Mark (Next Generation Carter Brother #9)

CHAPTER SIX

Freya

Lying on my bed an hour later, I take in the box-sized cabin with a heavy sigh. Mum, Dad and the rest of the wedding party all have suites a few floors above and closer to the front of the ship. Mum and Dad gave me a map of the floor plan and helpfully circled what cabins they were in just in case I needed them. On my way to my cabin, I searched the suite number on the cruise website and found Mum and Dad have a double bed instead of two singles pushed together like mine. They have a seating area and a balcony with decking chairs that look out onto the sea. Plus, a complimentary mini bar in the corner of their cabin. As luxurious as this cabin still is to me, I can’t help but feel like I’m in the early 1900s and I’m in the servants’ quarter. I don’t like that there isn’t a window, but since I’m not paying, I can’t really complain. It has everything else I need: a shower, toilet, dressing table, wardrobe, and a television with a fridge and safe underneath. I just have an awful feeling this was done purposely to keep me secluded from the rest of the wedding party.

We aren’t leaving for sea until tomorrow morning, so I pull out my phone and dial the one person I know I can count on. I won’t be able to talk to her whilst we are at sea since it would cost me a fortune.

She answers after the fourth ring. “How attached to this cat are you?” she greets.

“He’s my baby,” I reply, smiling wide. “Why?”

This is why I need her in my life. She grounds me. Keeps me humble. And never fails to make me smile.

“He won’t leave me alone,” she huffs out. “How is the family?”

“I’ve only seen Mum and Dad and it didn’t particularly go well,” I admit, and grab a pillow to clutch it to my chest. “What you should have asked was: how did the flight go?”

I hear amusement in her voice when she replies, “How did the flight go, bestie?”

I let out a dramatic sigh. “I am so glad you asked, bestie. It was crazy fucking long, but that wasn’t the worst of it.”

“Okay, as fun as this is, I don’t understand,” she admits, her tone serious. “Did you hit turbulence or something?”

I laugh. “I wish that was all it was. But guess who I had to sit down next to for eight hours straight.”

“No way. The creepy cousin? What’s his name…” she ponders, clicking her fingers.

“No, Mike wasn’t next to me. Think closer to home. Think of the person who likes to take things that aren’t his.”

I hear movement over the phone. “No fucking way! The hot neighbour?”

“He isn’t hot,” I grumble.

He’s totally hot.

But not even if I was dying would I admit it to her.

“Tell me everything,” she demands. “Does he smell better up close?”

“I will put this phone down,” I warn.

“Okay. Okay. What did the insufferable, hot guy do?”

I sniff. “Let’s just say, I’m going to be sending him the bill because I’m going to need therapy. And lots of it.”

“Therapy?” she asks dryly, like she was expecting me to say something else.

“Not only is he afraid of flying, but he talks when he’s nervous. And I mean talks .”

“You could have just had a drink and tuned him out,” she muses, and I hear her holding back laughter. “You did take your headphones, right?”

“Oh, I tried to drink. I planned to get sloshed, but the prick downed every drink before it even reached my hand. I thought hey, I can just get him blind drunk so—”

“So you could join the mile high club?” she asks, and I swear she sounds almost hopeful. “Please tell me you joined the mile high club.”

“I would rather jump out of the plane. With no parachute.”

“You are no fun,” she mutters. “But at least you have twelve days away from him.”

I snort. “I wish my luck was that good, but the fucker is on the same cruise as me.”

“Holy fucking crap. I’m missing all the fun.”

“He broke my suitcase.” I pout. “All of my clothes are now lying at the bottom of the ocean.”

“Oh no! Please tell me the swimming costume is still in there because it makes your boobs look good.”

I laugh. “Yes. Everything in the zip compartment is intact.”

“I wish I could be there with you.”

“Me too,” I agree. “Esther always gets her own way.”

“She knew it would piss you off more if I wasn’t there. I don’t know why you still speak to her. And I swear, if you say she’s your sister, I will kick you in the fanny.”

I chuckle at her threat because as funny as it is to hear her say fanny, I know she’s serious. “I’m beginning to wonder the same, if I’m honest.”

“Fuck her. She did you a favour anyway.”

“Yeah, she really did,” I reply. “There’s actually someone else here that might surprise you.”

“If you tell me my ex is on board, please be the best friend I know you are and push him overboard.”

I roll my eyes because she should know by now she wouldn’t need to ask me to do that. I’d happily do it. “No. Jaxon Hayes is here too. He’s married to Mark’s sister, Lily.”

“Wait, Lily Carter?”

“Yeah, do you know her?”

“Not personally. She taught Ezra’s class a few years ago,” she explains. Ezra is her older sister’s son. Cute as a button and so shy. “I’m pretty sure she’s related to the crazy one. Max, I think they call him. He taught Cody’s football team.”

Thinking of her brother, I remember… “I thought Cody quit football.”

“Yeah, because his coach was crazy. His words, not mine,” she tells me. “Wait, does that mean Mark is a Carter?”

“Yeah.”

“Holy crap,” she splutters before laughing hard.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because you are so fucked,” she declares. “Their family is legendary.”

I narrow my eyes. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours. Always yours,” she states, amusement in her voice.

“What are the chances of a Hayes being on here though? I thought they never left their farm.”

“Have you seen your sister yet?”

“You don’t want to talk about it. Noted. But I thought we were best friends. We’re supposed to tell each other everything.”

“We do. And I will. One day. But right now, we hate him.”

“Okay, good enough for me,” I assure her. “What have you been up to?”

“I’ve been speaking to Malia. My cousins have inherited their grandparents’ land and are planning to move into the property. They are hoping to use the surrounding land to build a glamping site since none of them know how to farm. And guess what, it’s in Coldenshire. They are moving back.”

Malia is one of six siblings, all of who are crazy as hell. All six were raised to be tough. They had no choice given that their parents weren’t exactly upstanding citizens, and they had enemies. Their parents died tragically six months ago in a car accident. Summer has been trying since then to get them to move back to Coldenshire.

“No way,” I gush. “I bet you are over the moon.”

“I am. I’ve missed them,” she replies, her voice filled with glee. “Malia wants us to move in with them. The house has eight bedrooms, but I’ve told her we like where we are.”

I smirk. “The house needs fixing up, doesn’t it, which is why you said no.”

She laughs. “Fuck yes. It’s not as bad as this place was, but with their inheritance, they’ll have enough to get people in to do it. Plus enough to cover the adjustments they need to make to the land.”

“Is it not weird that both their grandparents and parents died within months of each other?”

“Maybe if they were murdered, but their parents died in a car accident and their grandparents didn’t get their gas leak fixed,” she replies, like those two things are normal occurrences. “Which reminds me, I’m supposed to be meeting them soon.”

I glance at my watch. “I’d better go too. I promised Mum and Dad I would meet them all on deck for drinks before dinner.”

“Alright. When will you be able to call me next?”

“We’re at sea all day tomorrow, but once we get to the next island, I’ll Facetime you. It’s cheaper.”

“All right. I have transferred you some money to get the WIFI pass they have on board. Mum and Dad contributed so you might be able to get four days’ worth. So I would hold off buying it until mid-week.”

“Babe, you didn’t need to do that.”

“How else can I keep in touch with my favourite person?”

“Very true. Thank you. I was planning to steal Esther’s phone and run her bill up so this option is much safer,” I tease. “Tell Jill and Dean I said thank you too.”

“Will do. And don’t go braiding that hair of yours either.”

It’s scary how well she knows me because that is exactly what I had planned to do. “It’s a mess from the humidity.”

“Noo,” she strings out. “It will look sun-kissed, with a beach wave look. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when you take time to get the curls perfect, but when they drop and get that natural look to them, you are a knockout. Embrace the waves.”

I actually prefer leaving them, even if they do become almost staticky. I don’t like taming the curls. It takes way too much effort. But they do look neater, which is what I need for work. Always be presentable, Freya . That’s what my mum always said, and it stuck with me, so I always keep them perfect when I leave the house.

“All right. All right.”

“Go, and try to have some fun. Maybe with the hot neighbour.”

“Goodbye, Summer.”

I end the call on her laughter, and groan.

Twelve days. I just hope I can avoid him as much as possible.

*** *** ***

After freshening up and changing into some beige linen shorts and a white crop top, I glance in the long-length mirror behind the door.

Whilst I didn’t braid my hair, I did clip it back, leaving a few wayward strands to fall down, framing my face.

I grab my red lipstick that has lip balm in to quickly finish off my makeup before picking up my small clutch bag.

I open the door at the same time the occupier of the cabin opposite opens theirs. I feel the blood drain from my face when I see who is standing there.

He hasn’t seen it’s me yet, but that doesn’t stop his eyes from running up my body. A smirk lifts his lips as he gets to my waist.

Before he can ogle my tits in this top, I growl, “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

His eyes are wide as saucers as his head snaps up. “No.”

His cousin Liam peeks over his shoulder, and a whistle echoes in the air. “Nice.”

“Move cabins,” Mark demands.

I place my hand on my hip, arching a brow. “You move rooms.”

“I said it first,” he splutters out.

“Are you twelve?”

He growls low in his throat. “I’m going to get a pint.”

When he walks off, I pull out my map, determined to get away from him too. I follow the directions that will lead me to the top deck, and realise we are going the same way.

Fuck.

When we reach the lifts, I don’t follow them on. Instead, I move to the next one a little further down. A few minutes later, I’m making my way up to the top deck, where an outdoor bar and patio area is located.

I spot my nanna first and make my way over to where she’s ogling the hot bartender.

“Nanna,” I greet, sliding onto the seat next to her.

She spins at my voice, her entire smile widening as she places her cold hand on my cheek. “There’s my favourite grandchild.”

She isn’t lying either.

Surprisingly, she’s my dad’s mum. She’s a free spirit, even when my granddad was alive. She’s also not my mum’s biggest supporter but she does love her. Same with Esther.

My other nan is strict on tough love. She doesn’t do hugs or heart-to-hearts. She’s blunt and expects the best from everyone. My mum can never do good in her eyes. Not even me or Esther.

“Already picking your next toy boy out?” I tease.

She leans into me. “Always.”

“What happened with Toby?” I ask, mentioning her last boyfriend, who was twenty years younger than her.

“You should know me by now. There’s only one man who could tie me down and he’s gone.”

I lean in and hug her because I’ve missed her crazy arse. She doesn’t live close but I do get to see her every two weeks. And it’s not because of my schedule. It’s hers. If she isn’t away living her best life, she’s shacking up with some new guy. She’s seventy-two and she should be taking it easy. Yet it’s like she was gifted youth because she doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. “It’s so good to see you. No one told me you were coming.”

“Why would they?” she asks, pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head. “I wasn’t planning on coming.”

“You weren’t?”

“Good Lord, no. Your mother and father should have talked Esther out of this wedding long before this. How on earth she could do this to her own flesh and blood makes my skin crawl. But that Danny… he’ll be lucky if I don’t accidentally take a stumble into him and knock him overboard. He doesn’t deserve someone like you, but it still bothers me he chose Esther over you.”

“I see it as she’s done me a favour,” I half lie. I don’t want him back. I’m not even hurt he chose her over me. Because Nanna is right. Anyone who needs to choose, doesn’t deserve me. In my eyes, Esther is welcome to him and he’s welcome to her.

“Too kind for your own good,” she tells me, and clicks her fingers to grab the attention of the barman. “Get this one a strong sex on the beach and put it on my tab.”

“Nanna, it’s all-inclusive.”

She waves me off. “It’s the thought that counts.”

“Alone for an hour and you’re making friends already,” a voice I recognise declares.

I grin at the newcomer. “Hayden, this is my nanna, Maya,” I greet. “You enjoying the cruise?”

“I will enjoy it more with a few cocktails in me,” she replies, as her guy comes to stand next to her.

“Well hello, fresh meat,” Nanna greets, tugging down her shirt to show some cleavage.

“Nanna, he’s spoken for,” I groan.

“Me?”

Hayden pats his chest. “Babe, you have a lot to learn,” she mutters. “We’ll see you later.”

“Don’t go on my—”

“Nanna, let them go,” I grumble, reaching for the drink the bartender left on the bar.

Nanna suddenly sits up, her expression going blank. “Prepare yourself. The devil child is approaching with its sidekick.”

I gulp down my drink so fast and turn into my nanna when I click my fingers, signalling to the barman to pour another. I have seconds before Esther is next to us, her arm linked through Danny’s. She has on a mid-length white summer dress, the bodice shaped like a corset. Her hair has been put up into a high ponytail, and I flinch at how tight it is. Danny is in a cotton white shirt with white cotton shorts, and I inwardly snort at how ridiculous they look standing next to each other. It reminds me of the time they did a couple costume for Halloween. Esther was Harley Quinn and Danny was the Joker. Fitting for both of them.

“You made it,” she greets, her voice filled with happiness, but I know it’s all for show.

When she leans into hug me, I awkwardly hug her back. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

She pulls back, leaning into Danny and putting her hand over his chest. Danny scans me up and down. “I’m glad you came, Frey.”

He’s acting like we are long distant friends instead of ex-lovers. I force a smile, knowing if I don’t, they’ll only run back to Mummy and Daddy and tell them I’m not being nice.

My sister practically glues herself to him as she looks up at him, then at me. “Yeah, we both are. We couldn’t get married without you. You are a big part of our lives.”

“Because she was fucking him for three years and grew up with you?” Nanna asks.

Esther doesn’t even pay her any attention. “When Mum and Dad said you were still having issues about us, I did worry,” she replies sweetly, then reaches over to place her hand over mine. “But you still came, and it means a lot.”

“Oh God, get me another drink,” Nanna booms. “Make it a triple.”

“Nanna, you should take it easy,” Esther scolds.

“I’ll take it easy when I’m six feet under,” Nanna mutters.

“Well, we should go make the rounds and greet the rest of our guests,” Esther announces.

I force another smile. “Enjoy yourself.”

My relief when they leave is short-lived when Mum and Dad head over to me. “Have you sorted your attitude out?” Mum asks.

“I did until just now,” I grumble.

“We just want to make sure everyone is happy,” Dad explains.

“No, you mean you want to keep Esther happy,” Nanna interrupts.

“Mum, don’t escalate this by getting involved,” Mum warns. She’s always called Nanna mum. Has for as long as I can remember. As a child, it was confusing because Dad never returned the sentiment to Mum’s parents. He called them by their names. “We want them both to be happy.”

“If you say so,” Nanna mutters.

“I’m here. I’m happy. So everyone else should be happy,” I cry. “I didn’t leave my cat to spend twelve days being nagged at.”

“Cheers to that,” Nanna hoots.

“Mother, you really should slow down,” Dad pleads.

“I will when I’m—”

“Six feet under, we know,” Dad mutters, shaking his head. “Just be on your best behaviour.”

“Actually, whilst you are here, is there a reason I’m so far away from you all?” I ask. I shouldn’t bring attention to the fact it’s bothering me, but I’m a glutton for punishment.

Dad shifts awkwardly and glances at Mum to answer. She clears her throat. “Well, um, we had to switch your cabin. Esther thought it would be better for Mike to have it since Danny will be bunking with him the night before the wedding.”

I laugh. “Of course she did.”

“But it’s okay. You will be getting ready with us on the big day.”

“I can get dressed in my own room.”

“But we have the bridesmaid dresses,” Mum replies.

“What?” I ask, my jaw dropping. “I haven’t tried on a bridesmaid dress.”

“Esther wanted it to be a surprise.”

“And she didn’t think to check if it fit? She didn’t even ask me to be a bridesmaid.”

“Of course you are. Why would she need to ask?” Mum scolds.

“Most brides do,” I point out.

“Well, you are. We have hired the makeup artist on board for the morning too, but I think we should have maybe got a hair stylist for you.”

“I can do my own hair,” I growl.

“We have two days before we need to decide anything,” Dad rushes out. “Oh look, Uncle Bob is waving us over. See you at dinner, Freya.”

When they leave, I turn in my seat and down the next drink before holding the empty glass up for another.

“You do know that dress is going to be ugly as fuck,” Nanna declares.

“Oh, I know,” I admit, sighing with relief when the next drink is placed in front of me.

“Burn it,” Nanna demands. “We can sneak in and get it tonight.”

“Why don’t we just get through dinner?”

“I thought you were the fun one,” she mutters.

“Wait until I’m on drink seven,” I warn.

“This is going to be fun.”

She isn’t wrong. I have no filter when I’m drunk, and I love to dance.

Twelve days.

I’ll do anything to get through it, including staying drunk the entire time.

Maybe .