“Do I need to come back?” She quietly asked.
“No. You wanted to stay until January, and you should. You’ve been there enough for me.” I sighed, “I’ll fix it. Enjoy thefamily and let them know I’ll be home soon. I have to make some changes in my life if I’m going to be with Carter.”
“Brooklyn.” She warned. “Talking like that scares me more.”
“I got this, Mama. He’s the one. I can’t imagine my life without him. I’ll make him see he can’t imagine his life without me.”
“Thank you. Now, let me get off this phone and get back to this Netflix movie.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I hung up the phone, resolved to make necessary changes in my life.
I then called Carter and prayed he answered.
When I heard his voice, I breathed in relief. “Thank you for the gift. I loved it. It was perfection.”
“You’re welcome. I forgot I’d left it under the tree. Kind of wanted to see your face when you opened it.”
“Sorry. I get excited when I see a gift and can’t wait to open it.” I didn’t want to say I wasn’t sure I would see him again. I tried to tread lightly in our conversation since he did answer promptly, and his tone seemed warmer than when he left. “I won’t wear it until you place it around my neck, okay?”
He quietly replied, “Okay.”
“Are you coming to pick me up tonight after work? I’m only asking because I’m driving myself to work.”
“And you’re not asking because you can’t sleep unless I’m under you?” He lightly teased.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, if you must know, you’ve already spoiled me, and I don’t like sleeping without you. So, are you coming?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.” He promised.
I could smile again.
I’d already learned that Carter kept his promises.
NEW YEARS
Chapter 9
Carter
Back in college, I chose to live by the beach for my last two years because I needed a serene, quiet place to think. Growing up in Dallas, beaches were a planned trip during the summer. Being able to walk out of your front door, go to the beach, and see the Gulf of Mexico waves on a Tuesday in October had been my daily life.
I parked my car and walked around to the patio. Grey, wearing black sweats and a red hoodie like he used to years ago, stared out at the Pacific Ocean. “Did we step back into college?”
He blinked and then focused on me. “Hey.”
I opened the gate and plopped down in the lounger beside him and promptly crossed my ankles. “Maybe I should get one of these. Trade the downtown condo for this. I used to love living by the beach.”
“You should. I come here when I need to get away for my peace. Told Darren no matter where we lived, I would always own this place.”
“Come here often?” I asked, surprised that Grey spoke as if he needed to be out here more. I assumed finally being with the love of his life would settle him.
“Stop digging.” He scoffed. “Me and Darren are fine. It’s other life shit that gets at me.”
“For me, having Darren was my peace,” I admitted. “Respectfully.”
“I know. Think sometimes she misses the team you and she created.” Grey smiled. “You were always sure of love and relationships in ways I hated. Mostly because I was jealous that I couldn’t be the same. We both grew up without fathers, yet that didn’t stop you from wanting a wife and family.”
“I was damaged in other ways. Hence, you’re married tomyfirst love and wife.” I folded my arms. “Why did you let Darren go in the first place, huh? You were so crazy in love with her, even if she didn’t see how much back then. That woman was devastated when you left. Do you know how hard it was to watch her fall apart over another man as if I didn’t love her too? That vision of her on the curb crying her eyes out when you drove away is forever sketched in my brain.”
