I narrowed my eyes up at Garrick and then sighed.
On the walk home, I had thought about everything and knew that I was partially in the wrong for blowing up like I did.
But still, I would hear Garrick out.
So, I took his phone, and pressed play.
“My man, what are you talking about?” Garrick asked.
Carter sighed, “I’m talking about Harlee Belle. Harlee Griggs. Damn, but that has a nice ring to it.”
“Uh, last time I checked that wasn’t her last name.” Ethan chimed in.
“Yeah, but it could be, if I was a decade younger.” Carter sighed.
“The fuck does age have to do with it?” Garrick asked.
Carter rolled his head to the side, “Fucking everything. Fuck. The way she lights up a room, the way she twirls a strand of hair when she’s concentrating on something. The way she shows her love with her eyes. Give anything to be worthy of that woman.”
“You are,” Garrick said.
Carter shook his head, “Nah. Won’t do it. She’s got her whole life ahead of her.
“What are you going to do when she gets serious about someone else?” Garrick asked.
“Fucking be there in the shadows, making sure he treats her right,” I could hear the seriousness in his tone.
Ethan chimed in then, “And what are you going to tell the woman you fall for?”
“Remember what Mom told us. Everyone has their true Darling. The one person who can read deep inside our souls and will always be our safe place?”
I guess they both nodded because Carter continued, “That’s what Harlee is to me. She’s my Darling.”
I felt my breath catch.
I recalled all the times Carter would call me Darling. And the one time I got a peek at his phone and was curious that he had my name saved as. It had read Darling.
At the time, I had been on cloud nine when I had seen that... and now.... I felt tears prick at the corner of my eyes.
When a male penguin falls in love with a female penguin, he searches the entire beach to find the perfect pebble to present to her.
– WTF fun fact #227
Chapter 9
Carter
Operation – Get Carter and Harlee Together Text Thread
Talia – Okay, team. We have an objective. Let’s get it done.
Me – Thanks, but I’ll take it from here.
Dad – Always loved that girl.
Mom – I’ll do everything I can to help.
Garrick – No need. Took care of the problem.
