Teach Me Your Ways

Chapter twenty

Tanner had made his way back to the house with his belongings.

"What happened to your girlfriend?" I ask him as he sits down at the island while I cook.

"She was a leech, I had to remove her." He looks me in the eyes.

"She's not Raven's mother?"

"Meredith overdosed last year." His gaze dropped.

"I'm sorry." I mumble.

He's silent. "So you're dating my brother?"

I stop cooking and face him. "Carter and I are barely friends on a good day."

He chuckles, "Trust me, that'll change. I know my brother can be a dick sometimes but his feelings are genuine."

I turn around and continue to cook.

"He talks about your stubborn ass all the time when he comes over. God he made me want to get high to not hear him talk about you."

"You sure he's not talking about another girl, he has a new one every day." I roll my eyes and gag at my jealousy.

"The girl he met at the park with the dog? The one who he gave mother's ring to? The girl he made move in with him to spend time and get to know her? The girl who my daughter fell in love with?"

I face him once more. "I moved in to help around the house."

"You think it's a coincidence Rosa quit that day? He fired her knowing he'd give you a good offer and you'd take the job. He's done everything just to get close to you and build a relationship with you. Just give the dumbass one more chance."

He makes me think about it, honestly question being mad at Carter still. I cared for Carter more and more everyday and I hated our distance. It just seemed to be the perfect resolution at the time.

"I'll think about it." I finish up cooking.

I fried chicken with corn, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans. I wanted a meal from home. My mom used to make this all the time. I missed her cooking, I miss her in general.

The make their plates and we eat at the table. Raven insisted on sitting by her daddy so he sat in Carters spot. Taylor and Carter had finally talked it out and we're back cool with each other yet she hadn't found her way to talk to Tanner. My stomach was in knots thinking about Carter, I barely ate. Soon after we all finish eating Raven begs for a movie night. Mateo apologizes for having to leave as he kisses Ravens forehead.

"Use protection!" Taylor yells as he closed the door. "And be ready to leave in the morning!"

We all laugh. God knows Mateo is no were ready to father a baby. Carter hands Raven the remote letting her choose a movie from Disney+. At first, Carter sits in his usual stop with Raven, but he realized Tanner would probably like to sit with her. He gets up and sits with me. I glance at Taylor and Vante and they both wink making me roll my eyes. They're perfect for each other.

"Can we talk." Carter whispers into my ear."

I nod and follow him to the closest guest room.

"I'm sorry, for everything. What I did was childish and I promise I never slept with her. I took her out the back door realizing how bad I fucked up. You besides, Raven is the best thing that's ever happened to me." He rants.

I was speechless.

"And if you think that Kai or Alex or anyone else in this whole fucking world would make you happier than I ever will, then you're out of your damn mind." His voice was thick and assertive as his eyes were that agonizing hazel they loved to be.