Carter (The Harlow Brothers Book 1) (37 page)

I bite my lip, wishing he could, but it would be super awkward with his brothers being here. “Later then?” I ask.

“It’s a promise, Shel.”

“Good.” I slowly unwrap my hands from around his neck and lean against the counter. “What are they arguing about anyway?” Yes, they’re still going at it, and I really don’t know how they can stand to live together.

“I really don’t know this time. Something about Caden messing up Cason’s phone.” Carter shrugs and adds, “There’s really no telling, but I’m glad you’re here. Now, we can really start planning this thing for Clark.”

I nod, turning around to grab the salty snacks Carter has laid out. I pop a few in my mouth then ask, “When is he coming back?” I know it’s getting time for him to return home, and I’m glad it’s soon. I know Carter has been worrying so much about him since Clark’s phone call at Thanksgiving. I also know it’s been hard on Carter that Clark hasn’t been calling him as much. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s not able, or if he just doesn’t want to talk to Carter. Either way, when Clark gets home things will be easier.

“He said sometime in March. Mama said she’d let me know for sure on the date when he tells her, but you know how Mama is with her parties.”

“Yes, we all know how Linda can be. Plus I know she’s excited Clark’s returning, so I assume it’ll be epic.” Even as kids, Linda would throw the biggest birthday parties for us. I loved it because it always made me feel special, and part of the family. “What do you have done?”

“Well,” he turns around and cuts off the stove. He takes the pan, holding some delicious smelling chicken, then moves it to the side before finishing what he was saying. “I haven’t gotten much done.”

“I can’t imagine why ever not,” I tease. I know it’s because he’s not getting any help from the twins.

“They’ve been at it for over an hour.” He shakes his head, adding, “Maybe now that you’re here we can actually get some planning done.”

I start to comment, but Caden walks into the kitchen, placing his hand on my shoulder as he says, “Is the food ready yet? I’ve starving.”

“You know,” I say, poking him in the ribs. “You really should be more grateful Carter cooked for you.”

“You wound me woman with your hurtful words. Old man knows I love it when he cooks for me.”

“Hey, I didn’t cook just for you,” Carter says back.

“Caden! What did you do to my phone!” We all turn back to the living room to a frustrated Cason shaking his head and cussing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Caden shouts. Carter and I can only shake our heads. “I really didn’t touch his phone.”

“I’m sure you had absolutely nothing to do with it,” I say to him sarcastically.

“Again, you wound me!” I laugh and lightly hit his arm. He fakes being hurt of course. He’s such a drama queen.

A few moments later, Carter announces supper is ready, and we make our way to the kitchen table. I take a seat by Carter as Cason narrows his eyes at Caden before sitting by him. My mouth starts to water as the aroma of the chicken hits me, and I quickly make my plate before everyone takes all the food. It’s happened before, and I know to grab it as fast as I can. We eat in silence for a while, enjoying our food. Caden lets out a few moans as he bites into his chicken sandwich, but we don’t even give him a second thought. He’s always been this way, but it’s good to know he’ll never change. He definitely keeps everyone entertained.

The silence doesn’t last very long as Caden asks me, “What did your soul-sucking Mother want?”

I knew eventually someone would bring it up, but it doesn’t bother me like it would before. I glance at Carter when he takes my hand, squeezes it, then says, “I wish you wouldn’t ask her things like that. What if she doesn’t want to talk about it?”

“It’s fine, Carter.” He’s always looking out for me, but I really don’t mind talking about with everyone here. “She told me she wanted me to go back to South Carolina,” I stop when I see the look on Caden’s face. His eyes widen, and he seems so shocked he even stopped chewing his food. “Don’t worry,” I quickly add. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good because I’d come after you if you did,” Carter says sweetly while squeezing my hand again.

“I’m glad you told her no, but man your mom is a piece of work for sure. I swear it felt like she was trying so suck my soul out just by looking at me.”

“You’re so full of shit, Caden. Admit it. You wanted to go with her,” Cason says, and I cover my mouth to laugh. I can tell Cason is being playful, but he still seems tense like earlier today.

“Dude, that’s not funny. Seriously not into cougars.”

Their banter goes back and forth for a few moments, and eventually I get to tell them all what happened. From her randomly showing up, to the part about Dad’s money, and her being the reason for me being put in such a horrible situation. I can tell Carter doesn’t like hearing it, but he does his best to hide it. Caden of course, makes jokes at every chance he gets, but it’s nice. Even if it hurt finally finding out the truth today, at least I know I have the Harlow brothers to help me through it. Caden will always find a way to make me laugh, Cason will sit and listen, and then there’s Carter. The one I know will love me no matter how broken my past made me.

I glance around the table, watching as Caden laughs, and Cason actually lets a rare smile form, even if it doesn’t reach his eyes. Once I get to Carter, he’s staring right at me. I smile, feeling my face flush, and he reaches over to pull my chair closer to him. He puts an arm around me, and I lean my head on his shoulder. I let out a content sigh when I feel his fingers running through my hair, and my heart skips a beat when he whispers, “I love you, Shel.”

I lean up to gaze into his beautiful brown eyes as I say, “I love you, too.” Caden and Cason fade into the background as Carter gives me a peck on my lips.

It’s in these small simple moments that I will cherish forever. It’s the ones that are going to slowly make all the bad ones disappear, and I know I’ll never take any of this for granted again. I’ll hold onto it, storing it forever into my soul. And it’s all because of Carter’s unwillingness to give up on me, and his strength to fight when I thought I’d given up.

I owe him so much, and I plan on never letting him go again. Because our love is one of a kind, and I’ll be forever grateful for our second chance at finding one another again.

Two months later

I open the armoire searching for the two small boxes I want to give to Shelby. I’m certain now’s the perfect time to ask her two very important questions, and I don’t think she’ll say no to either. We’ve come such a long way since last year, and I want to make sure we both continue to grow. To make our relationship stronger than ever. I rummage through some of my socks and for a small moment, my stomach drops when I don’t find the boxes right away. I exhale slowly as I pull them out, nervous I’m wrong. If she says no, I tell myself I’ll respect her decision, but I’m confident she’ll say yes.

She has to say yes.

I quietly shut the drawer back, careful not to make too much noise. I left her asleep on the couch, and I want to ask her before we leave to head to my parents for Clark’s welcome home party. I debated whether or not to ask her in front of everyone, but in the end, I chose to wait until we were alone. It’ll be more intimate, and I know Shelby would rather enjoy this little moment between just the two of us. My heart begins to pound as I walk away from the armoire, and out of the room. I can still hear the TV in the living room, and I hope she’s still asleep. I hope my plan goes perfectly, and I don’t fuck this up. I reach the kitchen, and I can see her sleeping form on the couch. I grin seeing her finally able to sleep soundly, and I can’t remember the last time she had a nightmare. I would like to think her bad dreams stopped because she finally had some closure with her Dad, and with her Mom. It still makes my jaw clench every time I think of Tabitha, but I’m trying to erase that woman from my memory.

I’m trying to do as Shelby has.

She’s extraordinary, and she never ceases to amaze me. I really thought with all the revelations she found out within this past year would make it harder for her to move forward, but she’s doing better than ever. Besides not being plagued with nightmares almost every night, she sleeps soundly. She doesn’t get lost in her head anymore, and every time I ask if she wants to talk about it, she tells me she’s perfect with that beautiful smile I love. I feel terrible with what I found out about the money her dad left her. All of it is gone. Not a penny left, and I’m still working on figuring out how Tabitha managed to spend one and a half million dollars. Shelby tells me constantly to leave it alone and forget about it, but I just want to know out of curiosity. I know Shelby has never cared about money or wanted expensive things, but I want to take care of her. Which is another reason for two boxes.

Once I reach her, I bend down sitting on my knees, and set the boxes beside me as I gently brush her hair out of her face. She stirs only to move toward my hand, and my stomach dips feeling nervous about asking her what I want. I smile when she calls out my name, and wonder what she’s dreaming about. I lightly touch her shoulder trying to coax her awake. Her blue eyes open a few moments later, and she smiles at me widely. “Hey,” she says with a raspy voice. “How long was I out for?”

“Not long,” I swallow hard, trying not to lose my nerve.

She must sense something’s off, because she places a hand on my face. “Are you alright? You look a little pale.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I touch the boxes by my legs, wondering how to ask her what I want. She eyes me curiously as I look away. I pick up the one of the small boxes, thinking it’s now or never. “I have something for you,” I start. I hold up the first box and her eyes widen as she sees it.

“Carter, you didn’t need to get me anything.”

“I know, but it’s not what you think.” She slides up on the couch as she takes the box. She grins at me and I nod, encouraging her to open it.

I watch her as she begins to open the small box, and I hold my breath until she sees what’s inside. Her eyes dart to mine, and I smile as she asks, “Why is there a key in here?”

I place a hand on her calf as I explain. “That key is to the firm. I know you’ve been going back and forth with your decision about working with me, but I want you to know I need you there. I need you to be a part of my team, and this key, it’s just for you to come and go as you wish. You can set your own hours, work at the firm or at home.” She opens her mouth to say something, but I hold up a finger to stop her. I grab the other box and hand it to her. She sighs, knowing she has no choice but to open it.

Her eyebrows furrow as she opens the second box and holds up another key. I can tell she’s confused to why I’m giving her a bunch of keys today. “Why do I have another key?”

Before I answer, I stand and grab her legs. I place them in my lap as I sit and gaze at her and say, “That key is to my house.” My heart drums rapidly in my chest as she sucks in a breath. “I want you here with me every single day. I want to wake up to seeing your gorgeous smile. I want to be the first you see, talk to, and share your morning coffee with. I want to listen to you sing in the shower every morning, and to sit on the couch to watch scary movies at night with. Shelby, I can’t live without you. You’re the only one I want to share my life with, and I would be honored if you would move in with me.”

Her eyes fill with unshed tears and for a second, I think I fucked up. She takes the keys, holding them tightly in her hand as she says, “Yes.”

“Yes?” I ask, just to confirm what I heard. She laughs and a lone tear slides down her cheek as she nods. I use the pad of my thumb to wipe it away, then ask, “Why are you crying?”

“Because.” Another tear rolls down her face and she shakes her head. “Because I’m happy, Carter. You’ve made today amazing, and I never expected this.”

I move her legs on each side of me as I lean over her. Hovering over her lips as her hands go to my back, I use my hand to cup her cheek. “Just so it’s clear, you’re saying yes to both?”

She gazes at me, making my heart clench, as she breathes out, “Yes to both. I can’t wait to move in with you, and spend every day with you. I can’t wait to get back to doing what I love, and I know you wouldn’t be doing any of this, unless you were ready.”

“I’m more than ready, Shel.” And I am. I’m ready for it all and more. I glance over at the clock on the wall as I say, “We still have a few hours before we have to be at my parents.”

“Really?” She makes a sexy moaning sound then asks, “Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”

I grin as I touch her lips and whisper, “I have a few ideas.” She giggles as I take my finger off her lips, and take her mouth with mine. I barely hear the keys falling to the floor. I’m entranced, consumed, and only focused on her. I slowly dip my tongue in her mouth loving how she tastes.

Her legs wrap around me, and I groan as her hips arch into mine. I pull back, looking deep into her eyes. Our breaths come out in pants, and I hope she’s ready for me to show her just how happy she’s made me today. Because I don’t plan on stopping until she begs me to.