Chasing Destiny (15 page)

“What are you watching?”

“Some stupid movie your mom picked out. I was actually nodding off before you walked in. Thanks for interrupting my nap.” And with that, I knew exactly where Carson got his personality.

Carson said something back to his dad and Meredith shook her head. “Those two. Do you want something to drink?” She gestured toward the kitchen.

“Um, sure.” I followed her and watched as she got four glasses out of the cabinet. “Do you need some help?”

She waved her hand out in front of her. “No. You’re our guest and it’s only a few drinks. Is sweet tea okay, or do you want something else?”

“That’s fine.”

She poured the tea into the glasses. “Actually, would you mind taking these to Richard and Carson?”

“Of course.” I grabbed two glasses and walked back into the living room. They had changed the channel to a basketball game and neither of them was talking. I placed the drinks on the table. “Here you both go.”

“Thanks, babe,” Carson said, smiling.

I smiled back and returned to the kitchen. Meredith was sitting at the breakfast bar with a plate of brownies. “Shhh,” she whispered, placing her finger over her mouth. “These are our secret.”

I grinned and sat down next to her. “So, tell me how you met Carson. I mean, I know y’all started as roommates, but how did you actually meet?”

“I was Miranda’s roommate. We got paired up in the dorms our freshman year and then got an apartment together.”

“Oh, that’s right.” She bit into a brownie. “These are so good. Try one.”

I spent the next couple hours talking to Carson’s mom and eating brownies. I hated to say it in case Carson and I didn’t work out, but I loved his mom. She was the kindest and funniest woman. She even had a little bit of a dirty mind and that made me love her even more.

“Wanna take a walk?” Carson asked, strolling into the kitchen carrying his glass.

I watched him walk over to the sink and rinse the glass before putting it in the dishwasher. “Sure,” I finally agreed. I turned back to Meredith. “It was really great talking to you.”

“Pleasure was all mine, dear.” She smiled, a genuine expression across her face.

Carson nodded toward the back door and I followed him outside. We walked down a few patio steps and he took my hand. “Since it’s warm, I figured I could show you one of my favorite places.”

“Okay.”

We began walking toward the back of the property and the grass started to get taller. “Is this still your parents’ property?”

“It’s my grandparents.” He nodded ahead of us and directed my gaze toward a field. “He still harvests wheat.”

“It’s so pretty! We have to get a picture with it in the background.”

“Whatever you want, flower girl.” Even though I was now his girlfriend, I still loved it when he called me flower girl. It was a nickname that was mine and mine alone when it came to Carson.

We walked a couple feet into the field and I stopped, pulling on Carson’s hand. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone. “I was serious when I said I wanted a picture.”

He grinned and pulled me closer to him. “Smile,” I said before snapping a picture. I took a few more—some with silly faces, one of us kissing, and one of Carson kissing me. I’d have to upload one of those to Facebook. I loved showing off my hot boyfriend.

After I placed my phone in my pocket, Carson grabbed me and began twirling me around. I laughed, which only spurred him on. After a minute, he stopped and lowered me to the ground, but I was dizzy and had to place my hands around his neck for support. We both gazed into each other’s eyes and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of completeness.

“Kristin…I love you,” he said, never breaking eye contact.

My heart stopped only to begin beating again at a fast pace.

I grinned. “I love you, too, Carson Janson.”

Before I had time to react, his lips were on mine, claiming me. I was definitely his; he didn’t have to worry about that. He bit my bottom lip and I gasped, allowing his tongue access.

We began devouring each other, our hands everywhere. I had mine in his hair pulling him closer to me, one of his hands was on my butt, while the other swept up and down my back.

He broke the kiss. “Let me…” he started, gasping for air, “let me show you what we came out here for.”

I nodded, unable to speak, and Carson placed his arm around my shoulder. We stepped out of the field and followed the edge all the way to the other side. I could hear the water swishing along before I ever saw the creek. But as soon as we stepped on the edge of the bank, my breath caught. The sight before me was beautiful.

Carson

My original intent was to take Kristin down to the creek and announce the whole “I love you” thing, but when I locked eyes with her in the wheat field, I couldn’t help but tell her.

I focused on the creek below me and the trees surrounding it. The water was rushing by, hitting against the rocks, and the trees were beginning to bud. A few evergreens added some color and it had a tranquil feel. Ever since I was a kid, I had enjoyed coming down here to think, or just relax.

I grabbed Kristin’s hand and took a step down the bank. “I’ll help you down. Just follow my steps.” Slowly, I began stepping down, making sure to choose places with a strong foothold for her. If I had been by myself, I wouldn’t have been as cautious.

We finally made it to the bottom and I found a couple flat rocks to sit on next to the water. We sat down and Kristin took it all in, glancing in all directions. “This is just beautiful, Carson.”

“I know.” I smiled and pulled her closer to me. “When Hayes and I were kids, we’d come down here and pretend to be ninjas. Then, as we got older, we would have paintball fights. By high school, though, it was just my place. I’d come down here to get away from all the shit.”

“Well, it’s perfect for that.”

We sat silently for a while, listening to the water and birds before she spoke again. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“You’re welcome. I had kinda planned to say ‘I love you’ here.”

She glanced in my direction and placed her hand on my cheek, her big brown eyes wide. “You had been planning to tell me?”

I nodded and smiled. “I know I’m not the most romantic guy, but I do try sometimes.”

“It would’ve been perfect the way you planned, but it’s better knowing you blurted it out.”

“I love you. I just blurted it out again. I think you should kiss me for that one.”

Her eyes twinkled as she moved slowly toward my lips, but then, at the last second, she shifted and placed a long kiss to my cheek.

She thought she could play with me.

As quick as lightening, I moved my face and captured her lips. A small moan slipped from her throat, spurring me on.

After what felt like only seconds, she leaned back and placed her hands on my chest. “Carson…”

“Yeah?”

Kristin bit her lip, as if trying to choose her words carefully. It made me tense. “How many girls have you slept with here?”

I placed a small kiss on her plump lips and let my fingers tangle in her hair. “I was hoping tonight would be my first time.”

Her brows pulled in, a look of incredulity marring her face. “What?”

“I’ve never had sex here.” I smirked. “Never even brought a girl back here. My room is a virgin, too.”

“So, what, you only slept with girls at their place? What about Sam?”

At the mention of her name, my mood took a nosedive. “I hooked up at parties. I’m sure my parents aren’t stupid, but I wasn’t going to throw it in their face.”

“Oh.”

I glanced up at the darkening sky. “We should head back before it gets dark. I wouldn’t want a coyote to eat my girl.”

“Funny.” She stood up and brushed dirt off her butt.

Damn, I love that ass.

I took her hand and helped her up the bank, then back to my parents’ house, trying to get a handle on my mood.

Nothing worked until Kristin snuggled in close to me and I held her for the rest of the night.

***

Hayes hadn’t wanted a bachelor party the night before, which meant I wasn’t hungover the next morning. Miranda had picked Kristin up early to help with the wedding details, so I was left to lounge around the house the entire morning.

“I really like Kristin,” my mom informed me as she sat down on the couch next to me.

“I knew you would.” A small smile formed on my lips as Kristin filled my mind. “She’s pretty great.”

“Ummhmm.” She sat quiet for a moment and I turned my attention back to the TV. “She’s so much better than that little slutbag, Sam.”

I couldn’t help the snort that came out as I turned to look at my mom. “Did you really just call her a slutbag?”

“Yes, I did.” My mom didn’t recognize the hilarity, I guess. “She was not a nice girl, Carson.”

“Agreed.”

She smiled and stood. “It’s time for you to get dressed.”

I glanced at the clock. “I guess it is. Can’t be late to the wedding that already happened back in December, now can I?”

She chuckled and we both went to our rooms. After showering and dressing in my tux, I walked outside and climbed in my truck. I sent Kristin a text letting her know I’d be there in five minutes, then drove toward Hayes’ parents’ house.

I pulled up a short time later and parked. Climbing out of the truck, I heard a loud squeal. I glanced up to see Lacey Morgan. She had always been like a little sister to me since Hayes was her brother.

“Well, well, don’t you look pretty all dressed up,” I teased just before she enveloped me in a hug.

“I look really good if I do say so myself.” She pulled away, but kept her hands on my shoulders. “Kristin is gorgeous. You’re a lucky guy.”

I grinned. “I know. I have no idea why she’s with me,” I said, and that was actually the truth.

“Because you’re a great guy.”

I cocked my head to the side and studied her. She looked just like her brothers, but in a way she didn’t. Lacey was a very beautiful girl, so I had to ask, “Why the hell are you dating Kurt?”

Her eyes widened as she dropped her arms and looked down, letting her shoes scuff the ground. “I’m not.” Someone needed to teach her how to lie.

“He told me, Lacey.”

She darted her eyes back to me. “He did? Why would he do that?”

I smirked. “I think the more important question is why you would date him. He’s a nice guy, but you deserve better than that.”

“I like him.” She glanced away for a second, then back to me, her face marred with worry. “Please don’t say anything. I don’t want anything to ruin Hayes and Mackenzie’s day.”

“I won’t.”

The front door opened and her dad, Lucas, came barreling out, Harley holding his hand. He noticed the two of us. “Hey, Carson. I didn’t know you were here. Are you hiding, too?”

“I just got here. You’re coming out here to hide?”

He shook his head. “Between Rose crying and all the makeup and hair flurry, I had to get out of there.”

“Mom’s crying again?” Lacey asked.

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “You know how she is. It’s like she’s forgotten that he’s already married and has a child.”

I wondered at that moment if he knew he was about to have another grandchild, but I didn’t ask. “It was nice seeing you. I’m going to go find Kristin.”

I left the three of them outside and made my way inside. As soon as I stepped into the house, I knew exactly why Lucas was hiding. The kitchen was crazy with the caterers, the living room was covered in flowers and decorations, and there were people I didn’t know everywhere.

“Kristin,” I hollered as I began climbing the stairs. I needed to find my girl…and kiss the hell out of her.

***

After walking Miranda down the aisle, I took my place between Hayes and his brother, Luke, my eyes immediately finding Kristin.

She was seated on Mackenzie’s side, wearing a modest, pale pink dress that showed off her incredible body. She had curled her dark hair and pulled it over into a side ponytail.

Fuck, I want to kiss her.

As soon as I’d seen Kristin standing in the hallway of the Morgan’s home earlier, I wanted to kiss her. I actually wanted to do a lot more than that, but I’d start with a kiss. She looked so incredibly beautiful.

But…she only allowed me a few small pecks on the lips. Apparently, even though she wasn’t part of the wedding party, the makeup artist had made her over, too. Like I said, she looked beautiful, but I still liked the natural Kristin better. And I’d actually get to kiss that version.

The music went quiet, letting the sound of the wind hit the water on the pond behind us, before
All I Want Is You
by U2 filled the air. Everyone’s attention went straight to Harley, who was walking down the aisle, a basket in hand. She tossed most of the petals on her first try, but continued down the aisle.

Hayes squatted down to her eye level and she tossed the basket and ran for him. He picked her up and placed a kiss on her cheek, holding her on one arm.

After a few “oohs” and “awws”, everyone darted their eyes toward Mackenzie walking down the aisle, Brad on her arm. Her parents were out of the picture and Brad had taken over being her big brother even though her biological brother was in attendance.

I took a peek at Hayes. His eyes were filled with tears and if it hadn’t been his wedding, I’d have called him a crybag. Or maybe Kristin’s word: titbag.

After Brad kissed Mackenzie on the cheek and retreated toward a seat, the pastor began talking. I honestly have no idea what he said, my thoughts on Kristin and whether or not I could sneak her off during the reception.

“…we spent our first date on this dock and reconnected here too. I promise to never let you go again…” Hayes droned on, still holding Harley. I had no idea why people made their own vows, or at least why they wanted a huge wedding that goes on forever. If I ever marry, it’ll be in front of Elvis in Vegas and it’ll take ten minutes.

“The rings,” the pastor stated, and I retrieved the ring from my pocket, giving it to Hayes. It was at that moment that I really saw his face. Some of those tears had escaped his eyes and ran down his cheeks.