Chapter Eighteen
Carter
It’scrazy how an eleven-year-old boy can put things into perspective for you. After I had finished my rounds, I went out to get a haircut and a shave. Instead of grabbing a six-pack, I stopped by the health food store and got a fresh juice, trying to rejuvenate my body and get ready for tonight.
I haven’t talked to Cole, but I’m not worried if he’s going to be there or not. The more I thought about it, actually, the more I almost hoped he wouldn’t show up. A slight guilt runs through me, but some things just are the way they are. And she was mine first. He can move on to the next like he would anyways.
I haven’t decided how tonight will go. Telling her it’s me isn’t something I can come out and say like it’s no big deal. This should be a big deal. We have history, we had love at one point.
It may be mean, but I want her to find out the way I did. I want to see if she can tell. If I’m on her mind in any way and she can put two and two together.
When I walk into the club, Cole is leaning against the bar. I look around, noticing Evangeline isn’t here yet, and when my eyes meet his, I swear I see the same look of disappointment on his face that I feel.
What does he have to be sad about? Is she not coming? Does he know this already? Did something happen after I left on Thursday?
“What’s up?” I ask, offering my hand to him, and he takes it, but something is off. “What crawled up your ass?” I ask when he doesn’t respond.
He shakes his shoulders, acting surprised that I noticed something’s not right and stands up straighter. “Nothing. Look.” He tilts his head to the front door.
There she is, walking in wearing an all-black negligee. Her outfits up till now have been slutty and barely there but this is more innocent, sweeter. And fuck me it pulls on my heart more than ever.
Cole makes his move, but I grab his arm, stopping him in his tracks.
“What? You want in finally?” he asks.
I glare at him, questioning his motive. “That’s what we’ve always done,” I say nonchalantly.
“Not with this one. You scared her off last time.”
“Won’t happen tonight. I got this,” I say, ending our conversation and walking toward her.
I place my hand on her shoulder, lightly pulling her to me and engulfing her in my arms.
“Do I get to know your name?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“Are you not going to talk?”
I shake my head again.
“Are you going to fuck me tonight?” she teases with a slight tilt to her lips.
I don’t answer either way because I’m not sure yet, so instead, I wrap my lips with hers, kissing her briefly before pulling her toward a room.
“What about Mave—” she calls out, but he cuts her off.
“I’m here,” he says, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her away from me.
I let him, for now, as we walk to our space. His lips are intertwined with hers, so my hands reach up, brushing them across her hair, moving the blond locks into a ponytail and pulling back slightly, giving me room to kiss her neck and breaking their kiss.
Evangeline’s arms go up around my shoulders as her head falls back more. I feel Cole move closer as he lifts her negligee, kissing her stomach and wrapping his arms around her waist. I swear I feel him pulling her away from me, so I let go of her hair and place my hands on her shoulders, keeping her right where she is.
When his tug doesn’t stop, I grip her shoulders harder and swing her around, so she’s facing me. She lets out a small whimper of surprise, and I lace my fingers around her neck, running them through her hair as I bring her lips to mine.
For a second, I’m brought back to my senior year and our first kiss. I wanted her so badly, and I was in shock that I was finally getting the chance. That same feeling runs through me now. I can’t believe she’s here, in my arms. And I still feel it. It’s her. It’s always been her.
I go to deepen the kiss but don’t get the chance when I feel Cole literally step in between us and toss her on the bed.
