Page 62 of Debts and Desires
“Good. I hate seein’ you upset. So. Can I get you anythin’ else?” she asked him again. I knew it was to him, but I spoke up.
“Can we get some more fries, Carter?” I asked him, wanting her to leave so that I could call him out on telling people about our deal. He nodded.
“‘Course, Buttercup. More fries, extra ketchup. And,” he eyed me, as if trying to read my mind. “Water?” I nodded. “A bottle of water.” He said nothing else. I wasn’t sure why he specified the bottle when Tyler had been giving me cups all night.
Another fake grin came from Cassie before she sauntered off. He grabbed my beer and took a swig before handing it back.
“Did you tell her about our deal?” I hissed. He shook his head.
“No. I was grumblin’ to Ty about having to set some boundaries at work. Itwasabout you, but I never said that. I kept it vague.”
“I think she knew it was about me.”
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “But doubt it. She was just lookin’ to make conversation.”
“You guys have a history?” He looked around for a moment before nodding again.
“Fucked once. She came on to me. I was drunk and stupid. She was in a tough spot before she left, so Ihelped. Been up my ass ever since. Well, not so much since she came back two years ago.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ain’t my gossip to give. But let’s just say she was gone for three years, vanished almost. Then came back two years ago completely different. Regret ever bein’ nice to her in the first damn place.” That made me feel better. This thing with Carter was new… I was feeling jealous, but his words helped.
“Does Tyler know?”
“No. And he ain’t gonna.” He lifted a brow in warning. I realized he was probably looking for Tyler moments ago when he answered me.
“Got it.”
“Good. Now, as I was sayin’. I think you should do the audition, Em. You should do ‘Hole in My Soul’ first and save the sandcastle one for last,” he said, picking up our conversation back up as if we hadn’t been interrupted. “Does it have a name?” I shook my head.
“I was thinking of just calling it ‘Sandcastles’, but that isn’t very original.”
“I think it is. It’s simple.”
“‘Sandcastles’ it is,” I smiled. “Now I just have to finish it.”
“And come up with a middle song.”
“And come up with a middle song,” I repeated with a sigh.
“What about the one you were workin’ on when I picked you up? The rain one?”
“Eh, I don’t think it’ll fit with the other two.”
“Maybe you need some inspiration for a new one,” he grinned, wiggling his brows. He went to lean in to whisper something when a basket of fries thudded in front of him. A cup of water was set next to it and Cassie smiled at Carter. Carter’s eyes never left mine as she asked ifheneeded anything else.
“No, thanks,” I said. Her eyes met mine, a flash of annoyance in them as she walked away. I looked back at him and said, “So, what kind of inspiration?” He chuckled, grabbing a fry and biting into it.
Carter chewed slowly, making a show of it as if he was savoring the flavor. He swallowed, licking his fingers clean before answering.
“I’ll show you when we get home. And trust me, Buttercup. You’re gonna wanna sing right away.” I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach at his words. “Now, help me eat these so we can get the hell out of here.” I couldn’t argue with that.
I went to reach for the cup of water, but he grabbed it, setting it on the backside of the bar. He called Tyler over and apologized, making up some lie about the water having something in it. Tyler didn’t even look, dumping it and brought out a fresh cup not long after before disappearing again. The man seemed to be everywhere, wearing different titles all at once. I looked at Carter and asked him what that was all about.
“Cass has a reputation, too,” he explained. “Just ask Ty about Christmas a couple of years back.” Something told me I shouldn’t.
When we were done, he paid the tab despite Tyler’s protests, leaving a generous tip, and helped me to the Blazer. He opened the door for me and as I was climbing in, spanked my ass then grabbed me, pulling my back into his chest. He whispered all the ways he planned to make me come,promising more spanks on top of it all, too. Then pulled away, as if nothing happened.
