Sort of Normal

Chapter 10

Boone

"Luke," he answers suspiciously. He shakes my hand, definitely sizing me up.

So, this guy—who looks like he's about to go out for a round of golf—is Mr. Burger-Date. Well shit, he's a total catch. He looks like he’s the type of guy who will own nice cars for the rest of his life, impress everyone he meets (including Gabe and Kara), and will only stay at exclusive resorts on vacations. His confident, cordial look is going to get him places. Still, I have a feeling he's going to be washed up in a few decades. Balding, fat, going through a midlife crisis, thinking he's still at his best.

Hell, that's where we're all going. It's just better to think about his impending doom than mine.

"We're not complicated because we're nothing," Carter tells me, yelling slightly. She moves her arms to emphasize each word. It's pretty damn cute, if you ask me. Still, the words hurt even if I don't believe them.

"Whatever you say, pretty girl," I tell her. I jut my thumb over my shoulder, toward her window. "I just had to drop by my final note."

She blinks on the word final and her mouth opens as if she were going to question it. I was hoping to get this reaction out of her. Once again, she's showing me she's not entirely ready to let me go. She's all talk—when it comes to me really leaving, she falters. She might not be reading these notes, but that doesn't mean that they're not important to her.

I cover my mouth to hide my grin. "After this, I'll go back to the regular ones," I continue.

"What?"

"Oh, yeah, you're not reading them. Well, you see, the last few ones have been part of an anthology—they go together. I'd get to reading them soon, because they're all weathered, and before long, you won't know where the beginning is."

"Anthology?" she repeats.

I can't help but laugh. Sometimes she's on her A-game and the best at dishing shit back, while other times, she's a parrot. "Read ’em to see."

She looks up at her window in a way that has me half-expecting her to parkour her way up there. Then her eyebrows slam down hard and indignance shows up. Most guys wouldn't know how to handle a girl like Carter—who's as stubborn as they come—but I like how she can be challenging. After all these years of knowing her, she keeps me on my toes. That's the type of thing you want to have for the rest of your life—someone who won't let you get away with anything.

"Not going to happen," she tells me.

"Well, that's your decision," I remind her. "They're ready when you want them, just like me."

She narrows her eyes and, yeah, that was probably the wrong thing to say. I haven't exactly been here when she's wanted me. I've mostly been here when I've wanted her. Time for things to change.

Luke clears his throat. Totally forgot he was here. "Maybe it's time for you to leave."

"Maybe," I agree. "I tend to overstay my welcome."

"Yes," Carter says. "All the time."

"In the eye of the beholder," I answer. I bring my hand up to my forehead and salute them both. "Happy reading."