Page 101 of Carte

Jason opened his mouth, but I put my palm up, “Wait! Does this mean you were in our home this morning?”

It still felt surreal to call the house here and the cabin our home.

“Well-” Jason shifted then launched. “The moment those noises started coming from your room, I put my ear buds in.”

At my horrified look, he raised his hands, “I didn’t hear anything, I swear. I just needed some rest. With her hormones, I can’t even walk into the room, without having Rory jump me. I never thought I would say this, but I need to rest. I can’t fuck her all day, every day.

The car came to a stop so sudden, I had to brace against the dashboard.

Carter turned stormy eyes on Jason, “Just this once, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you just said. But if you ever mention fu-” he gagged. “Doing that to my sister again, I’ll bind you, and drag you to the nearest bar, and pour liquor down your throat.”

It was an ultimate threat.

Jason didn’t hold his alcohol very well.

The last and only time Ryan boys got him drunk, he ended up in a jail cell, begging Rory to save him from them.

“You wouldn’t do that,” Jason gassed.

“Try me,” Carter growled, then threw the car in gear and started driving again.

“But, Rory’s pregnant, how do you think that came about?”

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a miracle, and not a horny quarterback's doing.”

“No,” Jason shook his head, a proud glint in his eye. “That was all me.”

“That’s it,” Carter slammed on the brakes. “You’re walking from here.”

To his, and my, ill fortune, we were in front of Jason and Rory’s house.

“No problem, man,” Jason clapped Carter on the shoulder and opened his door. “Oh, by the way, congrats on your engagement.”

We got out, Carter coming around the car and claiming me with his arm over my shoulder and slowly started walking towards the door.

“We can still run,” I whispered from the corner of my mouth.

“It’s going to be all right, Dynamo.” Carter pulled me into his side. “They’ll be over the moon. They love you.”

“I know,” I sighed. “I just don’t want to steal Rory’s thunder. This is the first time we’re going to be all together since she found out she was pregnant, and she’s already five months. This should be her moment.”

Jason looked back, and before he opened the door, he threw me a wink.

As he went in, he yelled, “Rory, love of my life. I have news. Guess who got engaged this morning.”

In a blink, Rory was standing at her front door, a look of pure happiness and rage warring on her face.

Before either of us could say something, she reached out and pulled me into her eyes, “I’m so happy that you’re going to officially become my sister. I can’t wait. Honestly, i’m over the moon.”

The words were rushed, her embrace was fierce and it settled something within me. Something that still ached. Something that in some form would always hurt.

But hearing Rory’s words, I realized I would never again be alone.

“Now, get in, and get warm.” She pushed me inside.

I turned and could see she was staring Carter down, her finger in his face. “You. You plotted to kidnap my husband. And did the dead.”

“I didn’t kidnap him.” Carter defended himself.