Carter’s eyesclosed and he pushed back closer to Grant. Feeling his muscles relax, Grantknew sleep was claiming his exhausted sub. Easing away from Carter so he couldclean them both up, Grant was almost off the bed when Carter spoke one lasttime, sleep and confusion clouding his voice. “Why were you quoting thePreamble to the Constitution?”
Damn it.
Chapter 15
Carter
“Hurry up—butdon’t drop that. I don’t want them to think I’m incompetent in the kitchen. Ifwe have to show up with something from the store, I’ll die. They’ll never letme forget it.” Carter might have been panicking over nothing, but as the plateof fudge tipped precariously sideways in Grant’s hands, his heart rate jumped.“I should be holding that. You drive.”
Carefully takingthe plate from Grant, Carter shoved his keys in his pocket. “Yes. You drivethis time.” He’d drive on salad day, or maybe when they were in charge ofbringing paper plates and plastic silverware. Grant just grunted and shook hishead but was smart enough not to argue.
Carter had wanted tobring something different from what the guys might have been able to do for themselves,and competing against one of Wyatt’s cakes seemed like he was setting himselfup for failure. So he’d picked one of his favorite desserts, making several flavorsof fudge for the barbecue.
When Grant hadseen what they were bringing, he’d immediately made Carter box up some to hidein the house, knowing that none would be left by the end of the day. Since noone in the family but Wyatt had come to his house, he hadn’t seen the need toactually hide the candy. Grant had refused to budge until it wasprotected.
Carter thought itwas cute—but paranoid.
He’d humored his nut,though, and tucked the plastic container full of fudge behind a bag of seaweedchips in the pantry. He had a feeling none of the brothers would pick that astheir first choice of snacks if they ever did come over.
They didn’t strikeCarter as the adventurous type when it came to junk food.
Grant thought itwas perfect. However, he’d also seemed to question Carter’s sanity, because hehad a hard time moving past the idea that Carter had green chips in hiscabinet. After reassuring him the chips hadn’t gone bad, because then theymight spoil the fudge, Carter couldn’t manage to keep a straight face atGrant’s disbelief. Shock didn’t even begin to describe Grant’s reaction.
Revulsion.
Horror.
Fear.
They’d then spentseveral more minutes with Carter reassuring Grant that he didn’t have to tastethem, and yes, he would brush his teeth before kissing Grant if he ate them.The ridiculous conversation had not only been frustrating and ridiculous, ithad made them late.
“It’s a family get-together.We’re not late—and I wasn’t going to drop it. They’re going to love it. I don’tknow why you’re panicking over this.” Grant frowned and gave him a kiss before openingthe door to his car. After helping Carter in, he walked around the car to getin the passenger seat.
In Carter’s mind,there was so much to worry about it was staggering. Would they like him as muchas they did Wyatt? Would they like dessert? Should he have made a pie instead? Whatkind of pie would have been best? Would Wyatt’s announcement—one that Carterwasn’t supposed to know about—go according to plan? The list could go on andon.
The drive toBrent’s house was over before he had a chance to get his nerves under control.Why couldn’t he have lived farther away? Coming as Grant’s boyfriend was a lotmore stressful than coming as Wyatt’s friend had been. He hadn’t thought thatwould be possible—he was wrong.
After they parked,Grant came around and opened the door before Carter could situate the plateright. Shaking his head, Grant crouched down, putting his hand on Carter’s leg.“It will be fine. They’re going to love the fudge. They like you, and somethingtells me that we’re not going to be the center of attention for long.”
“Wyatt?” Did Grantknow? He hadn’t been supposed to tell. Had Garrett said something?
“What about Wyatt?I was talking about Bryce and his men.” Now Grant looked confused. “Do you knowwhat’s up with those two?”
Carter tried forinnocent—and failed miserably. He finally gave up. “I’m not supposed to talkabout it. Wyatt was…worked up and talked about something he wasn’t supposedto.”
Grant’s eyeswidened. Carter saw a knowing look flash through his eyes before Grant’s focusturned back to him. “I’m going to enjoy punishing you tonight.”
“What?”
“Call it lying.The sin of omission. Hiding things from your lover. Concealing vital familygossip from your boyfriend. Call it anything you want, but pretty, I’m gettingeven tonight.” Grant’s words should have made him worried, but the wickedexpression on his face made Carter shiver.
How long were theysupposed to stay at the barbecue?
Not sure what tosay, Carter kept it simple. “I’m sorry?”
The fact that itcame out more as a question than statement worked against him. Grant shook hishead and frowned. It made Carter want to squirm, and his cock started to stir.That was the last thing he needed, and the fear that he’d have to walk up toeveryone with a hard-on sticking out of his panties cleared his head. “I’msorry, Sir. I won’t hide something important again.”
It came out more believably.Not that he had any intention of actually keeping the promise. Grant didn’tseem to think so, either, because he coughed to cover a laugh. “I hope youremember that promise when I’m punishing you tonight.”
