Strong (Kindred #1) (25 page)

We both settle on a burger and fries and it has to be said, as much as the English suck at pizza, they’re pretty good at burgers. I don’t fail to notice Lex keeps checking her phone.

“Who are you expecting to call?” I ask, drinking the last of my beer.

“We’re not here to talk about me.” she huffs.

“We’re not here to talk about either of us.”

“Still…”

“Something’s wrong. What is it?”

“Tyler…”

“Tyler? What about him?”

“I miss him, like not just a little, like my heart hurts miss him.” she sighs.

“Lex…”

“I know, he left and he didn’t tell me when he came back… Why am I still so hooked on him then?”

“First love?”

“It’s much more than that. It’s like… He’s the one I’m supposed to be with, Carter. I can feel it.”

“Lex, I love you, but I think you need to realise, he doesn’t think the same.”

“Jeez Carter, don’t dress it up will you.” she scowls at me.

“I’m not saying it to upset you, I’m trying to stop you from hurting. I think Tyler’s moved on… You should too.”

“And if he hasn’t and you’re wrong?”

“The only way to be sure is to speak to him… When you get home, go see him, ask him and if he tells you what I just told you, you owe it to yourself to move on too.”

“It sucks.” she frowns, resting her head in her hands.

“It does.” I ruffle her hair.

“I best be getting back, Mom and Dad want to do the museums tomorrow,” she fakes a yawn. “Then some Jack the Ripper walk at night. I mean, seriously Carter? I’m going to shit my pants!”

“Dad will protect you.” I laugh at her.

“Thanks for the dinner big brother.” she kisses my cheek as we stand outside waiting for a taxi.

“You’re welcome,” I put my hand out and one comes to a stop in front of us. “I’ll see how Carmen is tomorrow and let you know if you can visit.”

“Please, send her my love!” she calls before she closes the door to the taxi and it speeds away.

I walk the short distance home and let myself in, suddenly exhausted. I head to my room and fall onto the bed still fully clothed.

I’m asleep in minutes.

I
’m awake and sitting up when Carter comes in the next morning. The night was a long one, one filled with pain and sickness, of fear and yet at the same time, of hope. I’ve got through the first hurdle, I know I have lots more in front of me, but I’ve cleared the first one and I have to admit, I’m rather proud of myself. When he steps into the room, that damn smile on his face, everything seems a little easier again.

“You’re awake.” he beams at me.

“I have been for a while, I even managed a cup of tea and a slice of toast.” I tell him proudly.

“Well done,” he smiles kissing my cheek, “How do you feel?”

“Gross. But okay,” I reach out my hand and run my fingers along his jaw. “You haven’t shaved.”

I don’t add that, with the stubble on his jaw, he looks more gorgeous than he usually does.

“I wanted to get here and see you were okay, I’ll shave later,” he tells me pulling up a chair. “I saw Lex last night.”

“How is she?”

“Worried about you, she wants to come visit, I told her I’ll see how you feel.”

“I’d like to see her, she can come whenever she likes, she can help me fix my mop of hair.”

“I can do that.”

“Can you? Do you have any idea how to plait hair?” I ask him.

“Yes actually, Lex taught me.”

“Well, let’s see then.”

I sit forward with Carter’s help and he gets my hairbrush out of my bag. He’s gentle as he brushes my long locks, he surprises me by giving my head a little massage before he starts to plait my hair for me.

“One or two?”

“Now you’re just getting fancy.” I laugh.

“Well?”

“One is fine, Carter.”

I’m rather impressed with the results, Carter is a man with talented hands it seems. When the thought enters my head I blush like a teenager and he looks at me funny. When the doctors make their rounds, they’re pleased with how I’m doing. They encourage me to try and move a little today and eat and drink as normal then the IVs can be removed. I assure them I will.

“Megan sent me a photo of a sleeping Henry, look.” I hand Carter my phone and the adorable photo she sent me last night.

“He’s so tiny, isn’t he?”

“He is.” I grin.

“I can’t believe how natural being a Dad comes to Harry.”

“I can, he likes to pretend he’s all big and tough, but you didn’t see him in Oz when he fell for Megs. He’s a soppy guy really.”

“How did you all meet?”

“Megs, Josie and I were out one night, Jack and Harry were there too. Megan took an interest in Harry from the very beginning but she was seeing someone.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, the guy was an idiot though. Josie hated him and encouraged Harry all the time.”

“So who got together first? My brother and Josie or Harry and Megan?”

“I think Harry and Megs? But I don’t know, Josie used to keep things to herself a lot, so you could never really be sure.”

“She’s guarded with her feelings isn’t she?”

“She’s not so much now… She has reasons to be though, she’s so strong, like the things she’s had to deal with, I couldn’t do it.”

“Jack told me about her parents, they sound like assholes.” he scowls.

“They are, how can you turn your back on your daughter? Josie is amazing, she’s there for everyone, always. They don’t deserve her.”

“Out of Megs and Josie… Josie will be the one to kick your ass when you tell them,” he smiles. “I love that girl.” he chuckles.

“She will, I know this,” I laugh, I can’t help it, then I wince. “Okay… No more laughing.”

“Do you need some pain meds?”

“I’m trying not to.”

“Carmen, I get you’re trying to be strong, but not right now, when you’re recovered you can. Not the day after surgery, okay?”

He stands and heads out the door, returning two minutes later with a nurse who checks my chart and gives me some painkillers. They are so strong I’m feeling sleepy soon after. I lay my bed back a little and Carter pulls out one of the magazines I brought in with me.

“Do you mind? I feel so bad going to sleep while you’re here.”

“Carmen, close your eyes and sleep, I’m going to read this fine piece of literature.”

I fall asleep with a smile on my face.

Out of everything in the world, Carter is the best medicine.

While Mum and Dad visit, Carter goes to get lunch, when I mention I really fancy some strawberries, he tells me, he’ll bring me some back. Seeing I’m a little more awake today and smiling, Mum and Dad seem happier.

“I sent Megan and Harry a card and present for baby Henry.” she tells me.

“I’m sure they’ll love it.”

“They do love it and she phoned to ask us round for coffee.”

“That’s nice, you’ll fall in love with Henry.” I smile.

“She’s going to ask questions sweetheart, I think you need to work out when you’re going to tell her and Josie.”

“I have thought about it, next week, I’ll feel a bit better then, I’ll get Megan to come to the flat and I’ll tell them both.” I tell her.

The thought of having to tell my best friends about what I’m going through… After I’ve already had the surgery, fills me with dread. Carter is right, they are both going to be mad, and I don’t blame them, I would be too. But I also know, after they’re done being hurt, they will understand why I did it.

“I’m glad,” she smiles. “Now, shall I help you freshen up?”

“That would be great,” I smile. “Thanks Mum.”

Four days later I’m discharged with a huge bag full of all my different tablets, strict instructions to rest and an appointment with my cancer nurse for the following week. Carter insists on pushing me down to my Dad’s waiting car in a wheelchair and he also insists on carrying me up to the flat when we get home. As much as it bothers me to need someone as much as I need Carter right now, I feel completely safe in his arms. He settles me on the giant sofa that’s now been delivered and covers me up with my fluffy white blanket.

“What do you need?” he asks, sitting next to me.

“Nothing right now, I promise to tell you if I do.”

“Okay, well… Here’s the remote, watch whatever you like. I’m going to set up alarms on my phone for your pain meds and then, I’m going to make a start on dinner.”

“We don’t need an alarm, Carter. I’ll take them when I need them, please relax.”

“Are you sure? The nurses said you shouldn’t go too long between taking them.”

“Carter,” I hold my hand out and he places his in mine. “I’m okay. Relax.”

“Okay.” he nods, bringing my hand to his lips and kissing my fingers.

“Now, I’m going to watch some mindless TV… Can I please have some water?”

“Coming right up.” he grins.

After dinner, we sit and watch Forest Gump, it’s one of Carter’s favourites and he does the guy thing and quotes lines throughout. When my eyes cannot stay open anymore, Carter carries me to my room.

“I can walk you know.”

“Well, I’d like you to rest, you’re exhausted.”