Page 48 of Be My Game Changer

Carter.

He’s standing at the edge of the room, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. The sleeves of his button-down are rolled up, exposing his forearms as he stands casually, like he’s supposed to be here. Which is wrong. He shouldn’t be here. But damn, I’m glad he is. Only I can’t decipher the look on his face.

Bodie soon realizes I’ve stopped participating in the dance and looks to where my gaze is fixated, no doubt spotting who I’m seeing. He looks just as surprised, leaning over to whisper, “Told you he’d come around.”

With that, he takes my hand, walking me to where Carter is standing. Unfortunately, my brother, who I’m certain wasn’t on the guest list, is standing beside him.

“Ta-da,” Rhett says, gesturing to Carter, whose eyes are locked with mine.

“What are you doing here?”

“Stupid question.” Rhett laughs, slapping Carter on the back. “But now that I’m here, I’d better grab some grub.” He walks away, pointing his fingers at me. “You’re welcome.”

I might be thankful he brought Carter here but that won’t stop me from telling him what a buttface he is later.

“Carter Barlowe.”

Shit. Russell steps next to Bodie, who is already shoving him away. After a few choice words and redirection, Bodie gets the douchebag away, giving me an encouraging nod as he follows his brother.

“I should hire Bodie as my bodyguard.” Carter glances across the room to where Bodie is in a heated conversation with his idiotic brother.

“He was protecting me.” I admit as Carter turns his attention to me. “History. That’s it. A dumb jock football player who used me and almost cost me my best friend.”

“Ah,” Carter nods, looking back to feuding brothers. “Well, guess I have something else to thank Bodie for.” He returns his gaze to me. “You look stunning, Avery.”

Okay. This was not something I ever pictured happening. “What are you doing here?”

“I went to see you at your place, but you weren’t there, so I went to your parents’ place. Your dad told me about the wedding and had Rhett show me the way over.”

Out of all the people, he sent him with Rhett. Ugh, but I’ll take it.

“Can we go somewhere and talk?”

“I tried. I’ve been trying to call you all week,” I stupidly admit.

Carter takes a deliberate step forward, moving just in front of me. “I picked up the phone a million times. To answer, to call, to text, but what I had to say didn’t feel right coming through a phone. And I needed to see you when I said it. I’m so sorry, Avery. I’m sorry I scared you. I wasn’t going to touch—I’dneverlay a finger on you. I just wanted to get you away from my father. I lost it. It made me crazy that he was so close to you.” He lets out a frustrated breath, stepping forward as he brings his hand up, sliding his palm along the side of my neck, his fingers lightly gripping as his lips move near mine. “I’m so sorry, Avery.”

My arms come up, wrapping around his neck as he places a tender kiss on my lips before leaning back. “Will you come somewhere with me?”

It’s not even a question, because I’m pretty sure I’d follow him anywhere he’d want to go, but I’m not ready to admit that to him just yet. So I simply nod my head, and he leads me away.

When I look back, I see a triumphant smile on Bodie’s face as he mouths, “I told you so.”

Yes, he did. And I’m sure he’ll remind me of such a few more times, but I can’t celebrate quite yet because as steady as Carter’s hand is in mine, I know our feet are on shaky ground. And I fear the damage Cash has already done will have a bigger hold on Carter than he can resist. It’s hard not to wonder what lurks around the corner when dealing with a demented man hell-bent on hurting his son.

38

AVERY

Out of all the places Carter drives, it’s to the ballpark. Most of the parking lot is empty, until Carter steers into the private area for the players where there are vehicles lined around.

“Should we be here?” I ask when Carter pulls open the passenger door, holding his hand out to me.

“Yeah. We’re good.”

Sliding off the seat, I take his hand as he leads me through a door and down a long corridor before we eventually make our way onto the field.

“It’s so different.” My eyes search the dimly lit stadium, the calm and quiet making it seem like a different place, but it feels comforting.

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