There was more than a small measure of fear running through me, the hell she’d drag me through and the repayment she’d extract, if she had to shell out a penny of her own money because I wasn’t “smart” enough or didn’t work hard enough to earn a scholarship.
We both grab showers at Susa’s and change there. Carter tells me to dress in khakis or jeans and a casual button-up. He’s wearing khakis, so I match him. I don’t know where we’re going tonight and, honestly, I don’t care. He’s in charge, and I’m happy to follow along like a good pet.
“I’m pleasantly surprised,” he says as he drives us in the Snot Box.
“About what?”
His sunglasses hide his eyes, but the smirk is there. “I figured you’d be asking me a million questions about our plans.”
“Hey, I’m the birthday boy, and you said tonight is all on you. I’m not going to question you.”
“Good boy.”
He’s smirking, but something about the tone of voice he says it in plucks a few hidden strings deep inside me.
I suppress a shiver.
A good shiver.
I know he’s kidding around, because he’s Carter. Ever since the pet joke became athingwith the three of us, he’s said stuff like that.
I can’t help that every time he does it hits home inside me, hard, and I’m damn sure not asking him to stop.
Especially because Ilikeit.
Chapter Eighteen
Our first stop is a nice steakhouse in the Hyde Park neighborhood, west of downtown Tampa. Valet parking, the whole nine yards.
Granted, I’ve eaten in plenty of fine establishments in my life with my mother and Austin. Places where you can’t even walk in the door without a tie. I know which fork to use, how to keep my elbows off the table, all of that. But as Carter hands his keys to the valet and joins me, then places a hand in the small of my back to guide me forward…
Something about this feels…different.
Not abaddifferent, either.
This kind of feels like adate.
We’re seated in a booth along the wall. Once the hostess leaves us with our menus, Carter smiles at me from across the table. “Trust me?”
“Of course I do.”
He holds out his hand, and I realize he wants my menu. I hand it to him and sit back, realizing the evening is truly out of my control.
I…reallylike that. Because unlike with my mother, where I rarely liked or agreed with what she wanted to do but was required to go along with it anyway, I know Carter won’t fuck with me. It’s a weird, strange, new thing for me to accept, that there are decent people out there, and one of them is now my best friend.
When our waitress arrives, she wears a chipper smile. “And how are we doing tonight, gentlemen?”
“We have a birthday boy,” Carter says, indicating me. “We’ll both have water. I’ll have sweet iced tea, and he’ll have a rum and Coke.”
Okay, we’re starting this right out of the gate, I guess.I’ve already got my ID out and ready to show her.
“Thank you.” She examines it, smiles as she returns it, and notes our drink orders. “I’ll be right back with those and to take your appetizer order.”
Carter has already closed his menu. “This is our first stop of the night. I have a little surprise after dinner.”
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”
He grins. “I hope so.”
