Trent- I've been quiet and left you alone. I made a decision and I don't care what you think. I don't want you or this baby, and I don't care what you do with it.
Seeing this makes something in me crack, a shift I've never felt before until now. The need to protect my child and forget I ever knew Trent Zito is strong now.
I put the phone down and just grip the counter in the kitchen a moment. With my head down I take a few cleansing breaths. I'll ignore him. This doesn't even deserve a response. He's gone and away from my life.
“Starfish?” I hear behind me as Carter comes next to where I'm standing. I don't answer him.
“Everything okay?”
Taking a deep breath, I turn to him with a small smile. “It is now,” I say showing him the text message.
His jaw just clenches and he closes his eyes a moment. When he opens them, there's a storm in those honey brown eyes as he stares at me intensely. “You're both mine,” he whispers.
“Huh?” I ask quietly.
“He doesn't want you guys, but that's even better because you weren't his. This baby may have been his biologically, but he or she is now mine. You've always been mine.”
I don't know what to say, my heart is bursting and the tears pour from my eyes all on their own.
I throw myself in his arms, just sniffing his neck on a big inhale. He's home, and he wants me and my baby to be his home.
He squeezes me tightly and kisses my head.
“One day I will make you both mine in every way possible. But for now, just know I'm not ever leaving you again,” he whispers in my ear. His solemn promise to never break my heart again. Only heal it.
***
Riding with Carter in the car the next day, we are headed to my parents for our combined family's Thanksgiving dinner.
“I contacted Henry Zito this week,” he tells me as he grabs my hand across the console.
“Oh?”
“I was working with him and his firm on a case involving one of his clients. I've resigned from the assignment and gave it to another detective from my department. I told him it's a conflict of interest for personal reasons and I cannot continue to work with them.”
“Who did you have take your place, Nick?”
“No, another guy. He's a good detective and will work well with them I think. Ed Rowenski.”
“I'm sorry I'm getting in the way of your job, Carter.”
“No, Starfish, you're wrong. Work has been getting in the way of you. For too long now and I'm fixing that,” he says as he brings my hand to his mouth for a kiss.
I just can't help the smile that splits my face. We can do this. We can really make us work again, to just be the Carter and Andrea we've always been.
“What do you say we tell our families our happy news?”
“I don't think I'm ready to tell them about the baby and explain the Trent situation to my parents, Carter,” I say quickly.
“No. Not about Trent. About us and our baby.”
“Carter,” I whisper as emotions clog my throat.
“This is our baby, Starfish. I'm so proud and I promise to be the best dad I can.”
“I don't even know what to say. That's such a beautiful promise,” I tell him as I lean up and kiss his cheek.
“A promise I intend to keep to you and that little one. You're it for me. I was just too stupid and let you go before. Not again. You can push all you want but I'm patient, Starfish. I can't live without you again.”
He pulls into the driveway of my parents’ house, puts the car in park, and turns to look at me a moment. Biting my lip, I just look at him. The emotions clogging my throat have me unable to speak so I just mouth to him, “thank you.”
He reaches down and undoes my seat belt, and grabs my face on both sides with each of his large hands. He brings his lips to mine in a long, soft, and lingering kiss. He just holds his lips to mine breathing me in. A silent promise being made to follow his words. It's then that I hold his hands with mine and open my mouth to let the kiss deepen. He takes the moment to briefly let his tongue dance with mine. The tingles shooting straight from to my toes and core.
I pull back with a soft peck to his big pouty lips and give him my smile. He gives one last peck and turns to open the door.
Our parents don't know we are coming together, so this will be a surprise for everyone today.
“You ready to let everyone back into our world?” he asks me as I get out.
“I'm ready,” I say with a nod as he comes to meet me at the front and grabs my hand in his.
We walk together silently to the door. It opens up and my mom stands there smiling brightly at both of us, looking down to our hands and back up.
“The world is set straight,” she says as we walk up and each embrace her in a hug.
“Hi, Mom,” I tell her with a kiss to her cheek.
She kisses my nose and then turns to grab Carter's face giving his cheek a kiss.
“Come in, come in,” she tells us as she retreats to the kitchen.
I take a deep breath and turn to follow her, knowing that tonight is going to change both our families forever.
THE LAST FEW weeks have been a blast. This new lifestyle Ed has opened up to me is exactly what I've needed.
I'm heading up a lot of this operation now, staying in this shitty ass motel and having the time of my life. All the drinking, drugs, and pussy I've needed have come rolling in and I'm making a shitload of money doing it. I've even recruited some of the little sluts from school to join the party so to speak. They're all told to keep their mouths shut, they make a little money and get stuffed in any hole the men that put the money up for their time see fit. Most have come back for more, but some have stayed quiet and haven't returned.
I've set up my operation in the motel and I have a cell phone that is specifically for keeping in contact with Ed and the crews that I'm now in charge of. I've been impressing some of the higher rollers, keeping up with school, and still doing some work for my uncle in his firm.
I don't know why I ever thought I needed to tie myself to that little bitch Andrea, or the kid she says that's mine she's pregnant with. I don't need her and I can't afford to be saddled to some kid now that I have all this in my life. Life is good and I've kept Marissa and even Tabetha glued to me. When I'm at my apartment, I have either one or both warming it beside me. It's not a bad thing to wake up to, let me tell you.
I didn't show up to Thanksgiving with my family and my mom has been blowing up my phone, which in turn gets Amy going too.
“Sorry, Mom, I'm not gonna make it. I'm stuck studying and trying to make some extra money to put away for when the baby comes.”
“Isn't Andrea going to be joining us and meeting the rest of the family, Trent? They all want to get to know the girl you’re going to marry someday.”
“No, Mom, she's with her family. We will be over soon enough and for Christmas. I promise.”
I'm a shit and haven't told my family that I am done with Andrea and my kid. They would never let me just stuff all my responsibility down the drain, it isn't how they operate. I once operated that way too, but I'm only young once.
I'm back at the motel today, a stiff drink in my hand. Ed is having his holiday with his family, but business is busy today and I've had a few rooms filled today with clients and girls. A few of our local politicians will be coming by to throw their wads of cash around after they've finished with their own families, and blow their load so to speak in the sweet and innocent, and kinky girls I have lined up for them.
“Trent, you need to be in the room with Mr. Esposito when he comes today. He got a little rough the last time and almost choked one of the girls to death.” I hear from the doorway as I'm drinking the last of the amber in the tumbler that sits in my hand.
“You know when Candy is here she always wants me to join the fun. I don't want to be a distraction for his fun. You can sit in there. I have a few of my own coming here today,” I tell Donovan, one of our secu
rity guys.
He just sighs and nods before shutting the door.
Laying back on the bed, I just sit and watch the room spin with the buzz soaring through my veins.
Tomorrow starts in with the new idea I've concocted to bring more business to our little operation. Black Friday shoppers at Southland Mall and Fairlane will be getting fliers for my ‘Talent Agency’. With the help of Marissa and Tabetha, I will be finding models to do photo shoots and start up their fame with my help. It's brilliant really. I’ll lure these girls in with promises and high hopes, using my pretty face and dazzling wit to get them in. Once they're in my trap, they will be fed drinks and drugs to loosen them up. Once they are out of their mind senseless, I’ll sell their bodies to the highest bidders. Money will be raking in even more and they will no doubt have such a great time, they'll come back.
“Is everything set for tomorrow?” I ask Tabetha and Marissa as they come bounding full of giggles into my room.
“Sure is, just printed off all the flyers and have them right here.”
“Good. Tabetha, what about you?”
“Have the camera set and ready to roll. Also talked to Marissa's uncle about the private suite he's set aside for us for the New Year's Eve extravaganza.”
“Now this is good news I like to hear. Who's first tonight?”
“We have a saucy little redhead gracing the room tonight. She's new. I found her last night at the bar,” Marissa says with a grin.
“She's outside and ready for action. We've tipped her up nicely for you to test out first,” Tabetha tells me, bounding over to the bed.
“Well, what are you waiting for? I need some new pussy to break in.”
“Let her in Marissa,” Tabetha whines.
Marissa goes to the door. In walks a tall and leggy, gorgeous girl with bright green eyes.
Marissa leads her over to me as I sit up straighter against the headboard. Damn, she's just what I need to sink into tonight.
***
Andrea
Dinner at my parents was great. Having both of our families there was exactly what we needed.
They were all pleasantly surprised to have Carter and I back together. Of course our moms just want us to get married already. They've loved our love our entire lives. I guess having us apart wasn't just hard on each other but our families too. I assured them we weren't at that point, but are working on our happiness. What we deserve and feel at home with.
“I hate feeling like I totally just lied to both our parents,” I tell Carter as we drive back to my house.
“It's not a lie. It's the truth. The baby you're carrying is mine. Maybe not in the biological sense, but mine in every way that counts. I would never let you do this alone, even if you didn't want me.”
The walls I've built where it comes to him are slowly crumbling piece by piece. It's as if I can feel it literally chipping away at my heart. He truly means every word he says. When Carter Avery gets something in his head and heart, there's no breaking that. He says what he means and means what he says.
“Relax, Starfish. It will all be okay. We will figure it out day by day,” he tells me while looking to me under the dim lights of the car.
“I know. One day at a time,” I tell him as I lean back in the seat and just close my tired eyes. I've stuffed myself as well as the turkey with dinner and I'm ready to sleep. My body wants to shut itself off.
Pulling back to my house, I'm startled awake as Carter takes off my seat belt. He's leaning in my face and smiling. “Hi, sleepy head. You have a good nap?”
“Mmm...yes. I'm sorry, I'm so tired,” I say on a stretch.
“I'm just gonna put you to bed so you can sleep,” he tells me as he helps me from the car.
“Carter….”
“I know, I won't stay. Not unless you want me to.”
I just sigh. I do want him to stay, but I don't think I'm ready to play house just yet. He has all the right words and shows me what he wants with me. He's just...there. And that means the world to me. But I need to do this slow.
“I'm sorry, Carter. I'm just not ready yet.”
“It's okay. I get it and I'm not going to push. When you're ready, I'm here and I'll hold you through it all,” he says as he kisses my head.
“Thank you for understanding. I will do better. But right now I just want to sleep.”
“Go climb up and get some rest. Call me tomorrow?”
“Yes, I will,” I say through my lazy smile.
He opens his arms and I just walk into them. Laying my head against his chest, I just feel him. He's my safe zone, my comfort through all of it. He always has been. From a skinned knee to the broken life I'm in now.
He squeezes me tight and just rests his chin on my head. I can hear his soft inhales and exhales. This is comfortable, too comfortable, and I need to gain some space before I jump too quickly.
Leaning back, I push up on my toes and bring my lips to his for a sweet kiss. He just holds my cheek as I mold my lips to his in a silent plea to give me time.
“Sweet dreams, Starfish.”
“Sweet dreams, Carter.”
He turns, locks my door as he pulls it open, and leaves me with his dazzling smile.
Shutting the lights down, I climb the stairs to my room and just fall in bed.
“JUST A FEW more stores and I'll stop torturing you,” I tell Carter as I drag him from store to store just a few days before Christmas.
“You're the only person I know that waits until a few days before Christmas to get all their shopping done.” He laughs with a shake of his head.
I just shrug, I don't really have a good excuse. Haven't been in the spirit much I guess.
I play it off and just give him my squinted eyes over my shoulder.
“Well when we're done, let's grab some food. I'm starved, and while that belly isn't showing a baby yet, I know how you eat.”
“Mmmmm, that's a great idea. I'm sort of craving some Chinese.”
“Good thing this mall has a good food court. I have more choices today than your cravings as of late.”
I just stick out my tongue.
He's quick to the draw and has his mouth over that tongue biting mine before I can blink.
“You know what that does to me, Starfish, and you don't play fair,” he says on a groan.
I kiss him back a moment and just get lost in him.
“What a sweet couple,” I hear over my shoulder as someone passes by.
Feeling my face heat, I pull back to see an elderly couple walk by holding hands.
“I want that, when I'm old. To still be just as in love and not be able to live without the person beside me,” I say as I look from them back up to Carter still holding my waist.
“I'll make sure of it,” he whispers into my hair.
I just close my eyes and feel him. He's worked hard to bust down all my walls. To get me out of my head and let him just be there all the time. I've given in a little in the last month, but I still can't just completely let go. My gut tells me life can't just stay happy.
“Let's go eat. I'm done shopping,” I tell him as I step back and just grab his hand.
“You sure?”
“I am. Plus we have a tree to decorate at your place,” I tell him as we head toward the food court.
“I already told you I don't need a tree.”
“Sure you do. Everyone needs a tree for Christmas, no matter how big or small. It's a feeling of, I don't know...a light in us that shines this time of year. I want to have that with you at your place too.”
“Then a tree at my place we will have too,” he says, pulling me to him and kissing the top of my head.
I just can't help the warm feeling of these small moments. I feel like these are moments I need to make last.
***
After we get back to Carter's apartment, I start unpacking all the little things we picked up to decorate his place up a little.
He just sits down on the couch and silently watches me
.
“What?” I ask as I feel his stare.
He just shakes his head, a small laugh escaping. “I'm just watching you and remembering how much you really have always loved this time of year. It's so important to you. That's why I won't argue about you making the mess you are right now of my nice clean and unlived in space.”
“Well, you could come and help me make a mess and get this little tree up.”
“Oh, I'll give you a mess alright,” he says as he gets up and pulls me to him. Pulling the star I was opening for the top of the tree, he holds it over my head.
“What are you doing?” I ask on a laugh.
“Kiss me under the star.”
“Isn't it mistletoe?”
“I'll make it whatever I want it to be. You are my star, the star that's always shined like a beacon in my world.”
He doesn't have to say another word. I pull myself to my knees and grab his face gently. Closing my eyes I lean to give him a kiss. As my lips touch his, he threads his hands in my hair holding my face to his gently. God, I've always loved when he did this, it makes me feel so precious.
I've held back for so long and I can't anymore.
I climb onto his lap and straddle his large muscular thighs, bringing my chest flush with his. I deepen the kiss and quicken the pace as I feel almost desperate to be as close to him as possible. Grinding my hips down to meet the hard bulge beneath me, he pulls back to look at me. Both of our breaths are heaving as we stare at each other.
“Starfish, you sure you want this? If you keep this up, I won't be able to move myself from you. I will fuck you senseless the way I've been wanting to since you started letting me back in. I'm a starving man for you.”
“I need you, Carter, please,” I beg as I rock myself into the now full erection beneath me.
His mouth crashes to mine again as both our hands frantically grab and paw at each other. As I sit up and lift my shirt over my head, trying desperately to get my skin closer to touching his, he stops me.
Into Your Hurricane Page 12