“Everything.” He said simply, his caramel brown eyes twinkling with something achingly beautiful—something that I was never going to have.
“Ah, well, that would be a lot.” I traced the rim of my shot glass and swallowed thickly. “Where to even begin?”
“Start at the beginning and we’ll go from there.” He shifted his head, trying to catch my gaze. “I want to know the things nobody else knows, the things I know you’re shouldering all on your own.”
“I mean, there’s not much to tell.” I shrugged.
“Liar.” He teased, though there was genuine concern swirling in his expression.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. What do you want to know?”
“Boyfriend?”
I scoffed. “Really? That’s your burning question?”
His jaw fanned. “Someone from Briar Rose?”
I blushed and suppressed a small smile. “No boyfriend.”Because only douchebags and assholes seemed to be interested in a romantic relationship with me.
“Hmmm.” He murmured in approval. “How’s your painting coming along?”
“Fine, I guess.” I shrugged.It was a heaping pile of crap.
“You have any pictures of your work? I’d love to see it.”
“My phone’s in the theater.” It was in my back pocket, but I’d never shown my family or friends my work, and I was not about to start with Carter. The bona fide art investor. Hell to the naw.
“Fine.” He drawled mischievously. “Then tell me a secret, something nobody else knows.”
I stared at him, wondering how so much time had passed so quickly. “Carter… you already know something no one else knows.” I admitted quietly.
He inhaled a sharp breath. “You never talked to Sloane or Jules?”
“No.” I fiddled with a berry on the decorative garland.
“Your mom?”
I shook my head, and when I finally glanced at him, his expression was so incredibly concerned. I forced a smile, hating that Carter had been the one to find me that night. The one who knew even a sliver of my dirty little secret. I rolled my eyes, with a small smile. “I still can’t believe you thought I murdered Tag.”
Carter chuckled lowly to himself and nodded, something sharp flashing through his expression. “So that’s who you were with.” My pulse spiked, but Carter didn’t miss a beat. “I could have killed him for even looking your way, let alone whatever happened between the two of you that night.” He didn’t press,but I knew he was asking me to finally explain. I didn’t. The fact that I’d just admitted I was with Tag was damning enough. Taggart Caldwell had a reputation, and Carter certainly knew about it. It was complicated, but I was ashamed all the same. Carter’s jaw fanned as something lethal flashed through his expression, and he dropped his gaze, practically drilling through the countertop with his quiet simmering rage. “Still could kill him.” He considered.
I realized in that moment that I believed him. “Have you ever killed someone?” The question was out before I could think better.
“No.” He responded all too quickly and then, after a moment, he looked dead into my eyes and took the shot. I swallowed hard as he quietly poured himself another, immediately downing that one too.
I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “Carter, I have no idea why I asked you that.” Hot, I felt so incredibly hot. “I shouldn’t have asked you that. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He murmured. “You’re always allowed to ask me anything.”
I nodded, at a complete loss for words.
When I looked up, he was watching me carefully, and I couldn’t stand the pity in his eyes. Not for himself.For me.
The only thing worse than having his pity for my shit luck in the relationship department was the fact that I’d do anything to meet someone exactly like Carter. Someone kind, funny, driven, passionate, someone who understood me, but unfortunately, that had never been in the cards for me.
“Your turn.” I forced a deep breath in, breaking the tension. “Truth or dare.”
“Dare.” He tilted his head, cocky as ever.
