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“Not even close. In addition to not having met anyone I felt like I could love, I think I’ve just always had it in the back of my mind that my life can’t really start until my father is removed from it.”
“You have some big-time daddy issues, Carter.”
He laughs. “You’re not wrong.”
We continue talking and getting to know each other. We have a really nice time.
When we walk out, he takes my hand. He whispers, “In case there are cameras.”
“Oh, okay. I don’t think I’ve seen any tonight.”
“I haven’t either. Though occasionally they manage to catch me from far away.” He looks around. “It’s odd. I’ve spent nearly thirty-five years trying not to be photographed, and I’m constantly photographed. And now tonight is the first time I wanted it, and they’re all snoozing on the job.”
I laugh. “Maybe another time.”
“Yes, we’ll have to go out again. It wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Not at all. I had a nice time, Carter.” I smirk at him. “Ilikethe company. Iloveriding on your bike.”
He hands me the helmet. “I’ll take the long route home.” We climb on the bike. “Hold on tight.” Yep, that won’t be a problem. Admittedly, I hold his body between my legs and arms a little tighter than I did on the way here.
CHAPTEREIGHT
NINE YEARS AGO
REAGAN
“To Reagan on her eighteenth birthday.” Mom, Dad, Harley, Skylar, and Aunt Cass all clink glasses with me.
I smile. “Thanks, Dad. How about Skylar and I get a glass of whatever the four of you are drinking?”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Nice try. Certainly not out in public. Maybe when we get home.”
Aunt Cass continues to hold her glass in the air. “To Reagan, who really knows how to enter adulthood with abang.” Everyone except Dad starts laughing hysterically.
My family came into my bedroom to wish me a happy birthday first thing this morning. Unfortunately, my boyfriend Dexter beat them to the punch, and we were having sex when they walked in.
Dad shakes his head. “It’s not funny. It was horrific for me. You may have traumatized your little sister for life.”
Skylar just smiles. “Dad, it was possibly the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. No trauma here, despite your carrying me out of the room with your hand over my eyes like I’m a baby.”
I shake my head. “Actually, Dexter is more traumatized than anyone. He wouldn’t even come to this dinner, afraid to face Dad.”
Dad scrunches his nose. “I’m not terribly interested in seeing him right now either. I think I’ve already seen too much of him today.” We laugh again. “I’m just happy that you’re leaving for college in a few months so he’ll be a distant memory. He’s not good enough for you.”
Mom turns to me. “You and Dexter aren’t planning to stay together?”
I look at her like she’s crazy. “Hell no. I don’t want to go to college attached to anyone. I want to be a free agent.”
Dad just shakes his head in displeasure at my word choice. Aunt Cass mouths, “Good decision.”
Dad puts his hand over mine. “You’re being safe though, aren’t you?”
I nod. “Of course. Mom put me on the pill two years ago, and we also use condoms, which Mom showed me how to use.”
Skylar and Harley giggle. Dad looks at them and then back at me. “What do you mean Momshowed you?”
Mom interrupts. “In Reagan’s health class a few years ago, she was asked to put a condom on a banana. She apparently tried to put it on the wrong way, upside down, and it was a mess. I decided to teach the girls the right way to do it. One dinner when you weren’t home, I gave them a demonstration on a banana so they could learn the proper technique.”
