Chapter 26
And the mess thickens.
Ipractically ran down the stairs, fuming, refusing to shed tears. Carter and Chelsea had been together at some point. Somehow, Grey found out and confronted them both. I wanted to scream in frustration at the unfairness of it all.
My best friend fucked my boyfriend!
If he’d cheated with some random, we could possibly get past it.
How in the hell could I ever look at him or Chelsea the same?
Even Grey seemed different to me. I wondered if I could trust him anymore.
Maybe they were all laughing at my naivete since no one ever believed I could land Carter.
And if Chelsea and Carter have been together since he and I, then whatever he said to me is trash.
No way could I ever believe any words out of his lying fucking mouth.
I slung open the door, ready to vent to my sister again, when she grabbed me to her as soon as I slid into the front seat.
“Darren, I answered your phone while you were inside. His brother said that Carter was rushed to the emergency room. He was talking and joking one minute, and then he apparently had a seizure.”
“What?” I held on to her tighter, my rage replaced by cold fear. “Is he okay?”
Danielle shook her head. “We need to get to the hospital now. Ms. St. Patrick wants you there. Thinks you being there might help.”
“Okay.” I nodded and backed up to my side. I closed my eyes, trying to find peace within my soul to be there for him. Isn’t this what love is? Pushing past your emotions when your loved one needs you most. Carter must need me. If his mother asked for me, she believed he did.
I pulled out my cell from my jeans pocket.
Truth. Were Carter and Chelsea fucking while he and I were together? 6:32 pm
His response was almost immediate.
No... or at least I don’t believe so. They were before you. He’s the reason she and Carmello broke up. Let me call you. I’d rather talk than text. 6:33 pm
Not a good time. Carter had a seizure, and he’s in the hospital. His mother wants me there. I don’t want to hate him. Not now, when we don’t know what’s wrong and could lose him. 6:33 pm
I’m sorry about Carter. I’m praying for him to pull through, and I mean that. And don’t hate him, especially not now, because as much as I wish I could say otherwise, I believe he loves you. 6:34 pm
I held my phone against my chest, feeling some relief that Carter didn’t cheat on me. Still, it didn’t excuse Chelsea or him for not telling me they’d been together. My phone buzzed.
I love you, too. I always will. 6:37 pm
My heart twisted in impossible knots as I furiously responded,
Why would you say that now? I don’t need this. Got too much stuff spinning around in my head. 6:38 pm
I lost you because I was afraid, and he wasn’t. I can’t be afraid anymore. Just wanted to put my cards on the table so you know I’m an option. When you’re ready, we need to talk. 6:39 pm
“Ugh,” I yelled in frustration.
Of course, Grey would finally say he wanted what I did.
He was a competitor at heart, and right or wrong, he knew that my belief in Carter had been shattered.
This was the right time for him to step up.
Unfair as he was to make his feelings known at my most vulnerable, I hated that I couldn’t wait to talk to him.
I also hated holding out a little hope that I could still love Carter.
At this point, I needed to be by my damn self.
To sort out old and new feelings. To sort out if either was truly the man for me.
I had been operating on emotions and lust since I moved into the condo.
Never really taking time to think about who understands me the best, respects my ambitions, and with whom I can honestly grow old and in love, raising our family together.
I wanted what my parents had. I wanted the love of a lifetime.
My sister reached for my hand and held it. I remained silent. I wanted Danielle to be there in support, not resentful or angry at Carter. He needed positive vibes and prayers around him. So, I allowed her to believe my turmoil was only about the extent of Carter’s injury.
MY SISTER AND I MADE it to the emergency room.
Some bench players and an assistant coach were waiting in the corner of the large waiting area.
Most were on the phone, probably keeping up with the game, which should be over soon.
Carter’s brother rested in a chair with his eyes closed, and his mother wasn’t around.
I eased down next to Chase and tapped his shoulder. “Hey.”
He opened his eyes and smiled. “Glad you’re here. He’s asked to see you.”
My heart swelled in relief as I anxiously asked, “Carter’s okay?”
“For now. More CAT scans to make sure there isn’t any bleeding or clots.
He had a concussion. They want to observe him for a few more hours, and if everything remains stable, he’ll be discharged.
” He chuckled. “The first thing he asked when he opened his eyes was whether we won. The second thing was asking for you. Mama didn’t like that.
She never had any competition for his attention until now, and she can’t stand it. ”
“Guess she’ll be happy if we break up,” I snarked before catching myself. Knowing Carter asked for me, I couldn’t help that raw pain and joy ripped through me. That he needed me, and his family recognized his love for me. Yet, he did something I wasn’t sure could be forgiven.
Chase’s broad smile dimmed. “She wants him to be happy, and you make him happy. She’ll come around.”
Contrite, I softened my tone. “I’m sorry if I seemed disrespectful. It’s been a lot.”
“Yeah. For me, too. I’m glad I didn’t see him have a seizure or pass out.
We were on our way to the locker room when it happened.
I’ve never had to see my brother in the hospital.
It’s always been him visiting me. I prefer the other way.
Used to my strong big brother, you know?
” He ducked his head so I couldn’t see his tears.
“I know.” I squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. “It hurt to see him on the ground, almost worse to see him on the stretcher. I’ve encouraged him to be open-minded about not going into the draft. Maybe this happened, so we remember that this is a dangerous sport and respect his decision.”
“Me and Mama were saying the same thing. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll respect it too.” Chase looked over his shoulder at Danielle, who chose a seat on the other side of the lobby to give us privacy. He teased with a sly grin like his brother. “Do you have another sister? Preferably single.”
“No. I have a couple of cousins your age.” I laughed and pushed his shoulder playfully.
“Hook a brother up. Maybe invite me to your graduation party in the spring.” His grin was so charming and infectious that I always wanted to be his big sister. I liked Carter’s family, too. Why did Carter have to fuck around with Chelsea?
Their mother walked through the swinging doors with puffy eyes and a red nose, beckoning me once she noticed me.
“Come on, Stank wants to see you. We’ll be here for a while, and he’s already getting antsy about going home.
Maybe he’ll calm down once you’re with him.
I need him to stop rushing the doctors to discharge him and let them do their job. ”
“I can go back there?” I asked timidly, suddenly scared to see him. I was scared my anger would spew like hot lava when this wasn’t the time or place.
“He’s not in critical condition. Girl, of course, you can see him. You’re practically family now, and I can talk to your ass like I do my kids,” Ms. St. Patrick scolded teasingly.
I glanced at my sister, who nodded, and I followed his mother through the heavy double doors. The closer we approached his room, the more my stomach rumbled, and I feared another vomiting episode. This time, it could be the baby and nerves.
“Luckily, there’s no more seizure activity. Think he’s going to be fine. Prayers work,” his mother exclaimed as we walked down the hall.
When his mother opened the door to his room and stepped inside, I touched my stomach protectively as I entered.
I steeled myself. I was prepared to be hurt, angry, and devastated.
I didn't expect happiness when I met his loving gaze. All I saw was my chocolate dream. The Carter I’d fallen madly in love with.
The Carter who’d become my friend and lover and I hurried to his bedside.
He opened his arms as far as the IV would allow, and I embraced him without reservation.
“Mama, give us a moment.” His deep voice rumbled against my ear, resting on his chest. He’d been changed into a hospital gown because of all the tests conducted on him.
“Okay,” his mother replied quietly.
As his mother gave us privacy, I held on to him tight because to let go then, I’d have to deal with reality. A reality I may never be able to handle. I wanted to pretend I knew nothing. I was just a girlfriend checking on her boyfriend at the hospital.
“I’m going to be fine, baby. Everything looks good.
The doctor thinks my pressure may have been elevated too high with everything going on, which might have caused the seizures.
Not going to lie. I was scared as piss that I hurt worse than I thought.
Scared I wouldn’t be able to play anymore.
Just scared of so much. But not anymore.
I’m not scared of anything. You were right. ”
“About what?” I mumbled against his chest.
“I was scared of success and what would happen once I made it to the NFL. The thought of being unable to play at all struck me, no pun and pun intended. So, I got to play while I still can. I can always get a job as a veterinarian or open my own animal hospital after I retire. Once I get a clean bill of health, I’m going into the draft.
Just told my mother, and now, I’m telling you.
I want to play in the NFL, and I want you by my side on this next chapter of my life. ”
I squeezed him tighter to avoid saying something I would regret or not mean.
He rubbed my back. “I know we still have to talk and work out everything, but I’m actually excited about our future.”
I could hear the expectation that we would be good even though he fucked my best friend, and I could no longer hold my tongue. I stood back up and folded my arms. “I know what happened, Carter, and I doubt we’ll ever be fine again.”
Carter’s face fell, and his shoulders dropped. I almost relented at seeing the joy drain from him that quickly, but my own pain wouldn’t allow me to drop it.
“How could you ever think we’d been fine again? You slept with my best friend.”
He implored, “I guess I thought that we would be okay because whatever happened was before you. I didn’t know you and her were roommates until the night before your birthday.”
“My birthday? Is that the real reason your ass didn’t come over until the next day because you were having sex with her?” I yelled.
He quickly grabbed my hand. “Shh...please. No. I was telling the truth about that night. I haven’t been with her since you and I started hanging out.
I thought I might have left my phone at home that night before your birthday.
I saw her walking out of your apartment toward the beach when I opened my door.
Thought maybe she was fucking around with Grey.
It wasn’t until you introduced me to her that I realized you were roommates and best friends.
I didn’t know what to do, especially when I worried Grey would eventually tell you he asked me to be nice to you.
He didn’t know I was already crushing on you.
That I’d already planned to approach you.
I’ve been trying to prove I’m worthy of you since your birthday because I need you to believe I love you and that I would never willingly or intentionally hurt you. ”
I held my hand up. “Whoa, what do you mean he asked you to be nice to me? Did Grey put you up to date me?”
“Should’ve figured he wouldn’t tell you his part in this. I thought you knew everything,” he grumbled.
Shit. Shit. I thought I did, too.