Page 10 of Carter

4

A year later

“You’ll regret ever talking to that skank. I’ll make your life miserable,” Savannah threatened, the words sputtering from her red-painted lips.

As if my life could be even more hopeless.

I shook my head and stuffed my balled hands into the pockets of my wash-out denims, trying to even my breathing and not give Savannah’s words too much attention. Her daily threats had no effect on me anymore. In the last few months, I’d grown a thick skin. Not by choice. By necessity.

I sighed and shivered, thinking about it all.

At first, our relationship was a scam. Something to satisfy the media nosiness. To get the word out about my just-released album and Savannah’s new movie.

My PR team convinced us to play a couple.

And we agreed.

Back then, we were good together. Even I had to admit it. We had fun and looked great. Power couple and all that shit, as the media called us.

And the sex was wild. Out of this world. Savannah didn’t do vanilla. In any aspect of her life.

Now, a year later, sex was nonexistent.

Why did I carry on with the fake-dating Savannah Prince scheme?

The thought must have crossed my mind over fifty times a day for the last few months. If only I could punch myself or travel back in time. I’d make smarter choices.

My eyes rested on the woman facing me, the one I’d moved in with months ago. When I still believed we’d be a real couple. Outside of the media’s attention.

That, I did to myself. Real smooth, Carter.

Yeah, because I thought I’d develop feelings for her. That she could be it for me.

The more I stared at her, the more I wondered what crossed my mind the day I offered to move across the country to live with a woman who treated me like shit most of the time.

Why were we even still together?

Because you can make this work. You just need to fight harder for what you want. Failing is not an option.

Where was the nice and fun woman I met in New York last year? Was she still in there somewhere? I hadn’t seen her in a while. Or did I misread her that night? Was our encounter all an act? A way to get her death grip on me and make me believe I could do relationships?

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my calm.

If I could kick my own ass, I’d exile myself to the other side of the world, just to make sure I had understood the lesson. Why did I ever think moving to Los Angeles to date an actress was a good idea? That I’d feel something for a woman other than Dahlia? Something close to love.

“You can’t be serious. Are you jealous of Aisha Jones? We’ve known each other a long time. We did a duet together a few years back.” I swallowed my broiling anger. The emotion pouring out from all my pores. “We should leave.”

Savannah dragged her ruby fingernails down my chest.

I cringed.

This stopped being sexy months ago.

Why wasn’t I able to push her away and be done with her antics? Why? The only logical explanation being I was a sucker for pain and misery.

I sighed. Perhaps her new leading role was the source of her anxiety and explosive temperament.

Who knew?