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Something flashes in Carter’s eyes, and though I can’t quite identify it, I know it hurts my heart.
“I see. Which car are you taking?”
“I thought I’d take my dad’s.”
Carter pulls a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “Take the Range Rover. It has more space,” he says, sounding tired.
I nod, not wanting to argue with him. The entire atmosphere is suddenly so tense. Carter looks like he’s about to speak, but then his phone rings. “I’ll see you later, Emilia,” he says. He sighs as he walks out, and I somehow feel horrible.
I can’t shake that feeling all the way to the airport. My heart is constricting painfully and I’m feeling completely out of it. I try to force myself to smile as I wait for Sam by the exit, but I can’t.
I straighten when he walks out, a huge smile on his face. I wave at him, and he drops his luggage, running up to me. I laugh when he lifts me into his arms and twirls me around.
“Emilia,” he murmurs, his lips dropping to mine. I stiffen involuntarily, unable to kiss him back.
“Hey,” I murmur, pulling away. “How was your flight?”
He sighs and drops his forehead to mine. “I missed you, darling. It’s been so long,” he murmurs, and I hug him tightly.
“I missed you too,” I whisper. This is probably exactly what I need, a reminder of everything I have and everything Sam and I have built, so I can stop focusing on what I lost. “Come on,” I say, leading him to the car.
Sam whistles as I open the trunk for him. “Nice car. Your dad has great taste,” he says, and I freeze. I should probably tell him that this is one of Carter’s cars, but I don’t want to ruin Sam’s mood.
“I can’t wait to see the home you grew up in,” he says. He grins as we drive off and leans into me. “And share your bed,” he adds, his hand finding its way to my thigh.
I smile at him, but my heart twists painfully. I’ve never even shared that bed with Carter. It seems weird somehow.
“How is your dad? Let’s see him first before we do anything else.”
I nod and bite down on my lip. I’d been planning on going straight to my old house, but realistically there’s no way I can avoid taking Sam to Carter’s house, since that’s where Dad is living now. “He has his ups and downs. He’s doing quite well for the most part. It’s good to be here with him. There’s so much of his life I missed out on. So much I didn’t know about.”
I try to fill him in as best as I can on the drive back but find myself avoiding all mention of Carter subconsciously. I’m wrecked with guilt, even though I haven’t done anything wrong.
I’m nervous as we drive up to Carter’s gate. I remember the first time I saw it, and how imposing it all felt. I can’t imagine how Sam might feel. He falls silent as the gate swings open, and he’s tense as I park the car.
“This is where my Dad is staying,” I say quietly.
He nods stiffly. “So, this is Carter Clarke’s house, huh?”
I nod and get out of the car, wanting to just get this over with already. Graham, Carter’s security guy, walks out and helps Sam with his luggage, and I can tell Sam feels intimidated. I feel bad somehow, and I don’t know how to make him feel better.
We’re both quiet as I lead him to Dad’s treatment room, and Sam and I both freeze when we enter. Carter is sitting in the seat next to Dad’s, the two of them facing each other, both of them seemingly angry. They’re glaring at each other, and neither one of their expressions improves when they turn to find Sam and me.
“Hey,” I murmur, my eyes finding Carter’s. What is he doing here? Why isn’t he at work?
Carter rises from his seat and Sam straightens. I never realized that Carter is half a head taller than Sam, and much wider.
“Samuel, isn’t it?” he says. He sounds polite, but his eyes are flashing dangerously.
Sam nods and shakes Carter’s hand. “Carter Clarke,” he murmurs. “It’s an honor, truly.”
Carter nods and steps aside so Sam can greet Dad. I’m surprised to find Dad so lackluster. He’s always so excited when Carter comes home from work, yet Sam flew halfway across the world to visit him, and he acts like he’s going to a doctor’s visit. I cross my arms over each other and pin Dad down with a stare, and he smiles at Sam unconvincingly.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my eyes moving from Dad to Carter. Both shake their heads, and Dad crosses his arms over each other.
“You must be tired,” Dad says, glancing at Sam.
Sam yawns right on cue and nods, looking sheepish. “It’s been a fairly long journey,” he says.
