You Belong With Me (18 page)

Carter held his hand out for her to take. He glanced up at Lyla who was behind Casey on the stairs and saw her hand clutched to where her heart was. She bit her lip and shook her head is an approving fashion.

"Wow, Car. You clean up nice." She needed to act like her normal self and pretend like his masculine, majestic, suave stature didn't affect her. She loved Jordan. End of story.

Carter wasn't so lucky in the normal department. His acting skills at this moment were not Oscar worthy. He tried and failed.

"Case, I don't think in all the years I have known you, have I ever seen you look so breath-taking and, believe me you have taken it away a lot." He wanted to retract that statement but knew it was too late so he stammered for what to say next. "Uh, what I mean is that you always look pretty but I think you have a booger hanging out your nose." Casey's jaw dropped and Carter laughed. Whew! That was a close one. That remark didn't even give Casey time to comprehend what he really meant.

"Limo's here. We should get going." Carter grabbed Casey's wrap that was placed on the sofa next to him. He held it out for her and she backed into it. He wrapped it around her shoulders and that's when that familiar and her addictive smell reached his nostrils. Magnolias.

They hugged Lyla goodbye and got into the limo. They drank a glass of champagne on the way. Casey twirled one of her blonde locks.

"Casey, stop doing that. If Ly saw you fucking up your hair, she'd be more than pissed. Don't be nervous."

She stopped twirling and gently put the piece of hair back over her shoulder. Her eyes shot up to Carter's.

"How do you know I twirl my hair when I'm nervous?"

"Christ, Case. I've known you for what seems like forever. I know all your little ticks. You twirl when your tired too."

She looked up at him surprisingly, "I do?"

He studied her for years. All the time they spent together he watched her, focused on her, and took it all in. Everything Casey.

When they pulled up to the Bell-air mansion of Kingston and Laura Reid, Carter and Casey looked up at the splendid Spanish Colonial revival style home. It really wasn't a home, it was a colossal compound of bricks and mortar.

"Hoooooly shit." Carter drug out.

" Holy shit, is right. I've never been here before. I haveonly been to a few company dinner at restaurants. Not in their
home."

"
What? Where does Jordan live?"

"Here. He lives here. It has eight bedrooms and ten baths." Casey said still taking in the lush property.

"You mean to tell me he has never brought you to his home to meet his parents? Case, you said you have been seeing him for six months right?"

"Yes. So? It's not a big deal, Car. He just comes to my house."

"If you say so. I think it's weird but if it doesn't bother you."

She snapped back at him. "Well, it doesn't so, drop it." She swallowed hard as Nelson, the limo driver open the door for Carter to get out. He got out and extended his hand for Casey. She stumbled on her Gucci shoes and Carter caught her by the elbow.

She looked up at him. "Sorry, Car. Legs aren't working well today. I can hardly feel them."

He noticed them shaking from nervousness.

"Just lean into me on the way in. I have you."

Carter linked her arm in his and led her up the grand stone staircase to the front of the mansion. She turned to him and said, "I know you do, Car."

They entered the marble foyer. There was a large round gold table in the middle and place cards were lined up on it. A waiter dressed in a black tuxedo and white gloves took two flutes of champagne and handed them to Carter and Casey. They made their way over to the table, to find their place cards. When they picked them off the table Casey looked through the crowd for Jordan. She spotted him talking with a few gentlemen from the company. He looked delicious in his Tom Ford tuxedo. His blonde hair fixed to his head with perfection. Their eyes met and he excused himself from the conversation. He swaggered over to Casey and Carter with a huge grin on his face. When he reached them he grabbed Casey's arms and stretched them out to the sides to get a better look at her beauty. He shook his head and leaned in and whispered to her, "You my love look nothing short of amazing. I'm going to have to fight these dirty old men off of you this evening. Gorgeous." He gently kissed her cheek. Casey blushed. He stepped away from her and stuck his hand out to shake Carter's.

"Well, sir, I must say you look dashing."

Carter chuckled slightly and took Jordan's hand.

"I can say the same about you. Thank you."

"Let me introduce you to some people and then we can find my parents."

Jordan led them both past the foyer into what was to be the ballroom. There were at least ten round tables set with beautiful gold linens. Ivory china, and gold flatware. Water goblets were etched with gold around the edges. Huge floral arrangements were centered on each of the tables. The room was surround by ten foot windows with burgundy and gold custom draperies hanging from ceiling to floor. Crystal chandeliers hung over top of the tables. There had to be at least six of them. They were massive and sparkled from the illuminating candles and lighting that adorned the room. The floor was a mixture of Italian marbles. It was subtle and gave a different look to the room. Jordan led them to the main table where they would be the honored guests of Kingston and Laura.

Casey spotted Kingston Reid standing by the main table speaking with a few business associates, and they made quick eye contact but Kingston broke it and went back to his conversation. Jordan did not notice the exchange but Carter did. He scrunched up his face and looked at Casey. She shook her head quickly and lightly as if to say don't say a word.

"Oh, there's my dad. Come and let me introduce you, Carter."

The three of them made their way over to Kingston. He tapped his dad on the shoulder. "Excuse me, dad, excuse me, gentlemen. You remember Casey, right dad?"

Kingston looked her up and down as though she was a meal. He was tall, had salt and pepper colored hair and had huge hands. No doubt the hands of a yacht builder. Now he was in the offices and no longer used them for manual labor. The way he looked at her made her feel uncomfortable and she began pulling her lower lip into her mouth. Carter saw this and reached up patted her forearm lightly. She stopped and glanced at Carter.

Kingston spoke, "Oh yes, of course. Hello, my dear. Such a pleasure to see you again. You look devine this evening." He took her hand and gently kissed the top of it.

"And dad, let me introduce you to Casey's best friend. This is Carter London."

Kingston, extended his hand to Cater and they shook.

"Oh, yes the rock star, correct?" Carter nodded.

"That's right. Pleasure to meet you sir. You have a fine home here and I appreciate you inviting me."

Kingston smiled at him. " Terrific of you to come. Jordan tells me you have just gotten back from a West Coast tour with your band."

Carter took a sip of his champagne. Jordan locked arms with Casey and he leaned in to kiss her temple.

"Yes, sir. We were the opening act in California and Vegas. In a few weeks, we will be touring up East for a few months then finishing it up in Tampa."

Kingston shook his head and smirked in approval. He seemed genuinely interested.

"That seems very lucrative and exciting. I know that Jordan saw you in California when he was out for business. He told me of your talents."

Casey spoke up. "And might I add that he is a classically trained piano player, Mr. Reid."

"Is that so? Well, perhaps you can dazzle us with your talents this evening. Maybe a little something softer than you would at one of your concerts." Kingston gripped Carter's shoulder and chuckled. "Would you do us the honor?"

Carter looked at Casey and she smiled at him wide eyed.

"I'd be delighted, sir. Thank you."

"Very well then. Let's find my lovely bride. Dinner will be served shortly."

An announcement was made for the guests to take their seats for dinner. Jordan spotted his mother. He rose to peck her cheek. Casey and Carter stood as well to greet her.

"Hi, mom. You look gorgeous. You remember Casey and this is her friend, Carter London."

Laura embraced Casey in a light hug.

"Oh, Casey so nice to see you. You look absolutely stunning. I'm so sorry I haven't had a chance to see you more often over these past few weeks but I have been so busy with the charities I organize."

"Oh Mrs. Reid, please don't be sorry. You are a very busy woman. I just appreciate you having us this evening." Casey felt so much more relaxed around Laura. Their similar backgrounds made it easier. Laura looked over to Carter and shook his hand.

"And Mr. London. So nice to meet you. Welcome home and congratulations on all your success. Jordan has filled me in on all of your accomplishments."

"Well, thank you. I appreciate it and also thank you for having me. You have a lovely home."

"Of course. Casey dear, sit next to me and fill me in about your work. I really do miss patient care sometimes." She smiled at Casey and they made way to their seats. Laura was down to earth. She made Carter and Casey feel at ease. It made Jordan happy to see that kind of interaction with his girlfriend and his mother.

Kingston Reid was a different story. Carter found him to be somewhat of well...an asshole and he didn't really engage in any sort of conversation with him or Casey. More so Casey than himself. Kingston and a few people who were seated at their table asked Carter how Luminosity got their start and what life on the road was like. When someone asked Casey what she did for a living she told them she was a nurse Kingston interrupted and said, " She stitches up the drunks and changes bed pans."

It pissed Carter off and he couldn't help but to correct him.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reid but that's not all she does. She is an E.R. nurse and takes on broken bones, heart attack and stroke victims. She helps save lives. Old, young, sick, and poor. I'm pretty sure she has one of the hardest jobs there is. Mrs. Reid, I understand you were a nurse as well before you met Mr. Reid."

Kingston laughed obnoxiously, obviously result of too much scotch. "Oh good Lord. Thank goodness I took her away from all that. What a disaster she was until I scooped her up. Am I right, darling."

Laura looked embarrassed. Jordan looked the same for her.

"Kingston. Please, I loved that job. I miss it."

"Miss it?" He chuckled. "Look around you, my dear. Would you rather be living in this lap of luxury or wiping the bottom of a drunk?"

The others laughed along with him. Laura just sat there and took it and Jordan allowed his father to speak such awful things. Casey brimmed with anger and she pulled her hand away from Jordan's grip. Carter saw the way Casey looked. She was angry with Kingston for putting down her profession but more hurt that Jordan did not stick up for her and his mother. Carter had tried to come to her rescue. It upset Carter that Casey was upset. If she was Carter's, there would be no way he would ever allow someone to pass judgment on her like that. She needed to be respected and appreciated. He felt both of those things for her.

When they finished dessert Kingston turned to Carter. "So Mr. London, would you care to play something for our guests on my Steinway?"

"I'd be delighted, Mr. Reid." He turned to see Jordan whispering into Casey's ear and she didn't look too happy. He looked like he was trying to apologize. At first, she looked as though she wanted no parts of it then her face began to soften. She reached up and held Jordan's cheek and rubbed it with her thumb. He kissed her thumb and mouthed, "I'm sorry"

Damn it! Carter bit his lip and knew he was defeated again. He thought his testimonial about Casey being a nurse would make her feel what she felt the other night, but it didn't. She went back to looking like she was in love with Jordan. He had to think of something to bring Casey's attention back towards him. Kingston made an announcement to have everyone join them in the sitting room where the Baby Grand was.

"My dear guests. This evening we have a real and genuine recording artist with us. This is my son Jordan's, friend's friend, Carter London of the band Luminosity. They have just returned from a tour with a very famous band as their opening act and they have just recorded a new album."

Carter thought in his head about how he introduced Casey as Jordan's friend. Not girlfriend. How odd. He looked over at Casey who did not look pleased.

"Mr. London is going to entertain us with a song. One of his choosing. Ladies and gentlemen Carter London." The guests clapped and looked rather excited to have a real, successful, and famous musician in their presence. Carter made his way to the piano. He sat down and adjusted the microphone. He looked up at Casey who looked as though tears would spill from her eyes at any second. She looked sad and alone, even though Jordan stood beside her. Carter knew drastic measures needed to be made. He spoke into the microphone.

"Thank you everyone. This is a song originally done by Bob Dylan and recently covered by Adele. It's called,
Make You Feel My Love.

Carter began playing the song and the melody flowed out of him like a river. He concentrated on his fingers moving over the white ivories. His voice was like soft velvet. It was more than impressive; it was mesmerizing. It pulled you in and took a hold of you. Emotion poured out of his soul when he sang. It was like he felt every word that came out. His long, broad shoulders and arms hovering over the keys was a sight to behold. His passion was just down right sexy. He kept his eyes tightly closed on the first part of the song. His brow strained from the emotion he poured into the song. Squeezing them shut so tight, and trying to maintain control. He looked in pain as the words left his lips:
I know you haven't made your mind up yet, but I would never do you wrong, I've know It from the moment that we met, no doubt in my mind where you belong...