Teach Me Your Ways

Chapter fifteen

Friday

[ Carter Bryson ]

I admit I'm being a bit of a control freak. What do they expect? It's my baby girl's birthday. I sent De'Vante and Taylor out with Raven to keep her distracted. I had Noel and Mateo on guest list. God knows I needed to keep them away from decorating.

Sleeping next to Noel Dawn feels so right. Noel in general is perfect. A fucking random girl comes into my life making me gain some type of affection for her. I let my anger get the best of me yesterday and hurt her. I would never hurt her purposely. I hurt her and still she came to me. My family is more toxic than she knows. There is no way I could drag her into this mess. If she ever actually got into a relationship with me she wouldn't be safe, hell, she's barely safe now when she leaves the house since the situation with the Mercati mafia.

"Um Carter, you have Paisley on the list?" Noel looks at me raising an eyebrow.

"No that is the side the list of people to keep out." I say stacking Caprisuns and lemonades.

"Gotcha." She smiles.

Mateo hugs her, "Stop smiling at each other, she's mine. She doesn't want you."

"That's not what she said last night." I wink at her making her cheeks turn a dark blush.

"Wow." Mateo stops hugging her.

"We did not do anything last night." She shakes her head.

"I know, I know, you're saving yourself for me. I love it." He kisses her cheek making me want to rip his head off. "Calm down, Bryson. She's all yours."

"Teo, come help me set up the projector." I roll my eyes heading to the back yard.

The plan was for Raven's friends and a few cousins to come over for a swimming party. We have caterers serving Raven's favorite food and we will finish the night with Moana on the projector screen. Then tomorrow Raven's gonna stay the night with a close friend as I have planned a perfect night with Noel. She doesn't know we know it's her birthday tomorrow and it kinda hurts my feelings that she didn't tell me.

We set up everything for the movie night and head inside. The decorators we're finishing and people would be here in an hour. We all started to get dressed. After my shower, I throw on a black polo with khaki pants. I wanted to be casual for Raven's birthday. I was always wearing business clothing. I make my way to Noel's room to see her putting on mascara. She was so beautiful. I walk over to her and put my arms around her neck.

"You look absolutely stunning." I whisper.

She was wearing a black long sleeve v neck with a green skirt. Her hair was half up half down and like always naturally curly.

She rolls her eyes thinking I'm joking as she places down the mascara.

"Not wearing red I see, finally took my advice." I kid with her as I sit on her bed.

She shoots me a glare. "I will change."

"Don't bother, bella." I stand up face to face with her.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Noel furrows her eyebrows.

"Just beauty." I kiss her cheek making it flush a dark red.