Carter (The Golden Team #10)

Chapter 1

Carter

Some moments stick to you like burrs — you can try to shake them off, but they cling.

The day I walked into my girlfriend’s office and found her tangled up with her boss? That one dug in deep.

The coffee in my hand went cold before I could even put it down.

I stood there in the doorway, the hum of the copier in the corner filling the silence.

Her laugh — the same laugh I used to think was meant for me — was muffled against him.

I didn’t take my eyes off of them until I knew that Brenda knew something was wrong. I watched as she raised her head.

“Carter—” she started, eyes wide, lipstick smeared, blouse half-buttoned, pulled up over her breast along with her bra. Everything she had on, or rather off, I paid for, even those fake breasts she begged me to buy her.

I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. My hands curled around the cardboard coffee tray like it was the only thing keeping me upright.

The boss had the nerve to smirk, like he’d just won some contest I didn’t even know we were in.

I set the coffee on her desk — hers still in it — and stepped back. My voice came out calm, too calm.

“Guess I don’t need to ask how late you’ll be working. You can pick up your things on the front porch.

I walked away before she could say another word. If I stayed, I’d say things I couldn’t take back — and I’d already lost enough today.