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Cody very graciously shows me around the property before retiring us to the rocking chairs on the back porch.
“It’s gorgeous here,” I tell him, in awe of my surroundings.
“Maybe you’re not quite the city girl you think you are.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
For the first time since I saw the video and shit hit the fan, I feel at ease. I’m enjoying Cody’s company, much more than I had anticipated when we met at the bottom of the stairs. Much like Carter, he’s funny and charming. Though I do sense a disconnect between him and Carter. I can only assume it has to do with the accident, though Cody doesn’t seem to look any worse for the ware.
The sound of the screen door slamming shut interrupts our conversation.
“What the hell is going on?” Carter looks pointedly at me.
“Your brother was kind enough to keep me company while you went out and did… whatever.” I stop myself from saying the part that’s really bothering me—the potential of a whoever. Not that I have much to focus on except the rage I see in Carter’s eyes. Rage directed right at Cody.
“What a prince.” Carter’s voice drips with sarcasm.
“Aw, don’t be jealous little brother. I was just making nice with your therapist.”
“What you’re going to do is stay the fuck away from her,” Carter orders Cody as he takes a step in his direction.
Cody rises to his feet. He’s only an inch shorter than Carter, but at that moment, the difference seems significant. Carter looks so much larger, so much stronger. I assume it has to do with whatever addiction Cody had referenced a few times throughout the afternoon.
“Make me,” he challenges Carter.
I step between the two of them, my focus on Carter. “You have no right.”
“Like hell I don’t. You are here for one reason and one reason only… to fix my arm. Not to fuck my brother.”
“Grow up, Carter. We were just talking. He was kind enough to keep me company when you just up and left me here.”
“I needed some space. I needed to clear my head.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Do you have any idea what all this is doing to me? How it’s making me feel?”
“Yeah, I do, but I don’t know what else to do or say besides I’m sorry,” I tell him.
“For starters you can say you’ll stay away from my brother,” he replies. I begin to speak, but Carter cuts me off. “For your sake. Not mine.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Spend some more time with him, and you’ll find out.”
Carter turns to Cody. “If you so much as harm a single hair on her head, I’ll fucking kill you. Understood.”
“Oooh, I’m shaking,” Cody says, laughter following the sarcastic comment.
I have no idea what is going on between these two, but whatever it is, it far surpasses the accident and now, I feel like I’m caught in the middle of it.
“Dinner’s ready,” Carter’s mom says as she steps outside. She glances between her two sons. While I’m sure she can see the impossible-to-miss tension between them, she ignores it. “Come inside and eat.”
As we enter the dining room, I inhale the aroma of the food. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a home cooked meal, and it smells heavenly.
“I made Carter’s favorite, pot roast.” His mom boasts proudly as she sets the food out onto the table.
Carter smiles and presses a kiss to his mom’s cheek. He pulls out a chair and gestures for me to sit. A moment later, Carter occupies the seat next to me. Cody snickers as he takes a seat across from us.
Whatever is going on between the two of them, I hope they can keep it at bay. At least for this meal. Mrs. Wallace looks ecstatic to have her family here. I would hate for them to ruin this for her.
“This is delicious, Mrs. Wallace.” I take another bite of the food.
