Her Heart

Chapter 7

Carter's POV

I walk into the store holding the stupid IV bag. I immediately walk to the aisle that has the chips.

Everyone is staring at me but I don't care. I'm not supposed to have anything with salt in it because apparently it can affect my useless heart. But right now I don't care.

I need my salt and vinegar chips.

I crouch down and grab it and then hear my name being called but before I can turn and see who it is a body collides into me which causes me to fall back and drop the IV bag.

"Ouch." I mumble to myself and look down. My eyes widen when I see it's Maya.

"Oh my goodness Maya." Her beautiful voice comes through. Mayas body gets taken off of me. I stand up and grab the IV bag.

"Ms.Woods I am so sorry. She just let go off my hand and ran to you."

I smile, "It's Carter and no worries professor I knew your offspring is an energetic one when I first met her."

"Riley."

I get up off the ground and look at her confused, "What?"

"If I have to call you by your name then when we're not in school call me Riley."

Of course she has a pretty name too. This woman is driving me crazy. Either she's really good at lying or she really doesn't remember that we slept together.

I nod and look down to Maya. Her eyes are focused on the IV bag and her bottom lip starts to tremble.

I try to hide the bag and crouch down to her level, "Hey you didn't hurt me. I'm fine."

There's tears in her eyes now, "Why do you have that thing then?"

"Because I have parents that really care about me."

She wipes her eyes with her little hands and smile, "I'm sorry for running in to you."

I stop crouching and get back up, "No problem kid."

I turn around and grab my chips. When I look back up again they're still standing there.

"Are you supposed to be having that?" Riley asks.

I look at her surprised, "What?"

"I meant salt. You're holding an IV bag and that's usually blood related. So salt wouldn't be a good combination."

I resist the urge to let my mouth fall open, "Umm no I guess I'm not supposed to."

"Carter hangout with us today," Maya practically yells and interrupts our conversation.

I put the chips bag back, "You little offspring are something else."

"Please." She begs.

I look up at Riley and her green eyes lure me in. It looks like she has no intentions in telling her daughter no.

I smile, "How about I hangout with you until you finish shopping?"

She tilts her head, "Why can't you hangout with us all day?"

This child speaks extremely well for her age. I mean I don't even know how old she is but she still speaks very good.

"Because I snuck out and my parents are going to find me so I only have a short period of time."

Her little eyes widen, "Are you in trouble?"

"Something like that. Now come on let's get going."

She nods happily and grabs my hand which catches me off guard. I look up at Riley and she's not smiling nor frowning.

"Is this okay?" I whisper.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Is the only response she gives.

She starts pushing their cart and Maya holds on to my hand tighter.

"So how old are you Maya?"

"I'm 3 years old and Mommy is 28."

"Maya." Riley groans and I laugh.

"Guess you weren't supposed to tell me that."

"What about you Carter?" Maya asks.

"I'm 21."

From the corner of my eye I see Riley's lip twitch but she doesn't say anything. Maya keeps dragging me and Riley keeps following.

"What do you like to eat Carter?"

I hate children. I hate children. I hate children. Don't give into her cute face. You're gonna have a hard time letting go. She's gonna have a hard time forgetting.

Ugh damn it. I take the IV out of my hand and throw it all away in the trash can next to me.

Then I bend down and pick Maya up, "I don't know cupcake. Anything healthy."

Her little hands touch my cheek, "Mommy also says we have to eat healthy."

"She's right." Maya giggles and points at stuff. Of course her mom doesn't put everything in the cart but she put a few things that Maya liked.

Riley hasn't said a lot. It's just Maya and I talking. I've glanced at her a few times and the only time there is a smile on her face is when she's looking at her daughter.

"Carter can you become my babysitter?" Maya all of a sudden asks and snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Ummm-"

"No sweetie she's a student and she's busy a lot." Riley finally speaks.

"Mommy please." Maya begs her.

I look at her green eyes, "It's okay I don't have that many classes I can come babysit anytime you need me."

She seems hesitant about saying yes but Mayas puppy dog eyes does the job, "Okay sweetie next time Carter can babysit."

Maya happily giggles and bounces in my arms. They seem to have done all their shopping so we go in a checkout line. The cashier starts ringing stuff and I look around. The second I do I regret it.

One of Mama's guards is standing a few feet away. Guess she found out where I was. He nods slightly which tells me I need to go with him.

I look at Riley to see her already staring at me. She doesn't even try to hide it.

"Professor ummm-" she glares at me and I clear my throat, "Sorry I meant Riley. I have to go."

"Are you gonna be at school tomorrow?"

"Yeah if I'm not dying." I mumble to myself but the almost frown on her lips tells me she heard me. She doesn't say anything though and just nods.

I gently put Maya down, "I'm gonna see you later okay?"

She jumps into my arms and hugs me, "I really like you Carter. We're gonna be best friends."

It happened again.

My heart is beating fast for the second time ever. This time not because of how useless it is but because of my emotions.

I guess both mother and daughter have an affect on me. I hug her back tighter and then stand back up in a few seconds.

I fake cough, "Oh Riley what's behind you?"

She turns around and I quickly tap my card and pay for her groceries. She turns back around and once she realizes what I did she looks about ready to scold me but I smile.

"Okay gotta go bye." I wave.

Maya laughs and it warms my heart. I leave them and walk outside with Mama's bodyguard following close behind me.

I guess the cure to a little fainting accident is going shopping. I feel much better.