13. Chapter 12
Carter
I gathered the last of my things that were in the drawers and put them into the cardboard box.
I didn’t realize how much stuff I’d accumulated at Spence’s place.
I have only been there since the summer.
I went from having two large suitcases to a full car, and even Spence was taking things to my place in his truck.
“Are you almost ready?” Spence leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed.
We had no firm deadline on my move, but he wanted me out so he could have some fun with my little sister in his own bed rather than always going over to her place. Plus, I wouldn’t mind taking Siobhan home without worrying that anyone would catch us getting our freak on.
“Trying to get rid of me already? Do you really want to bring Natalie over just to have fun in my bed?”
Spence chuckled since we both knew what he wanted to bring her here. He wasn’t ever going to sleep in the guest room when he had his California King bed available, but at least he had the decency to feign some innocence when it came to his relationship with my sister.
“Something like that?”
I still didn’t love the fact that he was hooking up with my sister, but he made her happy.
I folded the flaps and closed the box before hoisting it up. “Well, after tonight, I’m officially out of your hair. But thanks again for letting me crash here.”
I’d been here far longer than either of us ever thought I would. Originally, it was supposed to be a couple of weeks, but it turned into months when my contractor disappeared on me after ripping out the plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom.
“Anytime.” Spencer grabbed the box at his feet. “Let’s get you back to your place.”
I nodded. I strapped the box into my passenger seat and drove the short distance to my house.
As I drove, I called my sister and personal assistant using the phone’s touchless features. After a couple of rings, she picked up. “What’s up, big brother?"
I hadn’t touched base with her about some of the plans this week. She knew I was moving out of her boyfriend’s place, but I hadn’t given her my wishlist of things I wanted done.
“Can you make sure you come to my place tomorrow and get it all fixed up?”
Almost immediately, she said, “Your groceries will arrive tomorrow morning, and I’ll have them all organized in the afternoon.
Please put the milk and creamer into the fridge.
Also, you’re on your own for the closet and underwear.
If you need help putting away the other stuff, I will work on it tomorrow. ”
She was freaking amazing. I was so glad she knew exactly what I wanted. Especially when I was already so busy with the hockey season. The more she could help organize for me, the better. Plus, she made everything look so pretty and easy to use.
“You’re the best," I told her.
Unlike her boyfriend, she didn’t try to pretend she wasn’t awesome.
“I know. Also, please stop telling your teammates that I’m awesome at home admin stuff. I need to focus on my actual job of being a social media manager. I can’t just be your team’s life organizer.”
I sighed. She’d been threatening to quit helping me, but I needed her.
From the moment she saved my ass by packing my lucky tie and my phone charger when I left them in my dorm after I got drafted, she’d kept me running on time.
I could focus on hockey and really kill it with my career.
I couldn’t have done it all without her.
I paid her handsomely for everything, and I couldn't dare lose her.
I didn’t mean to have Shorty, a vetran center on the Legacy, use her as well, especially after she got so upset at the start of the season when Spence and I told Scuba to hire her. But Shorty needed some help after his wife ended up in the hospital.
Hoping to at least placate her, I said, “I’ll talk to him about finding someone else. It’s just for now since he’s been lost ever since Denise’s diagnosis.”
Shorty’s wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and treatments have been super rough. So the whole team had been pitching in to make sure their kids got to their activities, and they had easy meals on hand for the whole family.
“At least he’s been pretty easy. But no more. Shorty’s the last one.” Natalie’s voice initially became softer, but there was a real edge to the last sentence.
Nat’s bark used to be way worse than her bite, but now that Spence was firmly in her corner, she had a real bulldog to defend her, and she’d been emboldened.
I missed the days when he was just my best friend.
He’d been in love with her for so long that it had taken a little bit to get used to them being a couple.
I’d slowly come around to the idea as long as I got zero details about their sex lives.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Just remember, I love you, Nat!”
I pushed the button to end the call as I pulled up to my house. Then, getting out of the car, I grabbed a box and started to work on unpacking on my own. Spence then pulled in with his truck behind me. Within a half hour, we were able to get everything inside.