I want him to know I’m sincere, so I give him a quick hug.
“I deserve a little something extra since I got a hug out of you too. Next thing I know, you really will want to start with the bed.”
“You’re an idiot, Carson Lee.” I step away from him. “Never, and I mean never, will you and I be in a bed together. Ever. And if you want something extra, all the models are down the hall. I’m sure they’ll give you whatever you want.”
“I was talking about dessert, like cake, but I think I like your idea better.” He smirks at me. “Maybe I will do that. If there is one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s never say never. Just saying.”
“Typically, I would agree with you but this is one bet I would win. Plus, I’m saying again, never, ever, will that happen,” I say more firmly.
“Only in your dreams, right?” his voice is low and seductive. Like he thinks that’s going to work on me.
“More like a nightmare in my eyes. Goodnight.” I push hard on his chest, shoving him out the door and slam it shut.
On the other side, I can hear him laughing.
~
“I’m burning up, Kinley,” Carson yells from on top of the rock he’s perched on.
“Shut up, Carson,” I holler back at him.
Cassie is snapping pictures and giggling all at the same time. “Okay, I need the two redheads, please,” Cassie orders.
“Now that’s something I haven’t had in a while.” Carson looks down at the girls as they take the short climb to the rock.
“Carson, repeat after me: Sexual Harassment.”
“Kinley, are you offering?”
Cassie breaks out into laughter, holding her side.
“Stop encouraging him,” I whisper at her.
“Oh my, I’m so glad you convinced me of this.” She wipes the laughter tears from her eyes and picks up her camera again.
For the next hour, Carson and the two female models give us over one hundred shots to choose from. The sun is almost completely down, and everyone is getting hungry. Well, at least I am.
“What do you think?” Cassie comes up behind me and looks over my shoulder. I had the pictures uploaded to my laptop, and I’m scanning them.
“These are good.” I scroll through several of them.
“Shit, Kinley, were you that worried?” Carson stand in front of me.
“Yes,” I lie.
“Kinley, we both know better than that.” Cassie giggles. “Carson, did you know that when Kinley was the president of our sorority, she was like a general to us?”
“Wait, you were the president?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“So, you were like the queen of the threesomes.”
Cassie spit out the water she’s drinking.
I slug him in the shoulder. “Shut up.”
“I still haven’t heard a denial from either of you,” he eggs on.
“Oh, it wasn’t me,” Cassie quickly jumps in. “And I’m leaving on that note.” Cassie picks up her camera case and gets into her rental car.
“Kinley?”
I narrow my eyes at him. In truth, I’ve never done a threesome, but it’s fun to tease him a little. “A girl never kisses and tells.”
“So, if I kissed you, would you tell me now?”
“Yuck, no!” I scream. “I’m not kissing you. First, I don’t know what your mouth has been on, and second, eeww.”
“Well, thanks for the vote of confidence that I’m not a good kisser.”
“I’m sure you’re an adequate kisser. However, we have an early morning, and I need to go through these tonight.” I push past him and head to my car.
“I know it’s an early morning. I still have the emails!” he shouts at me.
Chapter Fourteen
Carson
The idea that people have a “type” is something I don’t believe in. I don’t have a certain type. If she’s a good looking woman, then she pretty much fits the bill. Of course, this is all based on the end game being sex. Relationships are an entirely different battle. My point is that if there is merit in this idea of people having a type, I’m obviously not Kinley’s. I don’t care and it doesn’t matter bec
ause I’m just messing with her, but still. I’ve never seen a woman not budge even an inch like she has. She won’t even joke back! It doesn’t matter how much I throw at her, she’s ready to shut me down each time. It’s fun though.
Today, we’re shooting one of the commercials. Kinley has been bossing people around all morning to do this, wear that, and whatnot. We’re in between takes, and I’m chatting up the current model. I haven’t gotten laid since we’ve been here, and she’s pretty, so…
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a hockey player before.” She giggles and bats her eyes at me.
“Today is our lucky day then.” I attempt to lean in to whisper something to her, but a handful of clothes are shoved at my chest.
“Carson, go change,” Kinley orders.
“Again?” She gives me a glare that could kill as I take the clothes from her. She walks over to Cassie and I face the model again. I lift a brow. “Want to come with?”
“Don’t even think about it, Carson,” Kinley calls out.
“God, woman. You’re worse than a mother would be,” I yell back before walking away from the model. Looks like if I want sex, I’m going to have to work around Kinley, who manages to be around all the time. After I change, I come back for the next round. This is not my idea of fun. It’s not terrible but when compared to being at home with plenty of women who I can actually sleep with, it doesn’t sound all that great.
“Do you want to go out for drinks after this?” the model asks. I keep forgetting her name.
“Room service has drinks, don’t they?”
She giggles and pushes her hair behind her ear. “I’m in 207,” she whispers in my ear, discreetly nibbling on my ear before we have to do another take. She grins and I grin back. 207. My lucky number for today.
Way too much time passes until I finally hear the four words I’ve been waiting to hear since Ms. Model invited me over.
“We’re done for today,” Kinley says. “I think,” she adds.
Thank God. Once I get back to the hotel, I run by my room first. I change, order a bottle of wine, and grab my favorite invention from my suitcase: condoms. Fully prepared, I go down a floor and knock on Room 207.
~
My fingers search my pockets until I find my room key. It ended up in my back pocket instead of the front one. I take it out and look up in time to see Kinley exiting her room with an empty ice bucket.
Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captan, My Captain #3) Page 6
