“What’s wrong? I thought you were getting along.”
The Carters are good people, stubborn, sure, but hearts of gold, each one of ‘em. I have no doubt in my mind that Jake would run into a burning building to carry any member of his family to safety. He’s as loyal as they come, which is why he felt Tammy’s departure so deeply.
“It’s just…hard. I know I shouldn’t give her the hell that I do, I just can’t help it.”
“It’s only going to push her away.”
“I know.”
“I’ll take her,” I say, getting up from my seat. “But mark my word, Jake—this is something you need to work out. Tammy chose to leave, and it was her right to. I know it hurts, but she needs you now. With what she’s been through, it’s time to circle the wagon.”
Jake sighs, and just like his father, says, “Circling the wagon isn’t to keep predators out. It’s to keep the livestock from running off.”
“Exactly.”
?
Ali Kat
A knock sounds on the door, and I prepare for my moody brother.
It’s just a short car ride. Maybe twenty minutes. Hopefully, he won’t leave you there.
Of course, that’s what it would be like if Jake didn’t know about Garrett and me, but judging by the conversation he initiated last night, he has some thoughts on the matter. Maybe it’s something innocent enough, him picking up on something like Ma had.
Or maybe Garrett felt guilty and confessed it all to Jake.
I hope that’s not the case, but if it is, it’s better Jake knows than Prim, I reason. Nothing would hurt more than seeing Prim with a broken heart,
I fix my hair, grab my purse, and go to exit, but it’s not Jake that greets me at my door.
It’s Garrett.
I’m taken aback by how handsome he is, all man with none of the frills of The Hollywood boys I usually date. His shoulders are so broad, I feel vulnerable standing in front of him.
And I find myself wanting to feel small and insignificant. I’m tired of being Ali Kat Carter to men. I want to be no one, because it’s the only way I’ll ever actually mean something to them outside of my Hollywood status.
“Oh-um,” I say before I can properly don a glare, “I’m waiting for Jake.”
“Well, he’s not going to be able to make it.”
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll figure out something to throw together for dinner.”
“Or…you’ll come with me to pick up groceries.”
I’m prideful, I get it from my father, which is why it’s so hard for me to accept Garrett’s offer.
Our last encounter left me wounded. Sex with Garrett was supposed to be magical, and I guess it was, but what came after was only pain.
All he wanted was to get laid.
“Not every battle has to be an uphill one, Ali,” Garrett says. “We need to talk. To clear the air, if you will.”
“There isn’t anything to clear. You are, apparently, an expert communicator.”
“Not as good as I had hoped to be. I have some things I need to get off my chest, and I think you’re going to want to hear them.”
