Mark (Next Generation Carter Brother #9)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Mark

I drop down in the seat next to Mum and Dad. The sun is warm on my back, the breeze soft against my flesh. The smell of sea fills the air and it’s almost intoxicating.

Most of our holiday getaways remain in the UK. It’s because not all of us have a flexible schedule or going abroad is not in our budget. All of us live comfortably, some more than most. Madison, Maddox and Trent being the top three. Charlotte and Jacob come in next. Each had an inheritance with enough money for them to not work for the rest of their lives. But we’re Carters. Nothing is ever handed to us. Each of us worked hard to get what we have.

The rest of us were given money to get us started, but owning my own business never appealed to me. I’m much more happier working for Maddox and with my family. I make enough to live beyond my means but it doesn’t mean I do. I’ve been waiting to buy my home, unlike other members of my family who couldn’t wait. I’m much like my dad in that way. He didn’t buy his first home until all my uncles had theirs, and he had someone to build a home with. I want that. I want to wait to take that step with a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

“Are you still sulking?” Mum asks, holding Sunday in her lap.

“Big baby,” Sunday declares, laughing.

My eyes narrow on my brother. “What have you been teaching my niece?”

“I can’t help that she’s picking up everything we say,” he deflects, holding his hands up.

“I’m not sulking. I’m just feeling five-hundred pound lighter,” I tell Mum, giving her a pointed look. I thought with her taking Freya, I wouldn’t need to worry about how much was being spent.

Until I got the receipt that proved my own mother betrayed me.

“Your father warned you someone was going to get hurt. I warned you. Even Sunday said stop. You were lucky it was a suitcase and not a person you barrelled into.”

“Next time do as you’re told,” Dad warns.

And just like that… I feel thirteen again.

“Okay.”

I scan the patio area and spot the money stealing woman up at the bar with an old lady. I snort. She could have come away with her friend, but instead she meets up with someone old enough to be her nan.

When a young couple join them, I watch as her entire posture stiffens and she downs her drink. I can’t peel my eyes away at their interaction. The young woman who has joined them looks a lot like Freya. She gives off an uptight vibe, like she thinks she’s better than the woman in front of her. And the way her hand goes to the man’s chest, it’s almost like she’s claiming him.

The seat next to me fills, and I turn to Hayden, who looks smug as hell. “Checking out your hot neighbour?”

“She’s not hot,” I grumble.

She might be crazy, but there’s no denying she’s a fucking knockout. However, the look in Hayden’s eye tells me she doesn’t need to know that. She’ll try to play matchmaker.

Hayden glances over to see the young couple walking away. “That must be the bitch of a sister.”

“Hayden,” Mum scolds.

“What? She is. You’re telling me you’d be okay if Faith started dating Jaxon?”

I whip my head to Hayden so fast, blood rushes up my neck. “What?”

Hayden purses her lips. “Freya’s sister is getting married to Freya’s ex-boyfriend. On this cruise.”

I whistle. “Shit, that’s messed up.”

“Why would I be dating Jaxon?” Faith asks, leaning over from the other table.

Hayden repeats what she told us, but my attention goes back to my neighbour, who seems just as tense with the new arrivals. She really doesn’t get along with her parents.

Forcing her to watch her ex-boyfriend and sister get married is cruel. And by the looks of it, she only has the woman sitting next to her on her side—if the scowl the old woman sends the parents is anything to go by.

Her behaviour towards me might be questionable, but I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone.

“Come on, Lake. Please.”

“I said no, Max, and if you ask again, I’m going to see if they’ll get me another room,” my aunt growls.

I watch them approach and see the exasperated look on my aunt’s face as Max opens his mouth again. “But I’ve always wanted to do this. It’s like… it’s like my dream.”

“So was the all you can eat buffet in France a few years ago,” she argues.

Max licks his lips, his eyes glazing over for a moment, before he shakes himself out of it. “But we are on a cruise. When will we ever get a chance to do this again?”

“Take one of the kids,” she orders.

“I don’t know what it is but the answer is no,” Hayden rushes out when her dad’s gaze lands on her.

“Sunday? Do you want to come with your favourite… Shit. What am I to her?”

Everyone pauses around the table, all of us thinking about it. “Wouldn’t she be your great niece?” Charlotte asks as she comes to stand beside us with Drew at her side.

“I don’t know but I’ll take it,” Max declares, holding his hands out to Sunday.

She goes willingly. “Max, don’t you dare,” Lake warns.

“It’s not like we’re on the edge, edge,” he argues back.

“Bring my granddaughter back, right now,” Dad warns.

“It will take two minutes,” Max assures him. “Lake, get your phone out.”

“What is he doing?” Mum asks, getting to her feet.

“He wants to re-enact a scene from the Titanic,” she mutters quietly, lowering herself into her seat. “I swear, I should have left him at home.”

I turn as I hear, “I’m king of the world!”

He’s holding Sunday’s arms out, who is standing on the bars in front of him. She’s laughing her head off, screaming, “Yay.”

“Max Carter!” Mum screeches, racing over. “Get her down from there now.”

I turn back around when I notice people are watching the scene play out. My gaze lands on Freya, who is watching on with a smile.

Maybe she isn’t as crazy as she makes out to be.

But when those magnetic lagoon blue eyes land on me, they narrow into slits, and I retract my last thoughts.

She’s definitely crazy.

Batshit crazy.

*** *** ***

We’re set to sail out in the morning, but that doesn’t mean we’re all sat around passing the time. Instead, most of us made our way up to the top deck, where the pool and sun loungers are, for the midnight party. There’s actually a soundproof club on one of the floors below, but for the first night and last night, they have the party on deck.

Lily left with Jaxon and Rose to go settle into their cabin. Lily isn’t good around drunk people, which is why they decided to call it an early night.

I spin Sunday around one more time before lifting her up in my arms. “Sorry, squirt. Your dad is glaring at me because you should be in bed.”

“I want party,” she pouts.

I grin at the attitude. “I promise to take you to the kids one tomorrow.”

“No. Sunday stay.”

I spin her around in my arms once more, but accidentally knock into someone. “Shit!”

“Shit,” Sunday repeats, and I groan.

Aiden is going to kill me.

It took her weeks to stop saying fuck the last time she overheard a stranger say it in the street. If I tell her she can’t say it, she’ll only say it more.

“I’m sorry,” I call out to the person picking themselves up off the floor.

I step back when I see it’s Freya. She dusts off her shorts, narrowing her eyes on me. “Why am I not surprised it was you.”

“It was an accident,” I swear, lifting Sunday further up my chest. “We were partying.”

Like she’s only just noticed Sunday, her gaze goes to her and her smile lights up her entire face. I’ve only ever seen her scowl or grimace, and fuck me I’m thankful for it. She has a gorgeous fucking smile. She smiles with her eyes too.

“Boogie woogie,” Sunday confirms, wiggling her butt.

“Hello, sweetie,” Freya greets, holding out her hand.

Sunday doesn’t take it. Instead, she throws herself at Freya, causing her to drop her cocktail so she can catch her.

“Pweety!” Sunday beams, playing with the locks falling over Freya’s face.

“So are you,” Freya coos before turning to me. “Did you steal this adorable child too?”

“What? No! That’s my niece,” I growl.

“I swear, if you keep stealing my daughter this entire holiday, we are going to have problems,” Aiden growls, and gently takes Sunday from Freya.

Who is arching a brow at me.

“I didn’t steal her. She’s my niece!”

“He stole her. He keeps stealing her,” Aiden grouches.

“No, Daddy. Sunday party,” Sunday whines.

Bailey joins Aiden, signing to Sunday. I have no clue what she’s saying. I just know they are teaching Sunday just in case Bailey ever loses her hearing aid, which has happened a few times. Aiden has gotten pretty good at signing, but for all I know, he could be asking for his favourite food. Faith and Lily are doing good too, but I’m still at the pleasantries of, how are you, thank you, please, or I’m going.

Aiden goes to hand Sunday back to me but turns at the last minute to hand her to Freya. He begins to sign back to her, nodding here and there.

“What’s going on?” I ask. “Has she lost her hearing aid?”

He lowers his hands. “We’re too close to the speakers. She can’t hear over the music. She wanted me to tell you to stop stealing our daughter.”

“What? But…”

“Thank you,” Aiden tells Freya, taking Sunday back. She lowers her head on his shoulder, a massive yawn slipping through her lips as they leave.

Bailey begins to sign, and I feel bad I don’t understand anything she is saying. “I’m sorry, Bailey. I still haven’t gotten any better.”

“She’s asking if you will be joining them for breakfast or if you will be too hung-over,” Freya states.

“You know sign language?” I ask.

Her lips twitch. “Of course. I teach a boy with a hearing impairment.”

“Tell her yes, I’ll be there,” I plead.

She signs back, and Bailey continues to sign too. They keep going for a good five minutes, laughing and ignoring my existence. I’m about to intervene, when Aiden comes back. He snags Bailey around the waist, whisking her away.

“What did she say? Because that seemed like a long conversation.”

“Just that she will see you at breakfast,” she replies.

“You are lying,” I accuse.

Her lips twitch. “If she wanted you to know, she would have spoken,” she teases.

“Did she say that to you?”

“Guess you’ll have to ask her tomorrow,” she taunts.

“And what Aiden said she told him, was he telling the truth?”

She laughs outright. “No! But again, you’ll have to ask them tomorrow.”

“Oh, I will,” I assure her.

Chanting begins from the crowd, and we both turn to see the old woman Freya was with earlier being lifted up by a group of men. One of them being my uncle Max.

“Oh God!” Freya moans.

“Is that your nan?”

“Yes.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “She reminds me of my great nan. She was the life of the party too.”

She must detect the sadness in my tone because she turns back to me. “What happened to her?”

“She and my great-granddad went to sleep and neither of them woke up,” I answer honestly.

“I’m sorry. I can only imagine how much that must have hurt. My nanna is my world. I’ve been telling her to slow down for years now.”

Her words bring a sad smile to my lips. “She spent her childhood studying behind a desk. She was told when she could eat and had to ask to go to the toilet. Then she probably spent years working a nine to five job to make a living. Plus being married and responsible for children. And grandchildren . Now she’s living for herself, so let her. What is retirement for if not to live life like you couldn’t in your younger years.”

Her lips part like she hadn’t expected that to come from me. “Have you already met my nanna because that’s exactly what she would say. Not in those words but the same meaning.”

I shrug. “I told you, my great nan was just like her. We had to pick her up from the police station once because she and her friend mistook a policeman for a stripper.”

She splutters out a laugh. “She would have loved my nanna then. The last time I had to pick her up from the police station, it was because she was going too fast in her convertible.”

“I hope I live life like they have when I’m old and wrinkly,” I admit, and I don’t know why I do. The words just blurt out of me.

“Same. Although being surrounded by grandchildren, books and a few cats wouldn’t hurt either.”

“Is she bothering you?” I hear someone ask. I had been so transfixed on Freya, I didn’t notice we have company.

I’m assuming this is her sister.

Any other person and I would have made a dramatic statement about Freya trying to get me into bed. But it’s not anyone else. It’s her sister, and if what Hayden told us is true, not a very good one.

“No. Me and Freya go way back. I was just saying how nice it is to see her.” And to prove it, I place my arm around her shoulders. She doesn’t shove me off but she does tense.

“I thought you were calling it a night, Esther,” Freya muses.

Esther flicks her hair over her shoulder. “We were, but when Mum said you were going to the sailaway party, I thought Danny and I could join you,” she admits, smiling coyly around her straw. “We just wanted to test out the new bed first, otherwise we would have joined you sooner.”

I hold a hand over my stomach. “Oh God, I think I’m going to be sick!”

My threat causes Esther to take a step back.

“It must be all the alcohol,” Freya teases, rubbing my back and playing along.

“No. It was definitely from the images she just planted in my head.”

Freya’s lips twitch as she helps me straighten.

“Excuse you?” Esther snaps. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough to know you screwed your sister over and still sleep at night,” I deadpan. “Come on, Freya. I think Nanna needs another drink.”

I take her hand, ignoring how soft and warm it is linked through mine. As we reach the spot where her nanna is getting a lap dance, I let go of her hand.

“That was awesome but I’m not thanking you,” she declares sharply.

I grin at how cute she looks when she’s mad. “Never asked you to. I guess by your response, it’s true what Hayden told us before dinner.”

“If you mean is my ex-boyfriend marrying my sister, then yes. It’s all true.”

“Why are you here then?”

“Because I’m a glutton for punishment?”

My lips twitch, despite who I am talking to. I should walk away. She’s caused me nothing but grief since the day I met her. Yet my feet stay firmly in place. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s it.”

“Woah, woah, woah,” echoes from the crowd. We turn to see Nanna tumble from her chair.

“Shit,” Freya hisses, racing over to help her.

I reach them as Freya is helping her up. “This is the best cruise ever.”

“Nanna, you are embarrassing me,” a shrill voice cries. “Get up before you cause more of a scene.”

All three of us on the ground turn to the woman in question.

“Only one person here is an embarrassment and it’s not these two,” their nanna slurs.

“All right, Nanna. It’s time to get you to bed.”

She places her cold, wrinkly hand on my cheek as I help her to her feet. “Is this handsome young man going to take me to bed?”

“Nanna,” Freya warns.

“How about I just help you to your cabin?” I ask, grinning wide.

“Such a handsome fellow.”

Finally on her feet, both Freya and I hook a shoulder under each of Nanna’s arms. But at our first step, we are blocked by the insufferable sister and the guy I noticed she was with earlier.

“I think we should take Nanna to bed,” she declares.

“No. She’ll suffocate me with a pillow,” Nanna argues.

“We’ve got it. Enjoy the rest of the party,” Freya tells them, smiling tightly.

The man’s eyebrows pinch together. “We only came up because—”

“Because we wanted to spend time together,” Esther finishes loudly.

Freya’s gaze goes from the guy to her sister. “That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll get to spend time together at some point.”

I force out a laugh. “She just doesn’t want to tell you we were already planning to go to bed.”

“You two are an item?” the guy asks, and I’m not sure he’s happy about that.

“We’re…” Freya begins but doesn’t continue.

“We’re cruise room neighbours too,” I reply.

“Yeah, that,” Freya mutters.

“Is someone going to take me to bed or what?” Nanna demands.

“Yes,” Freya answers, before turning to her sister. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”

“Your sister is a treat,” I mutter as we leave the deck.

“You didn’t have to insinuate what you did. If you think I’m sleeping with you, you are utterly mistaken.”

“I would rather swim with sharks,” I fire back.

“Good!”

“And don’t think this makes us friends.”

“Never even entered my mind,” she growls.

“The sexual tension between you two is affecting my sciatica,” Nanna grumbles.

My lips twitch as I secure her more closely. In another life, she could be my nan’s twin. The resemblance between the two is rather uncanny.

But I can’t help but wonder if she is picking up sexual tension. Not on my part, but Freya’s. She wouldn’t be the first girl to pretend she isn’t obsessed with me.

I eye her more closely, thinking maybe it will be best to keep my distance after all.

It’s not like a restraining order will work when she’s living right next door.

Yeah, I will definitely be keeping my distance .

Right after we get Nanna to bed.