Page 179 of Steeling Her
“You’ll be alright, man. Chris is actually a cool guy.” TJ has been trying to coax me into going over to Chris Steel’s house for the past hour. I gave into him just to shut him up but it didn’t work. He’s still trying to encourage me to go when I’m already in the fucking car. “Yeah, sure I didn’t bang his sister and break up with her in the sp—OW!” I punch him hard in the arm to let him get the picture already. Giving a dead arm is one of my finest skills I’ve learned, and I’ve mastered it to a fine art.
“You know, you really need about ten filters between your mind and mouth TJ. Fuck, do you not think I already know that I dated his sister and slept with her? Christ, TJ, sometimes you can be a real idiot, huh?” I snap because I’ve reached my limit. “Just . . . shut up and drive.” As much as I love him as my best friend, I could really murder him and bury his body in the Hollywood hills.
I feel shitty enough as it is, and I don’t need him on my case about what I already know. I could still see she’s hurting. I did that to her—I did. I could see it clearly in her eyes when we left the restaurant. The last comment she made cut my heart in two, but I knew I deserved it.
Don’t get too distracted.
Those words left a bad taste in my mouth branded within me.
I know what I did was an asshole and selfish move even though I wanted her. I still do, but I was so young and naive to think that I couldn’t have either. I was talented enough to have both, and I fucking regret it all. If I could go back in time, I would have stayed with her, loved her, cherished her, and adored her like she deserves to be.
Now, I just need a plan to win her back. I need her back, and I will crawl on my hands and knees to get her back as my girlfriend again. I will do anything.
So, to start off, I need to know about the competition. Ted Cradock, I’ve stalked you on social media. Do I hate you?Yes. Do I think you’re an asshole?Yes. Do I think you’re a mama’s boy?Yes. Do I think you’re a family man?No, and that’s where I have some sort of an advantage; albeit, the situation with my dad right now is still a touchy subject and it’s something I have yet to talk about with someone besides my mom.
Carter is all about family and I love that about her. That’s why she’d make the perfect wife and mother. I admire that side about her. When we dated, I liked being around her family. I liked talking with her brothers when they didn’t loathe me. Her mom even liked me and her dad rooted for me too. It was a good situation to be in, but I’ve no doubt that I’m on each of their shitlists.
We drive up to a gate, where there is a security guard outside. He knows TJ and smiles at him, then checks us off as the barrier raises to allow us through. A private estate; I expected nothing less from Chris. He’s big on safety and spending the money on it. I know from TJ that he prohibits any pictures being taken of his little girl, Taylor, by the media. I have to say, I respect that. I would probably do the same with my own family. TJ tells me he’s very protective of her and Danielle, and he doesn’t need to say it twice. I knew about his protective side when I dated Carter. It runs in their blood.
“Nice place,” I mutter and check the houses out as we make our way through the gated community. Well gardened homes, lavish and expensive architecture, I’ve no doubt that Chris’s house will be the same. He’s always been into the good quality shit, from what I can remember. Plus, he’s made it big in this game. When TJ parks up in a very costly looking driveway, I couldn’t help but let a gasp escape my mouth.
This place is fucking huge.
Holy shit.
“Big, huh?” TJ asks me with a wide smirk on his face. As we unbuckle ourselves from the car, I exit like a child at an amusement park, staring with wide eyes and an open mouth at the mansion that exudes money right in front of me. I’ve never seen one so big in my life, and I’ve lived in different spots around the country. This shit is next level, I’ve got to get me one of these places, but it would be quite lonely if it were just me.
That’s why I’ve always opted for an apartment or condo. It’s smaller and suits me perfectly because it’s just me, but looking at Chris’s house, I kind of want one of my own now. As we climb up the steps to the door, we eventually get to it and stand outside, looking up at the exterior. TJ pushes the doorbell and we wait for any signs of movement.
“This place is fucking massive, man.” I chuckle and he nods along with me, silently agreeing.
We both hear a little squeal come up to the door and something slams their body on it to stop themselves. I bet that was Taylor. TJ has told me she’s a tough little cookie, like her mom, and I have no doubt in my mind that Chris has his hands full with this little princess.
The door gets pulled open and we both see a tiny little girl in pink Sleeping Beauty pyjamas, her soft brown hair tied up into a ponytail. She stares at us with a bottle of milk in one hand and the door handle in the other.
“Hello!” She smiles at both TJ and me.
“Taylor, what have I told you about running off when you’re eating dinner? And you’re not supposed to answer the door by yourself!” Chris scolds her from behind but all she does is smile at me.
“Who are you?” She points at me, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her. I squat down, her eyes following me.
“I’m Nick, you must be Taylor? I’m a friend of TJ’s and your mom’s. I’m also on the same team as your dad,” I say to her and she nods rapidly before she’s picked up into Chris’ arms. She looks very much like him, borderline looking like Carter, and her attitude must come from her mom. Definitely a mini-Danielle.
“Yeah! I’m Taylor!” She squirms in her dad’s hold to get closer to me. “You play with my daddy?” she asks and I nod.
“I’m new to the team. I haven’t played with him yet, but I will be soon,” I inform her. She’s engrossed in what I’m saying and it’s quite funny to watch her facial expressions change with each word I say.
When I found out that Danielle was pregnant from Haley, I called her up immediately and congratulated her. I knew she was wary at first to accept my call but she did and I was glad to talk to her so I could tell her that she and Chris will be amazing parents. I still keep in contact with her every so often to check in on her and to see how she and the rest are doing. I always thought she was a good friend, and I have immense respect for her.
“I’ll be watching you with my mommy. We always watch when it’s here.” She points to the floor and I couldn’t help the smile grow on my face. She’s adorable. “Do you want to come to my birthday party? It’s on Saturday and we’re swimming in the pool,” she offers and I could see Chris’s head snap around to her in shock.
“That’s still in the works, honey, we have to talk to mommy about that first, but everyone you want will be there.” He kisses the side of her head and nods for us to follow him.
“But I want them at my party, Daddy!” she whines and tries to climb over her shoulder to get to TJ and me once again so she can talk to us. She has no consideration that she could fall from a significant height if she disregards the helping hands that keep her steady.
“Taylor, quit moving around!” She starts throwing a tantrum and laughs at the same time.
“But I want to talk to Uncle TJ and my new friend!” She giggles and her dad starts to tickle her to get her to stop climbing all over him. It’s very funny to watch this big beefy hulk of a man go all soft for his daughter in a heartbeat.
