“I think we handle each other pretty well. I didn’t bring it up because it made me want to run. Sure, it scared me, but I don’t want to go anywhere. I mentioned it because…well…she makes me think stuff through and she always makes me feel a little unsure about what I am thinking. I don’t want to hurt her,” I finish quietly.
“Thinking things through, not doing it on a whim, isn’t a bad thing. If anything, it’ll make you more mature. I know you don’t want to hurt her. If I thought that, we wouldn’t be having this delicious lunch.” He holds up a forkful as evidence. “Going through life alone sucks. I know you know that. Having an other half in your life is like having your conscience in front of your face. That’s what makes a good partnership, relationship, and in my case, a marriage.”
“Do you think that her mom will be more okay with Kinley’s career since she is in a relationship?”
He chuckles again. “Carson, let me give you a piece of advice, off the record, and if you ever tell Ruby I said this, I break every hockey stick you own. That night at dinner, I saw the sheer panic and fear in your eyes. My wife is hard on Kinley, but it’s because she doesn’t want her to be soft. Ruby grew up where girls got married, had babies, and cooked. Kinley is like me. So, don’t listen to anything my wife says about Kinley’s relationship status, or career choices, or future grandchildren. Kinley will do all that when she’s ready, and truthfully, Ruby understands that. She’s just more vocal about the fact it’s not on her timetable.”
“She will probably be more vocal when she finds out we’re not on a timetable at all.” I laugh.
“Ignore that part of my wife, okay? Focus on you, Kinley, and just being together. Everything else, if it happens, will happen when it’s the right time. As long as Kinley is happy, then I am happy. Just remember she’s there for you too. Like I said, Kinley can handle a lot more than you think she can.”
~
Nursing my whiskey, I listen to some of the lamest pickup lines I’ve ever heard. Leaning forward to insert myself into the conversation, I say, “There’s no way that will work. Where do y’all come up with this?”
All the heads turn towards me. Tyler laughs. “That was one of your famous lines, Carson. It worked every time too. Didn’t you used to say that if they wanted to sleep with you bad enough, then even the stupidest line would work?”
Hm. Now that I think about, I do remember. They are all still watching me, so I clear my throat. “Well, go see if it works for you, or if I was just a master at picking up girls.”
We watch the guy walk over to a group of girls. That’s his first mistake, getting himself an audience. He makes them laugh, but we won’t know if it worked until he comes back to our table. Looks like it was a bust as he shakes his head on the walk back.
“Maybe you should try it with one who doesn’t have any friends around. Might work better,” Tyler suggests. “Or maybe you aren’t the one she wants,” he adds as one of the girls walks to us.
I’m sitting at the end of the table across from Tyler. The girl props her arms on the table as she leans over, trying to use her breasts and low-cut shirt to her advantage. I drink more of my whiskey.
“Carson,” she starts, saying my name like we’re close friends. “My friends and I were wondering if we could buy you another drink.” She glances behind her, so I follow her gaze to see her two friends wave and smile.
“Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I’m about to leave to see my girlfriend anyway.” The shock is written all over her face. “I know, hard to believe, right? Best get used to it.” I lay some money on the table and head out to my car. Before I start driving, I let Kinley know I’m coming over, so she should find a stopping point.
She answers the door when I knock. I grab her hips and pull her flush against me, leaning down to whisper, “Sweetheart, I have a very important question to ask.” I kiss her neck and then add, “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”
“No, my wings let me float down,” she says without missing a beat.
Pulling away to look at her, I laugh and shake my head. “You’re perfect.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Kinley
I roll over as the bright light shines in my eyes. Sometimes, I really hate the sun. I prop myself up on my elbows, hearing Carson moving around in my kitchen. I pick up his shirt that I pretty much yanked off his body last night and slip it on.
“Are you cooking?” I ask, standing next to him.
“Trust me it’s not fancy. However, I do have coffee.”
I kiss his cheek. “Perfect.”
I watch him for a few moments, moving around with ease, and I can’t help the smile on my face. “You didn’t tell me how it went with Dad. Of course, you didn’t say much except a really bad 1970’s pickup line, and then fucked my brains out.”
“I don’t think you can talk about your dad and fucking in the same breath, sweetheart. Anyway, lunch went great and I had to test the line on you because we were talking about it at the bar.”
I laugh at him. “Well, I’m glad you had a good time with Dad.”
Carson very carefully plates the eggs and sausage links onto a plate and sets them in front of me. It’s not that big of a deal, but it’s the first time he’s cooked for me. I can feel him staring at me as I take a bite of the food. I know what is on his mind. It’s almost like I can sense it from him. I knew the second I hung up the phone what I had said, and I know that he wants to talk about it.
“Something is on your mind. I can see it.” I might as well get it out there.
“Do you remember what you said before you hung up yesterday?”