Page 72 of Red Zone
I shake my head, smiling despite myself.
He nudges his chin gently against the side of my head. “Seriously, though…you okay?”
I nod slowly. “Getting there.”
“You want to talk about it?”
I hesitate, then let out a breath. “My dad changed our Thanksgiving plans. Well—Nicole did. Her mom’s sick, so now they’re going out of town. And instead of asking if I wanted to come, they just…decided. Told me after the fact like it was a memo.”
Carter doesn’t say anything right away, just tightens his arm around me slightly.
“It’s not even about the holiday. It’s just…” I pause. “It’s a reminder that I’m not really a part of that family. Not fully. I’m the footnote. The guest who overstayed.”
He leans in closer, his voice lower now. “You know that’s bullshit, right?”
I shrug.
“Well,” he says. “If it helps, I’d absolutely fight someone’s grandma for you.”
I laugh again. “That might be the sweetest, most concerning thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“You’re welcome.” He pauses, then adds, “But seriously…you shouldn’t have to earn your place with people who are supposed to love you unconditionally.”
My throat tightens again, but the tears don’t come this time. Just quiet understanding.
“I didn’t expect you to show up,” I say softly.
His voice is quiet now too. “Yeah, well. I’ve got this annoying little habit of sometimes giving a shit.”
I lean back against his chest, letting my eyes flutter shut.
For a second, I let myself forget everything else—my dad, the internship, the weight I carry every day.
His voice rumbles low against my ear. “Hate to break up the emotional breakthrough, but I’ve got film in ten.”
I groan, not even trying to hide the disappointment in my voice. “Seriously?”
“Sadly Coach would probably frown on me skipping film review just because I’m busy holding his daughter in a closet. Alone. In the dark.”
I roll my eyes, but my smile gives me away. “You’re impossible.”
Carter shifts behind me, adjusting just enough to glance down at me. “You good? Like…good enough to be alone?”
I nod. “Yeah. I think so.”
He watches me a beat longer, like he’s checking for cracks. Slowly, he stands and offers his hand.
I take it.
He pulls me up gently, and for a second, we just stand there, way too close in the dim light. His fingers brush the edge of my shirt like he’s debating saying something else.
Then he smirks.
“If you need to ‘go deeper’ anymore today, I’m happy to offer those services.”
“Wow,” I deadpan. “How generous of you.”
Chuckling, he shoots me one last wink before slipping out the door.
