As we walked to our bedroom, I winked. “Then I can tell you how stupid I made Selena Washington look when she tried to fight me because of Carter.”
“Hold the fuck up? The cheerleader?” She grabbed my arm. “Ain’t no one going to sleep until you tell me what happened.”
“At least let me get out of these clothes.”
“I’m not Carter.” She snickered. “I’m tired. Wash in the morning. Get on your side, and I’ll get on mine.”
We climbed into our respective beds, facing each other to talk, much like we’d done for the last three years, and I told her everything that happened.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, while Chelsea slept, I quickly showered and brushed my teeth. I hadn't slept much because I wanted to catch Carter before he left for practice. Although I could see Chelsea’s point, she didn’t feel what I felt. She didn’t feel how we vibed, how our conversation flowed easily. How he didn’t even attempt to kiss me, though his gaze would drift to my lips while we talked. He deserved more than me ghosting him. I tossed on my glasses, a red crop top, and black joggers and left my room.
Grey had spent the night out, and I wondered why he’d been secretive about whomever he was seeing. We’d always been open about our dating lives. I passed his open door and rushed to my balcony, only to find Carter’s balcony empty. I then went to his condo and pressed my ear to the door to see if I could hear him. There were no sounds of TV, music, or kitchen appliances.
I checked my cell. No text from Carter, and it was almost eight. Later than I thought. The first football practice should be over unless he needs to stay on campus since the fall semester starts tomorrow. I walked down the stairs and reached the bottom when Carter pulled into the parking space near me. I placed my hands behind my back and smiled brightly, though I worried he might be bothered by how I left last night.
Carter jumped out of his truck, wearing the school jersey with his name on the back and long shorts. He’d kept the cornrows in his hair, and I had to admit I’d done a good job. Without speaking, he opened the back door to grab his duffle bag.
“Morning.”
He closed the door and moved past me.
“Hey, I tried to wake you. You sleep like a log.” I tried humor.
Carter placed earbuds in his ear and glared.
“Really?”
“Really,” he finally answered, and his attitude didn’t sit right with me.
I blocked him from going up the stairs, and he backed up. “Uh, okay. So, I give you another chance after a woman, probably the one I heard you fucking the other night, curses me out and tries to beat me up, but you won’t speak to me? I got up early to explain, and now you won’t talk. I don't get a second chance?”
Carter’s nose flared before his attention moved past me. I turned around, and Grey walked up, frowning.
Grey slung his arm around my neck and pecked my lips like this was our routine. “Sorry, baby, I should’ve called. Got caught up with my cousin.” He then asked Carter. “Everything good?”
“It’s good.” I tapped his belly, warning him he was being too much. “Just telling Carter about our weight training classes specifically for athletes.”
Grey smiled at Carter. “Why would you want to be in a gym when we could run together on the beach sometime? Challenge each other. It can really help your stamina, right babe?” He pressed his lips longer against mine before popping my ass firmly and possessively. “See ya inside. And Carter, let me know if you ever want to run?”
He jogged up the stairs, and my eyes followed him, needing to rub my stinging ass and wondering what the hell he was doing.
Carter cleared his throat, dragging my attention back to him. “He was out all night?”
“I left you last night thinking he would be home any minute, and he never did come home.” I shrugged. “It happens when he’s hanging with his cousin.”
He only frowned.
“So, are we cool? Or will you hold leaving last night without waking you up against me?”
“You lie too easily,” he commented.
“Huh, what?”Did he see through the ruse of me and Grey because I even thought we were real for a hot second?
“That lie about the gym just rolled off your tongue like nothing. Doesn’t seem like you. Or at least the way you appear to me.” He glanced up the stairs before he tugged on the band of my joggers, pulling me close. “You must really like me to lie to him.”
Relieved that he hadn’t caught on, I smiled. “I do.”
Carter warned, “Be careful. He knows you like me, too.”
Yep, he does. I pressed my hands on his chest, cheesing in his face. “How do you know that?”
“He just marked his territory to keep me from kissing you, too.” Carter then released me. “He can't really say anything to you about me because he spent the night out without calling. Still, you better go on before he comes back outside in a different spirit. I left my phone in the car anyway. I’ll text you later.”
“Promise?”
“I always honor my bets even when I lose, and I owe you a date.” His lips curved into a smile.
“Yep, you do, and I can't wait.” I beamed and turned to hurry upstairs. When I reached the landing, I rested my back against the chrome rails and touched my lips.
Why did Grey kiss me? And why didn’t I want him to stop?
