The Fix (The Carolina Connections, #1)(42)

We both regarded my reflection in the mirror as she twisted and pulled my hair, deciding on a style. A rock suddenly settled in my gut. My hands went to my cheeks.

Fiona dropped my hair and her hands held my shoulders. “What is it, Laney?”

“I don’t know what I’m doing here. I just feel this, I don’t know, pull toward Nate but I know he’s going to break my heart. Rocco and I are going to get attached to him and then his dad will get better and he’ll move away. You know I’m already worried about Rocco enough as it is, and here I am setting him up for another fall. What kind of mother am I?”

Fiona scowled. “You’re the best kind of mother, that’s the kind you are! You always put that little boy first and, sure, he’s going through a little stress right now but you’re doing the best you can. Where does it say you can’t have a little something for yourself too? If Nate’s leaving, what’s wrong with a fling? And, anyway, you don’t know he’s leaving—you’re making assumptions without all the information. You could just woman up and ask him outright, you know.”

At the look on my face, she read that I was clearly not ready to “woman up.”

“Just stop stressing. Hell, you could even find out tonight that you two don’t really like each other as much as you thought. Then you’re just out one treehouse, and you can get Gavin to learn how to form a right angle and put it together. The point is, just have fun tonight and worry about the rest later.”

I considered her in the mirror. “Thanks, Fee. You’re right. You have any wine?”

She looked offended. “Do I have any wine? Where do you think you are?”

I laughed at her and dropped my hands back to my lap. “All right, pour some wine, pretty me up, and let’s Scarlett O’Hara the shit out of this thing!”



I had a glass of wine while Fiona did her thing, and by the time the glass was empty my hair looked sleek and sexy and my makeup was a step up from what I’d normally wear but it looked awesome. I headed home to get dressed. Fiona did end up talking me into wearing a flirty skirt and some platform sandals from my own closet, and she made me text her a picture of my final outfit to keep me from cheating. Gavin and Brett were in the backyard tossing a baseball around with Rocco when the doorbell rang. At least I wouldn’t have to deal with that awkwardness. I grabbed my purse, took a deep breath, and answered the door.

Nate was wearing a blue button-down shirt that drew attention to his eyes. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal his corded forearms and the first two buttons at his neck were left undone, affording me a glimpse of chest hair. His dark-wash jeans were a perfect fit, and gray Converse completed the picture. Comfortable, casual, and hot as hell. My lower belly warmed and the butterflies took flight. His jaw was freshly shaven for the first time and I wasn’t sure which way I preferred it. His eyes were hot and they were focused directly on me.

“You look gorgeous,” he said as his eyes roamed my figure.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Was that my voice? It was so breathy.

“Are you ready to go?” He crooked his arm out for me to take.

I wordlessly entwined my arm with his and we walked to his truck where he opened my door and helped me in. Did he cop a bit of a feel in the process? Maybe, but I didn’t mind one bit.

“So, what are the boys up to tonight?” Nate asked once he’d seated himself and pulled out onto the street.

“Lord knows. They were playing ball when I left so hopefully they’ll stay out of trouble. Although Gavin’s best friend is over so it’s unlikely.”

“You don’t like him?”

“Oh, Brett’s fine. It’s just that when the two of them get together the chances for downright stupid behavior rise exponentially. I’m probably prejudiced, though, because Brett was there when Gavin got in a really bad accident one time and it ended up ruining his baseball career.”

“I was wondering about that but I worried it was a sore spot so I didn’t want to ask Gavin about it.” Nate glanced at me. “After he met Gavin the other night, my dad mentioned that he used to watch him play when Gavin was in high school. He said everyone thought your brother would go pro one day but then never heard another thing after he went off to college.”

“You were probably smart not to mention it—it’s most definitely still a sore subject.” I sighed.

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“No, it’s fine.” I smoothed my skirt and tried not to let the memories affect me. “He was playing on a full scholarship and was right on track to make it big. On his twentieth birthday he and Brett and some of their other friends had the bright idea to try out a teammate’s motorcycle—having never ridden a motorcycle in his life, mind you.” I shook my head at the thought. “Long story short, he broke his pitching arm in three places. Goodbye baseball scholarship. Goodbye big-league dreams. At least he’d had the good sense to wear a helmet. But, then, instead of recovering from the surgeries and finishing his degree, he chose to drink and become a bum. And I haven’t quite been able to forgive him for it.” I gazed out the window and Nate was silent. “Wow, that was probably more than you wanted to know.” I forced a smile and looked back at him.

He glanced at me and then his eyes returned to the road. “Sounds very … complicated.” That was a safe way of putting it.