Accidental Heartbreak (The Accidental Series, Book 2) (17 page)

“You sure?”

“Yeah. We can tell her the news
together.”

“Okay. I’ll call her right now.”

Shayla hung up and immediately called
Jacqueline back, informing her that Carter wanted to come by as
well and that they’d be there after six.

* * *

Carter left work on time so he could meet
Shayla at Jacqueline’s house. And although he was with her now, he
still felt leery about what Jacqueline might say. But that’s the
price he had to pay for a guilty conscience.

He held Shayla’s hand as they walked up to
the door, and ringing the doorbell he whispered to Shayla, “So how
do you think we should tell her?”

“I’m not sure. She’s
your
aunt.”

“Oh, so I’m telling her?” Carter
grinned.

“We can tell her together. We shouldn’t be
nervous. It’s not like we’re telling our parents or anything.
Besides, I think she likes me so she would be totally fine with me
being your wife.”

“Hey,” Jacqueline said, opening the door.
“Come on in. Good to see you guys.”

“Something smells good.” Carter rubbed his
hands together, ready to eat dinner after a long day at work.

After they sat on the couch, Jacqueline
said, “Y’all might as well come on to the kitchen because dinner is
already done. I made a homemade chicken and dumpling soup with
collard greens and corn bread. I know food like this is probably a
little old for your taste but that’s how my generation likes to
eat.”

“That’s fine with me,” Shayla said. “I could
stand to add a little meat on my bones.” She glanced at Carter and
watched him smirk.

Jacqueline took the liberty of making their
plates, then as they sat eating dinner Jacqueline took a long look
at the both of them. “It’s good to see you two together.” She
glanced at Carter watching him smile. Shayla had a smile on her
face too. “Okay, what are you two up to.”

Carter and Shayla both laughed together.

“Um, Jackie, we have something to tell you,”
Shayla said, cringing.

“What is it?”

“Um…”

Carter barged in. “Shayla and I are married
now.”

Jacqueline dropped her spoon and while she
processed this, Shayla extended her hand to show Jacqueline the
ring. “Oh my word, Carter. Are you kidding me?”

“No ma’am,” he replied. “We’ve been married
for over a week now.”

Neither Carter nor Shayla expected
Jacqueline to start crying but that’s what she did as her hands
trembled in front of her opened mouth. She dabbed her eyes then
stood up to walk around the table and hug both of them.

After dinner they set at the table still
talking when Shayla excused herself for a bathroom break. That’s
just what Carter needed so he could talk to his aunt in
private.

“I’m so proud of you,” Jacqueline said. “I’m
glad you finally told her about Jacob. Now you guys can live
happily ever after.”

“Actually, I didn’t tell her.”

“What?”

Carter looked over his shoulder to make sure
Shayla wasn’t coming. “I haven’t told her. I never could bring
myself to do it and I don’t think I ever will. As long as she
doesn’t know our marriage will be fine. Everything will be fine and
Jacob will become someone she used to love. Now, I’m the man she
loves.”

“But Carter you have to think about her
feelings. How do you think she would feel if she found out tomorrow
that Jacob is your brother? What do you think she would think of
you for keeping that from her?”

“I’m hoping she would see how much I love
her instead of focusing on something bad I’ve done. I do love her.
I love her very much, Jackie.”

“I’m just worried that she’ll find out.”

“No, she won’t find out.”

“Shh,” Jacqueline whispered when she saw
Shayla approaching.

Shayla sat down, took a sip of water and
looked at the both of them sitting suspiciously quiet. “Everything
good?”

“Yeah, baby.” He kissed her on the cheek.
“Everything is perfect.” That’s the lie he told her and himself.
But how long would he be able to keep it up?

“Leaving on time today, Mr. Williams?” Julie
said, but it sounded more like a statement or observation than a
question.

Carter was heading home, right at
five-thirty. “Yeah…got plans,” he said thinking about how excited
Shayla was to go grocery shopping with him. Cuddling last night,
she’d brought up the fact that they didn’t have any wheat bread and
were out of milk and eggs – Carter finding it strange she brought
this up while they held each other.

Carter waved bye to Julie and told her not
to stay too late. She had no clue he’d ran off and gotten married.
He didn’t tell her for fear she’d have a heart attack right there
in front of him. Besides, he hadn’t told anyone. Not even his best
friend. All in due time.

He pulled up in the driveway, tooted the
horn and waited for Shayla to come out. Grocery shopping –
apparently it was important for her that they do it together and
Carter welcomed the idea. He wanted to experience everything with
Shayla and if shopping together for groceries was an important
marriage milestone for her, then it was just as important to
him.

Shayla came running outside wearing a white
tank top and some floral print skinny jeans and sandals. Her hair
was pulled back in a ponytail. She opened the passenger door and
jumped in.

“Hey baby,” she said, leaning over to kiss
him.

“Hey, you.” Carter put the truck in reverse
and backing out of the driveway. A few turns later, he pulled up in
the parking lot at Harris Teeter, found a close parking stall and
shut off the truck.

He looked at Shayla then leaned over to kiss
her. “Mmm…you smell good. What you wearing?”

“Just some Victoria’s Secret lotion.”

“Oh yeah?” Carter asked, sneaking more
kisses.

“Mmm hmm.” Shayla squirmed while Carter
kissed her jaw, down her neck a little.

“Can we
please
go back home?” he
begged. “Or we can get in the back seat.”

“Carter…” Shayla said, slapping his arm.

“What?” he said, locking the doors to the
truck when he saw her reach for the handle to get out. “You’re mine
now, woman.”

“I realize that,” Shayla laughed, “But right
now, we gotta go buy some food.” She unlocked her door then got
out.

Carter followed suit.

Shayla took a grocery cart, pushing it ahead
while Carter trailed her. “Hey, Carter, you drink skim milk,
right?” She looked at him, waiting for him to respond, while
thinking that stuff like this – the type of milk a person drinks –
is learned during the course of a relationship, something a person
should probably know well before marriage. Then again, they hadn’t
had a long courtship. Actually, they had no courtship, just an
amazing friendship that evolved into a love neither of them saw
coming.

“I’m not a big milk drinker, but I do use
skim milk for cereal.”

“Okay. Skim milk it is then.” Shayla took a
gallon size jug from the refrigerator section and placed it in the
cart.

“Sweetie, if you prefer something different,
get it. We don’t have to only buy the things I like.”

“Okay,” Shayla acknowledged, but didn’t
bother to select anymore milk, even though she preferred two
percent. “Carter, what brand of yogurt do you like?”

“Um…doesn’t matter,” Carter said, noticing
an old co-worker heading his way. From working with Robert, Carter
remembered that the guy was long-winded, and he hadn’t seen him
since the deaths of his Mother and brother. He was almost positive
Robert knew about it. Everyone he worked with did. So instead of
waiting until the guy was near him, Carter decided it would be
better if he walked closer to him instead. That way, they could
have a conversation without Shayla having to hear what was being
said.

“Shayla, I’ll be right back, sweetie.”

“Okay,” Shayla said, still not paying much
attention but instead, digging through an assortment of yogurts –
key lime pie, black forest cheesecake and blueberry.

Carter walked the aisle, scanning the ice
cream section, pretending not to have seen Robert approaching.

“What’s up, man?” he finally heard Robert
say.

He looked up and pretended to be surprised.
“What’s up with you, man…haven’t seen you in a while.”

They slapped hands and Carter turned around
to see how close Shayla had come to meet him. She was still
browsing yogurt. He had a little time for catch-up chit chat with
Robert and hopefully a quick goodbye.

“I see you lookin’ sharp…you still running
things down there at corporate, huh?” Robert asked him.

Carter laughed it off. “If that’s what you
call it. But yeah, man, I’m still there…still doing the thang, you
know. How’s your new gig?”

“It’s good…less stress on my head. I don’t
know how you do it.”

Carter turned around again, saw Shayla
pushing the cart his way. He had to cut it short with Robert before
he brought up anything about his brother and the funeral.

“Well, ah’ight man, I’m gonna actually get
going…just doing a little grocery shopping with my wife. Good
seeing you though.”

Robert frowned. “Wife?”

By that time, Shayla was standing there
watching the two of them.

Carter cleared his throat. “Um…Robert, this
is my wife, Shayla. Shayla, this is Robert. He used to work at
corporate with me.”

“Hi,” Robert said with a look of shock on
his face initially, but Shayla’s smile made this real. The infamous
Carter Williams had gotten hitched.

“Hi. Nice to meet you,” Shayla said.

Robert glanced back at Carter. “Man, I
didn’t know you had gotten married.”

“Yeah. We’ve only been married for a little
over a week now.”

“Well congrats, man,” Robert said
flabbergasted.

“Thanks,” Carter told him.

“Oh, and excuse my manners, darling,” Robert
said, looking at Shayla. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Ah’ight man, well we’re gonna get back to
shopping,” Carter said, hoping Robert would walk away from
them.

“Ah’ight. Catch you later.” Robert turned to
walk away then stopped abruptly and said, “Oh, Carter, sorry to
hear about your brother, by the way, man.”

Busted.

Carter was speechless. He only gave Robert a
slight nod and watched him walk away finally. But the cat was
already out of the bag. Now, Shayla knew he had a brother.

When Robert was completely out of sight,
Shayla said, “What did he mean about your brother? I didn’t even
know you had a brother. You have a brother?”

“Yeah…it’s nothing.” Carter took a few steps
near the butter and cheese.

“Nothing?” Shayla pushed the cart behind
him. She vaguely remembered Carter mentioning to her that he didn’t
have any siblings. So where did this mysterious brother come
from?

Carter rubbed his head. How was he going to
get out of this one? “Hey, did you get some cheese?”

“No, I didn’t get cheese. Carter, you have
a—”

“What kind do you like?” he asked before she
could say anything else.

Shayla recognized what he was doing by
trying to quiet her, but why? Suddenly, her happy grocery shopping
trip with hubby was becoming more like an episode of
Unsolved
Mysteries
. Where was this brother of his? Why had she never met
him and most importantly, why did Carter keep him a secret?

“Shay,” Carter said looking at her. “What
kind of cheese?”

Shayla felt a painful disconnection from
him. Sure, she was married to him, in love with him but other than
what he told her, she knew nothing else about his family. A
person’s family is what
really
told the story about the
person.

“Okay….well, I’ll grab some…ah…cheddar,”
Carter said. “Is that good with you?”

“Yeah…sure. Is that all we need?”

Carter squinted at her, sensing her change
in mood. He scanned the contents of the grocery cart. “I guess
so.”

They breezed through checkout and outside
now, Carter set the bags in the back seat of the truck, then pushed
the cart to the return station.

In the truck now, he started the engine,
looked over at Shayla and asked, “Is there anywhere else we need to
go before we head home?”

Shayla shook her head wordlessly. Carter
proceeded to back out of the parking stall, then drove off,
silently heading down the street. The drive home was awkward, at
first. Shayla didn’t say a word, and Carter could feel the tension
building an invisible wall between the two of them. He lightened
the pressure a little when he casually said, “I had a brother,
okay.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Wait a minute. What does that mean?”

“Means you don’t have to tell me anything,
Carter,” Shayla snapped. “We’ll just be two people who love with
each other, but really don’t have a clue about one another. That’s
all. After all, I guess it’s my fault that I don’t know what kind
of milk and cheese you like, oh and that you have a
brother
that I know absolutely nothing about.”

Carter slid on his shades and silently drove
the few minutes it took to get home. Telling her about Jacob now
would be a crushing blow to their relationship. They’d just gotten
married and surely if he rattled off about how Jacob was his
brother, their relationship would take a nose dive. Instead he
focused on her words –
we’re two people who are in love with
each other but really don’t have a clue about one another.
There was a loud ring of truth with that statement, and he wanted
to change that. So after they quietly unpacked groceries, put
things away in the fridge and pantry, Carter sat in the den waiting
for Shayla to join him.

Once she sat down, he pulled her closer.

“I’m not your enemy. I’m your husband.”

“I know that…”

“Okay, so why are you trying to distance
yourself from me just because we had a slight disagreement. Love
means working things out, baby.
So what
if we don’t know
every little thing about each other. I’m sure there are things I
will learn about you every single day of our lives.”