The Ground Below

Chapter Twenty-Seven

My eyes open when I’m startled awake. Warm lips meet mine. I relax into the kiss. Karter is here. “Hi,” he whispers.

“Hi.”

He forces me to scoot over, then cradles me in his arms. “I missed you.”

My lips find his again. It’s crazy how attached we’ve became in such a short time. I slowly drift off into sleep, only to find my bed empty when I wake the next morning. I assume he had to get back to fixing his life. But, then I phone beeps.

I went back home. Mom was knocking on your door this morning. I’m guessing she wants to talk about your ball ripping. Call me after you talk to her.

My nerves bundle. I take no time getting dressed. There is no use putting off the inevitable. Maybe I shouldn’t have said those things, but my Grandmother taught me to stand up for what I believe in and I believe in Karter.

Amy is sitting at the island alone drinking her coffee in the same seat I left her in last night. “Morning, Parker.” She waves her hand to the seat across from her. Reluctantly, I sit down. “We need to talk.”

I nod in agreement.

“Don’t look so worried, Parker. I’m not firing you.” I gape at her questionably. “I just wanted to thank you for standing up for Karter. I can’t believe you are actually dating him.”

I’m positive my forehead is crinkled even though I don’t have a mirror. My brows are furrowed, “I don’t understand.”

She grins, “I’m glad Karter has you. I never would have expected it, though I’m thankful. He needs someone like you. I shouldn’t have let Dallas say those things to him. He and Dallas never really got along.” She pauses to think for a moment. “I just didn’t want him to turn out like his father.”

“What do you mean?” instantly I ask her.

“Well,” she starts, now fiddling with her hair. “Karter’s dad was on some heavy drugs. He overdosed a few years before I remarried.” Her eyes start tearing up. “Parker, you have to understand that I loved his father very very much. I guess it wasn’t enough to make him quit.”

I move to her side, trying to comfort her.

“Karter looks just like him,” she smiles. “But, he’s just as stubborn. He told me he is going to work on it though, and I’m thanking you for that. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him the same way.”

I smile weakly at her. I don’t know what I would do either.

“Just make sure he knows that I love him, and he’s welcome here anytime. I told him that, but he’s determined to fix his self at his own place.”

“I’ll tell him,” I assure her.

When I get to the guest house I call Karter.

He answers after a couple rings. “Baby?”

“I’m not fired,” I half squeal.

“That’s great. I don’t want you going back to New York yet.”

My lips curl at the ends, “They couldn’t beat me out of this state.”

“Yeah?” I hear the smile in his voice. “And why is that?”

“Just this incredibly hot guy lives down here, and I don’t want to leave him.”

“Well, he must be a lucky guy.”

“He is. When am I going to see him again?” I anxiously chew on my fingernail.

“Tonight probably. The band is having a show, and I want you there. I’ll pick you up at six,” he informs me. We say our goodbyes, and I run next door for Kaylie’s lesson.