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Mason bursts out laughing and glances at Carter, who is taking yet another shot. He leans in and whispers into my ear. “Do you know how many times Carter has messed me with me? I’m definitely not letting go of this chance for payback.”
I roll my eyes and push against his chest, but he wraps his arms around me, making it look like we’re hugging. I rise to my tiptoes and whisper into his ear. “Don’t push it too far. He’s already being weird.”
Mason’s smile wavers, and he nods, letting go of me. I resume my position next to Carter and take the drink Mason hands me. I sip it and glance over at Carter’s phone to find him texting Lisa. I’m instantly uncomfortable. Why is he texting her?
One of Kate’s friends walks into the kitchen and walks straight over to her, grabbing her hand. “Wow, so this is where all the eye candy is hiding,” she says, her eyes ping pong-ing between Carter and Mason, as though she can’t decide who she wants to ogle.
“Riley, right?” Carter says, smiling at her. He moves closer and leans into her. I didn’t even remember her name. So why does he?
“I remember seeing you at pretty much every game and every afterparty. Thank you for your support,” he says. I feel guilty instantly. I purposely avoided going to his games because I was trying my best to avoid him. By the time we decided to be friends again, the season was already over.
Riley beams and places her hand on his arm. She bats her eyes at him and he leans in even further. I look away, my stomach twisting painfully. Mason grabs my hand and pulls me closer. “Don’t fall for that shit,” he whispers. “I’ve played that game many times. He’s fucking with you. There’s no way he’s even remotely interested in her. Fuck her.”
He brushes my hair out of my face, and I smile up at him. “I know,” I murmur. “But he can play that game all by himself. I’m not playing. This is bullshit. We aren’t kids anymore. I’m not gonna stand here and allow myself to be upset over something like this.”
Mason nods in understanding, his expression sad and frustrated, as though he knows exactly how I feel. “What would you like to do… drink, dance or go home? I can take you home if you want.”
I tilt my head and then grin. “Drink and dance,” I murmur. Mason laughs and pours me a shot before pulling me along. We make it to the makeshift dance floor, and much to my surprise Kate is dancing with a guy I don’t know.
“Who is that?” I ask.
Mason glances over, his expression clouding over. “Jake,” he says uneasily. Jake? The same guy she stood me up for? Kate’s eyes meet mine and she winks at me before disappearing in the crowd of people. She seems fine, so I probably shouldn’t be worried, but I dislike Jake instantly.
“I need another drink,” I murmur, and Mason nods in agreement. He leads me back to the kitchen and my heart twists when I see Carter standing with Lisa, their heads bowed together. He’s got his arms wrapped around her and she’s looking up at him. The way he’s looking at her… how could I forget? How could I forget that I’m no longer the only girl in his eyes? I can’t do this. I refuse to do this. I turn back to Mason and try my best to smile. “I think I’ll just go home,” I murmur, my voice breaking.
Mason nods and glances at Carter and Lisa through narrowed eyes. He grins suddenly and grabs my shoulders. “Let me take you home,” he says loudly, catching Carter and Lisa’s attention. I sigh and shake my head. Why does he insist on messing with Carter when I just told him I don’t want to play along with any of these games?
I roll my eyes and move to walk out of the kitchen, but Carter grabs my wrist and pulls me back. I turn to look at him, and then glance at Lisa, my brows raised. Carter grits his teeth and walks up to me. “I’ll take her,” he tells Mason. I can tell from the look in Mason’s eyes that he’s about to mess with Carter even further, and I shake my head in warning. He winks at me and then glances at Carter.
“Buddy, I don’t think you quite get it,” Mason says, and Carter locks his jaw.
“She’s going home with me,” Carter says through gritted teeth.
“Stop it,” I tell Mason, shaking my head, and he nods, taking a step away. I exhale in relief and look up at Carter. “Let’s go home,” I tell him. “We need to talk.”
Chapter 27
Emilia
I’m fuming by the time we walk into Carter’s apartment, but he seems to be just as mad. I walk straight into his bedroom and he follows me in. My eyes are flashing with anger as I sit down on his bed.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap.
Carter glares at me and crosses his arms. “What do you mean what’s wrong with me? What did I do?”
I grit my teeth and inhale deeply. “You’ve been avoiding me and now you’re flirting with Riley. What the hell is up with that?”
Carter chuckles humorlessly. “You’ve been flirting with Mason for weeks, yet now you’re objecting to me doing the same thing? Did you think I didn’t notice the way he’s always lifting you up and twirling you around like life is some goddamn movie? He’s always touching you and the two of you are always whispering to each other.”
He walks up to me and buries his hand in my hair. “But you know what, Emilia? That’s fine. Fuck it. Do what you want, and I’ll do the same. You promised me your body — and to be fair, that’s all I wanted from you. You never promised me your heart and I never asked for it. It’s none of my business if you want to date Mason. Hell, fall in love with him for all I care. All I care about is that I’m the only one you’re sleeping with.”
I look at him in disbelief and bite down on my lip. I look away in an attempt to hide just how deeply those words cut me.
“We’ve already destroyed our friendship once before by getting feelings involved,” he says. “We promised we wouldn’t do that again. Hell, when we went home for the holidays I was reminded of what was at stake, and fuck. My mother adores you, and your friendship with Kate is finally back to where it was. What the fuck were we thinking getting together at all?”
I look up at him. “You regret it?”
Carter shakes his head. “Yes, and no.”
