I’m in shock.
“My dad works late.”
I can’t ignore his response.
“What about your mum?”
“It’s just me and my dad.”
Now Skylar’s eyes have landed on him.
Maybe she’s not as arrogant as she seems.
“So what will you do, just sit at home by yourself?”
He shrugs. “I always do.”
Something in the way he responds pushes me to insist he stays for dinner. “Stay for dinner.”
He thinks about it for a few moments.
“I came by bike.”
“I’ll drop you home, the bike will fit in the boot of my car.”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“I don’t think that—”
“Oh, come on!” My daughter cries. “Enough excuses! He’s invited you now. Just stay!”
A strange crimson colour seeps into Carter’s face.
“If it’s not too much trouble…” he says, timidly.
“He said it’s fine!” Discretion appears to have gone straight over my daughter’s head. “Take off that fucking backpack and shut up!”
“Sure, sorry.”
Skylar scoffs and walks off, leaving Carter standing with me in the hallway. I should have told her off for thatfuck, but I wasn’t quick enough.
“What an attitude,” I comment, glancing at Carter. “I don’t know how you put up with her.”
He smiles. “It’s not that hard.”
Mmm.
Apparently, Carter’s about as discreet as Skylar.
“Do you like my daughter?”
Well, I guess I’m not so subtle, either. I’m starting to realise just how much Skylar takes after me.
“I don’t know how to respond to that,” he says, seriously. “I think I could get in trouble for anything I say.”
I like this kid.
“You’re going about it the wrong way.”
