Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(36)

“Ah. It all finally makes sense. Why you’re always at my house and such. Guess I should take you on a date or something.” Chase smirked but kept his glare on Carter.

I kicked Carter’s leg and gave him a be nice look.

He smiled warmly at me and glanced above my head to Brandon again. “What are you going to school for?”

“I’m double majoring in financial services and accounting, and minoring in marketing.”

Carter seemed genuinely surprised by this. I had been too when Brandon told me he’d taken every core class he would need at a community college while he was still in high school, so all he had to focus on during his time at SDSU were his majors and minor. He was incredibly smart, and it only added to his appeal.

“That’s admirable I guess,” Carter said looking at me, “you can probably go into something to make a good living.”

“I make a good living now.” He pulled me closer into his body and I watched as the muscles in his forearm strained against the skin.

I rolled my eyes and was about to stop the testosterone filled interrogation when Carter spoke again.

“And how’s that? You a manager at McDonalds?”

My mouth dropped and I glared at my friend, why was he being such a jerk? Brandon stiffened and I shut my eyes. Here we go.

“I fight. And I’m damn good at what I do.”

I quickly glanced at everyone around us, it was like a bad movie. Everyone stopped talking and was staring at Carter to see what he would say.

“What kind of fighting? With open handed slaps and hair pulling?” Carter goaded.

“MMA.” Brandon said through what sounded like clenched teeth.

“Oh perfect.” Carter glanced down at me, “You managed to find an abusive hot-headed boyfriend, exactly what we tried to get you to stay away from.”

“Carter!” I hissed.

“Consider this your warning tool,” Carter’s eye got dark, “the minute you touch my girl. I will end you.”

Brandon started to stand up but I beat him to it, grabbing Carter’s arm and pulling him with me. As soon as we were far enough away that I didn’t think anyone else would hear us, I whirled around, “What the hell is your problem?!”

Carter looked a little sheepish, “I’m just looking out for you Blaze.”

“You’re being an *!”

“Well!” His arms shot out to the side, “I don’t think he’s good for you.”

I was getting freaking tired of people telling me who is and isn’t good for me. I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing I would have put my shirt back on. “And why is that Jason?”

His eye flashed with hurt, he knew I only used his first name when I was mad at him, “Because of what he does. You heard him, he fights for a living Blaze. And he was having a hell of a time trying not to hit me and I just met him.”

“Because you were being incredibly rude! And you’re right, you two had just met. If you would have given him five seconds you would have seen how amazing he is. Instead, you continued to push every button you could find, and why did you have to keep calling me your girl. I’m not your anything and you know that.”

“You’re my best friend Blaze.” He said softly.

“And I thought you were mine, but my best friend wouldn’t have treated anyone the way you just did, especially my boyfriend.” I turned to walk away but he grabbed my arm.

“Blaze I’m sorry. Please don’t walk away from me, I’ll make this up to you I swear.”

Yanking my arm from his loose hold, I stepped closer to his body, even though I was much shorter than him, he still backed up, “Do you have any idea how much you’ve embarrassed me?” I put my hands on his chest and shoved him back, “When I told them about you, all I did was gush over how awesome you were and how much I missed you. Then you show up and treat them this way?” I looked down trying to get ahold of my emotions that were all over the place. I was embarrassed, angry and sad for the loss of the Carter I knew. Huffing sadly, I glanced back up at him, “Go back to base Carter and please don’t call me anymore. You shouldn’t have come to California.”

He grabbed my hand when I turned away and pulled me back to his chest, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m so sorry Harper. I was being stupid, I just – I don’t know. I guess I felt threatened by them, you’re my best friend, and they were all looking at me like they wanted to protect you from me. It pissed me off, and I shouldn’t have let it. I’m really sorry.”

I sighed and put my arms around his waist, “Because they would protect me in a second. It’s just the same as it was on base, Carter. These guys are really protective of me and Bree. That’s why I’m so comfortable with them, it’s like I went from one family of a bunch of brothers, to another.”

“But you barely know them.”

“Carter,” I laughed lightly, “how long had I known you before you knocked out a guy from a different unit that said something about my chest?” He shifted his weight not wanting to answer, so I continued, “About two hours. It’s the same.”

“It’s not Blaze. I want to be the one to protect you. I don’t want anyone else to do my job.”

“Oh my God. What is it with you guys? I don’t need anyone protecting me and I’m not your responsibility.”