Carter (The Harlow Brothers Book 1) (12 page)

“Yeah. I talked to a very nice woman a few days ago, and she was more than happy to help me get everything in order to change my name back.” I’d made the decision a few weeks ago to change my last name back to my maiden name. I couldn’t have my name being Carrington any longer, and I feel it’s going to help me more in the long run to put the past behind me.

“That’s great news. I think it’s just what you needed.” I nod, completely agreeing with her. Annie places a plate down in front of me and sits down.

“Where’s yours?” I ask. It still amazes me how Annie always puts everyone first. It’s humbling and comforting that I know someone isn’t thinking about themselves like I’m used to.

“I’ll eat once William decides to wake up. Go on, eat your breakfast.”

I smile and say, “Yes, ma’am.” We sit in a comfortable silence while I eat, but I know as soon as William comes into the kitchen. It’s not the fact he made any noise, it’s the look in Annie’s eyes as she sees him. It makes my heart swell knowing how much she cares and loves him. I slowly push my plate away as William walks over to Annie and sweetly kisses her on the forehead.

“Good morning. Smells good down here,” he says and begins to make his own plate. Annie gets up and does the same as I place my empty plate and coffee mug in the sink. I lean against the counter as they take a seat at the table, and listen to them talk about nothing in particular. I can’t help but feel like an outsider looking in when they are so wrapped up in each other. It’s not a bad feeling. It’s more of a longing, an unfilled part of me that wishes I had that. I remember having that once. Thankfully, my phone starts ringing, pulling my thoughts away from those unwelcome emotions.

I frown as I make my way to the living room where I left my phone charging the night before. Caden thought it would be a good idea for me to have one, and I’m still undecided if it was a good idea. I went a long time without one and now, I’m more annoyed when work calls, or when Caden texts me. Since it’s still early in the morning, I already know it’s work that’s calling. And my suspicions are confirmed when I answer.

After a few moments on the phone, I hang up and turn to Annie and William. “That was Stephanie. She needs me to work a few hours today. Do y’all mind if I use the truck today?”

I know what William is going to say before he does. “Of course you can. I’ve told you to use it anytime you need to.”

“Thank you. I should be back around two or three.”

“Do you need anything from town? We’re going to stop by the store before we come home,” Annie asks. I tell her no and head upstairs to get ready for a busy shift. I already know if Stephanie’s calling me in, it’s going to be chaotic. Sunday mornings are usually the busiest, but I’m glad for the extra money. I’m also glad I know it’s going to be busy. Those hours are the best thing for me since it quietens my thoughts, and helps me get a reprieve if only for a small about of time.

Busy isn’t the word I’d use to describe how my shift is going. More along the lines of a damn mad-house. It’s insanely busy, overcrowded, and I’ve been hiding in the back washing dishes for over two hours. Since being back home, I’ve managed to not run into anyone I knew. It’s mostly because I’ve become a hermit, choosing to stay at Annie and William’s versus taking the risk of meeting anyone I’d rather not see. But I know my hiding in the back is coming to an end as I see Stephanie looking around the restaurant. I know all the available waitresses are already filling orders left and right, and I feel bad that I’m taking the coward’s way out. On the other hand, I’d much rather stay in the back with the comfort of washing dishes. “Shit,” I say when Stephanie and I lock eyes. She all but runs to me, and I step away from my never ending pile of dishes and dry my hands off.

“Shelby, I need you out front.” She must see the scared look on my face as she quickly adds, “Just serve coffee. We’re drowning in customers.” I nod, not wanting to go out of my comfort bubble. She swiftly goes back out to the thick crowd, and I tighten my ponytail then put my apron on. It’s not that I have a problem taking orders, I would just rather not be around all these people. It makes me remember the times when Easton would make me go with him to all those boring charity events just to show off. It was his thing to let everyone know how successful he was, and how much of a Stepford wife I’d become.

I don’t want to be reminded of that shit.

But no matter what I feel, I need this job, and I’ll do whatever I need to so I can keep it. At least until something better comes along. I suck in a long and much needed breath, and make my way behind the counter. It’s like a maze with so many workers, but I manage to get to the coffee makers unscathed. Once prepared, I put on a fake smile and start making rounds to the occupied tables and booths. I nod and politely speak only when necessary trying to hurry, and make everyone happy with getting their morning caffeine buzz.

Hours later, my feet and legs are killing me. No matter how many times I poured coffee or got something for the customer, it was never ending. Most days when I work, I’m in the back not really dealing with the needy customers, and I already wish I could go back in my hole. I did sneak away for a few moments for a bathroom break, but now it’s time for me to get back to it. I look up at the clock, and sigh loudly when I notice it’s barely after twelve. I quickly glance around the corner, seeing more people making their way inside. It’s as if everyone decided they had to come eat here of all days. People are beginning to crowd at the front counter, getting a seat wherever they can. I can feel my heart beginning to race, and the urge to run. I don’t do very well with crowds anymore, and I clench my jaw reminding myself I have to have my job. I can’t very well run out the door and still expect to get paid. I push the uneasy feeling down as I walk behind the counter again to make more coffee. I bump into a few workers, and almost fall flat on my face trying to avoid being burned by the cook swinging around a hot plate. It’s like an obstacle course just to get a mere five feet to my destination.

Finally, I get to the coffee pots. I stand in front of it as it brews, not paying attention to the throng of people around me. I stare directly in front of me, trying to drown out the noise. I start to zone out, when someone bumps into me. I turn and the waitress Kelly, quickly apologizes. I smile knowing it couldn’t be avoided. There’s just too many of us in one spot. Once the coffee is done, I grab two pots and carefully maneuver my way from behind the counter. I have to lift both pots above my head as someone ducks under me, and I swear to myself I’ll never work another Sunday again. I shake my head and bring the hot coffee pots slowly down as I get into a safer zone. I turn my head to the direction of someone yelling for their much needed coffee fix, and that’s when I see him.

Holy.

Fucking.

Shit.

My body freezes instantly, and my heart literally skips a beat. I feel my stomach fall, and I stop breathing. It happens so suddenly that I wouldn’t have believed it if it not had happened to me. I never thought I would have this reaction to seeing the one person that held so much of me once upon a time. I stare, unable to make my body move and when I see him throw his head back in laughter, it sends chills down my entire body. I don’t see the crowd anymore, they seem to slowly disappear as I watch Carter Harlow laugh with his brothers. Caden is half turned so I can see his face, and I know it’s Cason with them. I don’t even know how it’s possible for Carter to look even more attractive now than he did the last time I saw him.

He’s definitely not a boy anymore, he’s all man.

His dark brown hair has a messy look going on, as if he just crawled out of bed and went about his day. He no longer has those boyish charms, but now he has an edge to him. I can’t see his eyes, but I know they’ll still have a hint of gold in them that I used to love to get lost in. I’m sure now, he has wrinkles around his eyes from years of laughing. I wonder if his lips are still as delectable as they once were on mine. On my body. He’s definitely bulked up too. His shirt tightly hugs him in all the right places, and I know I need to stop staring. In the back of my mind, a little voice is telling me to get back to work and to stop gawking at him, but I can’t seem to care about that stupid voice. I’m getting my fill, and I really could care less about anything else. Carter doesn’t even know I’m here, and his presence is pulling me into a trance.

But suddenly the trance and the pull I’m feeling again, is gone. A customer walks right into me, making me drop the coffee pots. I snap out of my daze and quickly bend down. Now that my back is turned, my head clears. What the fuck am I doing? I silently thank the rude customer for knocking me out of my daze. One of the workers behind the counter hands me a towel, and I try to clean up the mess as quickly as possible. Stephanie comes to help me clean up the glass, and I make sure to keep my back to Carter. I can’t let him see me. I know I’m being a coward, but now that I’m thinking clearly, I’m not ready to face him.

Once the mess is cleaned up, I make my way to the back. I don’t care if I’m needed out front anymore. I’m confident everyone else can handle the madness. I dump the coffee soiled towels in the bucket under the sink and walk to the break room in the very back. It’s not a very big area. It’s just enough room to hold a table, a few chairs, and lockers on the side of the wall. At least there’s a counter for a microwave, and a fridge off to the side of it. I pull out one of the metal chairs and sit down. I place my elbows on my thighs, leaning my head down on my hands. My feet are aching, and my heart will not stop thumping in my ears. I run both hands over my hair, trying to get a hold of myself. I knew this would eventually happen. I couldn’t stop from seeing Carter again, no matter how much I stayed inside Annie and William’s home. I just never expected to be affected so much just from seeing him again. It worries me and at the same time, it excites me. My emotions are all over the place, and I’m confused at how my body is reacting. Surely I still don’t have feelings for him?

I don’t want to believe I do, but deep down I know I still do. What Carter and I had, it was a one of a kind type of love. The kind that will leave you breathless if you ever get to witness it. The kind that will make you crave it knowing you can’t have it. I’ve heard you never forget your first love, and now I can see why. I reach in my shirt and pull out my necklace. I look down at it, and grasp onto it tightly. I take a deep breath, trying to make my mind stop picturing Carter and how much he’s changed. I can’t deny the urge to get to know him as he is now, but I also know it’s not a good idea.

Carter ripped my heart to pieces once, and I know I won’t be able to survive it a second time. Some things are just better left alone, and I believe this is the way it has to be.

I place my necklace back in my shirt and snap my head up as I hear someone clearing their throat. My eyes lock with Cason’s, and I can’t help the grin crossing my face. I automatically can tell it’s Cason from the scar on his right eyebrow that he got when we were kids. “You sure are a sight for sore eyes,” he says, and I get up as he holds out his arms. I walk in his embrace, but I don’t hug him long. He’s tense as hell and when I step back, I can see his jaw tensing. Well, that’s strange.

“How did you know I was back here? Did Caden tell you I was back?” I fire off my questions quickly, wondering if Carter knows I’m here. I can’t shake the nervous fluttering feeling in my stomach just thinking about it.

“He doesn’t know.” I frown at how he knows what I’m worried about, but I shrug it off. I’m sure if Carter knew, he’d be the one back here instead of Cason. “I watched you leave, and I followed you back here. I doubt anyone will notice since they’re so preoccupied with the crowd. And Caden didn’t have to tell me, twin bond remember?” I don’t even have to question the twin bond him and Caden share. Even as kids they shared it, and none of us understood it. Plus, Caden knew I worked here. He was the first person I told after I was hired.

“Yeah, I don’t think anyone even noticed I left.” I rub my forehead with the back of my hand and turn to sit back down. Cason follows me, and pulls out a chair beside me. It seems Carter and Caden aren’t the only one that’s changed a lot over the years. Cason still has the same features as Caden with the deep blue eyes and dark hair. Only Cason’s is shorter than Caden’s, and Cason has a hard and dangerous vibe about him. I can’t put my finger on why, but I’m guessing it has something to do with what Caden told me about him when I first got back. Cason also has put on muscle and from what I can tell, he’s got some ink done since I can see it barely showing from beneath his shirt sleeve. I can feel Cason’s eyes on me, and it’s starting to make me squirm in my seat. His gaze is a mixture of curiosity, and do I dare say, a bit of anger? “What?” I ask, wondering why he’s staring at me so intently.

He rubs his chin, and turns his head toward the door, then back to me. He seems to consider what he wants to say, and I almost tell him to spit it out already when he says, “How long have you been back?”

Okay, not the question I was thinking he’d ask. “About six months.”