Page 108 of Love to Hate You

Chapter Thirty-Three

Carter

This has been one of the strangest days of my life.

How else do you describe a twelve-hour period where you experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows?

Throughout the whole damn thing, Daisy has been unwaveringly at my side. Somehow that made the worst of it a little easier to bear. The situation with my family has always been a dirty secret that I’ve gone to great lengths to hide. Having Daisy there as a silent onlooker, watching me as I subdued my father…that was beyond anything I could have envisioned. The hot licks of humiliation will forever be singed into my psyche. And yet, now that she knows the truth, it’s like a crushing weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

After all these years, I can finally suck in a full breath of air. Daisy’s hand is secured in mine as we ride the elevator to the third floor. Today is a turning point and I want to get the rest of it over with. I want everyone to know that Daisy is mine.

And that means sharing the news with Noah.

I straighten my shoulders and mentally prepare myself for the impending shitstorm that is sure to follow. Noah isn’t going to be happy about this. He’s made it his life’s mission to protect Daisy from guys like me.

It’s difficult to imagine the two of us being on opposite sides of a situation. That’s never happened before. We’ve always had each other’s backs. If there’s one person I can count on, it’s Noah Walker.

And vice versa.

As much as the thought of damaging our friendship pains me, there’s nothing I can do about it. After years of wanting Daisy, she’s finally mine and I can’t let her go.

I won’t let her go.

Not even for Noah.

As we reach the apartment door, I tug Daisy into my arms and brush my lips across hers. She immediately opens and my tongue sweeps inside her mouth. Everything rioting inside me calms. I never imagined there was anything or anyone who could do that, but she does. She’s a balm for my soul.

After a handful of moments, I pull back. My gaze locks on hers and searches for signs of doubt. “Are you ready for this? ’Cause after we let the cat out of the bag, there’ll be no turning back.”

I pause and give her time to reconsider. Now that a decision has been made, I’m ready to move forward. But Daisy needs to be just as certain about her feelings as I am. When she doesn’t immediately answer, nerves prickle to life at the bottom of my gut. My throat constricts, and it becomes harder to breathe.

Has she changed her mind?

Maybe now that she’s taken a good look at what I come from, she wants nothing to do with me.

Could I really blame her for that?

Fuck no.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t kill me.

“Daisy?” It takes everything I have inside to keep the fear from entering my voice.

Her eyes snap to mine. There’s nothing but steely determination shining brightly in them. The relief that floods through me is enough to weaken my knees.

“I’m ready, Carter.” Her brows slide together. “But are you?” She tilts her head and studies me carefully. “I’m not the one who was filled with doubts,” she reminds me. “You were.”

I tug her until her body is flush against mine and then kiss the crown of her head. “You’re right, I was. But as usual, you’ve blown my best laid plans to hell.”

She chuckles and swats at my chest. “Please. I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“You are.” I sober, wanting to get this over with. “Let’s go tell your cousin what’s going on, so he can get his head wrapped around it.”

“Okay.”

With one last shared look, I unlock the apartment door and hold it open. Noah sits at the table as he types away on his computer. You can tell he’s in serious student mode because his black rimmed glasses are perched on his nose. He glances up and does a double take when he sees us. A frown settles on his face as his eyes narrow.

This afternoon started out great and then turned to shit. Somehow, Daisy and I have grown stronger because of it. Even though we’ve been hiding our relationship from Noah, I think he senses the shift as well. He leans back against his chair and folds his arms across his chest.

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