AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You called her my girlfriend. When I told you she wasn’t, you made me realize that I jumped in headfirst without even thinking.”
“Douchebag.” Sebastian slapped the back of Simon’s head.
“Ouch, asshole. So, it’s my fault you went all Kind crazy and broke her heart?” He pointed to himself. “Listen, cousin. Every single one of us has been where you are right now.”
“Here we go. The infamous Simon speech.” Conner grinned.
“That’s right because none of you have the balls to tell the truth. Anyway, Carter. You’re being a little whiney bitch, and it’s going to stop right now. You’re so anti-relationship. You have daddy issues, trust issues, blah, blah, blah. We all did until our special women walked into our lives and turned our entire worlds upside down. You know why you dove in headfirst without even thinking?” He pointed. “Because it happened naturally. And you know why it happened that way? Because you felt something in your heart the moment you pulled over on the side of the highway to help her. Fuck those women who hurt you in the past. Even though you believe they are, not all women are like them. You were drowning, suffocating, and you’re using her telling the girls about the boat as an excuse to return to the surface for air. That has nothing to do with it, and you damn well know it. You’re scared to commit, just like your father was.”
“Uh, that’s crossing the line, bro,” Stefan said.
“I don’t care. You had the best thing that has ever happened to you standing right in front of you, and you fucked it up. And don’t try to deny it, either. We all saw the way you looked at her when you thought no one was looking. You looked at her the way we look at our girls every single day. You were given a second chance at life, cousin. Don’t waste it on fear. If you do, you’ll live a life full of regret, and we, as your family, will not let that happen. Even if we have to have Kate beat the shit out of you to make you realize what you’re doing,” Simon said.
“And she will, too.” Grayson’s brow arched.
I glanced over at Gabriel.
“Don’t look at me. I came to my senses.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“You can sit there and deny it all you want, but we know you love that woman,” Simon spoke.
“She told me that she’s glad I didn’t trust her because she would have walked away in less than six months anyway.”
“Why would she say that?” Nathan asked.
“I’m not sure.” I tipped the bottle to my lips. “Thanks for the talk. I’m going to head to bed,” I said as I stood up. “I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow.”
I climbed into bed, grabbed my phone from the nightstand, and texted Zoey.
“I’m sorry. Good night.”
I waited a few moments for the three little dots to appear, but they didn’t. Setting my phone down, I attempted to get some sleep. It didn’t happen.
CHAPTER 28
ONE WEEK LATER
Zoey
When I pulled into the parking lot, I smiled at the new window and shop door with the gold trim. I’d been here every day for the last week, watching everything come together. I placed an online ad for help. In addition to Barb, I was fortunate to hire a couple of bakers. Lily and Riley were going to help out a couple of days a week after school, and when the bakery became busier, I would hire more help.
I was standing in the middle of the bakery, watching the crew work their magic, when the door opened, and Carter stepped inside. Instantly, a knot formed in my belly.
“Hello, Zoey. Damn, look at this place.” A smile crossed his lips. “It’s so—pink.”
“What are you doing here, Carter? And how did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t. I took my chances. I didn’t see Katniss in the parking lot, so I went over to Julia’s and got a coffee. She told me you were here.”
“Katniss is in the shop getting fixed. I have a rental,” I spoke as I stared at the light pink walls.
“I wanted to give this to you,” he said as he handed me a white envelope.
“What is it?” My brows furrowed.
“Open it and find out.”
I opened the envelope and took out the folded piece of paper. It was my loan agreement from the bank with a stamp across it that said: Paid in Full.
