“You look upset, mon,” the cab driver spoke to Turner in a thick Jamaican accent, looking at him through the rear view mirror as he weaved through Manhattan’s streets.
“Yeah. I think I just messed that up,” Turner said, pushing his curly hair back with his hand.
“I don’t know about that, guy. The lady looked like she was really feeling ya, know what I am saying, mon?” He comforted him.
Turner sighed again. “I wish I had realized that about three minutes ago.”
“Ah, well, mon, I think there is always another go with the ladies. It ain’t never too late, you know? You just gotta make it up. You know the ladies, mon, they like the big gestures and romantic stuff, you know?” the cabbie said, as he pulled up to Turner’s apartment building a few minutes later.
Turner thanked him for the advice and paid him, then headed up to his apartment. His building was definitely not as nice as Caroline’s and didn’t even have an elevator. He huffed and puffed up seven flights of stairs until he got to his door and let himself inside his small studio apartment.
He quickly undressed and got into bed, closing his eyes and picturing Caroline’s beautiful eyes. Her soft and pale face surrounded by those wavy locks, falling past her shoulders, the piercing hazel eyes peaking out under dark, long eyelashes, and her gentle blushing cheeks turned up by her red, smiling lips. He fell asleep smiling for the first night in a long time.
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“What the hell, Caroline?”
That was the first thing she heard when she picked up the phone the next morning.
“What? Who is this?” Caroline asked, confused. She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes, yawning.
“It’s your best friend that you completely left stranded with a bunch of weirdos last night, without as much as a wave goodbye,” Aralia barked into the phone, clearly ticked off.
“Didn’t you get my text?”
“Uh no, because you didn’t send a text! You just up and left and the bartender told me you left with some guy,” Aralia responded.
“Alright, well I didn’t send a text, but I thought about sending one. That should count for something.” Caroline giggled, trying to lighten the mood. Aralia paused for a second, then laughed.
“Jeez, stop it. I am trying to stay mad at you,” Aralia said.
“But you love me and you are at least slightly proud that I left with a guy last night. Admit it.” Caroline got out of bed, tucking the phone between her cheek and her shoulder, as she got dressed.
“Well, that is true, I guess. Okay well you better tell me all about it then! Spill,” Aralia demanded.
“Well, his name is Turner and he is an accountant. He is a little nerdy, but he is so sweet and he has the best sense of humor ever. He kept me laughing all night.” Caroline beamed into the phone, recalling her night.
“Oh, Caroline, that sounds perfect for you! Your dad would definitely approve.” Aralia laughed.
“Yeah, I know, that is the only downside,” Caroline said sarcastically, the two girls laughed in response.
“Tell me you didn’t sleep with him, though,” Aralia asked, hopefully.
“Shit, Aralia, who do you think I am? Of course, I didn’t. He just walked me to the elevator,” Caroline responded.
“And?” Aralia pushed.
“And nothing. He didn’t even kiss me! I thought he was going to ,but then I just got a hug and a peck on the cheek. Not sure why, I think he just got nervous. He said he was going to call today though. I think he might actually be what I need right now. After Logan, I just don’t think I can handle that kind of whirlwind romance anymore. I need someone just steady and average, who will be there for me. I think that Turner would be that kind of guy, I feel like he would be the kind of guy that would never hurt me,” Caroline explained.
“Well, I guess that is good then, right? At least that is good for now. But I wouldn’t give up on that whirlwind type of love. You never want to settle, you know?” Aralia told her.
“Yeah, I know. I know what you are saying.” Caroline sighed, brushing her hair, while looking in the mirror.
“The truth is that I miss Logan. I still do and I know I shouldn’t and that I should just move on. Maybe dating someone like Turner is the only way to do that,” Caroline wondered aloud.
“Yeah, I can understand that,” Aralia agreed. “Well, I guess since I know you are safe now, and not chopped up lying in a ditch somewhere, I will let you go.”
Caroline laughed at Aralia’s sarcasm and said goodbye, the two girls hung up the phone. It was Sunday morning and Caroline was enjoying having slept in a bit and having the full day off to renew her energy before another long week at work.
She clipped her hair up into a loose bun, ran a washcloth over her face, and slipped on some old jeans with a rip at the knee and tears in random places.
She put on her sports bra and headed into the kitchen to make something to eat. Her apartment was a bit warm, so she was enjoying the breeze of not wearing a shirt, which was pretty normal for her anyway. Whenever she would go work out, she would just wear a tight sports bra.
Caroline was pouring coffee beans into her coffee grinder as she heard a knock at her door. She knew it was probably Jackie, since Aralia had most likely just told her about Caroline’s night and now Jackie would want to hear the whole story herself. Jackie was always coming over for brunch, because Aralia was the night owl leaving a morning person, like Jackie, alone. Caroline put down the bag of coffee beans and trotted over to the front door, tossing it open and heading back into the kitchen.
“So, Aralia called you? I mean I just got off the phone with her.” Caroline laughed as she turned on the coffee grinder. “Word travels fast with you two!”
“Well, I don’t know who Aralia is, but I am sure she meant to catch me up on all the juicy details.” Turner was standing in her kitchen doorway, smiling at her. He was holding a white paper bag with a bagel shop’s logo on it.
“Turner!” Caroline spun around to realize who she’d just let enter her apartment.
“I am sorry, I wasn’t expecting you! I thought you were my friend, Jackie,” Caroline explained and pulled her ground up coffee beans out of the grinder, dumping them into the coffee maker.
“I hope it is okay that I just showed up like this,” Turner told her, placing the bag of bagels on the counter.
“Of course, I am glad to see you.” She paused what she was doing and leaned against the counter to look at him. She surprised herself realizing that she really was happy to see him, very happy actually. He smiled back at her and took a step toward her.
“I realized last night that I completely forgot something,” Turner said, his hand running down from her shoulder to her elbow in a gentle caress. He clearly was enjoying the easy access to her skin with no shirt on. He leaned in a little closer to her and her breath quickened.
She smiled shyly at him, trying to look flirty. “What’s that?”
“To ask you for your share of the bill for all those drinks and dinner,” Turner said, inches from her face, grinning. Caroline pulled back and furrowed her brow at him.
“What?” she asked surprised. “Seriously?”
“Am I ever serious?” Turner laughed and then pulled her tight up against him.
His right arm wrapped around her back and his left hand cupped the side of her face, pulling her toward him. His lips touched hers gently and Caroline’s tense body began to ease as she let go and enjoyed herself. She slipped her arms up around his neck and leaned into his body, allowing him to hold her up.
He dipped a little and she realized he wasn’t strong enough to hold her entirely, so she regained her balance. She smiled at that thought, since she had never imagined herself with someone shorter than her who couldn’t hold her. It didn’t matter though, because he was a good kisser. He was funny and he was so sweet to her, but most importantly he wanted her and made no secret of it.
Turner pulled back from her after a few minu
tes, breaking their kiss.
“Alright, lady, control your hormones. I am not some play toy, you know.” He smiled at her and she laughed. He grabbed the bag of bagels and held them up.
“I see you made the coffee and I have the bagel and lox. It’s a perfect match.” He grinned, grabbing two plates off the dish rack, and laid them out on the kitchen table.
He began pulling food out of the bag and preparing their breakfast. Caroline grabbed two mugs from the cabinet and poured the hot coffee into them, added some cream and a bit of sugar before bringing them to the table.
“I’ve never had bagels with lox before.” Caroline told him as she sat down in front of her plate and picked up the breakfast entrée.
“Seriously? Holy crap, Caroline. I am seriously beginning to question your upbringing. First falafels, now lox. I mean, what is a man supposed to think?” he joked, mocking her.
“I guess I have a lot to learn,” she teased back and started eating her breakfast. She chewed her first bite for a moment, then looked at him with a nervous look on her face.
“You don’t like it., Turner said, watching her grimace as she attempted to swallow her breakfast. She shook her head no and grabbed a napkin, quickly spitting it out.
“I’m sorry! Oh god, you are probably grossed out right now,” Caroline said, quickly jumping up to discard her napkin.
“Of course not, you could never gross me out.” Turner laughed at her and pulled the lox off her bagel, replacing it with another layer of cream cheese instead.
“There, this should suit your tastes better, my dear.” Turner replaced her plate and she sat back down.
Caroline smiled at him, sheepishly. “Thank you. I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry for. Especially when you are dressed like that,” he told her, winking, and reached over to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.
She smiled at him and he leaned in to kiss her. The couple kissed gently for a moment, before to their breakfast. About twenty minutes later, they cleaned up their breakfast and headed into the living room. Caroline briefly ducked into her bedroom to find a tank top and pulled it on before heading back out to the living room to Turner.
“Not a fan of the new look.” Turner grinned mischievously at her from where he was sitting on the couch.
Caroline stuck her tongue out at him playfully, then plopped down on the couch next to him. He had turned on the television and was clicking through different morning shows. Caroline tucked her legs up against Turner and lounged back against the couch, watching him.
“Oh, awesome, you have all the music channels. High roller, huh?” He glanced at her, she smiled at him. She was just enjoying being with him, it was easy and simple.
“I love this artist, have you heard this song? It only came out a few weeks ago and has already topped like every music chart, which is pretty impressive for just a simple love song. Clay doesn’t usually have such mellow music, which is probably one of the reasons it caught everyone’s attention, but I think it’s because it’s so real.”
Caroline grimaced.
“You can tell Clay must really love his girlfriend, I think its Jenna or something like that.” Turner was rambling, but Caroline had frozen the moment she heard the song playing through her television’s speakers. She was glued to each word that she had already memorized because she had listened to Logan’s song so many times over the last few weeks.
“Her hazel eyes over hazelnut coffee,
her upturned nose, and her stubborn pose.
She rules the roost as she scoffs into her cup,
and rolls her eyes as if I’m not enough.
She tossed my music, like she tossed my heart,
her little button nose like a cupid’s dart.
Can’t stand her mouth because her tongue is sharp,
her words cut the strings on my harp.
but she is the sour that made my day sweet,
the prettiest lips I should never want to meet,
and the shiniest eyes I never want to leave,
through my heart, she’s started to weave.
Those hazel eyes hide her chained up heart,
but her play is over, now it’s my part.”
“Caroline? Caroline? Earth to Caroline?” Turner was staring at her and she realized that he had been trying to get her attention for a while.
“Sorry? What did you say?” Caroline said, trying to choke out the words and keep from crying.
“I was saying don’t you think that Clay’s jump from his usual rocker playboy status to this love song means he is probably head over heels in love with his girlfriend, Jenna? It’s great to have role models out there for young guys that aren’t playboys,” Turner continued to talk.
“It’s Gina,” Caroline interrupted.
“What?” Turner paused.
“Logan Clay is dating Gina. Gina Vile,” Caroline said softly, then promptly burst into tears. She covered her face with her hands and tried to stop the tears from continuing. Turner sat up abruptly, concern and surprise covering his face.
“Caroline! Are you okay? I am sorry, what did I say wrong?” He pulled her towards him and hugged her, she softened into his arms with her legs still tucked against her chest.
Her sobbing slowed as she tried to regain control. Turner was just hugging her, silently, since he didn’t know what was going on or what to say. After a moment, Caroline sat up and wiped her face.
“I am sorry,” she said, standing up and heading to the bathroom to grab a towel.
She wiped her face off and dabbed her puffy eyes with a freshly wet towel. After a minute or so, she walked back into the living room attempting to improve her previously tear-stained look.
Turner didn’t say anything, but stood up and walked over to her, pulling her in for another hug. He had no idea what had just happened, but she appreciated his hug and gently kissed him to show her thanks. He pushed the hair out of her face and kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist.
The kiss started gentle, but quickly jumped to deeper and more passionate, as the two lost their surroundings to focus just on each other’s embrace.
Within a few minutes, Turner had pulled her shirt up over her head and the two were stumbling toward the bedroom. Caroline fell back onto the bed and Turner unbuttoned his shirt, dropping it on the floor, as he climbed on top of her. The two quickly and loudly disappeared into the blankets together.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Dad, please don’t interrogate him. He’s really a nice guy. There is no need for any of that,” Caroline said into the phone, talking with her father.
“What does he do?” John Sanders, Caroline’s father, asked her over the phone.
“He is an accountant at a really great firm here in the city. He can tell you all about it when you meet him.”
“What family is he from? Do they have any houses here in the Hamptons?”
“No, I don’t think so. His family is from New Jersey, but they own a chain of restaurants that are very successful. They are well known throughout New Jersey. But, Dad, that really shouldn’t even matter. Just give him a chance, okay?”
“Of course I will, honey. I just want you to have the best, you never should settle. New Jersey anything doesn’t sound very promising,” her father grunted into the phone.
“He can’t help where he grew up, Dad. We’ll head up there Saturday morning and stay the weekend, okay? See you in a few days, I need to head to work,” Caroline said goodbye to her father and hung up the phone.
It was Thursday and she was walking to work, about to head in to the Java Jolt for her morning pick up. George waved at her when she entered the shop, grabbed a cup, nodding to her that he was starting her regular drink order. She got in line and pulled out her wallet, counting out a few dollars as she reached the front of the line.
“How is the boyfriend?” George asked her, smiling and handing her a cup of coffee as she handed over her cash.
“Turner is wonder
ful. We are headed to the Hamptons on Saturday morning for the weekend.” Caroline smiled, excited to spend the weekend away with this man she had been dating for a while now.
“The Hamptons? Does that mean what I think it means?” George said, his eyebrows raised, grinning.
“Yep, he’s meeting the folks. We have been dating for almost five months now, you know? It seems like it’s time. At least my dad is insisting that it’s time.” Caroline laughed, rolling her eyes.
“You sound excited,” George said, sarcastically.
“I am actually! I mean, it’s not going to be a ton of fun and I guess I just want the weekend to be over with, but I do want Turner to be a bigger part of my family. Check back with me on Monday, see if I still feel that way!”
“Good luck, girl. I put an extra shot in your coffee to help you out.” George smiled at her, handing her a larger than normal cup of coffee.
“You are a saint, George!” Caroline called back to him, as she headed out of the coffee shop and continued on to work.
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“Where the heck is it?” Caroline muttered, shuffling around inside the purse on her lap.
Turner glanced over at her from the driver’s seat in the car to see what she was doing.
“Lose something?” he questioned, as he flipped on the turn signal and glided the car into the right lane. A sign up ahead said the exit for The Hamptons was only three quarters of a mile away.
“I can’t find my comb!” Caroline was exasperated as she started yanking things out of her purse and haphazardly strewing things around the car.
“Your comb? What do you need a comb for?” He looked over at her again. “You’re making a mess, what is going on with you?”
Her Forbidden Rockstar: A Forbidden Rockers Novel Page 11