Tyler’s eyebrows dipped as he tried to pinpoint Carter’s reference.
“Ah, I was on the injury list then. Free to partake in all the pussy I wanted!” He laughed.
“Watch your goddamned mouth in front of my woman and her son.”
“Son? Where is the little guy?” Tyler questioned.
“Diego!” I called, getting his attention and waving him over.
“Hi, Mama! I made a new friend, his name is Michael. He said his dad catches the ball for the team,” Diego went on excitedly, barely pausing to take a breath.
“He’s called a wide receiver, little guy.” Tyler stooped low to get even with Diego. “You must be Diego. I’m Tyler.”
Diego grinned widely. “I know, I have your poster on my wall! Nice to meet you. And you’re Mr. Carter’s brother. Right, Mr. Carter?” Diego looked up to Carter for his approval.
“That’s right, buddy.”
“Quarterback is an important position, Mr. Tyler.”
“It sure is,” Tyler agreed.
“I love football. I play sometimes on my game at home or at recess at school. My friend, Billy, is always the quarterback ’cause he can throw far, but I’m fast so I run. What’s that position called again?” He snapped his fingers, thinking.
“Running back.”
“Yes!” He pointed at Tyler. “I’m the running back, and …” Diego continued on, teaching Tyler everything he knew about the game of football. I watched, thoroughly entertained by the interaction between all three ? Tyler, Diego, and Carter. They all got a kick out of one another.
“Mother,” Tyler stood after a few minutes, calling over Carter and my shoulders.
I turned to find Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, both dressed in the team’s black and white jerseys and wearing jeans. Even in jeans, Mrs. Townsend appeared just as elegant as the night I’d first met her at the Townsend Industries gala.
“Look, Richard, it’s our two bookends,” she laughed.
“Mother.” Carter smiled warmly and pulled his mother into a big hug. “Father.” He shook his father’s hand and they embraced as well.
For some reason the warmth between the two surprised me. Whenever Carter spoke about his family, especially his father, there was a certain reverence in his voice. However, he’d also pointed out that his father was particularly disappointed when he decided not to work for the family business.
“Son.”
“Mother, Father, this is Michelle and her son, Diego,” Carter introduced, his hand on my lower back and one hand resting on Diego’s shoulder. The move was both protective and presenting us, in some way.
Deborah peered at me with careful eyes that were the same color as her eldest son’s. Slowly a smile moved over her face and this one met her eyes.
“Pleasure to meet you.” I extended my hand but was surprised when she clasped it, and then pulled me into a hug. I looked over at Carter who simply smiled the biggest grin I’d ever seen from him.
“And Diego, aren’t you just the cutest.”
“Hello, Mrs. Townsend.”
“And so well mannered.” She turned back to me. “That’s a sign of good parenting.” She winked and I surmised that at least two of her sons had gotten some of their charm from her.
Mr. Townsend, on the other hand, was much less effusive but still polite when he introduced himself. To my surprise, he squatted low to get eye level with Diego and shook his hand. The pair quickly struck up a conversation on football. Either it was just my imagination or this family was nothing like I had imagined.
“I think you Townsend men have a thing for charming my son,” I whispered in Carter’s ear as his father and Diego continued speaking.
“He’s the charmer. And I know he gets it from his mama. She charmed the pants off me, multiple times,” he stated low in my ear and my face flamed. Completely unbothered by my embarrassment, he actually nuzzled the side of my face and neck with his nose, causing me to squirm.
“Carter, stop!” I whisper-hissed.
