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“Not the new nanny?”
He scoffs. “No, I fired her the moment she tried to make a pass at me.”
Life has been busy, what with the season starting and then trying to win Carlee back, but I know Carter’s having problemsfinding a nanny to help take care of his kids. We need to catch up. When he’s not busy giving me a bloody nose, that is.
I move to the suitcase sitting open on the coffee table in the living room and find a pair of socks. I tug them on and then slip into my shoes.
“Going somewhere?” Carter asks, following me. I can still sense his anger, but it’s momentarily overshadowed by curiosity.
“Yes.” I go back into the bedroom and grab my cell phone, frowning when I don’t see any missed calls or texts from Carlee. I look up at my best friend. “When was Carlee fired?”
“Yesterday afternoon.”
Should I be concerned Carlee hasn’t reached out to tell me what happened?
Two days ago, she told me she’d be missing this trip with the team. She and her coworker, Chris, had to stay behind to promote ticket sales for our upcoming home games. I should’ve known something was up. There hasn’t been a trip Carlee hasn’t come on this entire season. The Lonestars knew they were going to fire her.
I picture Carlee sitting alone, crying over the loss of her dream job—a job she busted her ass to get. And it’s all because of me.
“Where is she?” I ask Carter.
“I don’t know,” he answers. “Mom said Carlee told them she wanted to be alone to lick her wounds. They dropped by her apartment last night, but she wasn’t there.”
What?!?
“Any idea where she would go?”
“No. And before you ask, I already asked Morgan. She said she had no idea Carlee was even fired, let alone where she is.”
Shit.
“That’s okay. It’s okay,” I say under my breath, my mind racing with possibilities of where she might’ve gone. “I’ll find her. I’ll fix this.”
“What are you going to do, Corey? Track her phone?” Carter scoffs. “Let’s not forget this is all your fault.”
“I’m aware,” I growl back. “And I’m going to fix it.”
“You just couldn’t do the right thing, could you man?” Carter steps into my path, puffing out his chest and invading my space. “
“Fuck off, Carter.”
“No, man. You know Carlee has been in love with you since she was a kid. Oh, you think I didn’t know?” He releases an unamused chuckle when he sees my surprise. “You think I didn’t know what happened at prom? You think I didn’t know why you refused to come home for the holidays when you used to join all of them while we were growing up? You played my sister, but I forgave you when it seemed like you were genuinely sorry and had the decency to stay away.
He shakes his head and releases another scoff. “I thought you would’ve grown up after ten years. I thought you’d be able to control yourself and leave my sister alone. Looks like I was wrong. You’re the same asshole who knowingly crushed a girl’s heart by disappearing on her, and we both know you’re going to do it again.”
I clench my fists. My shock at hearing my best friend reveal he knew about my complicated relationship with his sister takes a back seat as I prepare to defend myself. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Carter.”
“I think I do.” The anger and disgust in his expression is a slap to the face. “I think you’re a selfish bastard who isn’t good enough for my sister. You should’ve kept your distance. Now, you’ve ruined her career.”
The words land their intended blow, but I hold my ground. “You’re right. I’m not good enough for Carlee. But I don’t care. I’m so fucking in love with her, none of that matters.”
The words leave my mouth, and I quickly fall into a daze.
Oh, man… I’m in love with Carlee.
I knew I cared about her. I never stopped caring about her. But love? I thought I was too damaged—that my abusive upbringing made me incapable of feeling so deeply about another person. I never wanted to be vulnerable to anyone ever again.
But there’s no denying it. I’m in love with Carlee. She holds my heart and soul in her hands. And no matter what happens, I won’t ever regret it.
