Page 73 of Debts and Desires
“It’s busy tonight,” I voiced when Tyler came back, doing my damndest to ignore the hunk of man sitting beside me.
“Yup. Cassie’s singin’ for me tonight, so a lot of folks came out. But of course, she’s late as always,” he muttered the last part more to himself.
“She’s probably making her fans wait,” I joked, hoping to lighten the mood. Even though I’d seen her plenty between her glares and performances on stage, I had only talked to Cassieonce, but she seemed like the type. Her constantly shooting me glares rubbed me the wrong way. Both men looked at each other before busting out laughing.
As if on cue, Cassie finally showed up, a storm of fury and demands to her step-brother as she made her way backstage. Tyler reluctantly followed after muttering something about, “Wait until she finds out ‘her’ private bathroom is out of service for the week.” Carter and I looked between each other, this time a silent conversation between us. I snorted into my drink.
I loved how comfortable I was with Carter, how easy it was to be around him.
The chemistry between us was undeniable. Our playful flirting had morphed into something more, leaving me breathless whenever he was near. It was as if our hearts were harmonizing together. I hoped he heard it, too. Each stolen glance, each playful comment, it was all-consuming. I knew I was falling, and I was falling hard. I needed to pump the brakes before I let myself be carried off in a daydream of what could never be…
But it could if you stayed.
I looked at him, those brown eyes fixed on me, and my stomach flip-flopped. He reached over and touched my hand lightly.
“You okay?” he asked, voice deep and full of concern.
“I think so,” I answered, looking down at my drink.
Emotion crashed into me then. Being accepted by the locals at Pete’s, becoming friends with Tyler, having my perfect baby dog, and, of course, being with Carter had me smiling.
However, not every encounter at Pete’s was pleasant. And I learned that later when I had excused myself to the restroom. I needed a moment to get away from Carter’s intensity.
I had just walked out of the stall and was washing my hands when she came in. At first, I thought nothing of it, but once I dried my hands and tried to leave she stepped in front of me. It was like she had been waiting to catch me alone.
“Oh, hi,” Cassie said as she looked me up and down, a candy-coated smile plastered on her face. “Emily, right?”
“Emmy,” I corrected.
“Right, right, sorry. I see so many faces that it’s hard to keep track. So, you’re staying with Carter, huh?”
“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady despite the surge of jealousy Cassie’s presence stirred within me. Carter and I weren’t technically a thing, but pretty damn close. And this woman was under my skin with how she hung on him all the damn time.
Carter ismine.
I surprised myself with that thought.
“The guest bed is super uncomfortable there, isn’t it?”
I knew exactly what she was doing. I was thankful Carter had told me their history, because I could almost guarantee she was going to try to use it as ammunition. Sadly for her, I also came packing.
“I wouldn’t know,” I said as sweetly as I could. “I’ve been in Carter’s bed.”
“Oh.” I could tell the response caught her off guard. “Nice of him to let you sleep there.” Maybe it was the small amount of alcohol I’d had that prompted me to be just as catty. I let out a giggle.
“It is. But…” I leaned in, as if telling a secret. “There hasn’t been much sleeping.” I gave a wink before pulling away. Her face turned red.
“I thought you and Carter weren’t a thing?”
“We don’t really want to put a label on it, but we’re definitely together.”
“Does he know that?” she scoffed.
“We can ask him?” I offered.
“You know, he and I?—”
“Had a thing? Yup, he told me. I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you guys,” I feigned sympathy. “But, lucky for me, I guess.” Her jaw clenched.
