I couldn’t argue with his logic. “So, this weekend is off?”
Carter looked at me. “I didn’t say that.”
“I’m confused. Do you want me to break up with Grey or not?”
“I wantyou... been wanting you since you walked into Dr. Randall’s class last year. At first, I didn’t care if you had a boyfriend. Now, it fucks with me. Especially these last three weeks of not seeing you, and he got to see you every day.” He paused, “Is he your person?”
How he asked, I couldn’t answer. Grey meant the world. He would always mean the world. That didn’t mean he was supposed to be my man.
Carter quickly added, “Forget I asked that.”
“Why?”
He inhaled and exhaled deeply. “Because I’m not ready to hear the answer.”
My lips curved in a smile. “You might like my answer.”
He shook his head firmly. “Your fight is fresh. Don’t want your answer now. May not mean nothing.”
I threw my arms around his neck. “You really do like me.”
His lips curved into a bright smile, and he hugged my arms as he drove with one hand. “I do. I just want you to figure out your shit before my heart gets further involved. When you ran to me, I wanted to be there for you. Ready to fight him for you, and you’re not mine. And I actually do want you to meet my family.”
I thought about our first conversation on the balcony when he asked if I was with Grey and seemed happy with my answer that we were only friends. And I allowed my insecurities about whether he could really like me to place me in this huge lie that I had to climb out of. Grey and I weren’t in a good space, but we would eventually work through it and continue living together.In Carter’s eyes, my life was way more complicated than an argument with my best friend.
When we valeted at Moxies, an upscale restaurant in the ritzy Galleria area, I looked down at my outfit. “They’re not going to let me in like this.”
He pulled me to the side of the entrance and buttoned up my jean jacket. “Wedges and this buttoned-up make your cargo pants more casual than sporty. Hold my hand, and we walk in as we fucking belong, and no one will question us.” Carter grasped my hand possessively, and we strolled inside the cool restaurant to the hostess stand. “I’m here to meet with Veronica St. Patrick.”
The stylish, model-like hostess with a sleek blonde ponytail smiled flirtatiously. “She told me that her son was on the way. Didn’t realize it was you. I go to Southern Texas, too. I’m at all the games cheering for you.”
Carter grinned and tugged me closer. “Appreciate that. So, will you take us to my family or point us in the direction?”
Her eyes slid to our clasped hands, and her smile tightened as she led us to his mother and brother, who were in a booth toward the middle of the restaurant. His brother, a lighter version of Carter with long brown locs, nodded from across the room. Ms. St. Patrick, an expensively dressed woman with flawless mocha skin, beamed when she spotted her oldest son. She rose from her seat with flair to embrace him. Her shiny black pixie cut framed her round face, and the flowy dress accentuated her natural curviness.
“Always late, Stank.” She stepped back to admire him. “I ordered a tuna sushi stack, spicy tuna roll, maple-glazed brussels sprouts, and calamari for appetizers. And who is your friend?” His mother asked without glancing my way.
Carter hugged me to him like we were already a couple and introduced me with the sun in his voice, “This is Darren Brown,a pharmacy major in her fourth year. We met last spring and started dating over the summer, and I decided at the last minute to bring her to meet you and Chase, so she’s just as surprised as you. This is Veronica St. Patrick, my mother.”
I smiled and awkwardly held my hand out. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you and how you’re killing the fashion game.”
She took my hand and patted it, though I didn’t feel warmth. This woman didn’t like me as she gave me a quick once-over from head to toe. “I’m sure.”
“Stop acting brand new because Darren’s here.” Seemingly oblivious to his mother’s cold reception, Carter grabbed his brother’s hand and hugged him. His younger brother tried to hide his grin as he allowed Carter to hug him tight. “Missed you.”
“Stop all that. I’m good. Mama is being extra like usual.” He slid back in his seat, and Carter held a chair for me before settling next to me.
Ms. St. Patrick huffed. “I’m not being extra. You were in the hospital, and I told Carter not to come home.”
“But he only wanted to come home because you probably made it worse than it needed to be. I should be hanging out with friends since this is my last year in high school, rather than being here with Mama. But I had to prove I’m good so you can get your head back in the game.”
I looked at Carter.Get his head back in the game?He was killing it, and that was why our team had won three straight games.
“Oops...my bad for not speaking, Darren. Nice to meet you.” His brother held his fist out. “Chase.”
I bumped it. “It’s cool. I told Carter I was cool with catching up later so he could spend time with you.”
“And I said I wanted you here with me,” Carter reminded firmly.
