A Pound of Flesh (A Pound of Flesh #1)(94)

“—outside the prison with that cretin, Carter.” Eva spat Carter’s name as if it were a dirty word, pricking Kat’s ears and dragging her from her safe spot by the wall into the conversation.

“Mom, he’s not—” Kat began, but stopped when three sets of disapproving eyes landed on her.

The heaviness in her stomach began to spread and she wondered why, when surrounded by her family and friends, she felt so alone. Carter’s voice was all she wanted to hear. She needed to talk to him and take comfort in his no-bullshit honesty, to be assured that the risks she was willing to take with him would be worth it.

“Never mind,” she muttered before excusing herself and hurrying up the stairs to the bathroom, with Reggie close on her heels. Leaving the dog in the hallway, Kat closed the door and leaned her forehead against it.

Jesus, it was like being suffocated. She wanted her father. She wanted to see his face, hear his calm, patient voice, and smell his warm, deep cherry scent. He’d know what to say to make it right. He always did. Either that or he would squeeze her to his chest so hard she would forget what she was so upset about in the first place.

The tears threatened to spill, but it wasn’t the time.

Going to the messages on her cell, she typed a quick one to Carter. Kat’s thumbs flew over the screen.

Are you busy? Wanna talk?

The knock at the door of the bathroom coincided with Kat’s thumb pressing the send button. Opening the door slowly, she wasn’t surprised to see Beth standing on the other side.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Beth replied. “You all right?”

No more bullshit. Cards on the table. “No.”

Beth’s eyes dropped to the floor. “I didn’t think so.”

Kat lifted her shoulders in question. “What’s going on, Beth?” she asked. “I mean, I feel like I’m missing something. You were so supportive when I started at Kill. You sat with me while I spilled my guts to you about Carter, and now— I don’t know.”

“It’s … difficult to explain.”

“What’s difficult? I thought you were on my side. Is this because of Austin?”

Beth’s head shot up.

Kat closed her eyes in regret. “I’m sorry if I led him on, but we only kissed that once, and I was clear that we should take it slow, if at all. I’m so confused with everything. I didn’t—”

Beth’s face flashed with incredulity. “Are you—are you sleeping with Carter?”

Kat’s temper flared. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not.”

“This is getting out of hand, Kat. Do you even know him?” Beth continued, becoming vehement. “I mean, has he told you about all the times he’s been in jail, told you the reasons why?”

“How the—”

“Your mom’s right. You’re putting yourself in danger, your work, your—”

“You don’t know him. He’s different.”

“Oh, Katherine, please.” Beth crossed her arms. “That’s lust talking, nothing more.”

“Don’t speak to me like I’m a child, Beth,” Kat snapped, moving closer. “I get enough of that from my mother. I don’t need it from my friend.”

“I’m speaking to you like a child because you’re acting like one, and because I love you and want what’s best for you, and because I’ve held my tongue for too long. He’s. Your. Student, Kat, and a criminal. You’re putting your whole career on the line for a stupid crush that’s going nowhere.”