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“You don’t have to say anything,” Carson said. “No one knows what to say. That’s just it. I’m working through this on my own time. Yeah, it’s taking a while, but I can’t go at anyone else’s pace.”
Evie moved her hand up his arm, slowly caressing his skin. “Don’t worry about anyone else, then. You do what you have to do.”
He nodded. “I have been. That’s why I decided to continue with my education at another school. I couldn’t face all the guys on my team anymore. I needed a fresh start, but I wasn’t ready to face the real world, either. Grandad’s offer is a major blessing in my life, like he’s always been.”
Evie was watching him closely, and yes, there was compassion and sympathy in her eyes. Something he’d seen dozens of times in his former friends’ eyes. But with Evie, it didn’t bother him. It didn’t weigh him down with more responsibility to get over the death of his brother and be back to his old self again.
“What was he like?”
“Rhett?”
She nodded.
Carson exhaled. “He was good at everything, A showman, or a showoff, I guess. But I had more discipline, so I ended up getting the athletic scholarship. He came to all my games. Both he and Grandad. They were both my number-one support.”
“And your parents?”
“My mom took off soon after I was born. I haven’t seen my dad since I was thirteen.”
Her fingers tightened on his. “Your grandad’s a good man.”
“The best.”
She looked up at him then, and in her eyes, he saw a spark of something. More than compassion. Understanding? “I think you’ll grow to love Prosper, Carson. You can find a home here. People who you can care about and not have to try to be someone you aren’t.”
“I don’t know about Prosper ever being a true home,” he said in a soft voice.
One of her eyebrows arched. “Give it time.”
He lifted his other hand to cup her cheek. “I’m trying to, but without you in Prosper, I can’t make any guarantees.”
Her eyes widened, and maybe he’d been too bold and open, but when he leaned down and gently kissed her, she still kissed him back. So he decided he’d take that small victory. When he reluctantly drew away, she said, “Carson, you know what I’ve already decided.”
He brushed his fingers along her neck, then drew one of her wavy locks forward. “I know, but can you blame a man for trying?”
