Paris blew out a mouthful of air. “I need to get out of here,” she said, grabbing her designer purse and sliding it over her shoulder. “Before I say something I regret.”
“You do that.” He watched as she stalked across the room, yanking the door open and stepping out of the office. As soon as she was gone he shook his head and walked over to the table where his laptop was sitting, opening it up and relaxing into the chair.
He had work to do if he wanted to get back to Hartson’s Creek for Courtney’s next check up. And he was determined he would.
Paris would get used to it. She didn’t have a choice. He was going to be a dad, and that was more important than anything else.
Taking a deep breath, Courtney pressed on the buzzer next to Carl’s name. He’d lived in this apartment for the past few years, but she could only remember coming here once before. It was Shaun who’d spent the most time here, coming over to watch a game and share a beer with his brother.
Then he’d come home all riled up and she’d close her eyes tightly in bed, hoping he’d believe she was asleep.
She pressed her lips together. That was old news. It didn’t matter anymore. Shaun was gone. But Carl… he was a whole other problem.
“Court?” Carl’s voice echoed over the speaker. Then she heard a buzz. “It’s open, come on up.”
He lived on the second floor. Rather than take the elevator, she climbed the stairs, then walked down the hall to number 23. Rapping on the door, she squared her shoulders. She wasn’t looking forward to this at all.
He opened the door and stepped back to let her in. His apartment was clean and well-furnished, with a long black leather sofa on one wall and a huge flat screen on the other. She took a look at him. He was wearing dark colored jeans and a black t-shirt, his hair wet as though he’d stepped out of the shower.
“You want a drink?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m not staying long. I just wanted to talk to you after the other day in the square.”
“Yeah, about that. I should have called you. I’m sorry. I just saw him and the red mist descended.”
“You behaved like an idiot,” she told him. “It was horrible and embarrassing. And Logan didn’t deserve that. You’re lucky he didn’t report you.”
Carl looked down at his bare feet. “Yeah, I know.”
“And you upset me.”
His head tipped up. “I never wanted to do that. Never,” he said, his voice urgent. “I want to protect you. He knocked you up, Court. He needs to know the consequences.”
“I think he knows them,” she told him.
“Is he gonna marry you? Take care of you?”
She exhaled softly. “I can take care of myself. But he wants to be a father to the baby, yes. We’re talking about joint custody.”
“The baby deserves a full time father,” Carl told her. “Not some guy who just flies in when he wants to.”
“How do you know so much about Logan?” she asked suspiciously.
Carl looked away from her. “I’ve heard some things. I don’t like the sound of him.”
“He’s a good man. And he’ll be a good father.” She sighed. “So I’d really like you not to hit him again.”
Carl looked at her through narrowed eyes. “Okay,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be nice, for your sake. But if he hurts you, I’m gonna hurt him back. Just so you know. You’re family, Court, whether you like it or not. And I owe it to Shaun to take care of you.”
“I told you before, I don’t need your protection. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. No more threats, Carl, and no more punches, okay?” She sighed. “Because if you hurt this baby’s father, you’ll be out of my life.” She glanced at her watch. “And now I need to go. I have a hundred things to do at the farm. Are we good?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, we’re good.”
Courtney nodded, even though he looked anything but good. She didn’t need any more trouble from him. She had enough of it, in the form of the little strawberry growing inside of her, and it’s father. The man who set her on fire even though he shouldn’t.
It was hard enough fighting herself. She didn’t have the energy to fight anybody else.
Chapter Fifteen