wasn’t going to lie, I was sweating like a pig and I really wished that I had brought a spare deodorant with me. I wasn’t even sure why I was doing this other than the fact that Carter had already told Robert we were coming, and apparently, I was a glutton for punishment.
Carter knocked on the door and when it swung open, Kat answered with a grin. “Hey! I’m glad you came.”
“Really?” I asked in confusion.
She rolled her eyes and dragged me inside. “You have no idea what it’s like to have all the brothers here for the holidays. Well, Derek couldn’t make it. Some kind of emergency at work.”
“Have you met him yet?”
“Well, on the phone and when he came out for Angel’s funeral, but honestly, I don’t remember very much about it.”
“So, they’re all going to be here?”
“Yeah, and you know how these brothers get when they’re together.”
“Yeah,” I said with a hesitant smile. “Sounds like loads of fun.”
I had a lot of memories with these brothers, but we were all a lot younger then. The only one I really knew these days was Eric, and he was my boss, so this was really weird to be here.
Carter went into the living room, just abandoning me after he dragged me along. Booze was calling his name and it must have been more important than me at the moment. Kat poured me a glass of wine and clinked my glass. I stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do. I didn’t know Kat and what I remembered about his brothers was just boys that wanted to chase girls and have fun. This was so awkward.
“So, what’s the story with you and Robert?” she asked curiously.
“Um…nothing. We used to date and then we broke up.”
She snorted. “Yeah, that’s like saying that Eric and I met in a bar, dated for a while, and then broke up.”
“Honestly, I’m not even sure what I’m doing here. Eric invited me to get back at Robert and then Carter invited himself along.”
“Were Carter and Robert enemies or something in high school?”
“Not really. There was always this rivalry there, but I wouldn’t say that they were enemies. I know they both wanted to do something with the law.”
“Well, I’ve seen Carter in his uniform and it’s sexy,” Kat gushed right as Eric walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Who’s sexy?”
“Carter,” she said, not caring at all what his reaction would be.
“Really, Kat? I’m standing right here.”
“I know, and you’re so pretty,” she said, patting his cheek.
“Okay, now I’m officially offended. He’s sexy and I’m pretty?”
“You know exactly what I think of you,” she said, making me feel like I was on the verge of watching some kind of porno.
The back door opened and Robert walked in carrying a case of beer. When he saw me, he stopped and a growl appeared on his face. He shut the door harshly.
“Did you bring Corduroy?”
“Who’s Corduroy?” Kat asked.
“That’s Robert’s nickname for Carter,” I said, giving her a pointed look. “And yes, I brought him.”
“Hey, babe,” Carter said, walking into the room, completely ignoring Robert. I was shocked by the nickname, but what surprised the hell out of me was when he walked up to me and pulled me into him, kissing me hard on the mouth. I was too conflicted to know if I should like it or not. On the one hand, I was extremely attracted to Carter, but my ex-boyfriend, who I still had tinglings for was standing right there. But when his hand slid down to my ass and gripped it tight, I yelped and wiggled out of his grasp.
His lips settled on my neck for just a moment before he whispered, “Just go with it.”
I looked at him in confusion. Go with what? Carter wrapped his arm around my waist, turning me so we were both facing Robert. I could feel the way he was holding me possessively, his hand resting on my stomach. Robert’s eyes narrowed in on his hand and he fumed, his face turning red with rage. I had the feeling this was not a great idea. I wasn’t sure what Carter was trying to accomplish, but causing a fight on Thanksgiving was not what I had in mind.
“Robert,” Carter grinned. “It’s good to see you, man. Where’s your date?”
Robert just stared at him, his anger coming off him in waves. “You have your hands on her,” he growled.