Page 13 of Just One Promise (The Carter Brothers 3)
“I get it, it would suck. But if I were in your shoes, I’d do the exact same thing. Of course, with your job you can do it remotely and travel as needed.”
“True, it’s something I’m kicking around. Though, with the girls and mom hanging around, things could go in our favor too,” I reply.
“Fucking hell, Quinn is putting a dent in our credit card for sure,” He grumbles.
“Don’t tell Rome, he’ll have a coronary,” I joke, knowing full well he wouldn’t.
“What about you? Did you give Audrey your card?” Mason asks.
“I fucking wish, I tried. No dice, she was adamant about paying her way, but I outsmarted her. Mom has my card and buys Audrey shit when she’s not looking. Still, it isn’t much. You know these women could shop every day for the rest of their lives, and it wouldn’t make a dent in our bank accounts,” I say into the line. All of us are smart with our money, add into the fact Carter Real Estate Firm is doing great and has been for quite some time now.
“Sneaky little shit,” Mason laughs.
“Gotta do what I gotta do. I still haven’t managed to get her on a surfboard yet,” I grouse.
“It’s been how many years that Summer and Quinn have been in our lives? We still haven’t managed to either. These women, they have us by the balls,” he laughs.
“Damn straight, wouldn’t have it any other way either,” I counter.
“I’ll be out at the beach tomorrow, you gonna be out?” Mason asks.
“As if I ever miss the waves? It’s you and Rome that can’t drag your butts out of bed” I get it, if Audrey and I ever have a family, things would change. Though knowing Audrey, she’d be out there watching me ride the waves.
“See you tomorrow, love you baby brother.”
“Love you too, hope to see you out there,” I respond, then hit the end button, returning to work.
20
Audrey
Heath didn’t think I knew what he was doing when all of us went out shopping, but I did. Things would randomly get put into my bag if I did purchase something, including a bikini that caught my eye. When I saw the price, it was promptly returned back on the rack and I moved on.
On a shopping trip surrounded by Summer, Quinn, Momma Tina, Sawyer, Parker, and Alana it was the best of times.
We were at lunch when Momma Tina told me how three boys forever changed her life after she lost her one and only true love. Tears ran down unchecked on my cheeks, I respected her before, but my heart, it went to a whole different level for her.
Three days left, that’s all I have left on my vacation, and I don’t want to leave, but Heath hasn’t mentioned again that he wants me to stay either. We’re at a standstill right now, something I hate.
I even called my father for advice, like that would be any help at all. Which by the way, it wasn’t, he told me to let things go, take it day by day. It’s going against everything I stand for, the proverbial planner, wanting to know what I’m doing next. My father never planned anything, that made me become the complete opposite.
Walking into Heath’s place after another day out with the girls, I hear him on the phone, and what I hear shocks me to my core. I would never let him leave his family, not when my job can be based anywhere. Heath’s family is here, his mom, his brothers, their wives, his niece, and his nephews.
I’m really going to have to pull up my big girl panties and talk to him, both of us can’t be on different levels and have a relationship.
“Heath,” I yell out, letting him know I’m looking for him as I walk up to the second story of his home, a home that’s so warm and welcoming you’ll never want to leave.
“In the office, Babe,” he responds, as I make my way around the corner. I see him behind his desk, his button-down shirt is open at the collar, the sleeves rolled up. My heart stops beating for a moment as I take him in, his hair is a shaggy mess from the shower he took this morning after hitting the waves, his golden skin that’s highlighted by the sun coming in through the windows.
My mouth waters, walking closer to him, needing to feel him more than anything in this world.
“Did you have a good time out today?” he asks.
“Oh yeah, how was your day?” my voice has taken on a husky tone.
“Went into the office, came home, getting shit done, and planning something. Come here, Audrey.” I’m standing in front of his desk, with a nod of his head, I answer his command, slowly moving toward him. Wanting to be with him, as much as he wants to be with me.
