Page 21

Carson

The air was crisp and cold, biting at my skin, but not enough to freeze me. It was the perfect kind of day for the family's tradition. The lake had frozen just enough for us to skate on it, its surface smooth and untouched, except for the occasional squirrel darting along the banks.

I smiled at Becca, her husband Charles, as we all laced up our skates. The moment I stepped onto the ice, I felt a sense of belonging. There was something magical about it—the world seemed quieter, calmer, as if the ice was a secret only we knew. The cold made everything feel new, like I was shedding the weight of the world with every glide.

Eve, however, had no such grace. As soon as her skate touched the ice, she wobbled, her arms flailing wildly in an attempt to stay upright, but there was no real success.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "You alright there, angel?"

She shot me a look, her cheeks turning pink. "I hate ice skating," she muttered, clearly embarrassed.

I laughed softly "Your brother was the top draft pick and you don't know how to skate?!"

I grinned, holding out my hand. "Come on, I'll help you."

She eyed me warily, but after a moment, she took my hand. "If I fall, you're buying me new pants."

"You won't fall. I've got you," I reassured her, gently guiding her onto the ice, our hands clasped firmly together as I helped her find her balance.

Slowly, she started to gain confidence. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"You're doing great," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Just trust me, and we'll get through it."

Eve's laugh, warm and genuine, filled the space between us, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away. It was just her and me, gliding on the ice, sharing this simple, beautiful moment. The winter sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the lake, and I was content.

At one point, she stumbled, but I caught her before she hit the ice. "Careful there," I said softly, pulling her back up.

"I swear, I can't do this," she groaned, but there was a sparkle in her eye, the kind that made my chest tighten.

"Hey, you're doing fine. Just think of it like dancing," I said, my voice low. "It's all about feeling the rhythm. You've got this."

Eve smiled, her lips curving up at the corners. "You're sweet," she said, her voice teasing but warm.

I smiled back, pulling her in close for a brief moment, letting her lean against me while we stood still on the ice. "I'll always be here for you," I whispered.

When we finally headed back inside, my chest felt warm, despite the cold air. The house smelled like Thanksgiving — turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing. It smelled like my childhood, I flickered a glance at eve, her hands were tightly tangled together as she looked around the room nervously.

Immediately, I took her hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Come on, baby," I said softly, leading us toward the large dining table in the center of the room. I made sure to avoid any of my mom's delicate decorations as we walked. The sounds of laughter, the clinking of cutlery, filled the room as everyone settled into the meal, but I couldn't shake the unease in the air. Every time I glanced at Eve, her smile seemed a little too forced.

"So, Carson, have you heard from Lola lately?" My mum asked, her tone almost too sweet. "I'm sure she's missing you."

Eve's smile faltered just slightly, and I could see the discomfort on her face. My mum's gaze turned to me, and I knew exactly where this was headed.

I clenched my fists under the table, trying to keep my cool. "Lola's fine, Mom." Suddenly, eves warm hand covered mine, squeezing lightly. Turning my head to look at her, she smiled letting me know it was fine.

"Well, it's a good thing you two are just friends. You and Lola have always been... well, suited for each other," she said, her voice slightly dismissive as she glanced at Eve.

Eve's hand on her glass of water tightened. Her jaw clenched, and for a second, I thought she might stand up and walk away, but she didn't.

I could feel her tension radiating next to me, her body stiffening. "Excuse me," she said after a beat, her voice strained but polite. "I'm going to help with the dishes."

My heart sank as I watched her walk away. I had wanted to protect her from all of this, but I knew deep down, my mom's words were going to hurt her, no matter what.

My heart sank as I watched her walk away. I had wanted to protect her from all of this, but I knew deep down, my mom's words were going to hurt her, no matter what.

I quickly excused myself from the table and followed Eve into the kitchen.

"Eve," I said softly, walking up behind her as she stood by the sink, her back turned to me. "You alright?"

"I'll survive," she muttered, not turning around. Her voice was tight, but she wasn't crying, which I was grateful for.

She quickly began to wash the dishes, and I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. I hated that my mom had said that, hated that she had pushed that conversation when she knew full well I didn't want to go down that road.

Eve sighed heavily, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me, Carson."

I didn't believe her, but I didn't press the issue. Instead, I walked over to her, gently placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Eve, you don't have to deal with this alone. I'm here, okay?" I said softly.

Her eyes flickered to mine, her lips pressing together in a thin line. "I don't know if I'm enough for you, Carson. I don't know if I can handle all this pressure from your family."

"Don't say that," I whispered, pulling her closer. "You're more than enough for me. Don't ever think you're not."

Just then, my mom entered the kitchen, her face tight with something I couldn't quite place. "Carson," she said, her voice cold. "Could I speak to Eve for a moment, alone?"

I glanced at Eve, whose face had paled, but she nodded, stepping away from me.

"Mum-"

"Of course," she said quietly, not sparing me a glance before she followed my mom outside.

I stood there, watching them through the kitchen window, my stomach twisting with unease. I wanted to run out there, to stop this before it could go any further, but I knew I couldn't.

The conversation was short, but I could see from the way triumph smile on my mothers face as she walked back inside that it wasn't a pleasant one.

I followed her outside to the garden, my feet crunching on the gravel as I walked up to her. She was sitting on a bench, staring at the ground, and her shoulders were shaking slightly.

I sat next to her, pulling her into my arms. "Eve," I said softly, "You're everything to me. Don't ever let anyone make you feel like you're not enough. Especially not my mom."

She sniffled, wiping her eyes quickly. "But she doesn't think I'm good enough for you. And what if she's right, Carson?"

I cupped her face, lifting her chin so she would look at me. "She's wrong. You're everything I've ever wanted. Don't let anyone, especially my mom, tell you otherwise."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and my heart shattered. "I don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me," I whispered, pressing my lips to hers gently.

When we pulled away, I looked into her eyes, my voice steady and firm. "Eve, I need us to be official. Be mine, Baby?"

She blinked, her eyes wide with surprise, but then the smallest smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Of course."

And with that, everything fell into place. My heart, my soul, my body. I didn't feel like I was walking on a tight rope, I didn't feel like at any moment I could lose her. I felt sane.

he moment I kissed Eve and promised her she was enough, a part of me thought things might settle. But the moment I saw her sitting there in the garden, tears falling from her eyes, I knew things were far from over. My mom had done this to her. She had made Eve question herself—made her feel like she wasn't good enough for me. That was something I couldn't stand. I was done letting her control her life.

I stood there, holding her close, but inside, my blood was boiling. My mom had crossed a line. How dare she make Eve feel inferior? How dare she tear down someone who meant more to me than anything in this world?

The anger in me surged again, uncontrollable, sharp. I stood up abruptly, my hands clenched into fists. "I'll be back," I said to Eve, my voice a little more forceful than I intended.

She looked up at me, panic flickering in her eyes. "Carson, don't. Please, just... don't go. This won't help."

I shook my head, my jaw tight. "I'm not letting her get away with this."

I stormed back into the house, my heart pounding in my chest. The door slammed behind me, and I didn't even care. I needed to confront my mom, to make her understand that she had no right to treat Eve like that.

I found her in the living room, chatting casually with Becca and Charles. They both stopped talking when I walked in, sensing the storm brewing.

"Mum," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "We need to talk."

Her eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and annoyance, but she didn't back down. "What is it now, Carson?"

"Why the hell would you say that to Eve? Why would you make her feel like she's not enough?" I felt my chest tighten as I spoke. I was furious, my hands shaking with the force of the emotions bubbling inside me.

"What are you talking about?" she said, her tone dismissive. "I was just telling her the truth. You and Lola... you two were always meant to be together. And Eve... she's not the one for you."

My eyes went wide in disbelief. "Are you serious?" I took a step toward her, my fists clenched. "How can you say that? You don't know anything about her! You don't get to judge who I'm with, especially not like that."

"Carson, you're being irrational," my mom snapped, finally standing up. "I'm just looking out for you. I know what's best for you. Lola has always been your best match."

"That's bullshit!" I yelled, my voice growing louder. "You don't get to decide who's right for me! That's not your choice, Mom. It's mine!"

At that, Becca and dad stepped in, trying to intervene. "Hey, hey, let's just calm down," Becca said, her voice gentle but firm as she placed a hand on my arm. "This isn't the time for a big argument. We're supposed to be celebrating."

But I couldn't calm down. Not when my mum had crossed this line. She could come at me with anything and I would take it, but no fucking way was I letting anyone talk to Eve like that.

"Get out of the way, Becca," I growled, pushing past her. I was beyond angry now, and I couldn't hold it in any longer.

My mom's face twisted in annoyance, her lips curling into a sneer. "You're being childish, Carson. I just want what's best for you. You'll realize that one day."

"No," I shouted, shaking my head in disbelief. "You're the one who's being childish. You're trying to control me, trying to force me into something I don't want. And I'm done with it."

"You don't know what you're talking about," she spat back, her face red with anger. "Lola is your future, Carson. Eve will just—"

Before she could finish, I was done. I was done listening to her. "I don't want Lola! I don't want any of this! I want Eve, and I'm not going to let you tear me apart from the one good thing in my life."

"Carson-"

"No Dad! I have compiled to every single one of her fucking demands without muttering a single word, but im done walking around like her fucking puppy!"

The room fell silent. Becca looked at me, her eyes wide with shock, while her husband just stood there, speechless. But I couldn't stop. I couldn't hold back any longer.

"You don't get to decide who I'm with. You don't get to control my life," I said, my voice shaking with frustration. "I'm done. I'm done with you trying to make me live up to some image of what you think I should be."

"Do you even know the tabloids about her family?! It would ruin your image!"

"No mum, what you mean is it would ruin yours."

Mom's eyes flashed with rage. "Fine. If you want to ruin your life over her, then go ahead. But don't expect me to be here when it all falls apart."

"Fuck you," I said, my voice thick with anger. "I'm done. You're not going to keep ruining everything."

I turned to leave, but my mom's voice followed me. "You'll regret this, Carson."

With one last thing to say I turned on my heel facing my gawking family members. "Don't you ever fucking talk about Eve again. I don't care if you're my mother."

I didn't care. I couldn't care anymore. I stormed out of the room, heading straight for the door.

Becca and my dad tried to stop me, but it was useless. I was beyond reasoning. I needed to get out of there. I needed to find Eve.

When I finally got outside, I didn't look back. Eve was sitting on the bench where I'd left her, her face still pale, though she was trying to hide it.

She stood up when she saw me, her eyes searching my face. "Carson..."

I could see the worry in her eyes, but all I felt was relief that she was there. She was the only one that mattered.

"Let's go," I said, my voice quiet but firm.

"Go where?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"We're leaving," I said, the finality in my words clear. "I'm not going to stay here with my family. Not after what just happened."

Eve's eyes widened with surprise. "Carson, don't do this. You don't have to leave your family."

I shook my head, walking toward her. "No. I'm not going to stand here and let her make you feel like you're not enough. You're everything to me, Eve. Don't you get it?"

Her eyes softened, but the concern was still there. "You don't have to cut ties with them over me."

"I'm not cutting ties with them. I'm just standing up for you," I said, my voice low. "I won't let my mom tear us apart."

We stood there, the cold air swirling around us, the tension still thick. But I wasn't going to let this go. Eve was more important than anything.

"I'm not going to let you go, Eve. I'm not going to let her or anyone else come between us," I whispered.

"Especially now that you're my girlfriend." I said, my voice teasing trying to break the endless tension in the air.

She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to touch mine. "Well, I guess I should listen to you, boyfriend."

Not wasting another second, I pulled Eve towards me by her waist, my mouth instantly finding hers in a deep passionate kiss. My mouth latched on to hers as her fingers tugged on my hair, sliding my hands down I rested them on her ass tugging her closer.

I wanted this to continue forever, I wanted to kiss her forever but I knew the rage in my throat would only go away once I was far away from my mother.

"Let's go, baby." I said, putting my hand out for her to grab.

"Anywhere, I'll go anywhere you want Carson Blake." She whispered, bringing my hand up to her mouth as she caressed it in a kiss.

And I knew.

I was dangerously in love with Eve Beckett.