Page 18 of Further To Fall

“Well, I’m glad you did. You have perfect timing, I’m starving.” The elevator doors slid open to the rooftop. It wasn’t finished or anything, but the guys had drug some old outdoor furniture, a table, and some chairs up here so we had a place to take a break when we needed it.

“Wow, that’s an awesome view,” Carter said as she gazed towards the Hollywood Hills. “I keep meaning to go to the Griffith Observatory, but I never seem to have the time.”

“It’s pretty dope.”

“You’ve been there?” she asked, sunlight catching the shine of her hair.

“Yeah, not long after I first moved here. The views are killer.”

“I’m sure.”

“Here, grab a seat.” I pulled two rickety chairs up to the worn table while Carter unpacked my chicken salad and protein shake and her cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake. I would have killed for that burger.

“What? Your health food not looking so appetizing compared to my feast of culinary delights?” Carter said with a smirk.

“It’s cruel of you to tempt me this way, you know?”

“You might be one of my favorite people, but I still wouldn’t make myself eat kale for you. Sorry.”

I squeezed her side. She squeaked. “I would never want you to torture yourself with kale on my behalf.”

“Thank you. You are a true friend.” She dipped a French fry into her milkshake like the weirdo she was and popped it into her mouth. “So, how’s training going?”

“Good. My boxing game is strong, and my grappling is getting better with this new coach Mel brought in.”

“That’s great. Does that mean I might actually get to attend this fight?”

I hadn’t let Carter come to any of my bouts so far, no matter how much she begged. Fights were not exactly the safest environments, and I couldn’t risk getting distracted by worrying about her when I needed my head in the game. “Carter, we’ve talked about this.”

“I know, I know. But I really want to go to this one. It’s such a big deal. I want to cheer you on.” She fluttered those big doe eyes at me, and my resolve weakened.

“I’ll think about it.”

Carter bounced up and down in her chair like a little kid, and I couldn’t hold in my chuckle. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Yes!” She shot her fist into the air. “What do people wear to fights?”

“I said I’d think about it, that doesn’t mean you should start planning your outfit.” My mind drifted to an image of Carter wearing a low-cut minidress that fight groupies favored. I bit back a groan.

“I just want to make sure I’m prepared in case you decide I can go.”

A smile touched my lips. “You wear whatever you feel comfortable in.” I paused. “But don’t let Taylor dress you.” The last thing I needed was Carter starting a riot by being too damn gorgeous for her own good dressed in some skimpy outfit Taylor put her in.

Carter’s brows pulled together. “Why not?”

I searched my mind for a plausible excuse. “She, uh, just doesn’t have as good of taste as you. Let’s not worry about it just yet, I’m still not sure it’s a good idea.”

Carter pulled a full-on pout. “Oh, all right.”

This girl was cute as fuck.

9

Carter

Iunleashed a very unladylike grunt as I pulled my bag from the backseat of my car. Christmas break could not get here soon enough. The life of a first-year teacher was no joke. I was so overwhelmed with lesson plans, grading assignments, and preparing my students for standardized testing, it felt like I barely had time to breathe. Thankfully, I had developed a routine that managed to keep my head above water and me at least semi-sane.

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