Chapter 4
He just might be possible.
Rushing past equipment and the few students in the gym, I finally made it to the safety of the locker room, anxious to call Chelsea.
She wouldn’t be home from her trip to San Diego until tomorrow, but this was an emergency.
I needed help. I couldn't afford to fuck up this opportunity.
I was about to be alone with Carter for almost twenty minutes.
In the locker room, I grabbed my bag, placed my buds in my ear, and dialed Chelsea.
While I waited for her to pick up, I stared at myself in the mirror, wondering what made me sexy to Carter.
I wore a loose-fitting pink tank with a gray sports bra underneath, pressing my C-cups to my chest, and black jogging shorts.
Shorts that emphasized months of thigh and calf exercises.
The type of workout attire I usually wouldn’t wear, preferring long T-shirts over leggings.
I needed to do laundry, and I had a couple of Chelsea’s clothes mixed in with mine.
This was a Chelsea fit. My thick brown hair had become coiled from sweat, and my brown skin, tanned sienna from the summer sun, did appear to glow like Nia Long's.
Damn. I did look sexy. Carter wasn’t just being flirty.
“This better be good,” Chelsea drawled. “We’re at this museum where you can’t talk at all. I stepped out to answer you.”
Quickly scanning the empty locker room, I hissed, “This is better than good. Carter St. Patrick asked to take me home from the gym. He helped me spot and told me I was sexy as fuck.”
She screamed, and then I heard her go off. “I am outside. Mind your business, bitch. I’m talking to my friend.” Chelsea returned to the phone. “What did you say?”
I chuckled at my friend, picturing that whoever she had just spoken to was still mad, and Chelsea had already moved on. Bitchiness was a natural part of her personality. “Nothing, really. I accepted his ride, though I drove Grey’s car here.”
Her voice raised again, “Is Grey home? Because if he’s home, he’s going to bust you. You know he doesn’t give a fuck that there’s no way you could turn down a ride with Carter.”
I hit my forehead. “You’re right. He’s at home, which is why he let me use it. I’ll just make sure that Carter doesn’t come over to our place.”
“You mean go to his? Are you ready for that?” She sounded doubtful. “If Carter said you were sexy as fuck, and you’re alone in his place, he’s going to think you want to do it.”
“Not how I acted when he tried to touch my hair.”
“What did you do, D?"
I crossed my arms, shame creeping up my neck about my behavior.
“We were like within kissing distance, staring at each other. I was channeling my inner Beyonce. He was already stroking my arm with his finger, and when he tried to touch my hair, Darren returned, and I almost tripped over myself. I broke the mood. That’s why I’m calling you.
Think I still have a chance to recapture the moment? ”
“Ooh...Um, I guess." She sounded doubtful. "But my question is, what will you do if he does try to kiss you or wants to do more?”
“Go for it,” I said weakly as I turned away from the uncertainty I could see in my reflection.
“Hey, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Not even for Carter.” She reminded me, sounding more like my mother than my best friend.
“I know that. I hate that I get so freaking awkward about men I’m attracted to. I love me. Just not the me when I get around male beauty.”
“Pretend it’s Grey. He’s seen you at your worst and knows how your shit smells. And you are yourself around him, and we all know he’s a fucking prize on campus.”
“But it’s Grey. Somehow, I don’t notice his looks.” I tapped my shoe against the stone floor, hoping no one else would enter the locker room.
Chelsea declared, “That’s why I’m saying pretend Carter is Grey.
Treat him like your friend and not some dude you’ve been crushing on forever.
Trust me, you’ll run him away if you can’t be yourself.
Get it together and be yourself. He already noticed you on campus.
Keep his attention. Text me if you need anything.
I’d better go, as should you, before Carter leaves. ”
“What time are you getting home tomorrow?”
“Late, but you'd better be up waiting for me.”
“I have no choice. We’re sharing a bedroom, and you don’t know how to be quiet to save your life.
” I chuckled. We had a two-bedroom condo.
Grey had the smaller room, and Chelsea and I shared the master bedroom.
We were used to it. We have shared a room since we were freshmen, living in the dorms when we first met.
Taking one last look at my reflection, I flexed my biceps. “I can do this.”
With my head held up and chin out, I strutted through the gym to the front steps. His truck idled outside, and when he saw me, Carter hopped out of the truck and opened my door for me. Treat him like Grey. Treat him like Grey.
I smiled widely. “I thought chivalry was dead.”
He grinned. “Not when you’re around me.”
Once I settled in the front seat, he took the seatbelt before I could reach for it and crossed it over me to buckle it.
He made sure not to accidentally brush my chest as he snapped it.
Before he could rise back up, I impulsively kissed his cheek.
Carter stepped back. His smile softened before he ducked his head.
“Are you blushing?” I asked.
“Naw.” He shrugged it off and stood in the doorway, watching me. “Just surprised.”
“Why?”
Carter looked around him before he bent down and pressed his lips against mine.
Long and hard enough for me to revel in the roughness of his mustache and goatee against my skin.
He raised his head, though he didn’t move away.
His handsome face was so close to mine that his warm, minty breath tickled my nose. Close enough for us to kiss again.
We gazed at each other a moment longer before he asked, “Want to hang out at my place?”
“Yes,” I replied with no hesitation.
“Cool.” Carter tried unsuccessfully to hide his relieved smile as he closed my door.
Hmmm...he was nervous, too. Maybe. Just maybe, Carter St. Patrick was a possibility for me.