Strong (Kindred #1)

by K. A. Hobbs

  “That was never the case, you assumed.” he speaks calmly but I can sense his tension.

  “And then you come back with some English model? Looks fade, Carter… Then what does she have?” she looks at me and sneers.

  “Everything,” he says simply, squeezing my hand. “She has everything.”

  “So you’re going to throw this,” she gestures between the two of them. “Away for a cheap lay?”

  “Oh, I don’t charge sweetheart,” I grin. “And for your information, I’m not a model, I’m a dancer.”

  She looks like she’s about to scream when there’s another knock at the door. I walk over and open it and Alexis is standing on the other side. I open the door a little more and incline my head in the direction of Carter and Madison. She steps in and sighs.

  “Give it up already, Madison, he’s over you, I’m not sure he was ever… I don’t know? Under you? What exactly is the right term for that?” she laughs.

  “I can’t believe it.”

  “I’ve been telling you for weeks! You refuse to listen, you could have saved yourself this embarrassment by listening to me… and Jack, who told you what I’ve been telling you and what I’m going to tell you again, he’s in love and it’s not with you.”

  Madison looks from Carter to me and shakes her head. I see the moment she realises it’s a lost cause, that what she’s been told is true, Carter and I are in love and there is nothing that can break the connection we have.

  “I’m…” she takes a deep breath and tries again. “I’m sorry, for all of this. I guess I just didn’t want to believe the best thing in my life was gone.”

  “It’s okay.” I smile kindly.

  It must suck to be her right now.

  “I won’t come over again, I really don’t want to cause any problems, I just… I had to see for myself. Look after him, yeah? He really is the best man on earth, I should have realised that before it was too late.”

  “I will.” I nod.

  “There’s someone out there for you too.” Alexis tells her.

  “Yeah,” she turns and walks towards the door. “He’s just in love with someone else.”

  She doesn’t say anything else, just steps out and closes the door behind her leaving us all standing in Carter’s lounge a little lost for words.

  “She was always dramatic!” Alexis laughs, sitting on the sofa. “Remember the time she saw you dancing with Josie at Mom and Dad’s and accused you of cheating on her?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And the time before that when we were out with Harley and Jake? She thought Jake was with me and you were with Harley?”

  “Yes, Lex, I get it. Can we forget it all now?”

  “Yup, we don’t have time anyway, we have a few last minute things to get. Are you going over to help Dad while Mom finishes making all the cookies?”

  “Yeah, he’s already phoned twice to check.”

  “He just misses you Carter, both his boys are gone.”

  “I know, I’m going to finish getting dressed,” he turns a little and looks at me. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about, I’m sure if I was in her situation, it would suck too.”

  “You won’t ever be.” he kisses me once then disappears into his bedroom.

  “You two, honestly, it’s sickeningly sweet.” Alexis laughs. “Finish getting dressed and wrap up, it’s freezing out there!”

  An hour later, we’re frozen and desperate for a coffee. I head over to order after batting Alexis’ card away. I buy us both a cookie and go to find where she’s sitting. She’s deep in thought and looking at her phone.

  “Why are you so serious? Is everything okay?”

  “Not really.” she frowns.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “Can I? Do you mind? I might explode otherwise.”

  “You can always talk to me, I’ll try and help if I can.”

  For the next twenty minutes she tries to explain what’s going on and I try and collate my thoughts and come up with something helpful to say.

  “So he broke up with you when he was deployed because he couldn’t put you through the pain of waiting to see if he’d come back?” I verify.

  “Right. But I went through it anyway, I didn’t stop caring because he left, Carmen. I’ve loved him since I was six years old, it doesn’t just go away. Then he came back and he didn’t tell me. I sat outside his hospital room until he was released, he never knew and he never asked for me once.”

  “He must have been in an awful place… It’s not the same, but I know what it’s like to have to fight something that changes your life and want to do it alone for fear of hurting other people.”

  “I know, I’m sorry. I’m… I just miss him so much, I love him so much. I saw him the other night with a girl, Holly her name was. I don’t know what they are to each other but it hurt, everything I’ve ever felt for him is still there, Carmen. And he’s still so bloody gorgeous it makes me breathless just to think of him.” she laughs weakly.

  “Kind of how I feel about your brother.”

  “What do I do?”

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned after everything that’s happened, is that, if you find someone worth fighting for, someone who takes over every sense you have… You have to embrace it. Not everyone can find that, Alexis, you deserve it, you deserve to be happy and if he makes you happy, I think you owe it to yourself to work out how to make it work.”

  “And if he doesn’t think the same?”

  “Then we’ll make a plan b.”

  When I arrive back at Carter’s he’s already home and relaxing on the sofa, I walk straight past him and into the bedroom, hiding the presents I have in the many bags I’m laden down with in the wardrobe. I take off my coat, hat and scarf and head back into the lounge, curling up in his lap and sighing contentedly.

  “Good day?”

  “Yes, I love your sister.” I tell him smiling.

  “I’m glad to hear it, she loves you too.”

  “What are the plans for tonight? Can you believe it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow?”

  “Well… I thought we’d spend the night watching Christmas movies and eating pizza.”

  “Sounds perfect to me. How was your day?”

  “Fattening,” he laughs. “Mom force fed me cookies and then made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch.” he laughs, the vibration making my body tingle.

  “I’m sure you worked it all off putting the lights up outside.”

  “And if I didn’t, I’m sure I can later… In front of the fire… Or in the shower… Or both!” he grins, leaning down to kiss me.

  “You sound energetic,” I laugh as he tickles me with his stubble. “But… I’m exhausted. Can we please nap first?”

  “Nap?” he raises his head. “Naked?”

  “If you like, but I really do need to sleep.”

  “Okay,” he stands and picks me up. “Nap first, then… All the other stuff.”

  “Deal.” I laugh as he picks me up and runs to the bedroom.

  “I don’t know about you,” she says, stretching her legs out. “But your bath is more comfy than the shower, even with the seat.”

  “I think you’re right.” I agree letting my soapy hands skim down her sides and back up to her breasts.

  “When did the pizza say it would be here?” she asks, turning her head a little to look at me.

  “Half an hour, we’ve been in here about that long, I guess we should get out.”

  “But it’s so warm and bubbly an—”

  She’s cut off when a knock echoes through the apartment letting us know, our pizza is here. I tap her shoulder and she sits forward, it takes all my effort not to look back as I wrap a towel around my hips. If I look back, I’ll get back into the bath and the pizza man will go away, and I know we’re both hungry. I’m just getting everything ready when she walks in, dressed in her Bears pyjamas with a grin on her lips.

  “Th
is best be good, you’ve spoken non stop about how good Chicago pizza is. It has a lot to live up to.”

  “It’s the best, sit down and try it. Do you want a beer?”

  “Is it the done thing?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then I want a beer.” she grins at me and I fall in love with her all over again.

  We spend the night watching Christmas movies, I educate her on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and she gets all glassy eyed over Miracle on 34th Street, It’s the perfect evening and I love every second of it. We fall into bed exhausted and ready to sleep and I think we’re asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

  The next morning I tell Carmen to wrap up warm and we head out into the city so I can show her Chicago and its magic on Christmas Eve. I show her the bars and cafés I used to frequent, I take her to Navy Pier and we ride on the ferris wheel. I show her a few of the buildings I helped with and we have more pizza in one of my favourite little pizza places near the lake. We end our day with a walk around snowy Millennium Park, one of my favourite places in the whole city and by the time we head home, we’re both frozen and exhausted but can’t stop grinning.

  We’re sitting on the sofa when Carmen’s phone rings with a FaceTime call, grinning she answers it and my brother’s ugly face fills the screen, closely followed by Harry’s.

  “Evening!” Jack grins excitedly.

  “What are you so happy about?” I ask, leaning forward to see them better.

  “Harry and Megan have some news…” he hands the phone to Harry who sits down next to Megan.

  “Hey gorgeous,” Carmen smiles. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m good thank you, beautiful,” Harry grins. “How are you?”

  “I was talking to your wife.” she laughs at him.

  “And I was talking to your boyfriend.” he grins.

  “I’m great, thank you,” Megan scowls, pulling the phone to her face. “So, like Jack said… We have some news.”

  “Is it good news?”

  “It is.” Harry nods.

  “Well, it’s a little surprising but it’s good yes… Henry is going to be a big brother.” she grins at us.

  “Oh my God!” Carmen squeals.

  “No way!” I exclaim stupidly.

  “Yeah, that was kind of my reaction too,” Harry laughs. “But you know, I have super sperm apparently.”

  “Megs, you’re nuts! You just had Henry, why didn’t you use a condom?” Jose calls from out of shot.

  “We did!” she yells back. “We really did. It’s not our fault.”

  “Blame the super sperm stud.” Harry says rather proudly.

  “Let’s stop talking about sperm, shall we?” Carmen rolls her eyes. “Congratulations you two!”

  “Thank you.” they both grin at us.

  Josie comes into view and sits on Harry’s lap while Megan laughs at her, Harry doesn’t seem to care and winks at us.

  “Can you believe how close in age all three of the babies are going to be? If I have a girl, she could marry Henry!” she grins, kissing Harry’s cheek.

  “Jose, you’re aware he’s not your husband, right?” I laugh.

  “Yes, Carter,” she rolls her eyes. “So when are you two getting married?”

  “Ugh, Josie, shut up!” Megan slaps her on the arm.

  “Just asking.” she shrugs.

  “Out of everyone you can’t talk.”

  “I know, it took me forever right? Imagine how long it would have taken me if Jack wasn’t hung like a horse!”

  “And we’re going to go.” Jack interrupts, taking his phone back. “I’ll Skype you all on tomorrow, enjoy your Christmas Eve.”

  They all say goodbye and the screen goes black. We sit there in silence for a minute then I burst out laughing, Carmen follows soon after.

  “Can you believe that?” I laugh.

  “Yes actually, I can. You just have to look at them together and know they’re at it every second they get.”

  “I guess this proves it, I wonder how far along she is?”

  “Going by Harry’s constant mauling, I’m going to guess as soon as Megan could have sex, they had sex, she cannot say no to him.”

  “What about you?”

  “Can I say no to Harry? Yes, he’s not my type.” she grins.

  “Can you say no to me?” he teases, leaning over me.

  “No…”

  “Good. We’re going to bed then.”

  “Are you awake?”

  “Yes… Are you?” I whisper back, hardly containing my smile.

  “Carter,” she laughs. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

  “The Ghost of Christmas Present?”

  “Get up you big arse! It’s Christmas Day!” she sits up and bounces on the bed.

  I pull her on top of me and kiss her, snaking my hands under her pyjamas where her skin is warm and soft and so damn delicious I’d be happy if my present is her this morning. We forget all about Christmas while we tease and caress each other. Carmen does eventually pull back, her heated skin a beautiful rose colour.

  “We have presents to open.” she pants.

  “I can just unwrap you if you like?”

  “You can do that after, I want presents!”

  “Come on then.” I chuckle at her excitement.

  I climb out of bed and hold my hand out to her, when she takes it, I pull her up and into my arms and kiss her.

  “Happy Christmas, Carmen.”

  “Happy Christmas, Carter,” she smiles. “Thank you for being with me.”

  We take the comforter with us until it heats up, Carmen switches on the tree lights while I make us coffee. She’s practically bouncing around when I sit down next to her. I hand her a present and she hands me one, both of us watching the other one. I nod my head and she grins, ripping open the paper.

  “Carter…”

  “Open it.”

  She’s holding a box in her hand with a famous jewellers name emblazoned on the lid. Tucked inside is a heart locket, I spent hours finding the right one and getting the perfect inscription on it. She opens it and a little gasp escapes her lips, then she turns it over and I watch two perfect tears roll down her cheeks.

  “Oh, Carter. Wow.”

  “Do you like it? I spent ages choosing it.”

  “It’s the most beautiful present, thank you so much. Will you help me put it on?”

  She turns around and hands me the necklace and I fasten it in place. The inscription is to remind her that even when I didn’t tell her, I loved her.

  I’ve loved you every step of the way

  “Now open.” she nods to the present beside me.

  I open the box and inside is a gift certificate for the hotel we stayed at for Jack and Josie’s wedding. I look at Carmen and she smiles.

  “I want to take you back and retrace our steps, I want to remember all the moments that even then, made me fall in love with you. I want you to make hot chocolate and sit on the beach with me all night, I want it to be just like that, as it was to all intents and purposes, our first date. And when the sun comes up, we’ll climb the stairs together and we’ll go into our room together and end the night very differently to how it ended last time.”

  “I went into my room and thought of you.” I tell her.

  “I went into my room and thought of you too, this time, we won’t be thinking, we’ll be together.”

  “I love it, thank you.” I kiss her and hand her another present.

  “You’re really good at present buying.” she sobs as she unwraps it.

  This one is special. It’s a Willow Tree figure of a couple together. The lady in the shop told me it’s based on a young couple finding love; the butterflies and uncertainty, the chemistry. All the things you find when you’re close to each other, all the things I feel when I’m with Carmen. It’s elegant and intimate. She told me the piece is derived from dance, so depending how you position it, and where you look at it from, it appears to hav
e movement. I knew it was perfect when I saw it, then when I spoke to the lady in the shop, I just had to have it.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispers. “The way their fingers and the tops of their heads touch, I can remember how I felt when we touched from so early on with you… And now I remember how I feel when we touch like that, the butterflies I still feel in my stomach, the tingly excitement. It’s perfect.” she leans over and kisses me and soon I forget everything but her.

  We open the rest of our presents, Carmen gets me a season ticket to the international NFL games that are in London and tells me Josie got Jack the same, that they both want us to have time together and get to see games, even if it isn’t the Bears. I also get a new jumper, Converse and a bottle of Creed Royal Oud. Carmen loves her other presents, a new scarf, a pair of boots, some lingerie and a bottle of Chanel Chance. I don’t tell her she has another present under the tree for our Christmas with everyone in England.

  We have a breakfast of pancakes and coffee then head into the shower. It’s a slow and painfully pleasurable shower and when we eventually climb out, I’m ready to climb back into bed. We can’t though, we have to get to Mom and Dad’s. I leave Carmen in the bedroom to get dressed knowing, we’ll never get there if I don’t calm down.

  Maybe some cold air will help.

  I stay in the bathroom getting ready while Carter packs the car. I’ve made sure he doesn’t get a look at what I’m going to be wearing today, he loves me in red and after he told me, he couldn’t get the red dress out of his mind, I’ve picked another. Now, bearing in mind we’re spending the day with his parents and sister, I’ve gone for something a little more understated, a floor length dress is just not going to work today sadly, so instead I’ve treated myself to a new dress. It’s a peplum style, the top part ruffles out at my hip and there’s a bow to accentuate my waist.

  It’s gorgeous.

  I finish putting my make up on and head into the bedroom to get dressed. I decide to treat the man in my life and wear the new black lingerie he bought me for Christmas, teaming it with a pair of nude stockings with little red bows at back. Slipping my feet into my black heeled pumps I check myself out in the mirror and grin, Carter is going to love it. I make sure my heart locket is outside of the dress and grab my winter coat and hat. Just as I’m about to head into the lounge Carter comes in and stops dead just inside the door.