Page 6 of Castle's Cards

I lock the apartment door and we start down the sidewalk with Izzy chatting animatedly about whatever drama is happening between her friends.

She’s the kind of person who talks and talks without needing an answer, so I’m free to let my thoughts wander to Carter. The man is too good looking to be real. All that dark, silver-struck hair and those summer-green eyes. I imagine the grass swaying in the breeze and the smell of a thunderstorm in the air, churning the sky into a swirl of emerald clouds.

“This is the stop,” Izzy’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts. “Hello? Earth to my uncool sister?”

Izzy snaps her fingers in front of my face.

“What?” I ask her, blinking. “Did you say something?”

“I’m going to school. Don’t daydream your way into the street, big sister. I need you to pay for my club dues at the equestrian center.”

“I have the best sister. It feels so good to know how much you care about me,” I say sarcastically. The bus rolls up and opens its doors.

“I know you do. Have you talked to Mom?”

“No, and I don’t plan to.”

“Fair enough.” Izzy gives me a sad grin before she climbs on the school bus and I wave her off.

“Cut her some slack,” she calls through an open window as the bus drives away.

My chest feels heavy yet hollow when I think of my mother. It’s been at least a year since I’ve seen her in person. As I walk, the sound of a substantial engine revs as an expensive car pulls up beside me. It’s a gleaming 1967 Mustang with candy red paint. It’s a car that’s been designed to garner attention, and it’s doing the job.

“Women with legs like yours shouldn’t have to walk around town,” calls a familiar voice.

“How do you think I got these legs then?” I approach the Mustang.

Carter Castle leans out of the driver’s side window, his crooked grin shining. He lowers his sunglasses and looks me up and down. His shirt is unbuttoned just enough to see his dark chest hair. He looks like a rogue, reminiscent of a swashbuckling pirate, swindling people and making women swoon. The split lip has only healed slightly, and somehow it adds to his attractiveness.

“I know you’re too young to have a teenager. So what are you doing walking one to the bus stop?”

“My sister. Look, I really need to be getting to the club. I’m going to be late.”

“No, you’re not. Don’t be ridiculous. It’s 8:00 in the morning and your shift doesn’t start until 3:00. I’m sure as hell not letting you walk around Chicago on your own. Get in the car, Addy.”

“Are you a serial killer?” I ask him, raising an eyebrow. “This feels like a trap.”

Carter grins, shaking his head. “Would a serial killer buy you breakfast?”

“I can’t get breakfast, I have things to do today,” I respond even though I get in the car with him. The interior smells like him, the scent of leather and smoke wrapping around me.

“You can take time for breakfast and you know it,” he says, yawning.

I can’t believe that I’m in the car with a man I barely know, which is something I would never normally consider doing, but there’s something between Carter and me that makes me feel like doing things I normally wouldn’t. It’s like an invisible string between us that I noticed when we first met. And I don’t think it’s just because he’s good-looking and undeniably hot even if he is a lot older than I am.

“Fine,” I relent. “I suppose I am hungry.

“So, you don’t have a car?”

“I have a car. It’s just horrifically unreliable. The battery died this morning.”

“I’ll get a mechanic out for you.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can take care of it myself.”

“I’m sure you can, but why would you when I’m offering? After everything you’ve been through—”

I turn to look at him, confused.

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