Carter (The Harlow Brothers Book 1) (36 page)

It’s all making sense now. Why in the beginning Easton was so nice and caring to me, then as soon as she came, he changed into a man I didn’t recognize. “That’s why you came. That’s why you both broke me down to my weakest point. All for fucking money, that I didn’t even know about, or even wanted. Why would you do that! I’m your daughter, your only child. How can you be so damn cruel?” I hate how weak and sad my voice sounds, but this hurts. It cuts me straight to my damaged soul, making those wounds bigger than before.

She steps closer to me as she says harshly, “I didn’t even want you! I begged your father to let me abort you, but no. He had to have his precious baby. You fucked up my life, and I was just taking what I was owed. You don’t think I didn’t see how much your father loved you? He adored you, and he forgot all about me. I was left alone with no one because of you!”

“Let me guess. You thought the best way to punish Dad and me was to manipulate my entire life, solely for your benefit? All because of the money?”

She points a finger in my face as she declares, “Of course for the money! I didn’t give a damn about you, or your father. He was a nice distraction, and of course I loved how he used to give me everything I wanted. My life was perfect until I got pregnant with you. But then you ran away like a child, and Easton stopped giving me what I wanted. I want what’s mine, Shelby. Don’t you dare say you didn’t love all the lavish gifts Easton gave you. All those beautiful parties, all the pampering, and how much he doted on you.”

Her hand falls as I shake my head. “I never cared about the money! If anything, I felt like someone else, someone shallow, and selfish. That’s not me, Mother. I would’ve traded every bit of that if I knew I could have what I do now back then.”

“You really are pathetic, aren’t you?” She rolls her eyes at me again, and I’m about to tell her to leave when she says, “No matter. It’s time to grow up, and take responsibility.”

“Excuse me?”

“Come on, Shelby. It’s time to go back home, and makeup with Easton.”

My eyes widen, shocked, she would even think of this. “You have got to be fucking joking. Why would I ever go back to him?”

“Because I told you to. Because you’re his wife, and he wants you back.” My heart begins to pound, feeling the fear taking over. Just thinking about going back to him makes me sick to my stomach. I won’t do it. I can’t do it. “Don’t fight me on this. Go pack your things. We’re leaving.”

“No, I won’t go back to him. Did you forget about me divorcing him? I’m no longer his wife. I know all you want is another paycheck, but I refuse to leave with you.”

She laughs, a disturbing sound, as she says, “You don’t have a choice! Easton may have given up on you, but I will not let you run away and take everything away from me again.” I don’t really know what comes over me after she says this. Something in me snaps, and I release a deep laugh. I don’t hold it back. I laugh loudly, as if what she wants is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard. I bend at my waist, holding my sides, as my laugh rolls through me. It’s freeing actually. The fear, the pain I felt, and the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach vanishes with my laugh. “What’s so funny?”

I slowly rise, wiping my eyes, as I tell her, “You, Mother. You really think I’d ever go back to Easton?” I shake my head smiling as I say, “If you think that for one second, you need fucking help. I will never ever go back to him, or to South Carolina. I don’t give a damn what you want. I’m finally happy here. Finally living my life the way I want to, and I will be damned if you will come here and mess this up for me.” She starts to cut me off but I hold up my hand as I narrow my eyes at her. She quickly shuts her mouth, and I can tell I’m still shocking her of how I’m acting. I’m done letting this woman control me. “I’m done, Mother. Never in my life have you given a single thought about me. Not once have you cared about my wellbeing, or if the choices you make will affect me. You’re selfish, ruthless, and you manipulate everyone around you. I’ve done enough for you, and I cannot believe you would even think I would endure all I did again! All my life I knew you hated me. I knew you never cared how I was teased as a child, made fun of because I wasn’t like everyone else, and that’s all your fault!” I step closer to her as I say through clenched teeth, “If you dare to try and mess up what I have right now, I swear I will make you regret it. I’m done with you or anything to do with you. You’re just another sad, lonely, gold-digging whore, and I never want to see you again.” All the anger from my entire life fuels me, giving me the courage to stand up to her for once. Her words may hurt and they may make me doubt myself, but I won’t let her know that. She’s not going to control me, or influence me anymore. I can’t guarantee Easton won’t come back, but I have a feeling he won’t. He got everything, and I’m sure by now, he’s found someone else to degrade. She just wants me to go back to make me suffer for her own sick ways.

She finally finds her bearings, and she does exactly what I knew she would. “That was a very touching speech, but you forgot one thing.”

“I’m sure you’re going to tell me whether or not I want to know,” I say, preparing myself for her harsh words that I know are coming.

“Yes, I will tell you because you need to hear them. You’ve seemed to have forgotten your place.” She smirks, a disgusting look shining in her eyes, as she says, “No matter what you do or wherever you are, everyone around you will see what you really are. You’re just a sad pathetic little girl. You’re nothing, but a worthless piece of trash.” She shakes her head, as if she can’t believe she’s even looking at me. “You’ll never amount to anything, and I’ve never been so disappointed in you.” I suck in a breath, slowly letting it out. This is nothing I haven’t heard before. In fact, she and Easton used to say the same things to me on a daily basis. The only difference now, I won’t believe it. I refuse to let these words affect me, and change who I am just so she’ll accept me. I’m sick and tired of trying to gain her affections, and for her to finally start being how a mother should. I don’t need her in my life anymore. I don’t really know why I spent so much time and effort trying to make her proud of me, but I know now that I never needed it. She’s shown me so many times she doesn’t give two shits about me, or about my happiness.

I really think the biggest shocker to her is when I don’t respond. I show zero emotions, even if I’m ready to run away from her. It’s taking everything in me to stay and listen to her. I don’t lower my eyes like I use to. Thankfully, my eyes don’t swell with tears. I don’t plead for her to stop with her hateful words, and think about me like I use to. I don’t do anything to show her I care about what she says, and when I see Carter’s truck pull up, a grin forms on my face.

I don’t even look back at her as I run off the porch.

I run to Carter realizing, I’ll always find my way to him. I don’t need my mother’s approval or love because I have all that, and so much more with him. Why I didn’t do this years ago baffles me, but it feels amazing knowing he’s here for me. My eyes focus on him as he steps out of his truck, and when he sees me, he smiles opening his arms as I reach him. He stumbles back as I wrap my arms around his waist letting his manly scent embrace me as his arms do the same. I hold him tightly resting my head on his chest. He rubs up and down my back caressing me, loving me, and showing how much he can comfort me. After a few moments, he pulls me back and takes my face in his hands. He glances up at the porch, then back to me as he asks, “Are you okay?”

“I am now,” I say truthfully.

“I would’ve been here sooner if Caden and Cason hadn’t been arguing so much.” I grin, knowing how the twins are.

Carter’s hands slowly move from my face, and I see Caden and Cason walk up to us. I stand by Carter’s side, our arms still around each other, and his continuous comfort helps me keep Mom’s words from creeping in. “Is that your soul-sucking Mother?” Caden asks, and I can’t help but let out a chuckle.

I dart my eyes to Cason, noticing he’s stiff as a board, before answering Caden. “Yes, that’s her.”

I glance up at Carter, seeing he wants to ask why she’s here, and what she wants. I can see it in his eyes, but Caden interrupts him from asking. “Want me to arrest her for you?”

“It’s fine, but thank you, Caden.”

He starts to walk back to the truck, but stops as he says, “I mean I can go get my handcuffs.” He shrugs. “Some chicks dig the cuffs.”

“Dude, you’re disgusting,” Cason tells him as Carter and I laugh. Watching Cason clench his jaw as he looks towards the porch, I wonder why he’s acting so strange, but my attention is elsewhere. Our laughter fades as we watch Mom walking towards us. I’m assuming that’s why Carter stops, or it could be because my grip on his waist tightens. He doesn’t say a word as my fingernails dig into his skin, but I need him to keep me grounded.

“Well, haven’t you boys grown up,” she says as she stops in front of us. I can’t help but watch as she looks over Caden first, then Cason. Her eyes start to shine in approval as she gazes over Cason, and I wonder for a second if she wants to use him as her new boy toy. The thought sickens me, and I don’t miss the way Cason slowly begins to back away from her. “Yes, I see both of you have grown up very much,” she says, but her eyes never leave Cason. Caden looks over at his twin, and I know they’re using their twin bond. When Cason lets out a disgusted sound, and Caden makes gagging ones, it’s hard not to laugh. Caden is bending at his waist, acting like he’s about to puke. Mom shrugs then says, “If you boys change your mind, you know where I am.”

“I highly doubt that will ever happen,” Cason tells her with such malice in his voice, and shortly after, Caden agrees.

“I think you need to leave, Tabitha.” Carter’s voice is hard, sharp, and I can feel him tense under my grip when mother turns to him.

“Please. I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.” They stare at each other for a few moments before she smiles a sinister smile, then turns to me. “It’s time to go, Shelby.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Carter snaps. I’m grateful he’s standing up for me, and putting Mom in her place.

“I won’t tell you again,” she tells me, completely ignoring Carter. “It’s time for you to come home.”

“Shelby’s already home, and she’s never leaving again.” I smile up at Carter and he looks down at me, caressing my face. He doesn’t even look at her as he says, “She’s right where she belongs.” My face flushes, but it’s the look in his eyes that hold me captive. So full of love, and I know he means what he says. Even though I’ll never leave him, this was his way of reminding me that I belong with him.

“Alright, soul-sucker. It’s time for you to scat.” Carter smiles and shakes his head, as I let out a chuckle hearing Caden talking to her that way.

“This isn’t over, Shelby!” She says something afterward, but I tune her out. I’m not worried about what else she has to say. I have Carter taking over, and that’s all I need right now.

He gazes back at me, rubbing his thumb on my cheek, as he asks, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. I’m perfect now that you were here to back me up.”

“Good. I’m sorry you had to go through her bullshit without me.”

I pull him closer to me, saying, “You’re here now, and that’s all that matters.” He shows me my favorite grin, then slowly leans down to kiss me sweetly. It’s just simple kiss, but it holds so much power. It takes my breath away, making my heart soar with an overwhelming sensation of love. It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

He pulls away with a groan as we hear Caden clearing his throat before saying, “If y’all are done sucking face, then can we get a move on? We got a party to plan, remember?” Smiling, I step away from Carter, and look around seeing Mom’s car is gone. It’s nice to know I don’t care about her anymore. I didn’t even hear her leave.

“Alright, Caden. Get in the truck and we’ll go.” Caden lets out a whoop and gets inside the truck. Cason snakes his head, then follows behind him. I start to walk over to Cason to ask him what’s gotten into him, but Carter turns back to me asking, “My house soon? You can help plan Clark’s welcome home party.”

I glance over to Cason, seeing him getting inside the truck. For now, I decide to let it go, since Cason isn’t the type to open up. Turning back to Carter, I nod as I say, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

After talking to Annie and William, and filling them in on my crazy Mother situation, I arrive at Carter’s house. I quickly make my way to the door and open it to utter chaos.

“I told you not to mess with it!”

“Stop yelling at me!”

“If you would fucking listen to me, this wouldn’t happen.”

“Oh my God, why don’t you just cry about it?”

I step inside, checking to make sure the coast is clear. Caden and Cason are standing in the middle of the living room arguing as usual. Carter has his back to me in the kitchen. It’s sad really that Carter can tune them out so easily. It looks like he’s making something, and I dash to him careful not to get in the middle of whatever’s going on with the twins.

I set my purse down on the kitchen island quietly, and wrap my hands around Carter placing my head on his back. “There you are,” he says. I let him go so he can turn around, and he instantly kisses me. I don’t even think about stopping my hands from wrapping around his neck, and standing on my tip toes to reach him better. He kisses me deeply and passionately. When I moan in his mouth he pulls away, resting his head on mine and says breathlessly, “If we don’t stop, I’m going to take you right here, right now.”