AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you think I don’t know that?" I clap back. "That it doesn’t eat me alive when I lie awake at night? Fuck, Tye. I may have thought she was crazy, but I never wanted her to die. But it’s fine. You can blame me. I blame me, too, sometimes.”
She scoffs. "Oh, so now you're playing the victim. How totally Carter of you. You were her fiancé! You two were supposed to get married! Were you ever in love with her at all?"
As she pushes all the right buttons, my restraint snaps. "No!" I shout. "I wasn't, and I'm sorry if that hurts you, but I wasn't. Because while I was supposed to be falling in love with her, I was too busy falling in love with her best friend."
"No." She shakes her head. "No, you can't do that."
"Can't do what? Can't want you? Because I do." I take a step closer and drop my tone. "I wanted you then, and I still want you now. My whole life got flipped the fuck upside down, and the only feeling that managed to stay through it all is the way I feel for you."
Tears spring to her eyes, but I can't tell if they're out of sadness or anger.
"You can do anything you want to me, and I'm still going to want you. And maybe that makes me fucked up, but I can't help it. I'm always going to be here—wanting you, loving you, and showing up to save you, even if you don't want me to."
I place a hand on her cheek and she leans into my touch, but it looks like her body and her mind are working against each other.
"Don't do this," she pleads.
I rest my forehead against hers and sigh. "Tell me you don't feel the same way. Tell me all we ever were was friends. That there wasn't always something between us, burning beneath the surface."
She doesn't say anything. The two of us stand there, frozen and unmoving while our breaths mix together. Just being this close to her is intoxicating, and as her gray eyes meet my blue ones, I can see there's something more to this. She hates me, but she wants me.
I move in slowly, just barely ghosting my lips across hers, and for a second, she lets me. But the moment is ruined the second she gasps and jumps back. Her hand goes to cover her mouth with shock and horror all over her face.
"Oh my God," she breaths, a tear slipping from her eye.
"Benz," I try, but it's no use.
She turns around and runs out the door. My fist clenches and, as the door closes behind her, I turn around and punch the fridge. The pain that radiates through my hand doesn't even begin to rival the pain in my chest.
"You know, you could just tell her the truth," a friendly voice says.
I turn around to see Paige leaning in Jace's doorway, and her idea isn't so far-fetched. Telling Tye everything that happened and showing her the proof—it would end whatever vendetta she has against me. There's no doubt in my mind. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't have its own repercussions.
Dropping my gaze to the floor, I shake my head. "I can't. It would destroy her."
"So you would rather she destroy you?" She crosses the room and lifts herself to sit on the island.
"If it means that she's somewhat okay? Yeah." There isn't even the slightest bit of hesitation to my answer. "She lost the closest person in the world to her, the same way you did. I always knew she wouldn't cope well with it, though I don't think I ever expected this. She shut me out, but I think subconsciously she's here because she knows I can help her. And I'll do whatever I have to, to help her."
She smiles. "You're a good guy, Carter. Even if you are adorably naive."
THREE DAYS PASS WITHOUTme so much as seeing a strand of that light pink hair. I knew she would avoid me for a bit. After all, we almost kissed, and while it was the best few seconds of my life, I'm sure she’s full of guilt and regret.
When she left that morning, I was sure of two things. That somewhere deep inside, she wants me, too. And that she's starting to slip. Maybe all I need to do is wait until the anger she has toward me crumbles away to nothing. Until all that's left is the part of her that wants me. The part of her that has wanted me since we met, even though she's always tried to hide it.
I'm heading down the stairs with Jace by my side when he basically reads my mind. It's not surprising. We've been doing it since we were kids. I guess what's what happens when you're so close.
"Hey, have you talked to Tye at all lately?"
"Not since the morning after I dragged her drunk ass back to our place."
He hums. "And you don't think that's dangerous? I mean she's been constantly doing things to fuck with you, and now she just goes radio silent?"
"I'm not worried," I tell him honestly.
She's probably just cooling off or having some intense battle with her feelings.
As we get outside, there is a crowd around my car and Jace gives me a strange look. It isn't until we push through people that I see it. The word prick is carved into the hood of my Lamborghini in all capital letters. A stiletto sits beside it with the heel sharpened to a point—making it clear who did this.
Jace pats me on the shoulder. "Spoke too soon, man."
Everything up to this point has been amateur. Pranks that are only meant to embarrass me but not actually injure me in any way. They walked the line of legal and illegal. This one, though. This is next level, which can only mean one thing.
I pushed her. I couldn't help myself, and I went for what I wanted. And now, she might be more dangerous than ever.
