Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captan, My Captain #3) (12 page)

“
Sorry, I didn’t order this.” I push it back.

“
That guy did.” He points to a sandy blonde haired man at the end of the bar, who tips his glass at me.

Well, that’s sweet, I think, and I smile back at him.

“
I know that look. Someone’s getting laid,” Cassie teases me.

I cut her a look. “No, I’m too busy.”

“
Please, when was the last time you got any?”

I roll my eyes. “It’s been a few months or so.”

“
Or so?” Cassie questions me.

“
Okay, so maybe it’s closer to a year.”

“
Oh my word, a year?” Cassie shouts, and the people next to us look over.

“
Keep your voice down.”

“
No wonder you’ve been a bitch. Go to that guy right now and ride him like a horse.” She points to the guy at the end of the bar.

I slap her hand down. “Enough,” I hiss at her. “I’ve been busy, and I’m not a bitch.”

Cassie stares at me.

“
Okay, I’m not that big of a bitch,” I recant.

“
Kinley, you need to loosen up. I mean, come on. You’re still in your twenties, have fun, and stop being a damn adult all the time.”

“
When was the last time you got anything?” I fire back at her, trying to deflect the truth that she’s telling me.

“
Thursday.”

“
What?” It’s my turn to shout.

“
Yep, I met a guy down here. We had a nice conversation, and then we went back to my room.”

“
Oh my God, you’re like a female Carson Lee.” My eyes widen.

“
Oh please.” Cassie rolls her eyes at me. “I remember everything you did after your divorce, and that’s calling the kettle black.”

I hang my head. After Elliott and I ended our relationship, I did go wild. A lot wild. However, I’m tamer now, and I don’t do all of that anymore.

“
Hi.” I turn my head to the greeting of the man that sent me the drink.

“
Hi.” I smile politely.

“
I’m Peter.” He sticks his hand out.

“
Kinley.” I gingerly shake his hand.

“
Wow, that’s a thick southern accent.” Peter smiles.

“
I was just leaving.” Cassie jumps from her stool and takes off. I hate when she does that.

“
Hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”

“
No, it’s fine. Have a seat.”

The conversation is the normal bar-first-meeting questions. What do you do for a living? Are you married or in a relationship? Are you from here? Where did you go to school?

Peter is a car salesman for a high end dealer and is here on business. He’s from Illinois, and thankfully not in a relationship. Or so he says. He’s funny, and I do have a good time. However, the whole time, I think about what Cassie said. I’m not old, nor a prude of any type. I still have a little wild streak in me, and tonight I’m going to be that girl again.

~ ~ ~

The sun is bright in my room as I open the door for Peter to leave. Surprisingly, I’m not tired, even though I stayed up almost all night with him. But I’m sore, and thankfully I can rest today. He gives me a sweet kiss and is about to walk out when Carson’s door opens.

Shit.

Of all the people I hoped were still asleep, it’s him.

I have the urge to jerk Peter back into my room and shut the door, but it’s too late. Carson’s brown eyes caught me and that damn smirk appears on his face.

I’m never going to live this down.

Luckily, Peter doesn’t seem to notice and continues to walk down the hall. I’m about to slam the door when Carson decides to chimes in.

“
My, my, Kinley Wright, look at you.”

“
Don’t start, Carson Lee.”

His smile deepens. “I haven’t said anything yet.”

“
I don’t want to hear it.” I go to shut my door but Carson jumps in my room.

“
Get out.” I pull my robe tighter.

“
Nope, this is too much fun.”

“
Carson,” I start but he cuts me off.

“
Did you even catch his name?”

“
Yes,” I growl. “I know his name.”

“
Are you sure? Because you know sometimes guys give fake names.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, he told me his name is Peter. Are you happy now that you know his name?”

“
Did Peter have a big-”

“
Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Carson Lee.” I point my finger at him, and he grabs his side laughing. “Now, get out.”

“
No way,” he says, still chuckling. “This is way more fun than working out.”

I push my hand through my hair, frustrated.

“
Come on, Kinley, you rag me all the time about the girls in my bed. This is just a little payback.” His smile still plastered on his face.

“
Well, I guess a little teasing is called for, but now you’re through.” I give him a mean look.

“
Ha, not even close.”

“
Carson.”

He cuts me off again. “I’m surprised the room is still entact. I figured to see some broken lamps or at least a broken bed.”

“
This is my day off, please leave.”

“
Are you sure it was a good fucking because I’m not seeing damage here.” He points to the ruffled sheets.

“
Carson Lee, get out of my room this very instant!” I scream at him.

Of course, he laughs as I shove him out of my room, slamming the door.

Carson

There’s a knock on the door and I grin. Thank God. The cavalry has arrived. I open the door to find Tyler standing on the other side. I called him the other day, asking if he wanted to come hang out. It didn’t take much incentive for him to say yes, considering all the women I’m surrounded by. There needs to be more testosterone around this place, so here he is.

“
Where are all the models?” He smiles.

“
On another floor. I think Kinley wanted to create some sort of obstacle or barrier of some sorts.”

Tyler laughs. “Where is she? I should probably meet this girl who can actually dish back all the shit you put out.”

“
The warden is across the hall. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled that you’re here.”

“
Why do you say it like that?” he asks as we sit down on the couch in the room.

“
She’s always worrying that something will go wrong or that I’ll sleep with the models and cause friction. Stuff like that. She sends the same email like two or three times and then has you confirm you got it and read it each time. But I can mostly get it. If this goes well, she’ll get her dream job basically.”

He nods, slaps his hands on his thighs, and says, “Let’s go to the bar.”

After grabbing the things I’ll need, we make our way to the bar. Kinley and Cassie are sitting at a booth. I tap Tyler’s shoulder and nod in their direction. He grins as we make our way over.

“
Tyler, this is Cassie, the photographer, and this is the warden, Kinley.”

He goes for the seat next to Kinley, leaving me no choice but to sit next to Cassie. “It’s nice to meet you, ladies.”

“
I’m not the warden, but it’s nice to meet you. I didn’t realize you were going to have company.”

“
I got bored. Tyler is a teammate of mine, which you probably didn’t know since you’re not a fan and all.”

“
I might have known that. And what do you mean bored? Doesn’t your right hand keep you busy enough?”

Cassie and Tyler laughs before he adds, “This is why I came. I had to meet you.”

“
Meet me? Why? Is Carson talking about me non-stop or something?”

“
Something like that. You are one of the few who doesn’t fall for his charming personality. How could I not want to meet you?”

“
Charming? Is that what it’s called?” She looks at me with a raised brow.

“
Of course. That’s one way to describe it.”

“
I was going to say ‘man-whore’ but I don’t think that’s politically correct.”

Tyler angles himself towards her. “Kinley, I think you deserve a drink for putting up with him.” He lifts his hand to wave a waitress over.

“
Now that is Kinley’s favorite thing in the whole world. She could out drink you two,” Cassie inputs.

“
Well, let’s find out,” I say. “Two words: quarter bounce.”

The corners of Kinley’s mouth lift in a small smile. “You know I like a good bet, and I don’t usually lose.”

“
Every bet we’ve made together, you’ve lost,” I point out.

“
Hence the word
usually
. Now, what do you want to bet?”

“
Wait a second,” Cassie tells me. “If you’re going to drag us all into this, let’s do a girls versus guys, that way it’s fair.”

“
Works for me. Carson?” Tyler looks at me expectantly.

I nod. “Loser picks up the tab. Does anyone have change? All I have is plastic.”

Cassie digs out a quarter from her purse. We do four rounds and I’ll be damned if we don’t lose every single one. Cassie wasn’t kidding. Kinley is like a pro. The feel good buzz of the alcohol is coursing through both Tyler and me. His eyes keep going back to Kinley. It’s like he’s one of those pesky bugs and she’s the light that draws him to her.

“
Okay,” Tyler starts. “Teach me your ways, wise one. Where did you learn to do that, Kinley?”

“
We played a lot in college,” she answers. “Next time don’t pick such a lame game and you won’t lose.”

“
Where did you go to college? ‘Bama?”

“
Roll tide, baby.”

Tyler holds up his fist and they fist bump as he excitedly tells her, “I transferred there my junior year. Awesome school.”

“
No way! That’s so cool. When were you there?”

“
I transferred in 2009 and got signed the next year.”

“
Oh, I had already graduated, but I can’t believe you went there. You need to teach Carson a thing or two about Roll Tide Pride.”

“
I don’t need to learn anything,” I let her know quickly. “I already know everything about Alabama that I need to know,” I finish with a smirk.

In a monotone voice, she smarts back, “The only thing you’ve learned is how to tell which ‘Bama girls are easy.”

“
Like I said, I already know everything.”

Tyler gets a little closer to her by leaning towards her. “We’re not all like him, Kinley. Don’t let him make you think otherwise.”

“
Tyler, are you saying that you’re the exception?” she flirts.

Tyler leans further to whisper in her ear and all I can hear are a few words that make Kinley giggle afterwards. “....show...real man.”