Page 43 of Debts and Desires
“You were working. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Call from now on, okay? I wanna make sure you eat.”
“I’m fine. I have snacks, remember?” I said, holding up the bag I had brought with me. He eyed the bag before turning his whiskey gaze to me. I knew that look of irritation. If I didn’t speak up, he was going to add days. “I’m not being defiant about eating, Carter, I promise. I really wasn’t all that hungry until just before you walked in.”
“Okay. Well, let’s get goin’ then.” He didn’t have to tell me twice.
On the way, I asked him if he’d be able to order some file folders, paperclips, and a working stapler. He nodded, mumbling something about forgetting about replacing that stuff. I asked him how his day was going and he went into a whole rant about what was giving him trouble. Honestly, it was like he was speaking a foreign language to me, but I enjoyed hearing him talk about it.
When we got back to the house, Mac greeted us in the yard, his tail wagging a million miles an hour. I slipped away to relieve my bladder. I hadn’t left the office since I went in there, afraid I’d run into someone and upset Carter. As I came back down, Carter was starting to grab everything to make lunch. I offered to make the sandwiches instead. He didn’t fight me on it, petting Mac as he watched me throw the food together. It was strange, but I realized Ilikedhis eyes on me. I liked a lot of things about Carter. Then I’d remind myself about our agreement and cringe. Even if it was one-sided, I had no business catchinganytype of feelings for him.
After we ate, we went outside and tossed a ball back and forth with Mac. I wondered if this was what he did during his breaks before I showed up. I was a little surprised that we didn’t have sex, or at the very least that I hadn’t given him a blowjob.
“Do you wanna call it a day and stay here?” Carter asked me. He must have read my thoughts and more than likely wanted to go upstairs. My cheeks heated.
“I thought you had to finish that carbonara thing?”
“Carburetor,” he chuckled. “And I do. I meant you stay.”
“I’d like to do a full day of work. I left a mess and still have a lot to sort through. My boss isextremelyunorganized,” I teased.
“Keep it up and yourbossis gonna spank that ass of yours cherry red,” he growled. My mouth parted as I took a sharp inhale. The movement beside me offered a wonderful change of subject. I looked down and rubbed Mac behind the ears.
“Can he come with us?” I asked, looking back up and giving the best puppy eyes I could. Carter shook his head, not swayed in the least bit. “Please?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“‘Cause I don’t wanna go diggin’ bolts and lug nuts outta his shit again,” he answered. I laughed. Carter never had a filter and I think that was one of the things I liked most about him, too.
He gave me a few minutes before barking out that we needed to get back to the shop. With one final snout kiss to Mac, I slid back into the passenger seat of Carter’s Blazer.
When we arrived back at the garage, he told me to wait again. He looked around first before opening my door. I smiled and thanked him. He only nodded. When we were in, he turned the sign on the door back to “open” and looked at me.
“Let me know when it’s four-thirty. I wanna try to be out of here on time,” he said.
“Will do,” I smiled, heading back into the office. My smile faded as I looked over the stacks.
Why did I agree to do this?
I didn’t even glance at Judgy McCuteface on the wall, but I knew she was watching. Instead, I muttered, “I know, I know,” and got back to work.
Approximately an hour and a half later, my bladder felt as if it would burst. I was doing “the dance” as I tried to put the last file in. Not able to take it anymore, I texted Carter. It wasn’t even thirty seconds later that I called him instead.
My eyes landed on the cat poster and I had to turn from her. I should’ve called him sooner, but I had wanted to get the last bit done.
“Yeah?” he answered.
“I have to pee,” I said, desperation in my tone.
“Okay? Then go?”
“Well, I don’t want to if someone’s out there.”
“No one’s here but us.”
“Okay.” I hung up and scurried out to the shop area. His eyes were on me the moment I walked in. I ignored him and quickly got into the bathroom, locking the door. Sweet, sweet relief washed over me and I hummed in satisfaction.
