Chapter 16
He may really be into me.
Ihopped in Carter’s truck, and he closed the door firmly behind me as he kept his attention on a livid Grey. I hoped a fight wouldn’t break out because both men had egos. I had no idea if Carter had a temper, but Grey did. He reminded me of a panther. Cool, sleek, and watchful, he would attack and win if approached the wrong way or angered. Two of the top athletes on campus fighting over a woman who didn’t belong to either one was not the image our university needed.
“Carter, come on. Let’s go,” I quietly urged. “I’m good. You got me.”
He looked at me, took a deep breath, and stepped into his truck. I didn’t look in Grey’s direction as we drove away. Too afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle seeing his hurt. I had to remember he hurt me first, or I would’ve demanded that Carter turn around. In seven years, we’d never fought like we just did, and my stomach burned with regret.
“What happened?” Carter asked after we’d been driving for several minutes. “Has he ever hit you? Be honest, Darren. You jumped out of his car while it was moving, and I’d never seen you look like that.”
“Look like what?”
“Devastated. Looked like fear to me. What’s up?”
I pulled my legs to my chest while we rode down the highway heading back into the city. “Grey would never hit me or anywoman. He pissed me off, and I didn’t want to be in the car with him anymore. I didn’t mean to be so dramatic.”
Carter’s voice deepened. “What were you arguing about?”
I stared out the window, thinking of everything I’d heard about men like him from Chelsea, Grey, and my limited experience. If I told him my “fake” relationship was over, my weekend may not happen. He may feel like it’s too much pressure. Then again, if he’s better than who Grey believes he is, he should like that I’m free to date him. “It was about you.”
“What about me?”
We sped by other cars and trucks, and the beach became restaurants, Wal-Mart, and shopping malls. I continued to look out the window. It was easier to talk to him if I didn’t see his expression. Didn’t see his true feelings about me. The argument with Grey exhausted me. I wasn’t sure if I could take any more hurt. “He knows I have feelings for you.”
Carter sighed. “Did you tell him, or did he guess it?”
“He knows me.”
“Did you just break up?”
“I don’t know. But I left with you soooo...”
I felt his gaze on me before he urged, “Darren, don’t break up with him because of me.”
I closed my eyes and pressed my temple against the window, surprisingly numb to his reaction. Maybe deep inside, I knew he would respond this way. “Guess, Grey was right. Told me you’re only interested in me because of him. That you couldn’t ever be serious about me.” I blinked back tears. “Just drop me off at the nearest store. I’ll Uber to a friend until everything blows over between him and me.”
“Hey.” When I refused to answer, he called, “Darren.”
“I’m good. No need to say anything else,” I answered glumly. “There’s a Target next exit. Just drop me off. I’ll figure it out.” I didn’t have anywhere else to go but home. The friends I couldalways turn to during times like these were now my roommates. Maybe I had enough for a hotel room somewhere until I felt like going home.
“Stop it. Please.” He squeezed my thigh. “First, he doesn’t know shit about me to speak for me. Secondly, I’m not dropping you off anywhere. Want to introduce you to my mother and brother. I’m meeting them for dinner.”
“Excuse me? You want me to meet your family? Seriously, you can drop me off somewhere. I’m sure they just want to see you, not some strange girl dressed like this.” Although my heart soared at the thought of meeting his family, I gestured to my khaki, baggy cargo pants and pink midriff under a jean jacket.
Carter quickly glanced at my appearance. “Yeah, my mom may trip, but I’ll smooth it over. I’ll let her know we’ve been seeing each other, and I decided at the last minute I wanted you to meet. Didn’t give you a chance to change clothes.”
I checked out Carter’s fit. He’d changed into slacks and a blue polo and trimmed his mustache and goatee. Even his hair seemed more tamed. I groaned, “Your mama will think I’m a hot mess.”
He chuckled. “A pretty mess.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hit his arm.
“What?” He grinned.
“I literally had that thought at the coffeehouse when you first saw me. I’d hoped you saw a pretty mess, not a hot one.”
“You’re always pretty to me.” Carter flirted, and I melted at the warmth in his eyes. He returned his attention to the road. “Before you give up on me, listen. I don’t want you to break up with him because of me. If you decide you don’t want to be with him, it has to be because he’s not right for you. I don’t want that expectation that once you leave him, we’ll be together. You live with him, too. Where will you live, or can you afford to live alone if he moves out? I don’t mind you staying with me while youfigure it out, but honestly, that’s too much pressure for me with everything I have going on.”
