Page 89 of Back On Ice

“Good to hear,” Tom says, bracing his hands on his knees before standing up and turning back towards Carter. “Now thatthat’sout of the way, I know you’re probably anxious to fill your mom in on everything.”

Carter nods in agreement, and a few hugs and goodbyes later, we’re back in the car heading for Carter’s mom’s house.

Carter hadn’t seen any point in causing his mom undue stress by telling her about the plan to take down his dad. Now that everything is over, though, he wants to see the look on her face when he tells her Jeremy Williams is gone for good.

Parking the car in his mom’s driveway, I instantly notice the figure standing there. A tall, slender, super-model type figure with long blonde hair and a short skirt. Nicole.

Oh,hellno. This bitch is delusional if she thinks she has any leg to stand on when it comes to Carter Williams. That man ismine.

“Nicole!” Carter nearly roars, slamming the car door behind him. “What thefuckare you doing here?”

I’m out of the car before he can even think of opening the door for me, and I join him in front of the car, linking his hand in mine as we go to confront the beast.

“Carter, baby,” she simpers, closing the distance between all of us with a few steps as we approach the driveway. She eyes our linked hands before her gaze travels to the bandage on Carter’s arm and tries to grab his free hand. “Are you okay? I can’t believethat girlyou’re slumming it with got you hurt.”

Carter wrenches his arm away, shooting her a steely look before gently releasing my hand and stepping in front of me. Shielding me. Is it bad that the sight of him protecting me from his psycho stalker makes my panties wet?

“Leave. Now,” he grinds out, his hands flexing in anger.

“But Carter!” she whines, stepping towards us again.

That’s it. I’ve hadenough.

Stepping out from behind him, I point a finger at her. “Stop acting desperate. How did you even find out where his mom lives, you fucking stalker?” I snap, venom dripping from every syllable. This chick needs a wake up call. “This is disgusting. He doesn’t want you.”

Her eyes narrow as Carter puts a protective arm around me and pulls me closer. “She’s not just ‘that girl’,” he snarls, “Sophie is my fiance, and the love of my life.”

Fiance? My heart flutters. I can’t believe he just said that. I mean, we’ve said that we’re together forever now… but I didn’t realize how much I want him to actually propose..

Nicole’s face contorts in rage. She stamps her foot like a petulant child. “No!” she shrieks, “You’re mine, Carter Williams! I’m not letting this… this bumpkin take you from me! We belong together!”

Before either of us can say a word, the front door opens, and Vivianne steps out, looking as fierce and protective as a mama bear. There’s an apron tied around her neck and a spatula in her hand as she turns her fury on Nicole.

“If you don’t get off my property this instant, you… you… two-cent ho, you will see a side of me youreallydon’t want. Get the hell out of here.” Her voice is laced with anger, and Nicole’s eyes widen at the threat.

“I’m not… I don’t…” she stammers, taking a step back.

“I would listen to her,” I tell her in a stage-whisper. “Mama V’s pretty scary when she’s mad.” I may be embellishing a little, seeing as I’m not sure Vivianne knows what part Nicole had in mine and Carter’s issues, but Nicole pales slightly, before hurrying away from the front porch.

“Keep an eye out for that restraining order! If I catch you around me or my family again, I’ll have you arrested,” Carter shouts after her, before he grins, looking at his mom with respect. “Way to go, Mom.”

Vivianne looks between us before pulling me into a tight hug. “Nobody is going to mess with my future daughter in law… or future grandbaby.”

We all chuckle at that, and Carter turns to me, eyebrow raised. “Mama V?”

“It seemed fitting.” I grin at them. “She came out in mama bear mode.” Vivianne gives me a warm smile, before she spots the bandage on Carter’s arm.

“Carter, what happened? Are you okay?” She fusses over him, looking at his arm.

“That would be Dad,” Carter admits, then quickly adds, “But it’s okay. He’s gone for good this time.”

Her eyes light up. “Tell me everything.” We head inside, my eyes widening up at how they’ve redone the place. The walls are painted a light cream color with teal accents. New lighting fixtures brighten up the space further, turning Carter’s once dreary childhood home into a home I can see our baby running around, visiting with their Grandma. I can’t wait to see the rest of the house.

Carter leads his mom into the living room and has her sit in one one of the new teal armchairs, before proceeding to tell her all about the set up, and how he got his dad to confess to all of his crimes.

“The detective asked if you’d be a character witness if necessary,” Carter says carefully, trying to gauge his moms reaction.

She doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes. Anything to get that bastard put away for as long as possible.” I wouldn’t have blamed her if she never wanted to even hear his name again, but she’s determined to see him pay for his actions. Carter sweeps her into a hug right as my phone rings.

---