Page 53 of Debts and Desires
“Oh…” I paused. “And your mom?”
“Don’t know much about her, sadly.” He clenched his jaw as if trying to keep himself from saying more. I didn’t push.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s fine, Em. I told you, you can ask anythin’ and I’ll answer it honestly.” His ability to shrug off everything was amusing, and I found it kind of endearing. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to know. Carter was so strong, so sure of himself. So damn sexy. But so shy. He was a complete contradiction in every way, and I found it oddly attractive.
I wondered what other things were different. What else was there to learn? I wanted to know more. I nodded, wanting to change the subject for him.
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Never really had one until recently,” he said. “Two, actually.”
“Well, what are they?” His eyes raked over me, as if remembering something.
“Buttercup yellow. And whatever shade of blue your eyes are.” My whole body felt hot. “What got you into music?” he asked. It caught me off guard, the dick head, but I quickly recovered.
“My parents got me a guitar when I was eight,” I answered, unsure if I really wanted to divulge that info to Carter. With him, though, I felt…safe.“They thought me having music would help round me out, make me more of an upstanding citizen. What they didn’t expect was it taking hold of me.” I almost laughed at the memory of my dad and mom’s face when they realized it was more than just a hobby for me. “That’s why I left. I pursued music instead of becoming a lawyer or doctor, so they…” I paused, swallowing back the tears. “They kicked me out.”
“They sound like asswipes,” he said.
“They are.” I looked down, trying to ignore the cruel words of my parents that resided in my thoughts. Carter cleared his throat and this time, it was him that changed the subject, as if sensing my discomfort.
“‘Fore I forget, probably gonna be a little late gettin’ home, so you can add an hour to your pay,” he said. It was Friday again, which meant I needed to update my work hours for the week, anyway.
I didn’t always come to work with him, only on Mondays and Fridays. He wouldn’t budge from the nineteen an hour thing and I had made back what was stolen from me at the bar in two shifts. I felt bad about it and lied about my hours, cutting my “shifts” in half since I was barely doing anything there, anyway. When he found out, he flipped. We had a small heated argument that ended with his head between my thighs, edging me until I agreed to his new terms. Per his agreement, if I wanted to come work with him, I had to pay myself at least three hours, even if I did nothing but sit there.
I had about four-hundred dollars saved now, and after this shift it would be four-seventy-six. That prompted me to get up and head to the office.
“I’m gonna go work some, then,” I announced, even though I had said I would keep him company. He nodded, getting back to his work.
I plugged the hours into the spreadsheet I had made and sighed. I hesitated putting anything in for today, since I hadn’t done anything.
Honestly, I wanted to come to the office so I could work on my song in a different environment. I thought being out in the bay with Carter would help, but it only distracted me. So did the judgy cat face on the wall.
“What?” I asked the poster. But looking at her tiny frame, I regretted it. “I’m sorry I was mean before,” I said with a sigh. “You’re not judgy at all. Just trying to hang in there like the rest of us. You know what? To say I’m sorry, I’m gonna give you a name. You look like a… Bandit. Hi, Bandit. I’m Emmy. Nice to meet you. I should be working, but I don’t feel like it.” With another sigh, I saved everything, headed to the couch and opened my notebook.
I don’t knowhow long I was writing before Carter walked in.
“Hey,” I greeted. “What’s up?”
“Need a break from that piece of junk,” he huffed, now standing in front of me. I knew what he wanted, but needed to get this last line written before… I looked up, realizing that Carter was looking down at my notebook. I snapped it shut.
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s rude to look over their shoulder?” I asked.
“Ain’t over your shoulder.”
“You know what I mean. Just sit down. I’ll suck you off when I finish this line.”
He chuckled. “Damn, don’t have to tell me twice,” he said as he sat, the heat of his body radiating beside me. It took all I had not to lie back and rest my head on him.
“It’s why you’re in here, isn’t it?” I asked, looking at him. He shook his head.
“No. Wanted a break, like I said. And to see what you wanted for dinner. I’m gonna swing by the diner and grab something here soon, and then pick you back up.”
“I thought we were going to be late.”
“Changed my mind.” He paused. “What’re you workin’ on?” He nodded to my notebook.
