She turns around and looks at me. “I have this. Why don’t you go hang out with your brother and your dad? You don’t get to see them a lot.” She stands up on her tiptoes and gives me a kiss.
“I don’t know what I did to get so lucky and find you.” I put my arms around her, and lift her up a little, spinning her around. She squeals and laughs. I put her down and give her another quick kiss. I start to walk away, but then I remember I was supposed to be helping her. “Let me know when you want me to come help with dinner.”
“Please don’t let him help with dinner!” My dad and brother yell from the other room. Man, they really know how to sell a guy out, but she just laughs and goes back to what she is doing.
My sister, Holly, came strolling in about an hour later. She’d slept over at someone’s house and was shocked to see Maddy standing in the kitchen. I rush over and introduce them. Holly went to get in the shower and I stayed in the kitchen to help Maddy. By help I mean, hand her things she asks for and not touch anything.
Dinner is absolutely delicious, and my family is officially as in love with Maddy as I am. This is the first time I ever brought a girl home and, if I have any say, she’ll be the last girl I bring home.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I see that it is Nicole.
Nicole: Happy Thanksgiving! What happened with Maddy yesterday?
Me: Happy Thanksgiving, she came home with me.
Nicole: Thank the Lord! Tell her I said Happy Thanksgiving and an early Happy Birthday!
Me: Birthday? When is her birthday?
Nicole: I knew she wouldn’t tell you! It’s on Saturday. The only reason I know is because of the roommate fact sheet I got. When I brought it up, she said she hasn’t celebrated it in years. Be a good potential boyfriend and make it special for her.
Me: I definitely will.
Chapter Sixteen
Madison
Being able to spend Thanksgiving with Carter’s family was amazing. I finally felt like I belonged somewhere and that I had people around me who cared.
Holly asked me to go shopping with her today and I told her yes. I had never been out on Black Friday but she says she goes every year. She is absolutely gorgeous. She has blonde hair that goes down to about the middle of her back, blue eyes just like Carter, and she is tiny but still has curves. The fact that she wants to spend time with me makes me feel good. I want Carter’s family to like me. I asked him if he wanted to come, but he said no. He said he is going to give us our girl time.
We go to the local mall and I soon realize Holly really loves shopping. Like always, I have absolutely no money so when she tries to talk me into getting things, I have to pretend I don’t want or like them. She is always texting on her phone and I have to admit I am jealous.
I see her look toward the front of the store and follow her gaze. That’s when I see Carter walking in. What is he doing here? He walks up to Holly and whispers something in her ear, then turns to me and sweeps me up in a huge hug.
“You having fun?”
“Yeah, I am. Your sister is great.”
Carter smiles at me and gives me a kiss. “I need to go run a couple errands, but I’ll see you back at the house, okay?”
“Sounds good!” He gives me another quick kiss, says bye to Holly and then leaves. I swear that after Carter left, Holly was buying twice as much stuff as she did before.
“You don’t want to get anything, Madison?”
I did want to. A couple of the things Holly bought, I’d been looking at and wishing I had money for. I don’t remember the last time I was able to buy a new outfit, and Goodwill did not count. “No, I’m okay.”
“My dad always makes fun of me and says the only reason I work is so I can spend it later.” She starts laughing and I join her because her dad is right.
When we get back to the house, Carter is still out and I am exhausted. I say hello to his dad and brother, then tell them I am going to go lie down. Tomorrow is my birthday, but I hadn’t celebrated it since before my mother died. I always get a little down around this time of the year. I head to Carter’s room, and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I feel strong arms encircle me, not in a possessive threatening way, but in a way that makes me feel loved. I open my eyes and Carter is lying down with me, holding me in his arms. It surprises me how loving and patient he is with me. He is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.
He notices I am awake and looks down at me. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, yourself.” I am still upset about my birthday, but I can’t be mad at Carter. I never even told him when it was. Chris knows, but he didn’t mention it and we never celebrated it.
“How was your day? Did you get anything?”
He didn’t understand either. “No, but I think your sister bought enough to fill an entire store.”
“All right, come on. My dad has dinner on the table.”
“I thought your dad didn’t cook?”
“He does, but instead of the oven, he uses the phone.” We both start laughing. He always knew how to make me smile. After dinner, his dad called Carter and I into the living room.
“I picked up a movie for you two to watch.”
He handed Carter a movie I’d never heard of ‘Insidious.’ “Dad, this movie is gonna scare her half to death.”
“Well, then, I guess you’re just gonna have to find a way to comfort her.” He winks at him. Carter turns to me and I think he is unsure what to do.
“I’m game if you are. As long as you promise to stay close to me. I’ve never watched a scary movie before.”
“Never?” He seems to be in disbelief.
“Nope. I guess that’s another first for us.”
“Holly and Anthony are both at friends’ houses tonight so they won’t be home until later, and I’m going to go play poker with the guys. I’ll see you two in the morning.” His dad walks out the door and we are all alone.
We go into Carter’s room and I head to the bathroom to get changed. I walk back into the room and lie down on the bed while he gets the movie ready. He lies down like he did last night and I look over at him, trying to figure out if I should lie with him like I did before. I’m more hesitant this time because it feels like things have changed between us. He holds out his arm to me. “C’mon, come lie down.”
To say that I was scared by the end of the movie is an extreme understatement. I hadn’t left Carter’s side the entire time. He kept his arms around me, except when he’d rub my back or stroke my hair. When the movie ends, we just lie there together.
I’ve never been happier in my life than I’ve been these past couple days. I want to take the leap with Carter and I want to tell him that I want to be with him. The way he was rubbing me and holding me sent a chill through my whole body. I started to feel an ache in between my legs, and had to squeeze them together to help relieve it. I needed Carter and I trusted him. I wasn’t ready to have sex, but there was no reason we couldn’t do other stuff, right?
I sit up and look at him. He is so gorgeous. I lean in to kiss him and he seems surprised at first. Within seconds, he is kissing me back and running his hands up and down my sides. I need him to touch me. I’ve never wanted to be close with a guy before. Everything is different with Carter, though. I pull back and look at him. “I want you to touch me, Carter.” Even saying this sends a wave of fear through me. I know he won’t hurt me though, and just want to be close with him. I want to take the next step with him.
“Maddy, are you sure? I’m not rushing you. You don’t have to do anything.”