Page 65 of Unhinged Love

TWENTY-SIX

Elliana

There issomething weighing on me. Something heavy, something warm. Something that is snoring softly by the time I start to return to consciousness.

What the hell happened last night? I vaguely remember knowing I was going to fall asleep—as much as I liked the movie, there was the very real fact that I didn’t sleep much the past couple of nights.

And part of the reason is now wrapped around me. Did Carter spend the whole night in my bed?

On the one hand, it’s sort of nice. It reminds me of a puppy I had when I was little. How he would always find a way to snuggle up against me in bed.You can’t sleep with that dog in your bed, he’s filthy.Yet another example of Mom’s loving guidance. It didn’t matter that I was happy.

I think I might be happy right now. I wish I knew how to feel about that. Maybe I need to stop worrying about how to feel and just… feel.

Then again, what am I talking about? This is still my stepbrother. There is nothing normal about any of this. And it would be dangerous to let myself think anything different, no matter how much I’m enjoying something as simple as sharing my bed with no threats, no pressure.

Until the thought of pressure makes my eyes fly open wide. “Carter. Get up!” Sure enough, a glance at the clock tells me what I already figured out. “We are so late!”

I finally have to shove him off me when he doesn’t move fast enough. “Come on!” I shout as I jump out of bed.

“Breathe,” he tells me, even laughing a little—until he sees the time and finally starts hauling ass. “Jesus, is it really that late already?”

“No, I changed the clock to screw with your head.” At least I took a shower last night. One less thing to worry about this morning as I race through throwing on clothes at random. That’s one positive thing about basically having a uniform I wear every day. I don’t have to waste time thinking about what to put on.

Carter, on the other hand, runs across the hall to his room, cursing the whole way. There’s a lot of fumbling around going on, along with a lot of banging and slamming.

“My ass is already in a sling,” he shouts before slamming what sounds like a dresser drawer. “Kingsley is going to be watching my every move, at least until Dad gets back.”

I almost wish he wouldn’t mention what happened yesterday. Nobody forced him to fight those guys—except for the guys themselves, who I have no doubt were asking for it. That doesn’t help me feel any less guilty for being the reason behind it.

Stop. You are not the reason.The voice in my head sounds a lot like Maya right now: sharp, to the point, and very annoyed.You didn’t do any of this. It’s not your fault.

I really wish it was easier to remember that.

We’re out of the house in record time, skipping breakfast, jumping into Carter’s truck, and almost tearing down the driveway and out onto the street. “It’ll be fine,” I decide as the engine roars. “Nobody’s going to care if we’re a few minutes late for class. I don’t think we could get in trouble for that from the administration.”

“If anything, it gives people less time to give me shit,” he muses, leaning on the horn when the driver in front of us doesn’t take a left turn fast enough. “Everybody will be too busy taking notes and whatever.”

When I laugh softly, I catch him looking at me from the corner of his eye. “What’s so funny?”

“I just never would’ve imagined you going through the same kind of thing I do,” I admit. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that same thing to myself. The less time I hang around before class, the less time people have to screw around with me.”

“Nobody’s going to screw around with you now.” He sounds grim, determined, and I wonder which of us he’s trying to convince. His jaw tightens before he adds, “After yesterday? Everybody’s going to think twice.”

I hope so, and for once, it’s not only for my sake. I should not feel protective of him, not after what he’s done. Not when so much of my trouble is thanks to him. But I can’t help hoping he doesn’t get into worse trouble than he’s already in. I hate to think of people trying to lure him into fights over me.

Even if my pulse flutters a little when I imagine it. And not because I’m worried or afraid.

But to think he’s ready to fight for me if it comes to it. Nobody has ever fought for me. Maybe that’s why it was so easy to sleep peacefully with him last night. Maybe that’s why I was able to forgive him yesterday.

He fought for me when nobody else would. Especially not my own mother.

There’s not much time to think about that, considering how fast Carter drives to school. He takes the turn into the parking lot fast enough that I grab onto the door handle for dear life. I can almost taste my own heart when I gasp. “Wow! Let’s try to make it to class alive.”

“I got us here, didn’t I?” He even manages to find a decent spot that won’t require too much running across the lot. He’s barely got the truck in park before I unbuckle my belt and open the door.

“Wait a second.” His voice is sharp enough to keep me in my seat. I turn to him a split second before he takes my face in his hands and covers my mouth with his.

The surprise takes my breath away, just as much as the sensation of his lips on mine. There’s passion behind it, and desire, and I don’t know how to feel or what to think. It’s nice—almost too nice, and that’s what scares me a little.

---