Page 123 of Fake for 7 days

I quickly pulled my arm back to the front. Of course I didn't want that.

"I... I thought it might be Carter." As I said these words, I felt pretty stupid. The phone had stopped ringing.

"I thought he didn't know your new number."

"Right." I stared straight ahead through the windshield, glad that Hayley couldn't see the blush rising to my cheeks in the darkness.

Hayley sighed. "I'll make you a nice foot bath at home. Then you can relax a bit. For now, just concentrate on the road. The phone can wait until later."

I nodded obediently.

"Even if it had been Carter... you want to tell him everything calmly, right? Not while you have to drive?"

I nodded again.

Hayley was more than right with all her objections.

Drive, Isabella, drive. Then you'll be home soon and can think about all these things in peace. Today was just a bit too much for you.

"Where are you taking us?" Hayley nudged me.

"What?" I looked around searchingly.

"This isn't the way home. You took a wrong turn just now. We're heading back to Carter's company." Hayley's voice was meaningful.

I looked around. Hayley was right. Without realizing it, I had turned. Twice, even. We were on a parallel street that led straight back to Carter's penthouse.

Isabella, focus now. Otherwise, you'll be driving in circles for hours.

But my heart and my brain didn't want to be convinced by all these reasonable arguments.

How could Carter still stir me up like this after everything that had happened?

You love him, Isabella.

I tried with all my might to ignore the voice in my head. But I couldn't.

I loved Carter.

That's exactly why the prospect of him not wanting me anymore made me so nervous. What should I do? How could I calm down? How could I stand the time until I saw him again and finally had certainty?

"Watch out!" At that moment, Hayley's voice jerked me out of my daydreams. Startled, I looked ahead. There were two red brake lights visible in the darkness. Close. Much too close.

I slammed my right foot on the brake and pressed down hard. The Toyota swerved slightly and I gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Brake. Damn it, brake already.

Time suddenly seemed to pass very slowly. But that didn't change the fact that I couldn't do anything to avert the impending catastrophe. Helplessly, I stared ahead as we continued to roll towards the car in front of us and finally pushed it forward with an audiblethud.

Shit.

Again.

Those were the first two thoughts that shot through my mind. Not even two months ago, I had caused an accident and met Carter in the process. Now the same thing was happening to me because I was constantly thinking about Carter.

Only this time I certainly wouldn't be as lucky as I was with Carter. This time I would have to answer for the damage I had just caused.

"Oh Isabella. Are you alright?" Hayley's concerned voice brought me back to the present.

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