Strong (Kindred #1) (15 page)

“Of course you can, you can have all those things, you will have all those things.”

“I won’t Carter. In my dreams, I carry the baby, I give birth to them myself. I can’t do that now.”

“There are other ways… When you’re ready, when you meet the person you want to start a family with, there are other ways.”

The mere thought of her meeting someone, falling in love, getting married and wanting to start a family with them has anger coursing through my body. I have no right to feel like this, but I do anyway.

“Why me? What have I done to deserve this?” her pain filled voice calms me down and I focus my attention back on her.

“Nothing. You’ve done nothing to deserve this, I don’t know why… I can’t answer that.”

“I’m sorry, I just
—
”

“Don’t say sorry,” I tell her, moving her face so she’s looking at me, “Whatever you say, don’t say you’re sorry.”

“Thank you for today. Thank you for being there.”

“I told you I would be, I’m going to keep on being there too. I promise you.”

“I guess I should go back and tell Mum and Dad…”

“Are you ready for that?”

“Not really, but I don’t have a choice. Carter, I don’t have the right to ask you, but… Will you come back with me? You were there, you can help fill in any blanks, help them understand what Dr Wallis said.”

“Of course I will.”

“I think I have a guardian angel or something, you must have been sent to me.” she smiles.

I don’t really know how to answer that, so I don’t even try. It turns out, Carmen lives five minutes drive from the park, when we arrive at her parent’s house, she parks on the drive and sits in the car. She doesn’t need to tell me why she isn’t going in yet, I would be doing exactly the same thing. A couple of minutes later, the front door opens and a tall, elegant, dark haired woman steps out, this must be Carmen’s Mom and where she gets her long legs and looks from.

“I guess this is it.” she says, as her Mom walks towards the car.

“Still want me here?”

“No Carter, I need you here.” she tells me, looking at me.

She opens her door and after taking a deep breath, I open mine too. We step out into the rain and walk towards the house, I watch as her Mom wraps her arm around her and leads her into the house before realising she isn’t alone and turning back to me.

“I’m so sorry, you must be Carter? I’m Beth, Carmen’s Mum. Thank you so much for being there for her today, please, come in.”

She holds out her hand and I shake it, right when I think she’s going to let go, she pulls me into her arms and hugs me, with her mouth at my ear she whispers three little words to me.

“How is she?”

“As you can expect, you have an incredible daughter, Mrs Reid.”

“Beth,” she smiles pulling back and wiping her eyes. “Call me Beth.”

We walk into the house, Carmen is already inside taking off her jacket and boots. When we step into the house she tries to smile, she tries to make out she’s okay but I can see she isn’t, how can she be? I take off my jacket and she hangs it on the hook just behind the door, slipping off my shoes, I follow behind Carmen into the kitchen where her Dad is sitting, waiting for us.

“Sweetheart.” he croaks, standing and walking to meet her.

The next few minutes are heartbreaking, I feel like an intruder standing there watching. The pain is so clear on all of their faces that I can feel it from where I stand. When they all pull back, there isn’t a dry face in the room and the weight of what they’re all about to face is weighing heavy over all of us.

“Dad, this is Carter,” Carmen tells him, clearing her throat. “He’s Jack’s brother and he came with me today.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Carter. I’m sorry it’s not under nicer circumstances.” he holds his hand out to me and we shake.

“Likewise, Sir.” I smile, not sure what else to say.

“Thank you for taking her today.”

“No need to thank me, I wouldn’t let her go alone.”

Right there and then, I know I’ve passed the unspoken test, every father wants their daughter to be looked after. Whether Carmen and I are friends or more than that, I know my actions have earned me Mr Reid’s respect and I’ll forever be welcome in their home.

“It’s Will,” he tells me. “Come, sit down, can I get you something to drink? Eat?”

“Can we eat after I’ve filled you in? My stomach is in knots still.” Carmen frowns, resting her hand on her stomach.

“Of course, sweetheart.” her Mum says.

“Let’s get this over with then.”

I sit at their table and I listen, holding Carmen’s hand as she causes their world to come crashing down around them. They’re all in the safety of their home, but I sense they feel anything but safe right now. Everything is scary, everything is unfair and with each word that leaves Carmen’s lips I can almost hear their hearts breaking. They ask questions, they show concern and real fear for their daughter and when they know everything and there is nothing left to say, there is nothing but tears left to shed.

“I’m going to give you a few minutes, okay?” I tell Carmen. “I’ll check in with Mom.”

I stand and without thinking about it, kiss the top of her head before walking out of the room to the lounge. I do the decent thing and block everything out while I phone Mom and check everything is okay.

“Hello sweetheart, are you okay? We’ve barely seen you.”

“I’m okay, I’ve got something important… I’m needed Mom, okay?”

“Is it that beautiful young lady from the wedding?”

“Yeah, but it’s not what you think… I can’t tell you any more than that right now, but I’ll tell you when I can.”

“Okay… You’re okay? Is she okay?”

“Not right now she isn’t but I think she will be.”

“Do what you need to do, forget about us. We’re so proud of you, Carter.”

“Thanks Mom.”

“Will we see you for dinner? Bring her too?”

“I’ll let you know.”

“Okay. I love you, she’s lucky to have you by her side.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

I take a look around the room and smile when I spot photos of Carmen, she has always been a beauty, even when she was a teenager. I wish I looked half as good as she did, I was the awkward gangly teenager for months when I hadn’t quite grown into my body, I can see it now, but back then I still thought I was the coolest thing in the world. When I can hear regular conversation filtering through from the kitchen I head back in. Beth is busy making what looks like sandwiches while Carmen is speaking with her Dad.

“I get it Dad, really I do, but I’m not living here.”

“I don’t understand why. We’d be able to look after you.”

“I haven’t lived at home in years, no offence to you and Mum, but it would make me go crazy. I need my own space, I need somewhere that’s just mine.”

“How will we be able to look after you if you’re living somewhere else?”

“We’ll work it out, okay?”

“Is that your way of telling me this conversation is over for now?” he smirks.

“You got it.” she smiles for what I think is the first time today.

We all have lunch and try to chat about normal things, they ask what my plans are and I’m completely honest with them, I find it hard to be anything else.

“I thought my plan was to be here for a month and go back, but that was before I met Carmen. I’m not entirely sure what the plan is now, but if Carmen needs me, I’ll be here.”

“As in you’ll move here?” Beth asks.

“Yes, I work for my Dad so I have flexibility and I’m sure it would all be okay.”

“Where would you live?” Will asks.

“Harry would help me find somewhere I’m sure.”

“How is Megan? You saw her yesterday?” Beth asks Carmen.

“She’s frustrated with not being able to do anything and having Harry fuss over her, but other than that, she’s really good. Blooming and beautiful as you would expect.”

My phone buzzes with a text and I look at the screen and see Jack’s name on the screen.

What does he want?

I unlock it and read his message.

Jack:
So you went to Harry’s with Carmen. Don’t try and tell me nothing is going on with you two!!

Me:
We spent the day together. Big deal. Get back to enjoying your honeymoon you ass!

Jack:
You will have to explain yourself Mr Manning. Behave while I’m away

Me:
You’re not my Dad. Go away

After lunch, Carmen decides she needs a rest and I can’t say I blame her, she insists on driving me to the hotel and when we arrive back, I climb out and she follows me.

“Thank you Carter, I can’t ever thank you enough for what you did for me today.”

“Stop thanking me.” I grin, pulling her to me.

“I’m going to need you to help me find somewhere to live. Will you help me?”

“Of course I will. Are you up for dinner later? My Mom asked… You don’t have to.”

“Being normal is what I need right now, dinner will be great. Here?”

“I guess here? I’ll let you know. Now get your ass home and rest!”

“Yes, sir.” she mocks.

“I’m at the end of a phone if you need me.”

“I know.”

She turns her face and kisses my cheek and I do the same. I watch and wave as she drives away with a smile on my face. In the few days I’ve known her, she’s become a huge, important part of my life. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, it’s just how it is. l decide there and then not to question it, just go with it, everything happens for a reason, doesn’t it?

I head up to my room and take a shower, just needing to wash away the day and hopefully, some of the tension. When I’ve finished I suddenly feel exhausted, like everything that has happened over the last few days suddenly hits me, along with a big ass can of jet lag. I pull the covers back and slip into bed, switching on the TV to find something to watch before I fall asleep. I settle on Friends but don’t get more than two minutes in before I fall asleep.

I wake up to a text from Mom letting me know, if I want to join them for dinner, they’re meeting at seven-thirty downstairs and that Carmen is invited if she’d like to come too. I text Carmen to find out.

Me:
We’re meeting downstairs at 7.30. Want to join us?

Carmen:
I’d love to. I’ll see you at 7.30. x

I
f all else fails, go for black, that’s the rule right?

Well I hope so, because I don’t feel right in anything tonight. I feel the need to blend in and not stand out, so I’m wearing my favourite black wrap dress to dinner. It’s not short, it’s not revealing, it’s elegant and classy and will work with the heels I’ve chosen and my hair pulled back. I slip my feet into my shoes and grab my bag and jacket from the bed.

I can do this.

I can go out and be normal for a night, tomorrow I’ll think about everything else, but tonight I just want to be Carmen. Mum and Dad have thankfully gone out for the evening too on my insistence. They were going to cancel their plans, but I told them absolutely not. I drive over to the hotel and sing along to
Chaka Khan
all the way. I need to go dancing, that will help. I need to think of nothing but the music, it will help me de-stress. I wonder if Carter will go out dancing with me? I can’t ask Megan, and Josie’s on her honeymoon. I make a mental note to ask him as I park and give the keys to the valet. I check my phone when I step inside and see a text from Carter.

Carter:
We’re having drinks, I’ll come meet you. Text me when you’re here x

Me:
I’m here x

A few seconds later, Carter comes towards me and I actually wobble a little in my heels. He looks incredible, dressed in a pair of black trousers and a slim fitted white shirt. It’s a simple outfit, but the shirt stretches over his shoulders and highlights his narrow waist and teamed with what can only be described as the best smile I’ve ever seen and those chocolate brown eyes, the overall effect is a deliciously impressive one. I notice a group of women standing waiting to check in are following his progress to me, he’s the kind of guy you pay attention to, without him even trying. He stops in front of me and leans forward, placing a kiss on my forehead and reaching down to take my hand.