Page 21 of Until Easton

Fifteen minutes later, we are seated at the pizza shop with a large pepperoni pizza between us. The walk here was done with polite conversation, but I knew Carter would bring the next topic up.

"Becca, I know we've talked the last time I was in town, and I have already apologized for how things went down in the past, but I want to repeat it. I'm sorry about Lana. I heard she's been being a bitch to you lately and that's on me."

"No it's not. Lana is just being Lana. She's always been like that and probably always will. Trust me, she doesn't bother me. Not like it did in high school. I'm not a kid anymore though. I can take care of myself."

Carter sets his slice down and gives me his full attention. "I should have never let her treat you like she did back then." He shakes his head. "I got wrapped up in being popular and all the other stereotypical high school bullshit, but that doesn't excuse me ending years of friendship over it." He shakes his head. "I was so fucked up. I allowed Lana to get in my head. She tried to convince me you had feelings for me and that the only way to let you down easy was to just end our friendship altogether."

"I never had those kinds of feelings for you, Carter. You were my best friend. You were like a brother to me."

"I know that now. That was just Lana spewing her bullshit because she was jealous. I can't believe I didn't see her for who she really is."

Reaching across the table, I place my hand on Carter's arm. "At least you saw it sooner and not twenty years from now. And like I already told you, all is forgiven. Let's leave the past in the past. I'm just happy to have my friend back."

After taking a bite of pizza, I ask, "So, have you seen her?"

Carter shakes his head. "No. But then again, I just got into town this morning. Has the town been talking?"

I snort. "Does a zebra have stripes?"

"Figures."

"Don't worry. Everyone knows what a bitch Lana is, and we're all on your side."

Carter wipes his mouth with a napkin and tosses it on the table. "Yeah, I'm sure she's spreading her sunshine around."

A second snort escapes me. "You should have seen the way Mrs. Milly put her in her place."

I proceed to give Carter a run-down of the interaction.

"You're shitting me," he laughs.

"Nope. I told you, everyone is on your side."

Over the next thirty minutes, Carter and I polish off the remainder of the pizza while catching up on what we have missed in each other's lives. I tell him about the ranch, and he tells me about baseball. He admitted how his mom still talked about us and how I still visit with her once a week.

Just as I'm about to open my mouth to ask another question, I spot a very pissed-off-looking Easton walking into the restaurant. My breath catches as his steel-gray eyes land on me.

9

EASTON

The moment I walk through the door of the pizza shop, a rush of heat called jealousy runs through my veins. There, sitting in a booth with another guy's hand on top of hers, is my woman. And whatever the bonehead says is making her smile. She throws her head back in laughter, and my neck and shoulder muscles tighten. I'm pissed. Just as my feet move me forward, Becca's eyes lock with mine, and the smile on her beautiful face quickly fades.

The guy sitting with her turns in his seat to see who is stealing Becca's undivided attention. I stop and glare at the asshole. "Who the fuck are you?" I grind my teeth and size him up.

"Easton, wait—" Becca pauses as the dickhead with her stands and offers his hand.

"I'm—" he goes to introduce himself, but I’m not interested in getting to know him.

"She's mine," I growl.

"Jesus. Easton. You plan on throwing me over your shoulder and carrying me out of here too?" Becca folds her arms beneath her breasts and cocks her head.

"The thought crossed my mind," I admit.

"Carter is an old friend," Becca says, exasperated. "Carter, I'd like you to meet Easton." Carter waits for me to shake his hand.

I do my best to snuff out the anger still stewing inside. My focus shifts back to Becca. I reach for her and guide her up off her seat, pulling her to me. I kiss her. My lips laced with an apology for being a dick and making it clear to anyone watching she belongs to me. I pull away and look at her. "I'm sorry."