“It will. And so will our date afterwards.” I give her a wink, knowing I will do absolutely everything in my power to make sure both go off without a hitch.
“We’ll see.” She brings the coffee cup up to her smirking lips, taking a sip.
She didn’t refuse me, so it’s definitely a swing and a hit. I’ve never been so damn thrilled over a date as I am about her not turning me down flat again for a date. So, I let the topic drop as I listen to her speak about her family. The more she talks, the more I’m looking forward to spending the day with all of them, her especially, because our current coffee date is over way too fast for my liking.
“Well, my students will be along in about five minutes.” She glances at her phone before shuffling items around on her tidy desk.
Reaching over, I tenderly grab her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb along her wrist as I lift her knuckles to my mouth, feathering a gentle kiss across them. “Let me know if you change your mind about tonight.”
I stand, moving the chair back to its place. “I’ll find the coach and tell him you sent me to rally his team.” I regretfully turn to leave the classroom and seek out the damn coach when I’d rather park my ass in this classroom or anywhere she is, really.
“Carter,” she says softly. When I turn, she’s got the most magnificent smile on her face. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” And damn it, it is. The only thing I can think as I make my way through the high school is I hope it’s the first of many days where we’re on good terms. And I really hope I’m done watching her bail on me.
17
AVERY
The morning has been perfect. Surreal, but perfect. Introducing Carter to my dad face-to-face was a bizarre moment. Even though Dad is a fan, he never showed it. Instead, he started bossing Carter around just like he does the rest of us, and Carter fell right into line. In fact, Carter fits in with us almost too perfectly as we move around the store and wrap up some last-minute things that Dad wanted done before the signing tonight. And I have to say, the store hasn’t looked this good in years, if ever—we’ve wiped every square inch of it down. And Carter is still at it, putting in the work with Rhett to finish up their latest task.
“So, what’s the deal with y’all?” Presley asks, startling me. But it’s a good thing she jolted me out of my reverie, as I realize now I’d just been standing staring at Carter. Again.
“There’s no deal. He wanted to help out Mom and Dad’s business.”
“Yeah. Sure, Avery.” My little sister all but undresses him with her eyes, making me want to fist fight her for the first time since we were kids. “Then you won’t mind if I go over and thank him properly for everything he’s doing for our parents.” Her suggestive smirk tells me what her idea of “properly” entails.
“Stay away from him, Presley.”
“Why, sis? There’s nothing going on between the two of you, right?” she goads. “I can’t wait to see under that T-shirt.” She moves to walk over, but I step in front of her.
“Stop it.”
“Not until you admit it.” Her patronizing smirk tells me she wants the intel, not for my benefit, but to use to hers however she might decide during her next bratty episode.
“Admit what?” Tessa asks, walking in at the perfect time from picking Finn up from his day school. It doesn’t take her long to assess what she’s walked into. “If y’all act crazy, Dad is gonna be in a bad mood the rest of the day. This is too important of a day for him and Mom. And Carter,” she says looking to me.
Finn runs into my side, bear-hugging me with his little arms. I reach down and pluck him up, settling him on my hip and wrapping the welcome interruption in a warm hug as I try to shake off my frustration with Presley. It doesn’t take long for the feeling to recede as Finn wraps his arms around my neck. “I missed you, buddy.”
“Me too.” He places a wet smooch on my cheek as Carter walks up to us.
“Carter, this is Finn, my nephew. Finn, this is my friend Carter.”
Carter extends his hand as Finn gives him a weary look before accepting it. He wiggles, so I set him down, and he’s off to Tessa who asks if he wants to go with her to our parents’ house or stay at the store with his granny. He opts to go to Granny’s for a snack, and it sounds like a plan.
“I’m a mess.” I rub my hands over my yoga pants, pulling my T-shirt away. So much for keeping myself halfway decent looking, not that it should matter. “I’m gonna head to my parents’ house to get ready.” It’s more convenient since it’s just a short walk from the store and much closer than my place.