A doormat
Vale
“It looks like they’re getting along well.” Lakelyn nods toward the truck, where AJ and Carter are chatting. “I know it’s not fair of him to ask for free advice and all.”
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “I’m sure Carter doesn’t mind.”
“And he’ll be family soon,” she says.
“Yeah,” I reply, feeling really bad about lying to her. She’s so bright-eyed and happy right now.
“Do you think Carter would consider taking AJ on as a client? Nothing would make me happier.” She leans against me, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders. It does something for my soul, standing with her like this.
How much have I missed out on, just because I can’t get along with my father?
“It will all work out, Lakelyn. AJ loves you and values your opinion. The opposite of Mom and Dad, in other words. Mom would never stand up to Dad. I really don’t understand it. And our sisters seem to be following that same path with their husbands.” I glance over to where our mother is currently talking with the wedding planner. “Their relationship is why I have never wanted to get married,” I confess.
“What?” Her head pops up off my shoulder. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Mom is smart, organized, and has the ability to run a large household while being a pillar of the community. She’s the backbone of so many charities and organizations, yet Dad treats her like … well, the help sometimes. All that seems to matter to him is that his supper is ready at the end of their long days. I’ve never understood it. All I know is that I have no intention of ever living that kind of life. I don’t know. Girl power and all that, but I don’t want to come in second to a man. I want a partnership.”
“I actually think they are a good team,” Lakelyn says, tilting her head at me, like she doesn’t understand why I would say such a thing. “There’s a reason Dad always takes her along to his business dinners. And not just because wives are usually included and everyone knows everyone.”
“What do you mean?”
“While you seem to picture her as some kind of doormat, I see her as a complement to him. They balance each other out. She’s his softer side. He speaks before he thinks. She brings things back around and keeps the conversation flowing and positive.”
“How do you know?”
“She told me so once. I asked why she always goes with him. I figured it would be boring, you know. She said he needs her there. She’s the people person. He’s the one with business sense. She also says that sometimes, when you are married to a strong man with strong opinions, you have to pick your battles. And when something is meaningful to her, she does.”
“Really?” I ask, feeling stunned.
“Yeah. And I get it. AJ and I have very different personalities, and we can bring out the best in each other, using our strengths to be stronger as a whole.”
Her words make me see my parents’ relationship in a different light, but I don’t have time to think about that now because she quickly switches gears.
“Can you even believe tonight is our bachelor and bachelorette parties?” Her eyebrows move up and down, suggestive and playful.
I can tell she’s dying to know what we’re doing, so I decide to egg her on a little. “I wonder whatever we will do with ourselves tonight. You know, when I was planning it all out, I thought, What would Lakelyn want? And I knew it would have to be a super-low-key night. Just some girl bonding. Maybe a few beers out by the firepit. I told the girls to all bring comfy clothes.”
“Really?” she says, looking a combination of disappointed and not wanting to hurt my feelings. “I kinda bought a party dress.”
“I maybe kinda bought a party dress too,” I say with a laugh. “It’s a surprise.”
“Honestly, as long as I can wear my dress and hang with my girls, I’ll be happy.”
“Then, you will most definitely have fun tonight! What are the guys doing?”
“I’m not sure. All I know is that BTO and Blake planned it and said it was going to be a wild night. And even though I totally trust AJ, you know how they are. They both push others to do stupid things. And that worries me a little.”
I give her another hug. “You don’t have to worry. Carter will keep an eye on him. He wouldn’t let AJ do something stupid right before the draft.”
“I’m sure glad he’s here,” she says.
And when I look over at Carter, I have to agree.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Proceed with caution.
Carter
“Do you have any idea what I might be in for later tonight?”
Vale sighs, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror as she brushes her hair, getting ready. “There’s a strip club just north of town, and Trent and Blake like to go there. And although Lakelyn trusts AJ, she’s worried the boys will get him drunk and do something stupid.”
“The notion of a top draft pick partying at a strip club with those two is a recipe for disaster. Bachelor party or not. When you’ve seen as many innocent nights go south as I have, trust me, you know the signs.”
She turns to me, leaning against the dresser with her arms folded under her chest. Her dress is low-cut in the front, and I’m having a hard time focusing on anything else. If we were together for real, I would grab her and throw her onto the bed this second.
Vale gives me her supermodel smile and says sexily, “I know he’s not your client, but is there any chance you would watch out for him tonight? Make sure he doesn’t get himself into any trouble? And keep an eye on Blake while you’re at it.”
“He’s a hell-raiser, isn’t he?”
“Something tells me that my brother and Trent have been looking forward to tonight ever since the engagement was announced.” She pauses and taps a slender finger against her bottom lip. “I could see them trying to get AJ really drunk. Almost hazing him. All in the name of good fun, of course.”
“I’ll make a note of that.” I close my eyes and rub my temples in hopes of warding off a headache as I take a seat on the side of the little bed we’re both expected to sleep in. I shouldn’t be thinking about it so much. About how close I’ll be to her. Back in college, a twin dorm bed was plenty of room for two, and this bed is much bigger than that. “I’m starting to feel too old for this shit. I’m an agent, not a babysitter, which is why I’m picky about the type of man I take on as a client. But whether or not AJ becomes my client doesn’t matter. I like the guy, and I’m not going to let his stupid friends ruin his life.”
She walks up next to me and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Thank you, Carter. I can tell this is stressing you out. And I’m sorry it is. But for what it’s worth, I’m really glad you’re here with me.”
Which is a really nice thing to say, but then she massages my shoulders. It’s something she would do before. It’s something I loved. But today, it makes me flinch.
Which causes her to pull her hands off me immediately. I can tell by the look on her face that she thinks I don’t want her to touch me because I don’t care about her, but she’s wrong. I flinch because I seriously don’t know if I trust myself with her. My thoughts are filled with sex. With desire. With love.