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35
AVERY
“Have you heard from Carter at all?” Bodie asks the question I knew was coming.
“No.” And not from lack of trying, only my calls went straight to a generic message that the mailbox was full. I’d debated even calling for hours after running out of there yesterday. But in the end, my worry for him and what his dad stirred up was greater than anything else. Cash got to him likethat.
Bodie pulls to a stop in front of my parents’ home. I’d debated skipping lunch today, but I didn’t want to explain to Mom why I wouldn’t be here. And I didn’t want to sit at home alone any longer. Especially after getting the crazy idea of driving to Carter’s house. If his phone is shut off, he’s wanting to be left alone. He’d probably be at the field right now anyway since there’s a game coming up.
“I’m sure he’ll come around.” Bodie tries to sound positive as he bails out of his truck, and I follow behind as we make our way into the house. The usual delicious aroma of home cooking fills the air as I take in the comforting scent, finding my mom in the kitchen as she wraps me in a warm embrace. She doesn’t say anything but her sympathetic expression assures me that she knows about what took place at the game yesterday.
“Hey, hey,” Rhett calls out as he enters the kitchen, glancing between me and Bodie. “How’s lover boy’s hand? While that scuffle was entertaining as hell, he can’t be risking his moneymaker like that.”
Bodie steps in front of me, shielding my brother’s mocking face as he tells Rhett to leave me alone. The teasing isn’t what’s bothering me, it’s the fact that I don’t know what’s going on with Carter.
Attempting to shift my focus, I move to help Mom as my phone chimes with a message from Dad. So much for shifting my focus.
“What’s wrong?” Bodie asks as I look up to him.
“My dad asked if I’d go up to the store because someone’s there to see me.”
“I’ll go with you.” Bodie follows me as I head to the door.
“Me too. I really want to hear this.” Rhett calls out, no doubt with the same assumption I have. It’s Carter.
“No. You stay here.” I’m unsettled enough without my little brother pestering me.
“Fine.” Rhett quips, walking out of the room in much the same manner as Finn does right before throwing a hissy fit when he doesn’t get his way.
The gravel crunching under our shoes is the only sound as Bodie and I quickly make our way to the store to find Dad and my visitor. I was partly right, there’s a Barlowe here to see me, but it’s not Carter. The sight of Cash sends nothing but disdain through me. I watch him smile at my dad before looking to where Bodie and I stand wordlessly.
“Avery, Mr. Barlowe stopped by to check on you.” Dad has a little less warmth in his voice than normal. I’m glad my dad isn’t acting starstruck by the washed-up athlete because he’s not someone who should be idolized, he’s someone who should be exiled.
“It’s the least I could do after the trouble my son caused yesterday. You ran off in such turmoil, I was worried about you.” Most would mistake him for sincere, but I know the truth, and I loathe the satisfaction in his voice. “Do you mind if we chat privately for a moment?”
“Avery.” Bodie moves closer to me.
“I’ll meet you back at the house.” My instructions don’t please Bodie. He’s not in the know, but he’s smart enough to discern something went down yesterday between Cash and Carter that goes deeper than what it seemed.
“I’ll wait outside for you.” Bodie begrudgingly steps away from me.
Dad tells Cash it was nice to meet him, extending a hand as they share a friendly shake that makes me want to pry the elder Barlowe’s fingers from my dad’s.
We stand in the middle of the store, Cash glances around before he finally breaks the tension-ridden quiet. “It’s a nice business your father has built here.”
“You sent the tickets. You wanted me at the game, not Carter.”
He lets out a soft chuckle, his hand rubbing across his mouth, there’s no hiding the amusement in his smile. “I just wanted to meet the lady who was the first to capture my son’s attention. It’s not an easy feat. Trust me.”
I don’t trust anything about this piece of shit. And I can’t explain the irrational anger that floods me as he leisurely takes stock of my family’s store. “You should go.”
Cash doesn’t seem insulted, but amused, at my statement. “I will. But first, I’d like to offer you a little proposition.”
“Not interested.”
He stops, picking up an item, examining it like he plans to purchase it. “You haven’t even heard my proposal. And with how things have been going between you and Carter, I’d suggest you at least hear me out.”
How would he know anything about what’s going on between me and Carter? It’s not like Carter calls his dad for friendly chats and life updates.
