Chapter 75
Cassidy
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THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY, I woke up to the sound of Maverick and Carter laughing again. I hadn’t seen Carter Wednesday or Thursday, our schedules were too crazy, but he’d come over last night and stayed, and I realized pretty quickly I could seriously get used to this sound every morning. After our incredibly domesticated breakfast, Carter cleared the counter and I loaded the dishwasher while Maverick was washing his face and brushing his teeth.
“Hawk’s takin‘ his boat out in a couple of hours and Payton invited us, along with Booker and Dani. Do you want to go?” Carter asked.
“Hawk has a boat?”
Carter chuckled. “Hawk has a yacht.”
“Shut up, really?” I closed the dishwasher and washed my hands.
He grinned. “Got it real cheap on a repo
deal and fixed it up.”
“Wow, that sounds fun. I’ve never been on a boat before.”
“Can’t wait to see you in a bikini again.”
“I don’t own one… for obvious reasons.”
“What the fu-”
“I’m all clean,” Maverick announced as he walked toward us.
“Thanks, honey,” I said, sending a warning look to Carter who shrugged. “Carter’s invited us out on Lily’s dad’s boat. How does that sound?”
“Do we get to swim?”
“Yeah, we get to swim,” Carter answered.
“Awesome! I’ll get my
suit.”
“You want to pack up whatever you want to take, and we’ll swing by my place before we head to the marina?”
“Sounds good. Should we bring food?”
“We’ll stop by the store and grab a few things.” He grinned. “Your fridge is kind of empty.”
I groaned. “I know. I tend to procrastinate on shopping.”
“You still hate it, huh?”
“Ohmigod, even worse than before.”
He chuckled. “Get your stuff, babe. Jaxon’s got the dog, but we’ll grab her before we head to the boat.”
I nodded and went to find Maverick. “Hey, buddy, you got your suit?”
“Yeah, Mom.”
“Good. We should pack a change of clothes and towels as well, okay? Wanna go grab the big towels from the hall closet and
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18:52 Sat, Feb 7 D
Chapter 75
bring them to my room, please?”
*Sure.”
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He scampered off and I took his stuff to my room where I grabbed a canvas tote from my closet and shoved extra clothes inside. I changed into my suit then pulled clothes over the top, and we met Carter in the living room.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded. “What about life jackets and stuff?”
“Hawk has all that stuff.”
“For May too?”
“Babe, he has a daughter, I’m sure he’s got plenty of everything
I cocked my head. “Will you ask him, please?”
With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and sent off a text. “Asked him.”
“We’ll grab the booster seat while we wait for the answer.”
“Are you saying if he doesn’t have lifejackets, you won’t go?”
I smiled sweetly. “Yes.”
He grinned back. “If he doesn’t have them, we’ll buy them when we go to the store.”
“Where are we going to buy lifejackets on a Sunday?”
Carter laughed. “I have no fu–ah… clue.”
“Nice save,” I said.
He pulled his phone out. “Hawk’s got enough lifejackets for sixteen adults and ten kids.”
I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for asking him.”
Carter smiled. “Let’s go.”
I grabbed my keys and followed my boys out.
Pulling up to Carter’s little bungalow in North Portland, I wasn’t surprised by his choice of house. He loved all things historic and was handy in pretty much every area, so I knew he would have chosen something to fix up.
“Mom, I gotta go,” Maverick said, grabbing his crotch.
“Let’s get you inside, then.” Carter helped him out of his booster and we headed up to his house. Opening the door, the dog barked and came running to us. “Hey, girl… I guess Jax dropped you off, huh? Saves me some time.” He spent a few seconds greeting Cassidy the dog and then guided Maverick to the bathroom while I took in the living room that we’d walked right into. A fireplace with built–in, glass–front cabinets on each side took up the wall to my right with a modern sofa and two chairs facing it. I wondered if Carter’s mom had helped decorate the room, since the painting above it looked like the one that had been in their hallway.
Carter returned, setting a leash and dog bowl on the coffee table I have a few things to grab and then we should be set, but do
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you want a tour first?”
18:52 Sat, Feb 7 D @ G
Chapter 75
“That would be great,” I said
“Can we go now?” Maverick rushed toward us.
I ruffled Maverick’s hair. “Carter’s gotta get his stuff, so we’ll explore for a bit.”
“Can I play with the dog?”
“Sure, buddy,” Carter said.
“No going outside though,” I added.
“I won’t, Mom.”
Carter made his way to the door, locking it and setting the alarm. “It’ll beep if the door’s opened, just in case.”
I nodded toward the fireplace. “Was that painting in your parents house?”
“Yeah. Anything girly in this house is from Mom.”
I giggled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
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Before we ended the tour in his bedroom, he showed me the big eat–in kitchen which he’d gutted and redid in a modern but warm and inviting way. There was also a formal dining room, hall bathroom, two other bedrooms that were in various states of disarray, and a full basement with bathroom which was on his to–do list next.
Carter’s bedroom was almost a carbon copy of his childhood one, only with a king–sized bed. “You brought your furniture with you?” I asked.
“Yeah. It’s still good.”
I chuckled. “Sure. We’ll go with that.”
“When we get married, you can change whatever you like.”
I shook my head.
“What?” he asked, all innocence and light as he threw clothes into a duffel.
“I’m not having this argument with you again, buddy. Let’s just drop it.”
“Okay, baby.” He kissed my cheek. “We’ll drop it. Ready?”
“Yep.”
We gathered up Maverick and the dog and headed back to the track. The sound of motorcycle pipes had me turning to find Aidan parking in Carter’s driveway. He climbed off with a grin and stowed his helmet. “Heard there was a boat party.”
Carter chuckled. “You’ll have to follow us or ride in the back with the dog.”
“I’ll follow.”
“Maverick, come meet uncle Aidan,” I said. “He’s Carter’s brother
Introductions were made, and then we headed down to the marina
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