Page 2 of Wants and Needs
I step back after another moment and look him in the eyes. “You still living with the Lord?” I ask. That’s how we’ve always referred to his father, and I don’t see any reason why that would change now.
“No,” he scoffs, and reaches up to fix his perfectly styled hair. “Just came by because I was summoned.” He rolls his eyesand I feel longing and sympathy at the same time. My parents were never as strict as Ru’s, never as elitist or as... well, cold. But I’d give anything to be summoned by my father.
At the same time, I know Ru hates having to run back home whenever his father demands it, so I understand why he’s not happy about it. Still, it means he saw me standing here, staring at my house like an idiot.
“I’m glad you were,” I tell him truthfully. “I’m here to pack it all up and sell it.”
“I’m sorry, Carter,” he says, sympathy dripping from every syllable. I appreciate it, I really do. I can’t really bring myself to thank him for his condolences, though, so I shrug it off and smile brightly, hoping to bring back the good mood.
“Do you have time to go get something to eat?” I wonder. “I’d love to catch up.”
“You know what?” he asks, reeling back a little. “I do, and I can’t wait to hear all about you. Let’s go.” He nods over to the sidewalk and I know instantly where we’re going. To the little Indian place where we used to escape to during summer break when we were both home. It was always our place, and I can’t believe it will be again.
Maybe the month I’ll spend here won’t suck as bad.
Without thinking twice about it now, I grab the suitcases I abandoned at the foot of the stairs and drag them up. I open the front door by putting in the code on the little panel beside the handle and push them in carelessly. “Be back after lunch,” I call out to Milton, who was expecting me, and then I close the door again to walk back down.
“So, what’s going on with you?” I ask as we fall into step. Heonly grimaces in answer. “That bad? Is it romantic trouble? Or the Lord?” It could be either honestly.
“Both,” he grumbles. “My father wants to marry me off to a woman I hate and the man I fell in love with is an asshole who I can’t get over.”
My body lights up at the thought of so much juicy information.
“Okay then, we’re going to need some drinks to go with our lunch, aren’t we?”
I pat his shoulder lightly as he nods glumly. I’m no expert in love—obviously—but I know Ru. I know damn well he would never fall in love with an actual bad person, so hopefully I can help him see that.
This month is for sure looking up now, though. I’ll sort everything out here, and then I’ll get back to New York and move on with my life.
1CARTER
July
“Go on now, master Carter.”Milton pats my shoulder and nods to the open door of my childhood home.
It’s been one hell of a month, and the couple who have been hounding Milton for years about buying it were thankfully still interested. They’re coming over in an hour to get the keys from him, and I’ve got a plane to catch.
I still can’t seem to move a foot, though.
It’s ridiculous.I’mbeing ridiculous.
I’ve had seven years to get used to this, and more importantly, a whole month at the house to say goodbye, but it’s still so damn hard.
“Your parents will always be with you,” Milton whispers and does something he’s never done before. He takes one tiny step and wraps his arms around me.
I stand frozen for a long moment, not quite believing this is actually happening, but then I get a hold of myself and embrace him as well.
“I know,” I whisper finally.
And I do know. This house was my home for so long, but it’s only a house now.
I step back but keep my hands on Milton’s shoulders and smile at him.
“And you’ll always be with me too, right?” A watery chuckle escapes me at his stern expression.
“I will see you in two weeks.”
“You can take a longer vacation visiting with your sister, you know?” I grumble, as I turn around to grab my bags.
