12. Sam

Iscroll through the shows on Netflix, trying to pick something to watch. It’s only one in the afternoon, and I’m already antsy to head to Westlake.

I’ve always loved the shift schedule we run at the FD. I have to work twenty-four hours straight, but then I get forty-eight off. The only time that doesn’t apply is when I take an extra shift for someone who needs time off.

Right now, I’m cursing having all this downtime. I have nothing to distract me until it’s time to go to Carter’s house for dinner. It’s maddening. A regular nine-to-five would provide that, but I’d miss the extra days off.

My vibrating cell brings a welcome reprieve until I see it’s my mom calling. Gritting my teeth, I prepare myself for the news that she has a new boyfriend already.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hi, honey!” The excitement in her voice has me taking a deep breath. “I have some amazing news.”

“Yeah?”

“I got a job!” Her squeal simultaneously pierces my ear and makes me grin.

“Are you serious?”

“Don’t act so surprised. Your mama’s still got it.”

I laugh. “I’m not surprised. I always knew you had it in you to nail an interview. I’m just excited. What’s the job?” For years, my mom has struggled with nerves when it comes to interviewing for good jobs. Having to talk about her background always embarrassed her, and if she got an interview, she would blow it every time. I could understand to a certain degree. She got pregnant with me when she was seventeen, forcing her to drop out of school when she didn’t have the support she needed. She had to work extremely hard to get her GED while trying to be a single mother. It was never easy for her to bring in enough money for the two of us. Having to explain why she has a GED and her spotty work history wouldn’t be easy.

“I’ll be entering medical records at the hospital. It comes with full benefits, Samuel. I’ll finally be able to go to the doctor any time I want!”

My heart aches. “That’s amazing, Mom. I’m so proud of you.”

She continues to tell me about the job and how nice all the people are in the office. “There’s a break room with free coffee and everything,” she gushes.

“You’re a dork. It sounds like it’s going to be a great fit for you.”

Her voice turns soft. “I’m finally making the money I always hoped to one day.” She pauses, and I prepare for the other shoe to drop. “Would you maybe be able to come to the city in a few weeks and help me move to a new place? I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but I think I can afford a nicer apartment once I save up a little.”

My shoulders release the lingering tension. I hate that I expected her to talk about a new boyfriend. Not about the success of her new job. “I’d be happy to help you move apartments. Send me some links when you find the one you like. And if you need a little help with the deposit to get you out of your current place faster, all you have to do is ask.”

“I don’t deserve you, baby. I truly got so lucky when you came into my life.”

“You deserve every happiness you can find, Mom. I’m so happy for you.”

“I gotta get back to work. My lunch break is about over. Ha! I’m on a lunch break!”

I laugh at her excitement.

“I love you, Samuel.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

I end the call with a smile on my face. For years, I’ve been hoping Mom would be able to get herself out of the vicious cycle of finding a shitty job, dating a shittier man who usually took advantage of her, and ending up flat on her face without a penny to her name. I’m not sure how she managed to get this job, but I’m proud of her for doing it on her own.

Maybe now that Mom seems to be settling down, I can finally focus on settling down myself. An image of Carter holding a squishy baby while he looks at me with love in his eyes pops into my head.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I murmur out loud. We’ve hung out a sum total of three times. I may like him more than I’ve ever liked anyone at this stage, but that does not mean he is the man I’ll be with forever. Even if the little I know about him ticks all the boxes on my perfect guy list.

Ugh. Not helping.

I focus my attention back on my TV. Supernatural comes up as a show I might like, and I select it immediately. This show never gets old, and with hundreds of episodes, it’ll pass the time well enough.

With a press of the button, the doorbell rings, telling Carter I’m here. I squeeze the neck of the wine bottle in my hand to release some of the nervous excitement buzzing through my body. It’s as if I haven’t seen him in a week instead of days.

The door opens, and there he stands, in a pair of teal shorts that are short enough to be teasing and a light grey, short-sleeved Henley to round out the sexy frat boy look he has going. The dish towel hanging on his shoulder softens the look a little and makes me smile.

“Hey, come on in. I’m just putting the final touches on dinner.” Carter steps away from the door to let me in. We walk directly into his living room, and I can see his kitchen from the doorway. Off to the left is a wide hallway that I’m guessing leads to the bedrooms and bathroom.

“It smells fantastic in here,” I say, checking out Carter’s ass as he walks back to the kitchen. Those shorts should be illegal. I would like to do dirty, dirty things to him. Fuck me.

“You going to come in or continue to stare at my ass?”

My head whips up to find him smirking at me. “I’d like to come in something,” I grumble, walking to the breakfast bar to set the wine bottle down.

“That can be arranged.” Carter winks at me, and I grin.

“Duly noted. What are you making?”

“Pizza. It’s just about done. There’s a corkscrew in that drawer there if you want to open your wine.” He points to a drawer near his fridge and then turns back to the stove. “I hope pepperoni is okay?”

“It’s great. You made pizza? Like the dough and everything?”

“Yep. It’s one of my favorites.” Carter’s movements are full of confidence, as if he’s done this a thousand times. He doesn’t seem to be working off a recipe. There’s no paper on the counter, and his phone isn’t anywhere to be seen either. I’m a little in awe of him right now.

“I’m impressed. Where did you learn to do all of this? You look like a pro.”

He looks at me over his shoulder. “When I was in college, I lived by myself off campus. After a few months of takeout and ramen, I realized that my energy and mood were directly correlated to what I was eating. I asked my mom to teach me some of the basics, and then after I started doing it on my own, I found I enjoyed it. It became a stress reliever after a difficult test or whatever, and I began to expand my knowledge. YouTube came in handy often. Still does, if I’m honest.” He laughs.

“Maybe I should have you teach me some things, then. I work out as hard as I do because my diet is made up of mostly protein and frozen meals.”

Carter grins. “It’s all about balance. I eat healthier meals because I don’t like working out. I’d be happy to teach you whatever you want to learn, though.”

I pour us each a glass of wine and move closer to hand him his. Once he takes it, I wrap my arm around his waist and lean in to kiss him.

My whole body softens, as if all I needed was his lips on mine to relax. He pulls away far too soon for my tastes. I make my displeasure known with a whimper and lean in to take his mouth again.

Carter chuckles. “If you keep that up, dinner will burn and we’ll be back to takeout again.”

“Fine.” I sigh like I’m put out, but the corner of my mouth quirks up to give me away. Carter kisses my nose, and I grin at him.

He makes me happy.

I move away from him with that thought echoing in my head. It sticks with me as I set the table, and even while we eat the fucking fantastic meal he created, I’m still a little stuck on it.

I was happy before I started hanging out with Carter. Wasn’t I? I have a great job that I love and amazing friends who support me in every way. But maybe that’s just it. I don’t need Carter in my already full life. I want him there. He makes me feel like I’ve got the most delicious chocolate cake in my hands, and I get to eat it without consequences.