It’s pouring rain, so I grab my jacket and go to her side, holding it over us as we run to her place.
What I didn’t expect was to see a man, a man I know all too well, sitting on the doorstep of her place, soaking wet.
He glares in our direction and instantly Evangeline steps out of my makeshift umbrella, standing in the rain rather than be seen next to me. She looks at Carter, then back at me, and that’s it.
That look right there said it all. She was more worried about Carter’s reaction than mine. Her mind might not know what she wants, but her instincts just decided for her, and it’s not me.
Instead of backing away like I should, knowing I’m not the one, anger builds inside me at him. This is all his fault. I was almost there. She was letting me in. If I had been able to show her what we were, she would have been mine forever.
Carter must feel the same rage I do because within seconds of us arriving, he’s up on his feet, coming right for me.
“Cole, you need to back the fuck off,” he bites out while pushing me back.
Carter’s bigger than me and his sudden assault caught me off guard. I’ve known the guy for a few years now, and I’ve never seen him show the smallest bit of anger toward anyone, well, anyone but her.
I smile at the thought. “Nope, sorry.” I don’t push him back but stand eye-to-eye with him. “She already told you ten years ago when she left you and gave up your child without even a mention of his existence to you. Remember?”
I stare into his eyes, daring him to take it further, so I’m not the first one to swing on someone who used to be my best friend.
“What the fuck did you just say?” He steps up closer, pushing me with his chest.
“You guys, stop,” Evangeline yells, but both of us only see or hear rage.
“You heard me. I was there for every pathetic moment. You had your chance, now back off, she’s mine.”
The rain running down my glasses blocks my vision, and the slamming of his fist against my jaw takes me by surprise. I fall back but jump up quickly and run toward him, cutting down low to try to bring him to the ground.
He loses his balance, and we both tumble to the ground. I get in one hit to his stomach, but within seconds, he’s got me in a headlock, and I reach up, tearing at his shirt, desperately trying for any leverage.
The rain has us sliding around, making it hard for me to get my footing, and it’s not until I feel Evangeline kicking both of us, demanding for us to stop that I realize what exactly just went down.
Carter lets go, and we both push back on the ground, breathing hard and glaring at each other.
“Have you two lost your minds?” Evangeline yells.
I watch as Carter snaps out of his anger fueled rage and goes to stand up, but she stops him. “Don’t you dare,” she demands. “I can’t believe you two. You can’t fight for me like I’m a prize to be won.”
She turns to walk into her place, and I watch as Carter sits on his knees, slamming his hands to the ground and yelling out in frustration.
He knows he fucked up with her this time and a sense of satisfaction runs through me. If I’m not the one she wants, I’m happy knowing now maybe he won’t have a chance with her either.
