Page 222 of Steeling Her
Yeah, I like to talk. I always talk to my mom and sister about everything, so this one will be hard, especially when they are both such huge fans of Carter. My mom always had a soft spot for her and backed their relationship from the beginning.
“Okay, I will.” I pretend to zip up my lips and throw away the key. He chuckles and shakes his head, taking the food out of the microwave. He sets another five minutes and waits again.
We continue to talk about random things to fill the time while we wait for TJ to return home. I continue to talk to my brother until I hear the door open and shut. I know it’s TJ.
“Haley?” he calls for me.
“Kitchen!” I yell back and wait for him to enter the room. When he does, he smiles and comes to greet me. A kiss from him is the only way I accept it. “Hey,” I say.
“Hey, babe.” He kiss me once more. He walks around me and pats Nick on the shoulder. He places his phone down on the counter and makes his way to the refrigerator.
“How was she?” Nick asks lightly. TJ turns around with a grin on his face and shuts the refrigerator door.
“She was good. She’s lost in her own thoughts for a while but was laughing and smiling by the time we reached her home. I walked her in to make sure nobody was there, don’t worry.” TJ sips on a bottle of water. I could see the tension roll off my brother’s shoulders once TJ confirmed Ted wasn’t at the house.
Nick nods like it’s not effecting him and continues to eat. He’s acting like he’s not listening but he’s absorbing absolutely everything to do with her.
“You sure?” He pushes.
“I checked the house myself even when she said it’s not necessary and he won’t do anything to her.” He chuckles, knowing that Nick needs to hear this for his own peace of mind. If he didn’t say anything, then you can be sure that Nick won’t be sleeping a wink tonight. TJ knows him inside and out, he knows what Nick will to ask and what to tell him.
“Thanks.” Nick looks at TJ and they share a secret nod that they always do when they’re on the same page.
“Well, on that note, I’m going to going to bed now. Love you, pumpkin,” TJ teases Nick by blowing him kisses as he passes by him. Nick smirks and shakes his head.
That is the side of TJ that I love. The goofy TJ is the best TJ.
“Haley, bring the idiot up to sleep,” Nick orders me to take him away.
“Gladly.” I wink and Nick starts to make vomiting noises as I pull my fiancé away to our sanctuary.
“ ’Night,” Nick says and he continues to eat the rest of his lasagna.
We make our way up the stairs to our room hand in hand and retire for the night, but it doesn’t stop me thinking about my brother.
“Goodnight,” TJ whispers once we’re in bed.
“Goodnight, and thank you for helping out,” I whisper back.
“Anytime, beautiful.” He kisses me in the dark. We fall asleep like always. It’s so easy because I am so exhausted from the day.
And I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling this exhaustion.
Chapter Forty-Four
Forgive, Forget, and Fix
Carter
I’ve been sweating all morning about today. Nothing has changed much. I’ve been preparing to give it my best, but I can feel my heart is not in it and my mind is elsewhere. I’m suited up with a pair of matching black heels to show I’m serious about this, even if my body is reacting harshly to it. This is what I’ve always wanted but I can’t help but feel the timing might not be right.
I’m sitting upright with my hands on my lap. Across from me are the three panellist who will interview me. It’s all in their hands.
“Tell me about yourself.” This is how most interviews begin. The first question that will set the tone for the entire interview; the one question that can make or break you. This is the only time where I can talk about myself, my experience, and what I’ve have been up to for the past few years since graduation; my story.
Which isn’t very much but enough to hopefully land me this job. I haven’t worked with many athletes—that’s Jody’s speciality if any of them come into the clinic—I usually work with older people and children because I’m pretty new to the business. I don’t have much say in what clients I want. Where she’s been with the clinic for nearly five years, I’ve only reached two and a half. I interned around in New York for a couple of months and then got a recommendation from my dad to intern with my aunt during summer months before moving out here permanently and interning here too. I was given a shot, and I’ve proved how hard I can work to my bosses, even if it was with a small amount of athletes. I could count them on one hand.
“Um, so, I’m Carter Steel. I’m twenty-three years old, born in New York. I was fortunate enough to attend Keystone Private High School in Manhattan. After that, I went to college in the University of Mississippi—which is a family tradition—and found myself a job after a few years interning around, gaining different skills and experiences in the athletics industry. Then, I landed out here in LA to work for Prime Physical Therapy Clinic. Ever since then, I’ve been living out here working with elderly people and young children coming out for rehab on moderate to serious accidents primarily,” I begin the long process of being a potential candidate for this job. I have rekindled the excitement that I initially had when I received the letter. It was cloaked with nerves before. Now I know, since getting into my momentum, that I really want this job.
