I go into the kitchen, which is more computerized than my laptop, and make some coffee. Luckily, that machine and the stove were the easiest things to work. I’m still scared to touch the fridge because every time I do, the TV that’s built into it will turn on and scare the shit out of me.
I go out to his back deck and sit. Carson has the best view in all of Alabama, and it’s breathtaking. The only odd thing out of place is the huge ass ice rink in the middle of it all. I shake my head, only Carson Lee. He seems to take the motto ‘go big’ into a real account.
I’m glad it isn’t too hot as I stretch out my legs in the sun. I’ve been in the office too long, and I’m almost as white as a ghost. I lay my head back and soak up some more vitamin D, almost falling asleep. That is until I feel someone playing with my hair. I know that touch belongs to Carson. I squint one eye open.
“I thought you were going to be gone for a while?”
“I was gone long enough. Enjoying the outdoors?”
“Yes, and I made myself at home, stealing an outfit from you since I was forced to stay here all night,” I tease him. He comes over to the chair next to mine and sits.
“I didn’t force you, sweetheart. I’m glad you made yourself at home. What do you think about my house? Like it?” He takes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.
In the bright sun, his tattoos seem to shine. I stare at the twisting design of all the dates and hockey memories inked on his arm. It fits him. I can’t imagine Carson not having that sleeve of artwork on his skin.
“Well, besides your fridge trying to give me a heart attack, and my view being blocked by a hockey rink, I think I could enjoy staying here overnight again.” I wink at him, hoping he doesn’t think I’m pushing the idea on him, even though I wouldn’t mind more sex with him at this moment.
“Hey, you leave my rink out of it. But you can stay overnight whenever you want.” He gently squeezes my hand.
“Carson, I was wondering if you’ll answer me something?” This question has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while, but I‘ve never said it. Now, I need to know. “Have you ever been in a real relationship? I mean I’ve been married and had boyfriends, but have you always had party girls?”
“Not unless the pigtailed girl from first grade counts. So, yes, always the random girls.”
“I figured, but I was just wanting clarification.” I quickly add, “I don’t want you to think I’m asking for anything serious, I’m more curious on what to expect from you.” I pause looking at him. “So, am I to assume that this is just a friendly fuck?”
“Honestly, I don’t know, Kinley.” I appreciate that he’s telling me the truth. “What are you expecting or wanting from me? What do you want?”
“I have no idea, Carson Lee.” I shake my head at my answer, but I’m going to be honest with him too. “Surprisingly, I’ve been more open with you than any other guy, including Elliott. I truly don’t know, but…” I could feel my nerves getting the best of me. “I would like to see where this goes. I mean if that’s something you want too.”
“Then let’s just go with the flow, I guess?” He stops, takes a deep breath, and for the first time, I see the real Carson staring at me. It’s written all over his face. “I’ll be completely honest here for a second. I don’t know if I could even come close to giving you want you want, but I don’t think I want to become the Hugh Hefner of hockey one day either.”
“Carson, I’m not asking for marriage, kids, and minivans. I know who you are. I know your past, but if you want to take this at least one step further, I only ask that you don’t lie to me, don’t cheat on me, and trust me. Everything else can go with the flow. I’m not asking for titles either. If you want to call me a friend, I’m fine with that. I figure you don’t you use the term girlfriend. Although, I prefer that you don’t call me your ‘arm candy’ either. However, playboy bunny isn’t bad, Hugh.” I laugh, knowing that I’d never be a real ‘bunny’.
Carson chuckles at my lame joke and grows quiet again. “Okay. I can try to do that.”
“No, Carson.” I need for him to tell me that he isn’t going to treat me like any other girl. “You have to promise me that you won’t lie to me or cheat on me. I mean it. If you want to break up with me first, that’s fine, but don’t do that to me.” I give him my most serious look. My heart won’t be used as a puck that he can just slap around.
“I wasn’t talking about trying not to cheat.” He lightly sighs, regaining his thought. “As long as you can deal with the fact that there are some things I won’t talk about, then the lying shouldn’t be a problem either.”
Won’t talk about? If we’re going to do this, then all doors should be open for discussion. I think about walking through the house and remember the one thing that I didn’t see. “You’re talking about your family, aren’t you?”
Carson’s jaw tenses, and his grip tightens around my hand. “Possibly, but what makes you think that?”
“Well, unlike other girls that have been in your life, I have a brain.” I shake my head. “I noticed that you don’t have any pictures of them, and you never talk about them, so I assume that’s what you mean. I respect that, but I hope that you know I’m a good listener.” I lean in closer to him. “And no matter what I’ll always be your friend. You can even bet me on that.”
“I’ll remember that then.”
Our conversation is interrupted by my phone ringing. Of course, Mama is calling me early on a Saturday.
“Good morning, Mama.”
“Kinley, please explain to me why am I standing outside your apartment door and you’re not home?”
“Um.” As much as I don’t like lying to my mama, I’m not going to tell her the truth. “I had an early breakfast meeting this morning. That’s why I’m not home.”
I look over at Carson, and he has that evil grin on his face. “So, I’m a meeting now?”
I motion for him to be quiet as Mama’s voice grows louder in my ear. Before I can ever react, Carson grabs my cellphone from my hands.
“Mrs. Wright, how are you this morning?” he asks in his overly pleasant voice.
“What the hell?” I yell, trying to reach for my phone.
“Oh, I’m doing swell actually, thank you for asking. I’m just here enjoying this meeting with Kinley.” He jumps from his chair as I leap towards him to get back my phone.
Damn, he’s quick, and it sucks that I’m not.
He races to the other side of the deck, still talking. “Oh, well, you know Kinley, always working so hard, never taking a break. That’s why I suggested she stay the night with me last night. To make sure she was well rested for the meeting.”
“I’m going to kill you,” I hiss at him, jumping up for my phone.
“I know. I keep telling her to take a day off, but if she doesn’t listen to me, her own boyfriend and her mama, she just might be a lost cause.”
I stop moving. “You ass!” I scream at him. Carson Lee did the one thing I didn’t want to happen, and that was tell my mama anything about a relationship with him at this time.
“Yep…yep…I’m surprised she hadn’t told you.” He winks at me, and I’m frozen in place.
“You’re going to die! You know that, right? ” I yell again.
The jerk smiles at me. “Oh, yes, we’ll have to do dinner soon. Here’s Kinley.” He hands the phone back to me.
“Mama, I’ll call you back.” And I hang up the phone. “I’m going to kill you.”
“You have to catch me.” He bolts off the deck.
I chase after him, like I would a boy on a playground, but he’s much faster than I am. I can hear him laughing, which makes me more mad. I reach the side of the house where the pool is, and Carson quickly snatches me up.
“Put me down, Carson Lee, so I can kick your ass.”
“Okay, I’ll put you down.” He take five steps over to the pool, and before I can scream, he throws me in.
When I come up for air, I’m boili
ng with rage. “I can’t believe you did that.”
Carson is holding his side laughing hard. I climb out of the pool and notice that he’s closer to the edge than he thinks he is. Of course, I’m very ladylike when I shove him as hard as I can into the water.
Chapter Thirty
Carson
With the launching of the campaign getting closer and closer, Kinley has been busy working. I’ve been wandering around the house, relaxing a bit, went shopping yesterday, and have met up with a few of the guys. Lucky for me, Tyler didn’t ask about Kinley thanks to him having a new girlfriend now.
Kinley was very adamant about not cheating and not lying, which makes sense. I think I did a good job letting her know that my lips are sealed on certain topics. As long as she doesn’t ask or accepts an evasive answer if she does, then I won’t have to lie to her. I do trust her to an extent, but there are just some things that are strictly off limits, not only to her, but to everyone.
While I may not offer any information, there is something else I can do. I’m not expecting anything or closing myself off, so that means I still need to make somewhat of an effort. Otherwise, it’s pretty much the same as usual.
I double check to make sure everything is in the back of my SUV since I’m driving that today. Kinley should be ready by the time I get to her place to pick her up. I even sent her three emails to confirm, and it was fun reversing that role. Perfectly on time, she’s walking out the door when I pull up. I park the car and get out to open the door for her.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I grin, faintly noting that I feel a bit nervous about this.
“Hey.” She gives me a quick kiss before sliding into her seat.
We make small talk on the way. “Are you still upset about the other day?”
“My dad says paybacks are a bitch, so you just wait, and I’ll show you later. Now, where are you taking me?”
“We’re going to the hospital.”
“Why? Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah. I figured I might need to check out the morgue in case your payback lands me there.” I glance over at her, but she’s ignoring me, looking out the window instead. There is a small smile on her lips though.
When we make it to the hospital, I find the parking lot Mike is in and end up parking next to him. Kinley doesn’t say anything when she sees him, but I can tell she wants to ask about it. We get out and walk to the rear of my vehicle.
“Hey, Mike. It’s a good day, isn’t it?” I ask as I shake his hand firmly before opening the back.
“Yes, it is. How are you, Ms. Wright? I didn’t know that you would be joining us.”
“I’m well, thank you,” she replies. “What in the world?” she questions quietly under her breath as I start handing some bags to Mike.
I ignore her for the moment, but over my shoulder ask, “Sweetheart, could you get the jerseys from the backseat?”
“Um, sure.”
“Is this a new addition to the clothes campaign that I didn’t know about or something?” Mike quietly says when Kinley is out of earshot.
“Nope. I just asked her to come.”
Kinley comes back around the car with my jersey and another smaller one. I take off the shirt I was wearing, toss it into the back, leaving me wearing only an undershirt before I slip the jersey over my head.
“Do you need any help?” Kinley says once I’m all dressed again.
“Here.” I hold out a bright, yellow bag. “Put the jersey in there and keep it hidden behind your back, please.” She nods and I grab the last few bags from the back before closing the door as we all start to head inside.
“Do you know how she’s been doing?” Mike asks as we ride up the elevator.
“Yeah, Darcie has been sending me updates.” I glance over at Kinley, trying to see if she’s figured it out yet. She just smiles. The doors to the elevator open and we take a sharp right to avoid the nurses’ desk and waiting rooms on this floor. Room number 709 is the first one coming up, so I pause and look at Kinley with a smile. “I need to apologize for something real quick.”
Confusion passes her features. “What for?”
“I do have another woman in my life.” Before she can respond, I take the three steps to the door and push it open.
There in the corner at a small table is a little girl, coloring. Darcie, her mom, is sitting next to her and she sees me first.
“Gracie, baby,” she starts softly. “You have a visitor.”
Gracie turns around, screams with excitement, and rushes over to me. “Carson! You’re back! I’ve missed you!” she squeals as I set my bags on the ground to pick her up.
“I’ve missed you too.” I laugh when she hugs my neck as tightly as she can.
Darcie stands and smiles, mouthing that Gracie’s having a good day today. Gracie leans back and points to her head. “Look what I’m wearing today?! I knew something good would happen because of it.” She grins, referring to her Alabama Blacksmiths bandana I sent her.
“You look just as beautiful as the last time I saw you too.” I wink, causing her to giggle. “I have an even better present for you this time.” With that, I turn to where Mike and Kinley are still standing in the doorway.
“Hey, Mike!” Gracie waves at him. “Who are you?” she asks Kinley.
“Gracie, this is my friend, Kinley. Kinley, this is my girlfriend, Gracie.”
Gracie beams a smile at me before Kinley says, “It’s nice to meet you, Gracie.”
I put Gracie gently back down on her own two feet and crouch down next to her to be at eye level. “You should probably be really sweet to Kinley. I asked her to hold your present for me.”
Her eyes widen as she glances between Kinley and me. Slowly, she walks over to Kinley and gives her a hug. “It’s nice to meet you too. You’re really pretty.”
“Thank you, but I’m not as pretty as you.”
“Thanks.”
“C’mon, Gracie. Let’s sit down over here and open your present,” I say. She hurries back over to take my hand, leading me to the table where she was when we walked in. I sit down first and then lift her into my lap. Darcie takes a seat as does Kinley. Mike stands next to me since we’re out of chairs. Kinley places the yellow bag on the table and I reach for it. Gracie holds her hands together in her lap, waiting for the signal. I give it to her, and she quickly reaches inside.
“I know the last time I brought you my jersey, but I figured it was time you had your own,” I tell her. On the back is her name and her favorite number, 91, which happens to be my number.
She turns in my lap and hugs me again. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Carson! Can I put it on right now, Mommy? Please! Carson is wearing his.”
Darcie nods, so I carefully help Gracie wiggle into the jersey. She glances down at it once it’s on, staring at the front.
“Well, what do you think? Ready to show it off to the other kids for a while?”
“Oh, yeah! You have to meet Tommy too, Carson. He’s my newest friend.”
“Tommy’s with the doctors right now, remember Gracie?” Darcie says.
“Right.” Gracie looks up at me. “Will you stay long enough to meet him?”
“Of course.”
We make our way to another room where the kids will gather if they are able. Mike, Kinley, and Darcie split carrying the bags I brought in since Gracie is leading the way. The excitement is visible when we walk in with bags full of toys, coloring books, crayons, and all sorts of stuff. A few of the kids who were here last time I visited rush over to me much like Gracie did. They give me hugs before introducing me to everyone else.
There really isn’t any other option than to sit down in the middle with all of them and start playing too. Gracie wants me to help her color, so I do that while talking with the kids and taking quick breaks from coloring to help them with the new toys. After about an hour of that and taking pictures with a few of them, Gracie starts looking tired.
“Do you feel like watching Looney Tunes, G
racie?” She nods. “Let’s go do that then before it’s time for me to go. How does that sound?”
“You have to meet Tommy first,” she reminds me.
We put all the crayons back in the box and then I pick her up before turning to try to find Darcie. Gracie rests her head on my shoulder as I walk over to her mom.
“She wants to go see Tommy and then we’re going to her room for cartoons.”
Darcie nods and leads the way to Tommy’s room, which is next door to Gracie’s. She perks up when we enter his room.
“Told you that Carson is my boyfriend,” is the first thing she says to Tommy.
I laugh, shake hands with his parents, and then give the little boy a high five. “Gracie told me you’re her newest friend, Tommy.”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. “She wants me to watch the Blacksmiths play.” He frowns. “I like the Mustangs better.”
Gracie is loud and dramatic as she says, “Ew! I’ve told him that he’s cheering for the wrong team, but he won’t listen to me.”
Tommy’s dad shakes his head. “They argue about it all the time.”
I look between Gracie and Tommy and say conspiratorially, “You know, there are people who don’t even like hockey at all. You two should be happy that you both like hockey, even if it’s different teams. All hockey fans are like one big family.”
“Well, I guess it’s okay if Tommy thinks Brody Ross is better, even though he’s wrong,” Gracie comments rather thoughtfully.
“Hey!” Tommy objects.
I laugh and shake my head. “It was nice meeting you, Tommy. Gracie and I have a date with the Looney Tunes before I go.”
We go back to her room, sit on the bed, and start watching TV. Within five minutes, Gracie is sleeping. I carefully pull my hand from hers, kiss her forehead, and then walk over to Darcie. After I give her a hug, I tell her to keep me updated on Gracie. Time to find Kinley and Mike because at some point today, I lost them both somewhere on this floor.
Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captan, My Captain #3) Page 13
