Page 74 of Carter

“As long as it’s justus.”

She nodded fervently. “Oh, yeah. I’m not going out with the boys again. Fuck ‘em.”

My eyes widened at her flash of anger. “You alright?”

She looked away. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Well, I’d love to go out then. There’s no harm trying to forget some things.”

We walked out of the bar and went our separate ways. I saw Rome’s jeep parked on the side of the road, but he wasn’t in it. I waited in the cold for a few minutes, leaning my back against the car when he finally emerged out of the bar. I hadn’t even realized he was in it! So distracted by Carter, I’d neglected a lot of people lately.

He came out side by side with Carter and they were chatting heavily about something. I felt a shift in the air as they approached. It wasn’t bad per-say, but they seemed like they were discussing important things.

Probably the band.

When Carter stiffly nodded, Rome beamed and gave him a friendly pat on the back. That was also surprising. Since when did they act so…friendly?

Whatever had been said, Rome was now on top of the world. They immediately fell quiet about it when they got near to me, and Rome patted my head roughly, messing up my updo, and said, “Hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

I shrugged absently. “Typical of you to keep me out in the freezing cold. I can’t feel my hands.”

He rubbed his index and thumb together. “You hear that, Leah? That’s the sound of the world’s smallest violin.”

I rolled my eyes and he laughed.

I felt Carter’s presence nearing me. I shifted away, and when Rome unlocked the car, I opened the backseat door without looking at Carter. Even if I did, all I’d see were those girls in his lap.

I slid into the back and didn’t have time to shut the door before he slid in next to me. I looked up at him in surprise, and he stared back, raising his brows, challenging me.

“What?” he asked innocently. “Do you have claim to the backseats, Leah?”

I looked to theemptyfront seat, half-tempted to crawl out of mine and into it. But once again, he was trying to agitate and inconvenience me.

I moved over to the other side, as far away from him, until my body was flushed against the door and answered, “No, Carter. Go on and enjoy yourself.”

Rome shook his head, hearing us as he began to drive.

During the ride, Carter inched his way to me, until I could feel him against my free side.

Part of me wanted to open the door and jump out.

The other part wanted him to stay right where he was.

Twenty-Seven

Carter tried to bridge the gap, but I shunned him.

He couldn’t just decide when things would get better. Fuck no. Not after having to witness him with all those women every single night.

“Where are you going?” he asked, standing at the doorway of the bathroom, watching me put on a splash of make-up.

He was actually talking to me in the apartment. This was strange. I almost forgot I was visible around here again. I ignored his question and tried to shut the door, but he stuck his foot in before it closed and kicked it open.

“Where are you going?” he repeated calmly.

“Out,” I simply answered, glancing at the frown on his face.

“Out?”

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