Chapter Four
Tera
"Carter, I need to talk to you about something." I sound much braver than I feel. I hate that I have to do this. Carter's been a good boyfriend. He's attentive, caring, and supportive. The only thing he isn't is Xander, and that's everything.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. "Is everything okay?"
I nod. "Can we go somewhere private?"
He nods, his brow furrowed, as he leads me to an empty classroom.
I sit on one of the tables, holding my books tightly against my chest.
"What's going on, Tera?"
I sigh inwardly. I've never been good at hurting people. But I deserve to be happy—reallyhappy.
"I'm not sure where to begin," I confess.
"Whatever it is, it's okay."
He's so sweet. If there were no Xander, Carter would be it.
"I've had the best time being with you these last fourteen months—"
"Fifteen months," he corrects and I wince.
"Sorry. Fifteen months. But I don't think we should be together anymore."
He doesn't say anything, just looks down, rubbing the back of his neck. He's thinking, trying to figure it out, and I hate it for him.
"I'm sorry, Carter."
He nods, then looks up at me. "It's him, isn't it?"
I hesitate.
"Xander. It's him, right?" he asks.
I nod. "Yes."
He blows out a breath. "I thought you were over him. I really thought we got past that. I knew when I asked you out you were hung up on him, but you stopped spending time with him and… well, I just thought you got over him."
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't. It's fine, Tera. I knew going in your heart belonged to someone else."
His disappointment and pain are palpable. I want to reach out and hold him, but I know Carter. He wouldn't want that. He's so very prideful.
"Tell me something?" he asks as he sits on the table next to me.
"Anything."
"Did you ever care for me at all? Or were you just wasting time?"
"Oh, Carter. Of course I did—do. I'll be honest. When we said 'I love you' I meant it. I do love you, Carter. I wouldn't have been with you if I didn't. I would never use you that way. Please believe that. Everything we shared was real," I admit. And it was. Every kiss. Every touch. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't care deeply for this boy.
"I believe you, T. This just sucks," he says with a groan.
