One Wild Night (Hollywood Chronicles #1)(68)

"I love them so much. Anything I can do to help you—"

"Franny," Faith says softly. "It's okay to love them and still hurt for your own loss."

I nod quickly and choke back my emotions. This is the first time Faith and I have really talked about my niece and nephew and the pain seeing them causes me. I pinch my eyes closed, pushing back the sudden rush of tears. Our conversation is cut short when the little bell above the diner door chimes just as someone says loudly, "Well, well, well…look what the cat dragged in!"

Denim legs stop at the end of our booth, but I keep my eyes fixed across the table on Faith.

"What's up, Carter?" Faith asks with an annoyed tone, and I do my best to hide the smirk on my face as I hide it behind my coffee cup.

He's the same playful character he was ten years ago when I last saw him. "Aren't you going to say hi, Franny? Or are you too good for us now that you're some hot shot lawyer in L.A.?" He drags out the L.A. part.

My back stiffens and I sit up taller, squaring my shoulders and turning to face Carter. "Nice to see you, Carter. I see some things haven't changed."

Carter always hated that Cole and I were inseparable as kids. He was always second fiddle to me and it drove him nuts. He would find any reason to pick on me, mostly for me being a straight A student, a real nerd in his eyes. Cole finally knocked the shit out of him in eighth grade, and he resigned himself to the fact that Cole would always choose me over him and he finally backed off. However, with how things ended with me and Cole, I'm sure he's been waiting years to pick back up where he left off in eighth grade.

He feigns offense. "Haven't changed? Ah, Franny, you hurt me!" He smacks his chest right over his heart with his hand. "I was joking, but in all honesty, it's really good to see you," he says warmly, looking down on us. "You've made a good name for yourself, you should be proud of yourself, I know I'm proud of you. Someone from Crescent Ridge needed to make it big."

I'd almost believe his words if I didn't know him better, except I do know him and, in all honesty, he does seem sincere.

"Thanks." I manage to say without rolling my eyes.

"How's your mama?" he asks, leaning up against the table of our booth; he shows no sign of leaving anytime soon. I look over my shoulder at the glass door of the diner, wondering if Cole is with him.

"She's doing the best she can," Faith jumps in, answering for me. "Thanks for asking. Franny and I were just catching up, so if you don't mind…"

"Are you giving me the brush off?" he asks us both with a little laugh.

"Yes!" Faith says, rolling her eyes. "And you're terrible at picking up social cues, Carter. You really need to work on that."

I stifle a laugh, damn near choking on my coffee.

Carter narrows his eyes at Faith. "Just wanted to say hi to an old friend,” he says, narrowing his eyes at Faith, then turns back to me. “How long you in town for, Franny? Maybe we can catch up another time."

"Highly doubtful," Faith pipes in again before I stop her with a look. Jesus, she's feisty today.

I clear my throat and tell him, "I'm not sure. I need to make sure everything is settled with my mom and that she's being taken care of before I make any decisions on when to leave. But, Carter, you and I both know catching up probably isn't a good idea." I deliver the blow kindly, and it actually hurts my heart to blow him off. We spent a lot of time together—a lot of good times—in high school. I'm glad he's still around for Cole. Not that I should give two shits about Cole, but I do. I always will, undoubtedly.

He nods in understanding, his hands propped on his hips. "Franny, I know shit was bad when you left, but—"

I stop him right there. "We're not talking about this, Carter, okay? I just came to get some coffee and pie with my sister. The past is done. There's nothing to discuss." My voice breaks, and I can feel tears stinging the back of my throat.

He sees my emotions and takes a deep breath, pulling his lips between his teeth as he watches me. His dark brown eyes narrow ever so slightly on me, not in anger but with something else. Understanding maybe? He leans forward and lowers his voice, "There's a lot of things you don't know, Franny. A lot of answers that you deserve—"

My hearts races and part of me wants to know what he has to say, but I'm not ready to unbury the past. "Carter," I stop him. "Please."

He raises his hands in surrender as he backs away. "I'm just saying there's a lot of shit that needs to be cleared up."

I shake my head softly. "What's done is done. We all need to move forward now. Goodbye, Carter," I say gently, offering him a sad smile as he throws an arm up in defeat and disappears through the doors he just came through minutes ago.

Gus stayed back, eyeing our little reunion. Now that Carter left, he finally drops off two plates of apple pie and tops off our coffee as Faith watches me quietly from across the table. When Gus leaves, she lets out a heavy sigh and pushes her plate to the side.

"What do you think he meant by ‘things you don't know’, Franny?"

I shrug. "I don't know, and honestly, I don't care. My focus is getting mom better so I can get the hell out of here and never look back." Again.