Chapter 12
This game may be getting out of hand.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
My eyes flew open, and I glanced around the darkened room.
My legs were strewn across Carter's legs.
His head flopped over the arm of the chair, and he softly snored.
We'd fallen asleep after I beat him in Uno three times.
Then we started watching and analyzing Menace II to Society to current times, and how nothing has changed.
Spending time with him, without the pressure of sex, felt no different than hanging with Grey.
I was totally myself with him. We made each other laugh, and we learned more about each other.
He'd sworn off liquor after getting so drunk his freshman year that he threw up for two days straight.
As a child, Carter wanted to be a veterinarian.
He still planned to pursue that degree if football didn't work out.
He only majored in education because the coursework allowed him to perform well academically while he trained and worked hard on the football team.
He was introverted, which surprised me, though it explained how often he seemed alone on campus.
Carter hung out with classmates and teammates but didn't have friends, preferring to focus on his football and school.
He'd only had two girlfriends, one in high school and one in college.
Women had been too much drama, so he avoided commitment and entanglements as much as possible.
Now, someone was knocking on his door in the wee hours of the morning.
I wasn't up for another round with Selena or whoever else believed she could pop by unannounced.
"Carter." I nudged his thigh with my knee, careful not to touch his semi-erect dick that clearly rested on his thigh. He'd been a gentleman all night, and I didn't want to tempt him any more than I already had.
He mumbled and turned over in his sleep with my knee pressed against him.
"Carter," I hit his leg and called his name louder. I eased from our entangled legs and tiptoed to the door when he still didn't respond.
A worried Chelsea stood at the door, and I quickly opened it and stepped outside.
She grabbed me into a hug before pushing me from her and then hissed loudly, "Don't you ever fucking scare me again like that. I had no idea where you were, and I didn't want to worry Grey, so I didn't call him."
"Grey is still out? What time is it?"
"Two in the morning. You left your damn phone and had me worried."
"I'm sorry. I got caught up."
She stepped back and checked out Carter's hoodie that covered the yellow dress I borrowed from her. Throughout the night, the dress had risen. I looked like I had nothing on except for Carter's hoodie. Chelsea's eyes widened, and she clapped her hands.
"Shh!" I grabbed her hands. "Nothing happened. Well, shit did happen. He's willing to wait and wants us to get to know each other. There's a lot more, but I need to tell you once I come home."
"Is he asleep?"
"Yes, we fell asleep on the sofa. Carter sleeps hard, apparently."
Chelsea suddenly grinned. "Come home now."
"I need to at least say goodbye and get my sandals."
"No, you don't. He will only want you more if he wakes up and you're not there. Trust me."
I shook my head. "I'm playing enough games with him. That's just wrong when he's been nice to me, and he's going through shit."
"Is it wrong?" She pulled me away from his door, still whispering. "You're supposed to have a live-in boyfriend. You can't spend the night with another man. And definitely not one who lives next door."
I sighed. "Why did I lie? I really want to wake up with him."
"You've gotten this far because of your lie.
Play your cards right, and you'll wake up with Carter anytime you want.
" She opened our door and waited for me to walk through it.
"Besides, you still have to return his hoodie and need to get your shoes.
A perfect way to get back inside his place or at least to talk to him. "
I finally looked at her face in the bright light of our living area.
Her eyes were puffy, and dried tears stained her face.
"Chelsea, I'm sorry. I swear I was trying to give you space, and then I saw Carter on the beach.
Everything else happened fast. But enough about me.
Please let me be here for you and stop acting like you're not devastated. You were going to marry Carmello."
"I’m fine, Darren.” She waved her hand dismissively when I tried to hug her, and I dropped my arms. “That’s what I get for bragging about something that hadn’t and won’t happen. Trying to look good for social media bites you in the ass every time.”
Now wasn’t the time to remind her I’d warned her about putting all her business on social media. “You sure you’re not mad I left you here alone earlier?”
Chelsea rolled her eyes. “I stayed in the bathroom so long the water got cold, and when I came out, I crashed into the bed. Determined not to waste any more time on Carmello. Like Lisa Lisa, I’m all cried out. Moving on. Don’t ask me shit else about him.”
I held both hands up placatingly. “I won’t, but I also don’t mind hearing about him if you need to vent more. You don’t have to be strong for me.”
“You know this is how I handle shit. Like I said...moving on. And I’m not mad because I didn’t realize you left until I woke up about one, and when I couldn’t find you, panic set in.
Grey had his car, and mine was still in the parking lot, so you couldn’t have gone far.
Then it hit me that you might be next door.
I was about to leave when you opened the door.
” She yawned. “I’m tired as fuck. Tell me tomorrow how you spent the night and didn’t have sex with him. ”
As we walked to our bedroom, I winked. “Then I can tell you how stupid I made Selena Washington look when she tried to fight me because of Carter.”
“Hold the fuck up? The cheerleader?” She grabbed my arm. “Ain’t no one going to sleep until you tell me what happened.”
“At least let me get out of these clothes.”
“I’m not Carter.” She snickered. “I’m tired. Wash in the morning. Get on your side, and I’ll get on mine.”
We climbed into our respective beds, facing each other to talk, much like we’d done for the last three years, and I told her everything that happened.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, while Chelsea slept, I quickly showered and brushed my teeth.
I hadn't slept much because I wanted to catch Carter before he left for practice. Although I could see Chelsea’s point, she didn’t feel what I felt.
She didn’t feel how we vibed, how our conversation flowed easily.
How he didn’t even attempt to kiss me, though his gaze would drift to my lips while we talked.
He deserved more than me ghosting him. I tossed on my glasses, a red crop top, and black joggers and left my room.
Grey had spent the night out, and I wondered why he’d been secretive about whomever he was seeing.
We’d always been open about our dating lives.
I passed his open door and rushed to my balcony, only to find Carter’s balcony empty.
I then went to his condo and pressed my ear to the door to see if I could hear him.
There were no sounds of TV, music, or kitchen appliances.
I checked my cell. No text from Carter, and it was almost eight.
Later than I thought. The first football practice should be over unless he needs to stay on campus since the fall semester starts tomorrow.
I walked down the stairs and reached the bottom when Carter pulled into the parking space near me.
I placed my hands behind my back and smiled brightly, though I worried he might be bothered by how I left last night.
Carter jumped out of his truck, wearing the school jersey with his name on the back and long shorts. He’d kept the cornrows in his hair, and I had to admit I’d done a good job. Without speaking, he opened the back door to grab his duffle bag.
“Morning.”
He closed the door and moved past me.
“Hey, I tried to wake you. You sleep like a log.” I tried humor.
Carter placed earbuds in his ear and glared.
“Really?”
“Really,” he finally answered, and his attitude didn’t sit right with me.
I blocked him from going up the stairs, and he backed up.
“Uh, okay. So, I give you another chance after a woman, probably the one I heard you fucking the other night, curses me out and tries to beat me up, but you won’t speak to me?
I got up early to explain, and now you won’t talk. I don't get a second chance?”
Carter’s nose flared before his attention moved past me. I turned around, and Grey walked up, frowning.
Grey slung his arm around my neck and pecked my lips like this was our routine. “Sorry, baby, I should’ve called. Got caught up with my cousin.” He then asked Carter. “Everything good?”
“It’s good.” I tapped his belly, warning him he was being too much. “Just telling Carter about our weight training classes specifically for athletes.”
Grey smiled at Carter. “Why would you want to be in a gym when we could run together on the beach sometime? Challenge each other. It can really help your stamina, right babe?” He pressed his lips longer against mine before popping my ass firmly and possessively.
“See ya inside. And Carter, let me know if you ever want to run?”
He jogged up the stairs, and my eyes followed him, needing to rub my stinging ass and wondering what the hell he was doing.
Carter cleared his throat, dragging my attention back to him. “He was out all night?”
“I left you last night thinking he would be home any minute, and he never did come home.” I shrugged. “It happens when he’s hanging with his cousin.”
He only frowned.
“So, are we cool? Or will you hold leaving last night without waking you up against me?”
“You lie too easily,” he commented.
“Huh, what?” Did he see through the ruse of me and Grey because I even thought we were real for a hot second?
“That lie about the gym just rolled off your tongue like nothing. Doesn’t seem like you. Or at least the way you appear to me.” He glanced up the stairs before he tugged on the band of my joggers, pulling me close. “You must really like me to lie to him.”
Relieved that he hadn’t caught on, I smiled. “I do.”
Carter warned, “Be careful. He knows you like me, too.”
Yep, he does. I pressed my hands on his chest, cheesing in his face. “How do you know that?”
“He just marked his territory to keep me from kissing you, too.” Carter then released me.
“He can't really say anything to you about me because he spent the night out without calling. Still, you better go on before he comes back outside in a different spirit. I left my phone in the car anyway. I’ll text you later.”
“Promise?”
“I always honor my bets even when I lose, and I owe you a date.” His lips curved into a smile.
“Yep, you do, and I can't wait.” I beamed and turned to hurry upstairs. When I reached the landing, I rested my back against the chrome rails and touched my lips.
Why did Grey kiss me? And why didn’t I want him to stop?