From the corner of my eye, I watch as guilt flashes across his expression. He knows exactly why I chose to leave the house party by myself.
Wanting to put a swift end to this conversation, I say, “You’re right. I should have texted. It won’t happen again.”
Thankfully, we roll to a stop in front of Mom’s house before any more questions can be fired off. As soon as Brayden shifts the gear into park, I throw open the door, needing to escape from the thick tension permeating the atmosphere. I’m so pissed that he brought up Dr. Holloway. He knew damn well Brayden would get all fired up.
Had I really thought tonight would give me a chance to relax and recharge with my family?
Ha!
Looks like the joke is on me. It’s turned out to be the complete opposite. I would have been better off staying home and making a bowl of ramen. Maybe hitting the books and trying to get ahead in a few of my classes. Instead, I’m sweating bullets and dodging questions.
As I slam the truck door and stalk up the walkway, heavy footsteps pound behind me, closing the distance between us. I hasten my pace, wanting to avoid any further interactions with Carson. Just as I reach the front porch, a deep voice whispers at my ear, “You and I need to talk.”
“Actually,” I snap, “we don’t.”
I throw open the heavy glass door of my childhood home and attempt to slam it shut before he’s able to make it over the threshold. His large hand whips out, wrapping around the edge before that can happen.
As much as I’ve always loved our house and have found comfort in spending time here, that’s not the case at the moment. Given the choice, I’d rather be anywhere else. If there’s any silver lining to be found, it’s that the evening can’t get any worse. Anger swirls through every cell of my body as I stalk into the foyer and the long stretch of hallway before arriving at the kitchen.
“Hi, Mom,” I call out.
She swings around from the stove with an oven mitt in hand. “Hey, sweetie. How are you?”
I open my mouth to answer when movement from the corner of my eye catches my attention and I twist toward it. The lie poised on the tip of my tongue gets forced down as I lock gazes with a stranger standing near the kitchen table with a glass of wine in one hand. My feet stutter to a stop as I stare in surprise.
Not even a second later, Carson plows into me from behind. When I pitch forward, his hands wrap around my upper arms to lock me in place. Electricity sizzles through my veins and it takes every ounce of self control not to bare my teeth.
Why am I still reacting like this to him?
Especially now that I know how he feels about me.
Once I regain my bearings, I growl, “I’m fine. You can let go.”
Our gazes stay fastened as regret twists his expression. I get the feeling he wants to say more but ultimately decides to remain quiet at the last moment. Instead, he releases his grip before retreating a step and giving us both some much needed space. It takes effort to tamp down all of the rioting emotions attempting to break loose inside me. More voices fill the room as Sydney and Brayden burst onto the scene.
“No way,” my brother says with a laugh before his feet grind to a halt as he stares at the guy.
The room becomes so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Mom sets down the oven mitt before silently making her way across the room to where the man loiters.
She shoots him a reassuring smile before slipping her arm through his. “Brayden and Elle, I’d like you to meet Theo.” There’s a pause as the energy in the room ratchets up to unprecedented heights. “My boyfriend.”
Chapter Twelve
Carson
Under normal circumstances, I’ve always enjoyed spending time at the Kendricks’ house. Especially when dinner is involved. Katherine is a phenomenal cook. If I hadn’t practically grown up here, scarfing down meals five nights a week, I would have been left to my own devices, which more than likely meant nuking something from the freezer in the microwave or ordering takeout. Tonight, however, there’s an air of tension that fills the atmosphere.
Amusingly enough, you wouldn’t have guessed it from Katherine’s easy demeanor as she keeps up a steady stream of conversation, asking everyone questions and regaling comical stories from her children’s past.
I glance at Brayden, who sits across from me in the formal dining room, expecting him to have the toughest time with his mother deciding to move on, but he seems strangely at ease with the situation.
I suspect his chilled attitude has something to do with his new girlfriend. I’ve known Brayden for a long time and didn’t think he would ever settle down. He’s always been one to play the field where girls are concerned, enjoying all the perks that went along with being a Division I athlete at Western University. It was a surprise when Sydney changed all that.