Page 44 of False Promises

“Hey you,” he greeted me, the low timber of his voice spreading goosebumps on my arms.

“Miss me?”

“How was your day? Did you get any hints they’re adding episodes to your contract yet?”

I sighed. “Nah. I should know the decision by Friday. Are you still coming this weekend? We could celebrate if I get the role.”

“About that. I gotta go to Atlanta for a day to check out a venue with Riley, and I’ll be in Green Mountain for a day or two afterward. Instead of Friday night, I might fly in on Saturday morning.”

My lips shaped into a pout. “I was looking forward to having you all to myself for two nights. Anyway, you could skip Green Mountain and fly from Atlanta?”

Carter cleared his throat. “You know Jack and Dahlia are my family. I haven’t seen them in three weeks. It’s a long time apart for us. I’m sure you can understand that. Jack is a toddler. He doesn’t comprehend why I’m always leaving. It’s hard on both of us.”

I honked at the car attempting to slip before mine, trying to get rid of the irritation diffusing through me. I used my most innocent voice when I added, “I don’t get it. Jack has a dad now. He doesn’t need you as much. After all, you’re just his uncle, no? I’m not sure it’s healthy for you to live in the past. Dahlia has moved on. You should give her some air. And space. Your relationship is not natural. No doubt it confuses the poor boy.”

I honked again. Because it helped me relax after a long day on set. Down the course of time, I’d convince the studio to provide a chauffeur for me, and I’d be able to take it easy on the backseat in the morning and after long hours of exhausting work.

Carter remained silent for a beat. I knew my honesty would hit a raw nerve, but the truth had to be said. And I wouldn’t pretend otherwise for his sake.

“Savannah, I thought you got it. You yourself said it was hard to grow up with divorced parents and a stepdad. All Jack has ever known is me and Dahlia. Nick is still new in the equation. And no matter what everyone says, I’ll always consider him my son. He’s my blood, my family. I’ll never make him feel like a burden.”

Carter’s words were clipped. He was mad, and I had to ease the tension between us. And fast. Long-distance relationships were hard. And if we could each put some effort into it, we’d both win in the end. And I never lost. Losing wasn’t even a word in my vocabulary.

“The last thing I want is to upset you. I just miss you so much when you’re away. It’s hard for me to share you with some other woman when I only see you twice a month. Maybe you could make it up to me when you get here.” I let the words hang between us.

The silence stretched for an infinite minute.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Carter said.

“If you play nice and surprise me, I’ve got a few tricks of my own that will make you very very happy.” My lustful tone couldn’t be missed. Even over the phone. I had talent, and my seduction power was one of them. “Do we have a deal?”

Carter coughed. I could imagine him getting a boner just by the unsaid promises I spoke.

“Carter, baby, do you agree to your side of the bargain? You won’t regret it. I have it all planned already.”

He coughed again, his voice deeper than usual when he answered, “Yes. I’ll find a way to make it up to you. As always.”

I exhaled. We were back on good terms.

“About Dahlia, I’m sorry if I sounded jealous. It’s just—” My lips shuddered, and I lowered my voice. “It’s hard for me to compete with her. She’s like the most important woman in your life. And I wanna be this woman. I wanna become the center of your universe, the one you would kill for. Maybe I don’t show it and look confident, but underneath, I’m afraid I’ll get hurt. And it is hard for me to measure up to your childhood crush.” A lone tear leaked from my eyes, and I sniffed while wiping it off with a finger. “I didn’t mean to have a breakdown. It's just… I feel like the second best, and it makes me insecure.” I sniffled again. “I hadn’t planned to tell you all this. Even less over the phone. I’m sorry for putting pressure on you. It wasn’t my goal.”

Carter’s voice soothed me, even from two thousand miles apart. “Hey, hey, don’t be envious of Dahlia. Yes, she and Jack will always be my family. They won’t go away, but they also have their own family. I agree it can be hard for someone new to fit in, but don’t worry, there’s a place for both of you in my life. It will never be one or the other. And Dahlia is happily married. We’re not together, and we’ll never be. Right now, I’m dedicated to you. That’s why I fly to see you every two weeks and fit my schedule around us. Don’t worry, okay? I’m serious about this relationship, or I wouldn’t come to see you next weekend.”

I sighed loudly. “Okay.” My voice was still quivering, but the tears had disappeared. “Thanks, Carter. I might again freak out about it some other time, but I get what you’re saying. I’m not sure I will ever truly understand your dynamics, but I’m willing to try.”

“That’s all I’m asking.” A pause. “Can I call you back? Addison is here to look over the new merch designs and my next album cover.”

“Addison who?” A chill worked through me. How many girlfriends did Carter Hills actually have? I was stuck here in LA traffic, while he was inviting women over. He was lucky I trusted him because I could get really angry right now. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and forced my wrath to stay put.

“Addison, my childhood friend. Remember? Her twin brother and I were best friends growing up.”

“Why can’t you meet at her workplace then if it’s a business meeting?”

“She’s in Nashville. I’m in Nashville. She’s in a serious relationship. I am too. We both have crazy schedules. We’re just gonna go over the latest designs, grab a bite, and that’s it. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

I said nothing, not sure how to tread the situation without sounding jealous and possessive.

“Are we good?”