Chapter 1 #3
“Why?” Carter’s eyes twinkled, assessing me.
“I mean...you’re you.”
He wryly asked, “And who’s me?”
“Like you’re this NFL star with a family.”
“Former NFL star who has two families and neither wants me there,” He said ruefully. “Okay, maybe my children want me there. Their mothers, not so much.” Carter gestured behind him. “You saw Exhibit A.”
“So not together?” I hope the hopeful flutter in my stomach didn’t reflect on my face.
He sat up. “She only did that to fuck up whatever game she thinks I’m about to play. We haven’t been together in almost two years.”
Suddenly, our conversation seemed way too personal. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be all in your business.”
“Business, I willingly gave.” He lifted his cap to rub his forehead. I itched to touch the thick coils that needed a cut. “Wanted you to know I’m single before we spend Thanksgiving together.”
My heart.
Stopped.
Carter smiled before taking out his phone and shifting long enough to take a quick selfie of us. My lips curved right before he clicked. “Approve?”
In the photo, admittedly, we looked like a couple already. I nodded numbly.
He held his phone for me to see as he opened his IG and posted it without any comments or captions. “Now, you have no choice but to spend Thanksgiving with me. We’re official.”
Incredulously, I stared at him. “I can’t believe you just posted me. This isn’t the kind of 'I need a fake date' for dinner, is it, because I can’t imagine it would be hard for you to find a date?”
One brow raised. “No. Just Thanksgiving with me in my home. I posted it in case you’re worrying about waking up dead while you’re with me, and your peeps can look for me first.”
“Waking up dead?” I snickered. “As a medical doctor, I can say without a doubt, you can’t wake up dead.”
“Just saying.” He shrugged. “I am a stranger for now, and I want you to feel safe.”
“You’re really serious, aren’t you? You and me for Thanksgiving?”
“I want a real date with a real woman. Is that okay?” he asked, though nothing about him suggested that he was asking me. In his mind, it was a foregone conclusion that we were spending a holiday together after knowing each other for a second.
“So, you give me your address, and I just show up on Thanksgiving?”
He rested his chin on the back of the chair again and stared up at me, fully aware of his allure. “No, you’ll spend the night and wake up on Thanksgiving morning with me.”
His request lingered between us as our gazes locked.
“You’re used to getting your way, Mr. St. Patrick.”
“Carter.” His jawline became more pronounced. “Not always.”
“I’m not that woman as much as I would like to be, especially at this very moment.”
He lifted one brow again. “And what type of woman would that be?”
“A woman who can be with a man I don’t really know. It doesn’t matter that it’s Carter St. Patrick, one of the best quarterbacks to ever do it.” I whistled. “If my mama heard me right now, she would pop me good.”
Carter laughed. “Where are you from?”
“Is it that obvious, I’m not from L.A.?”
“The slight twang in your voice gives you away. I’m not judging, I’m a southern man myself.”
“Dallas. I know. I’m a fan.”
His lips slid into the widest grin. “A fan of me or that I used to be in the NFL?”
Blushing, I ducked my head as I softly replied, “A fan of you and I’m from Birmingham.”
“Nice city,” Carter complimented. “Sounds like you know a little about me, let me get to know a little about you. I’ll pick you up tomorrow, and we can decide on what we want for Thanksgiving dinner together.
No pressure to do anything except talk and spend time.
No expectation for you to do anything you don’t want to do. ”
I twisted in my seat to face him. “What if I don’t cook?
He grinned. “My mama taught me how to cook.”
“Why me?”
“Maybe I don’t want to spend another holiday alone. Sounds like you don’t either, New York.”
“Brooklyn,” I corrected.
“I know your name, Dr. Brooklyn Kelley. Noticed you the last time I was here with my son four months ago. Glad you walked into his room today.”
“Can’t believe I’m even considering this.” Unable to stop the grin that spread across my face that he’d noticed me before we ever spoke to one another, I held my hand out. “Give me your phone.”
Carter slowly unlocked and gave me his phone.
I admonished. “Not checking for other women, which I’m sure there are plenty of them. I’m giving you my number, making sure it’s locked in. Don’t want to get ghosted.”
“Just because we have each other’s numbers doesn’t mean that one of us won’t get ghosted.” He said as he watched me add my phone number.
“Still, I want to at least be able to reach out to you and know you received it, even if you choose not to respond. I want you to feel all the guilt.” When my phone buzzed, I smiled. “I’ll send you my address. What time shall I expect you?”
He reached across the small space and tugged on one of my twists. “I’m free all day. Text me whenever you’re ready, and I’ll come get you.”
Ignoring the desire to stop breathing at his playful touch, I asked, “Should I pack anything in particular?”
“Whatever you want to wear. It’s going to be a chill day. Food and football. Unless there’s some movie you want to see.” His mouth twitched. “Or there’s something else you want to do.”
“Food and football, it is.”
Carter chuckled again and lifted one leg as he rose to stand beside his chair. “I better check on Sekani. Needed a break from his mother. You done for the day?”
“Almost. Make another round. Make sure your discharge papers and crutches are ready so you can get him home. Glad it was only a minor sprain.” I looked up at him, marveling that he and I were speaking like it was the most common occurrence.
“Me too.” He touched the bill of his cap. “See you tomorrow if I don’t see you anymore today. His mother is taking him home.”
I half-waved, and he strode away from me, with the confidence of a man used to life working in his favor. I waited until he turned the corner, out of my sight, to dance in my chair. I owe Denise a huge gift for Christmas. I had a whole ass date for Thanksgiving with Carter St. Patrick.
And the turtle was back in the game.