Page 66 of Trigger

“Oh,”I muttered, feeling stupid.

“Thisthing between you and Carter,” she said when I raised my hand. “Let me stop youright there. There's nothing between Carter and me.”

Shegiggled. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry, but you have even less ofa chance with him than I do.”

“Thanksa lot,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.And I thought I was beingcruel.

Shecaressed my hand. “No, I mean… You’re great. And Carter likes you. Just notthat way.”

“Youreally want to break my heart, don’t you?” I teased her, but the pain was real.

“It’sjust that… You two have this energy, you know? You argue, but you respect eachother’s opinions. You butt heads but work together well. And I think it’s nice.I’m glad he has someone honest in his life.”

“Vickyisn't honest?”

Sherolled her eyes. “Oh, please. She’s a rich, spoiled, two-faced brat with fakeboobs and no personality, jealous of everyone, including her own shadow.”

Iburst into laughter.

“Laughall you want, but you’ll see. She’s meddling in all his relationships. I don’tunderstand what he sees in her. She’s not his type at all.”

“Okay,so what's Carter’s type?” I asked her for purely selfish reasons.

Shellysmiled mischievously. “The one with a pussy, Tye. Sorry.”

Ipressed my hand to my heart as if I were mortally wounded.

“Actually,I don’t know how to answer that,” Shelly continued. “No… in fact, do you knowwhat I think? I think you would be his type if you didn’t have a dick. You’reweirdly compatible… when you don’t argue.”

Iwaved my hand dismissively. “That’s fine. I hear that our health benefitsinclude a sex change procedure.”

Weboth laughed at my joke, as Shelly looked at me from under her lashes.

“So...where do we go from here?”

“Maythe best man win?” I suggested.

“Or awoman,” Shelly countered, smirking.

“Ifyou decide a threesome is acceptable, please let me know,” I joked. “Ipractically have no shame at this point.”

Shegiggled and winked at me. “Right back at you, pal.”

Carter

“Why areyou so quiet?” I said as Tye turned left into Bodega Street, where the carrepair shop was, along with my car, hopefully fixed.

“Whatdo you mean?” he replied, looking confused.

“Youhaven’t said a word to me since we came to work.”

“Haven’tI?”

“No,you haven’t, dummy. Does it have anything to do with you talking to Shelly?”

“Whywould you say that?”

Thefucker was playing dumb, and it pissed me off.

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