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Swallowing down the emotion Luke stirred up in me, I give Carter a weak smile. “Cute wingman you got there.”
“You have no idea.” Carter turns away from me and walks toward the expansive front window.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I just…” He runs his hand through his hair. “I needed to get away. Between you and Cody, my head is so fucked.”
“I’m so sorry, Carter.”
“I know. You’ve told me.”
It must be the millionth apology I’ve given him in the past few days, despite knowing it won’t change anything or make him feel better. I hate seeing him in turmoil and don’t know how to fix it.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and clearly, you’re a lot better when I’m not around, so I’m just going to go.” With a definite purpose, I hurry to the front door. My hand on the knob, I’m about to leave.
“Lexie, wait.”
I don’t turn but feel him coming closer, the nearness of his body overheating my own.
“Don’t you get it? Don’t you see that’s why I’m struggling?” He rests his forehead on my shoulder. “I don’t want you to go, but I can’t let you stay, either.”
“Because I lied.”
“Because you’re Coach Masterson’s daughter, and he…”
“I know. You don’t have to tell me. I’ve dealt with this my whole life.”
“Hey, Uncle Carter, can we play football?” Luke’s voice fills the room.
Carter’s head rises from my shoulder. “Yeah, bud, of course. Just give me a minute, okay?”
Luke begins to cheer. The love and adoration he has for Carter is beyond obvious. You can hear it in his voice, see it in the way he looks at him, and it’s definitely mutual.
“I’ll go get the football,” he shouts.
My hand begins to turn the doorknob. “I’ll see you later.”
“Stay. Play football with us.”
“Are you sure?” I ask hesitantly.
“No.” He chuckles. “All I know is I want you to stay. At least for today. We can figure out the rest tomorrow.”
Chapter16
Carter
“Ready,” Luke says, returning with a football in his hands.
He tosses the ball to me, and I look at Lexie. I should have let her walk out that door. Hell, I should have pushed her out. Seeing her with Luke, in my life, only solidified what I had already felt—she fits me, my life, everything.
I hate that she lied to me. I hate what she lied about. What I don’t hate is her. How can I when she’s made the black cloud that’s hung over me for months disappear? She makes me feel things I don’t want, especially not now after learning the truth.
It’s why I came straight to Char’s yesterday after our therapy session. The connection I felt to her, the need to be comforted by her, was all too much for my mind to wrap around. How can you want someone and be so angry with them at the same time? Even though I’m angry, I don’t hate her. I’m willing to forgive her. If only it made a difference.
It’s what she hid from me that’s the bigger problem here. Her identity. Who she is. The coach’s daughter.
Coach has made it abundantly clear that you don’t date his daughter. And considering all the strikes I already have, I’m pretty sure that would make this a fucking home run and my ass would be in deep shit.
