“Was it the conversation on relative-versus-absolute strength you wanted me to weigh in on, or your intellectual discussion earlier aboutwhich of the ‘Jo Bros’ ended up being the best one to marry?” I ask, keeping my focus on the pale green iceberg lettuce I’m shoveling into my mouth.
“I see your point,” Bryn says. “Your input isn’t useful. You don’t understand the finer points of either argument.”
Jameson throws his arm around Bryn’s shoulder from his spot next to her, pulling her toward him to kiss her hair. “Don’t bully Carter, B. Not everyone grew up with annoying little sisters to prepare them for this chaos.”
“I was not the annoying one of the two of us,” Lila chimes in from the other side of Bryn. “Teenage boys are bad enough, but ones who think they’re going to be professional athletes? It was excruciating.”
“I didn’tthinkI was going to be a professional, Iwasgoing to be one. Iamone,” Jameson replies, leaning around his girlfriend to see his little sister.
“We know you are, sweetie,” Bryn says, patting his arm like she’s consoling a small boy who just found out he can’t be a dinosaur when he grows up.
“Why did we come home this weekend?” Jameson asks JT. “We could’ve been playing golf in Florida.”
“You’re the one who convinced me to take a break before the big tournament next weekend,” JT says, his mouth full of food. “Plus, it’s fun when Bryn makes you cry.”
“I need new friends,” Jameson says. “Carter, any chance you’re available to fly to Florida for The Players with me next weekend? I promise it’ll be a good time, and we’ll leave all the women here so no one will makeyou cry.”
“He’s only offering to leave us behind because he knows I have to be in New York for a couple of meetings,” Bryn says, pointing at me with her fork.
I know he’s joking, but it’s nice to feel like I might have friends around town to do things with, even if they’re professional golfers who spend most of their time on the road. It’s something I’ve missed since leaving the Army.
“I’ll have to take a rain check,” I say. “I finally got access to all of Trent’s books and financial information for Mitchell Security, and I have to spend the next few weeks closing everything down and seeing what I can do to get the guys paid for their latest jobs.”
Trent has completely jumped ship. He and Julie listed their house, packed up a trailer, and moved to Ohio so Trent could work for her dad’s used-car dealership. I have no doubt in my mind he’ll be great at it. Unfortunately, he hasn’t done one thing to try to get Mitchell Security figured out before he left. I feel I owe it to the employees and our current clients to end things as well as possible.
“Let me know if you need any help, Carter,” Izzy offers. “Becca and I don’t tend to work with people going under—so hard to get them to pay us—but we’re pretty good at finances, and not to speak for Becca, but I’m sure we’d both be happy to help.”
Holding back my surprise, I send her what I hope is a gracious smile and nod. “Thanks.”
“Do you know what you’re going to do once you’re done cleaning up Trent’s mess?” Ken asks from the head of the table.
“I’m still trying to figure it out,” I confess. “I’ve talked to a few people who work at the banks to see if they’re hiring, but nothing is open right now.”
“Have you considered anything else?” Ken asks. “I could talk to some of the guys at coffee and see if they know anyone hiring.”
I clear my throat, hating the turn this conversation took. I appreciate that they care, it’s just…embarrassing. Especially for a meet-the-parents dinner. “I’m pretty open to anything, really,” I say. “I figure if all else fails, I can join one of the construction crews in the area for a while until I find something that uses a bit more of my skill set.”
“My cousin owns one of the construction companies,” Jen says, joining the conversation for the first time. “Let me know if you want me to introduce you.”
“Thanks. I’m not there yet, but I’ll let you know.”
I glance at Kelsey and realize she’s annoyed, though trying to hide it. “What?” I ask in a whisper, nudging her gently with my shoulder.
She turns her head, stopping her lips inches from my ear. “Those are both terrible options.”
I open my mouth to respond, but she turns her face away, smiling at her family. A second later, I feel her hand grab mine under the table, squeezing once as if to indicate we’ll talk about it later once we’re home.
Home.
That first morning I stayed at Kelsey’s last week was like a dream. The sunlight streamed in, waking me up far later than normal, and I could only lie there and feel pure contentment—absolute satisfaction.Kelsey’s bed was soft and warm, its owner draped over my side, her soft breasts pressed against my ribs. She let out a soft sound as she moved, and I knew I would do everything in my power to wake up like that for the rest of my life.
I didn’t think our relationship could get any better, but this week proved me wrong. Kelsey joined me for dinner with my mom most nights, only skipping Friday to join her sisters, Lila, and Becca for pizza at Wild Crusts.
There was a small part of me that worried Kelsey and I were going to have less in common now that we aren’t working together every day, but that hasn’t been the case. We’re starting to build routines, both together and separately, which make me realize how fulfilling it can be to share your life with someone, although I’m not sure it would ever feel this way with anyone but Kelsey.
“I can’t believe you’re both going to be living with your boyfriends,” Izzy says to her sisters. “It makes me feel so old.”
“Like half of the people we grew up with are already married,” Kelsey replies, frowning slightly. “We’re too old for this to be so shocking to you.”
