Page 40 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
Carter slaps his hands on his knees, then stands. “How many men are you dating, Lina?”
His tone throws me off. Shoving my hands under my thighs, I replay his words for a second. Why is he asking me this? And why is it any of his business? His accusatory tone sounds an awful lot like judgment.
“What?”
His tone is firmer this time. “How many guys are you seeing?”
I fix my eyes on the one white rose that falls farther from the bush than the others. “How is that any of your business?”
Carter paces a short distance back and forth in front of me. “That can’t be the same guy I ran into a few weeks ago at that restaurant in downtown Scottsdale,” he assumes, completely ignoring my question.
Now I’m getting pissed.Who the hell does he think he is?
“It’s not. I was with Max that night.”
Carter’s lips are set in a hard line.He’s pissed off. “And you’re sleeping with him too?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Max is someone I’m sort of dating, and Finn is a guy I hook up with once in a while when I’m in New York—” I blink a few times. “Why do you care who I’m sleeping with?” I lift my eyes, keeping them trained on his. “I don’t care what flight attendants you’re sleeping with.”
“Flight attendants? You mean Annabelle?” His jaw flexes. “I told you I wasn’t seeing her. I haven’t hooked up with any flight attendants.”
I shake my head, not wanting him to know I care. I shouldn’t care. But I do.
With his lips set in a hard line, he shakes his head in frustration. “So, when were you planning to meet up with him? Tonight, after going on a run with me?”
“Why are you so upset?” I snap. “I’m sorry I gave you the wrong idea about caring who you’re with. That’s not my place.” I try to defend myself, but it doesn’t come out convincing. Even in my own ears.
“Did I get the wrong idea?”
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to turn it back on him. Why does Carter care? Because, based on how he’s reacting, he does—a lot.“Why doyoucare?”
Carter’s hands clasp behind his head. “Because you’re fucking better than that.”
“Better than what?”
“Than to let a bunch of men take advantage of you.”
“Who said they were taking advantage of me?” I quickly pop off the bench, my palms in the air in front of us. “I make my own choices, Carter, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t judge them!”
His face softens like a painful wave has washed over it. “Were you planning on meeting him tonight?”
“No, I wasn’t.” My heart sinks at the fear in his voice. “I forgot I even told him I would be flying in today.”
Standing only a foot in front of me, his hands shoved into the pockets of his gray joggers, he avoids eye contact. “Are you dating Max?”
I’m getting more agitated the longer this conversation goes on. I never thought Carter would look at me with such aversion, but his expression has definitely changed.
“Again, none of your business.”
His eyes flare with what now looks like disgust. “Fine. Whatever,” he spats, starting to walk away. “Let’s get back so you can be used by some fucking asshole.”
Oh no, he didn’t.
My hands fly to my hips, and I plant my feet in place. “Why the hell is it acceptable for men to sleep with whoever they want? But not for a woman to do it?”
Carter quickly faces me. “Not all men are like that.”
“Is that right?” I retort, rolling my eyes. “And let me guess, misterwoman-at every-port-fighter-pilot, you’re not like that?”
