Page 40 of Unhinged Love

“Why the fuck not?” I ask while she shoves hard enough to catch me off guard and make me stumble backward. That’s her opportunity, and she takes it, breaking away from me, running into the house with her dress bunched up in her hands.

“Wait! Would you wait?” This isn’t me. I don’t chase women. They chase me—all I ever have to do is decide which one I’ll let catch me for a little while before I get bored. So why am I running through my house, just a little too slow to catch her?

She only speaks once, when she reaches the top of the stairs. “Just leave me alone, please!” I reach her bedroom in time to hear the lock click, closing her off from me.

I wish I knew why I can’t get her to give me a chance. To trust me a little.

I wish I knew why it matters so much.

SIXTEEN

Elliana

“Now remember.No funny business around here.” You would think Mom owns the house, the way she wags a finger in our faces while Paul finishes loading their luggage into the car he arranged to pick them up and take them to the airport.

“I think we can handle it.” I’m lying. I don’t have the first clue how we’re going to handle being alone in this house for two entire weeks while our parents frolic in Thailand. I don’t know what to expect from Carter.

After last night, I don’t know what to expect from myself, because there was a second or two when it seemed like a very good idea to let him do whatever he wanted, for as long as he wanted.

I wouldn’t be face-to-face with him now if it wasn’t for Mom shouting for me to come downstairs to say goodbye. I’m pretty sure they didn’t get home until around three o’clock this morning—Mom stumbled drunkenly in the hallway and woke me up with her laughter.

But nobody would ever know, looking at her now. I think she might still be drunk, actually, still riding high. She got what she wanted: the chance to show off in front of half the town and prove to them she’s just as good as they are.

“Don’t worry,” Carter offers. He’s being strangely charming toward her right now, which, to say the least, is a huge change. “I will keep her in line while you’re gone.”

“I’ll have to count on you, I guess.” She’s practically glowing, giggling as she swats his arm in a playful gesture. She turns away, but I don’t, meaning I get to see the way his mouth twists in a smirk.

Paul waves up at us. “You two okay? Do you think you can handle it while we’re gone?”

“We’ll be fine,” Carter calls out while I shake like a leaf inside. “Get out of here or you’ll miss your flight.”

“He’s right!” Mom trills, almost skipping in her mile-high sandals. “We better go. They won’t hold the plane for us, even though we are newlyweds.”

Don’t go. Right, like she would listen. It’s not like I actually want her to stay. I’m psyching myself out, that’s all. If anything, Carter and I are getting along better than we used to. I have nothing to worry about.

Other than myself. Can I trust myself around him? I can’t believe I have to ask that question.

We both wave as the car pulls down the driveway. As soon as it’s turned onto the street, rolling out of view, Carter releases a long breath. “Fuck. I need a drink.”

And here we go. Day one.

I would remind him it’s only ten o’clock in the morning, but then I don’t think he really means it. The less I say to him, the better. Just because he’s not actively going out of his way to make my life miserable right now doesn’t mean we have to spend a ton of time together. It’s safer if we don’t—no chance ofme getting all caught up in my hormones and possibly throwing myself at him. The way I came close to doing last night.

And all because he was nice to me. Because he listened, because he seemed to care, because he kissed me in a way that said more than a thousand words ever could.

But then I had a lot of champagne, and so did he, and I was probably telling myself what I needed to believe.

I’m halfway to the stairs when he clears his throat. “Where do you think you’re going?”

What a wonderful way to start off our two weeks together. After taking a slow breath, I turn his way. “Up to my room. I was thinking about getting a little more sleep.”

“What, you mean your graceful mom woke you up too?” He snorts, then tips his head toward the living room. “Hang out with me.”

“I’m pretty tired. I won’t be any fun.”

Snorting, he retorts, “I don’t expect fun. Just somebody to hang out with.”

“Oh, that’s definitely the way to sweet-talk a girl into spending time with you.”

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