Page 34 of Castle's Cards

“Are you her boyfriend?”

I look at Addy and smile.

“Yes. I’m Carter.”

“You look kind of familiar.”

Nate squints at me before a look of surprise spreads across his face.

“Wait! You’re Carter Castle. From Castle Technologies!” Nate’s face lights up. “Dude. You’re a huge inspiration for me. Your article in Tech Today is what inspired me to go to California for college!”

Izzy looks between Nate and me with confusion on her face.

“Uh, sorry. You’re talking about this Carter? The one who spends his life playing poker at the Castle Club?” she asks. Nate shoots Izzy a look.

“That was me. I’m not involved in the tech field anymore, I’m afraid. I sold my company a few years ago.” I smile.

“How did you two meet?” Addy breaks in, undoubtedly impatient with the current conversation. This dinner is supposed to be about her meeting Nate.

Nate’s face flushes.

“It was about a month ago…”

“A month ago?” Addy asks. Izzy gives Nate the look of death but he either doesn’t notice or chooses not to acknowledge her.

“Yeah. She was dating my friend Joey, but we all went to a party together and it just turned out that Izzy and I clicked more than they did. Besides, Joey is a tool. He thinks baseball is the only thing that matters in the world.”

Nate rolls his eyes as Izzy’s face flushes. Addy’s jaw drops.

“What? Addy, you had a boyfriend before Nate?”

“She’s had a lot of boyfriends.” Nate shrugs. There’s something wrong with this kid. I can’t tell if he’s mad at Izzy and trying to get back at her or if he’s just another tech guy who’s incredibly socially inept.

Izzy pushes her chair back and storms to her room, slamming the door loudly behind her. Nate looks after her worriedly. Addy stands up and clears her throat.

“Maybe it’s best if we call it a night.”

“Is it my fault? I wasn’t trying to make her upset…” Nate starts but Addy shakes her head.

“No, it’s not your fault. It was nice meeting you, Nate.”

Addy walks down the hall and knocks on Izzy’s door.

Nate looks at me.

“My mom’s not coming to get me for another hour.”

My brows knit together.

“You don’t drive? How did you get here the night Izzy snuck you in?”

Nate’s face glows with embarrassment.

“Uh, my friend dropped me off. I was staying at his house when she texted me.”

I sigh and shake my head. Oh, Izzy. What the hell have you been getting yourself into?

“All right. I’ll take you home.”

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