Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
This woman can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned. Noah and Daisy are lucky to have her. And before all this, I was lucky to have her in my life as well. That thought is like a kick in the gut.
I stuff my hands into the pockets of my jeans as we head down the street to the small park nearby. There’s not much to it—just a slide, swing set, and monkey bars—but it’s good for what we need.
Privacy.
There’s a bench on the other side of the equipment. Once we’re settled, Marnie angles her body toward me. There is no beating around the bush with Noah’s Mom. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s taken a no-nonsense approach to life. It can be a little disconcerting and entirely too forthright.
Most of the time, I appreciate it.
At this moment, though?
Not so much.
“Noah tells me that you’ve moved out of the apartment,” she says.
I shrug and stare straight ahead. “Not officially,” I mumble.
“Is there a reason why you can’t stay at your place?” She pauses for a beat. “The one you pay rent for?”
I’m not sure how to answer that question, so I remain silent. Maybe I am a pussy just like Noah accused.
“My guess is that Daisy has something to do with this new living arrangement,” she continues.
“I, ah, just thought it would be best for everyone involved if I wasn’t there.” I’m trying like hell to avoid her penetrating stare.
“Is that what Daze told you?” Her voice sharpens. “That she would be more comfortable with you gone?”
My gaze arrows to hers and I hastily shake my head. “Of course not. Daisy would never say that.” Even when she hated my guts, she still agreed to live with me.
A satisfied smile curves her lips. “I didn’t think so.”
“I just…” I have no idea how to explain the situation or my fears to her. The only way I can keep myself in check is to keep my distance from the one person who makes me feel too much. Who makes me feel out of control. It’s the scariest fucking feeling in the world and I hate it.
“You’ve liked Daisy for a long time,” she says.
Even though Noah told me that his mom suspected my feelings, it’s still a surprise to hear her say it.
“What? You think I didn’t notice all these years?” She smirks. “I knew how you felt about Daisy before you did, Carter.”
“Noah mentioned something about it,” I mumble in embarrassment and stare at my fingers.
After a silent moment of fiddling with them, Marnie reaches out to still my movements.
I glance up as my voice drops. “You have to believe that I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“I don’t understand.” She searches my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“It was never my intention to get involved with Daisy.”
“Why not?” Her brows draw together, and she frowns. “Daisy is a wonderful girl. She’s like a daughter to me.”
“I know,” I whisper. “I’m sorry that I allowed my feelings to get the best of me. I should have kept them in check.”
As Marnie shakes her head, her blond ponytail swings back and forth. “Carter, you’re not making any sense. What do you have to be sorry about?”
I don’t know why I’m having such a difficult time articulating my feelings. Frustrated with myself, I blurt, “We both know that Daisy deserves better. You trusted me not to look sideways at her and I broke that trust.” I drag a hand over my face. “It was a mistake to think I would be good for her. I’m not.”
She straightens and slaps a hand on my thigh. I wince in surprise.
“Carter Prescott!” she growls. “What the hell kind of nonsense is pouring out of your mouth?”
My eyes widen at her sharp tone. Sure, I was expecting anger. Just not about this. I expected her to agree with the sentiment.
“I—what?” I ask with a frown.
Her expression turns thunderous as she grabs the sides of my face with her fingers and squeezes until it’s just shy of painful.
All right…it’s painful. If she’s trying to get my attention, the woman has it.
“You need to listen carefully to what I’m about to say,” she bites out. “Do you understand?”
Her brows rise as she waits for me to answer in the affirmative, which I do by giving a tight nod.
“Good.” She drags my face closer which makes my jaw ache. “I love you, Carter. I love you as much as if you were my own. The first time my son brought you home, I knew there was something special about you and I was right. You may not be a Walker by name, but you are in all the ways that matter. You’re part of this family and that will never change.” She pauses. “No matter what.”