Page 36 of Castle's Cards

Chapter Twelve

Addy

“Whydidn’tyoutellme you were dating?” I ask when I step into her room.

Izzy looks down and hugs her pillow to her chest. There’re small streaks of tears running down her cheeks.

“It wasn’t a big deal. It’s not like I wanted to bring any of them home.”

“You didn’t… were you having sex with them?” I ask.

“Addy! I’m not a slut. Nate was my first,” Izzy frowns and I shake my head.

“Come on, Iz. Even if you did have sex with them, it wouldn’t make you a slut. I just wanted to make sure that we didn’t need to test you for anything else.”

I cross the room and sit next to Izzy on her bed.

“I guess I was just embarrassed. I’ve gone out with a lot of guys but none of them seemed right for me. They barely lasted two weeks. But I really like Nate. That’s why I snuck him in.” Addy frowns. “Well, Ididlike Nate. After that disaster of a dinner I’m not so sure.”

“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”

“He completely spilled the details of my dating life to the whole table.”

I snort and shake my head.

“Izzy, the whole table consisted of me and Carter. It’s not like he was yelling everything through a bullhorn in the school cafeteria.”

“What’s a bullhorn?” Izzy crinkles her nose. I sigh. It’s weird having a little sister who doesn’t always pick up on my references.

“It’s something that cheerleaders shout into so they can be heard. Or policemen at crowd scenes.” I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. “Maybe you should cut Nate some slack. I’m sure he wasn’t purposely trying to embarrass you. Unless he’s mean like that. Is he mean to you?”

I look at Izzy and she shakes her head.

“No.” Izzy sighs. “He’s never mean. He’s just a little awkward.”

“He does seem like he’s a bit goofy,” I respond. Izzy laughs.

“But I really like him. He’s so funny and smart.” Izzy sits up straighter. “Speaking of smart, did you know that Carter was in IT?”

“Yeah. He told me about it. It’s not really a part of his life anymore, though. Which I feel like you know. Since you’re such a smartie pants.”

I ruffle her hair. Izzy pushes my hand away and turns away.

“Don’t do that. Do you think I should call Nate?”

“If you want things to work out with him then you definitely should. I think we should plan another dinner night.”

Izzy grimaces.

“Don’t you think this was punishment enough?”

I can’t stop the guffaws from leaving me.

“You’re hilarious, Izzy. I’ll leave you to call your boyfriend.”

When I close the door behind me, I feel better about Izzy and Nate. Despite the dinner not going as planned, everything still seemed to work out in the long run. I like it when things work out that way.

After I drop Izzy off at school, I head over to Carter’s. His big mansion looms over the driveway as I pull up. Carter steps out of the front door as I get out of the car.

---