28. Carter

28

CARTER

One Week Later

“So, are you finally ready to talk about the fact you’re dating your nanny?” Corey asks the moment I sit across from him at our favorite barbeque joint in Rose Hill.

I scowl but swiftly adjust my expression when our waitress appears to welcome us and ask what we’d like to drink. I order water with a polite smile. Corey sounds gruff as he orders the same.

When she walks away, I unleash my scowl on my best friend. “Well, hello to you, too.”

Corey smirks. “Hey, don’t give me that shit. Your sister’s been bugging me for a week straight to call and ask what’s going on. She’s relentless.”

I can only imagine.

Carlee and our parents have been texting me about the story at least once a day. Other than confirm Valerie and I are in a relationship, I haven’t said much. They’re all wondering how long we’ve been together and when it started, and they’re worried about how I’m handling the unexpected social media buzz around my secret relationship.

I plan to talk to them eventually. I’ve just been busy navigating this situation with Valerie. And trying to find the right time to tell Abby and Andy about us.

“How did you manage to keep her at bay?” I ask him.

“I told her you’d reach out when you were ready.”

If there’s anyone who respects someone else’s boundaries, it’s Corey Johnson. Dane and a few of my other friends aren’t as considerate as my childhood best friend. They’ve been hassling me for details more than my family.

But it’s not a big deal. They mean well. Dane isn’t the only one who’s shared concern over my lack of romantic partners this past year. They’re all relieved that my drought has finally ended. Or so their texts say.

“Well, thanks. I appreciate you letting me work through this on my own.”

“Of course, man.”

The waitress returns with our drinks. Corey and I don’t waste time ordering our favorite barbeque plates. He and I came to this restaurant at least once a week during our senior year of high school. We were practically inseparable for most of our childhood, but once we started excelling in our individual sports, it became more difficult to hang out. But we always made time for Jerry’s Smoke Pit.

“So, what’s new with you? Have you and Carlee picked a wedding date, yet?” Corey proposed after he and the Lonestars sealed their World Series victory.

He’d bought the ring months ago, but I wasn’t sure when he’d finally pull the trigger and propose. When he told me his plans to do it when, not if, the Lonestars won the game in Minnesota, I was impressed. My reclusive best friend isn’t one to enjoy a scene. But for Carlee, he wanted to make the moment memorable.

It was a boss move to propose after becoming a baseball world champion. The pictures from the moment are incredible.

“No,” Corey answers. “Not yet.”

I’m happy for my sister and best friend. I hate that this mess with the photo has pulled the family’s focus away from their happy news. Not that Corey minds the reprieve from being the center of attention.

“Are there any updates on the custody stuff with Laura? You know… since all this stuff about you dating Valerie became news.”

“No, but Davis is confident it won’t be an issue.” I trust the lawyer at his word. I can’t afford not to. I have enough on my plate navigating things with Valerie.

No matter how many times she assures me she’s okay, I can’t help but feel like my girlfriend is on the brink of calling it quits between us. Her dad’s disapproval hit her hard. I’m not going to lie, it hurt me too.

I respect Coach Palmer, and it’s never a good feeling to have someone you respect openly disapprove of you. He’s told me before that I’m a good guy. I’d hoped that would’ve held more weight when he was forming his opinion about me dating his daughter. As a dad myself, I understand his concerns. But I don’t like it.

Eager to have at least an hour where I’m not talking about my problems, I prepare to change the subject when a feminine voice behind me says, “Carter? Is that you?”

I rotate in my seat and see a blonde woman standing a couple of feet away. Her hair is styled in loose curls and her face is covered with makeup. I don’t immediately recognize her, but then it hits me. “Sara?”

Her smile broadens, showcasing professionally whitened teeth. “Yes! Talk about a small world! I haven’t seen you in years.”

“Yeah.” I shift awkwardly in my seat. “Small world.” Sara was the girlfriend of one of my college teammates, Mike.

Mike, Sara, Laura, and I spent a lot of time together during undergrad. Laura considered her a friend. Until one night, senior year, when Sara had one drink too many and decided to make a pass at me.

No one saw it happen, and I obviously turned her down. I was madly in love with Laura at the time, or so I thought.

Now that I’m older, I know what I felt for my college girlfriend was more infatuation than love.

I thought about keeping my mouth shut and blaming alcohol for Sara’s behavior, but Mike deserved better. The two broke up not long after I told him what happened. When Laura learned of Sara’s betrayal, she cut her off as well.

I only saw Sara a few times after that, but every time I did, it was always a questionable situation. Like the one time I ran into her outside my economics class when she was a biology major. Or the time I saw her at my favorite burger joint on Thursdays when they had half-price meals even though Sara was a vegetarian. Every encounter with Sara was stilted and awkward, and this one doesn’t feel any different.

“How have you been?” she asks, undeterred by my less-than-enthusiastic reply.

“I’ve been good.” I adjust my position when my back starts to protest. “You?” I ask to be polite.

“I’ve been great.” She continues to smile. “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m roommates with Angela, Deon Walter’s new girlfriend.”

“Oh. No, I didn’t know.” The defensive lineman has been bragging about his new girlfriend in the locker room these past few weeks, praising social media for finding her. He encourages other players to give the women who DM them a chance, saying maybe they’d be as lucky as him and find a girlfriend as incredible as Angela.

I don’t know much about Deon’s girlfriend, but I know she’s as young as the lineman. Which is nearly six years younger than Sara. How in the world did they meet, let alone end up living together?

“Yeah,” Sara replies, unaware of my growing unease. “It’s so fun living with her. She invites me to all the Rough Rider games to keep her company. You’ve been playing great this season.”

“Thanks.” Instinct tells me to end this conversation asap. Back in college, Sara was cute and had a natural look. She was never one to doll up. At least, not like Laura did. But now, with her highlighted hair and painted face, she looks just like my ex. Eerily so.

“Here you are, gentlemen.” Our waitress returns with our food. She puts each plate on the table. “Can I get you anything else?” She bats her lashes at Corey and then at me.

Being from Rose Hill, she knows who we are, but the man who owns this place demands his employees treat us like ordinary customers so I’m not worried about her hitting on us. Jerry’s a good dude.

“No, thank you,” Corey replies. His eyes lock with mine and I read the silent question in his probing stare.

I clear my throat and turn back to Sara. “Well, it was nice seeing you, Sara. Enjoy your lunch.”

“I agree,” she quickly says before I can turn back around. “Maybe we can chat again after one of your games? Angela always waits outside the locker room for Deon. I’m sure I can wait with her.”

Southern politeness urges me to agree to avoid any awkwardness, but my gut says that wouldn’t be wise. I need to nip the interest gleaming in her gaze in the bud. Right now.

“Sorry, but I’m usually busy after games.”

“Oh? With what?”

“My girlfriend,” I blurt, eager to end her persistence the only way I know how.

I thought anyone who knew me would be aware of the photo of me and Valerie that’s circulating the internet, but on the off chance Sara hasn’t seen it, I need her to know I’m taken. Something tells me nothing else will dissuade her.

“Oh.” She tilts her head to the side. “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”

I’m not sure I believe her.

“Yeah, well… I do.” I pray for this situation to end. It’s awkward as hell.

Thankfully, my admission seems to do the trick.

“Well, maybe some other time.” Sara’s bright smile returns. She flips her hair over her shoulder and then waggles her fingers in a little wave. “See you around.” She spins on her heels and struts away. I expect her to return to a table in the restaurant, but the doorbells jingle as she opens the door to leave.

“Was that the Sara from college?” Corey asks the moment the door closes behind the woman.

I dip my chin. “Yeah.”

“I’d be careful with that one.” He picks up his fork and scoops up a bite of potato salad. “She gives off a crazy vibe.”

“Yeah.” A shudder ripples through me. I’m not a fan of calling women crazy, but there’s something about Sara that rubs me the wrong way. “I couldn’t agree more.”