Crushed (Torn #7)(21)

“All right,” I conceded with a nod. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

I made my way towards the door, barely throwing Carter a mild look as I exited and then found myself being slightly pushed towards Brody’s bedroom at the opposite side of the hall. A protest teased the tip of my tongue, yet I reined it in, knowing this wasn’t the time to test how foul his mood was.

Truth be told, I was a little surprised by his reaction. I get that maybe he was feeling somewhat betrayed if his thoughts were leading him to me and Carter hooking up. Apart from that, however, he should be speaking to his friend more than me since he and I didn’t have a “relationship.” I didn’t want to label what we did have or had, because it was embarrassing to even admit it. Let’s face it; I was his booty call, nothing more.

Upon entering his room, he didn’t even wait until the door was closed before his verbal attack began, putting me on the spot.

“Are you really f*uking serious about this, Amber?” He was as mad as a damn bull. “What the f*uk’s gotten into you? You must be out of your mind to consider sleeping in Carter’s room.”

I opened my mouth, feeling as if I had to defend myself, but before I had the chance to spar back, he continued his attack. “Are you f*uking him now, too?”

Oh, hell no! “Well, f*uk you very much, Brody!”

What was I to him? A hussy? Probably. After all, I never once denied him if he sought me for sex. At this point, I was going to look bad in his eyes either way. There was no way to save myself from this. Might as well just go with what he thought of me. Like that would make a difference.

“You know what? Think what you like. If you’re done insulting me and yelling at me, I’d very much like to go now.”

“He’s not going to make you happy. I hope you know that.”

Like I really cared, but apparently, Brody seriously did. Had he told me this was making him angry—maybe even a little bit jealous—I would have given in just so he would be okay with it. However, he hadn’t done any of that.

I figured he was more angry at the thought of his friends sleeping with “one of his women.” As a result, a little shamefaced from yet another major letdown from him, I angrily led myself out of his room and hightailed back towards Carter’s room, needing to get away from Brody as fast as I possibly could.

I needed a cold drink, preferably something alcoholic and strong to calm my nerves.

These two weeks were going to be nightmare. Of course, I was going to go through with it regardless, because it would be a good test for me. In a way, I needed to detox myself of this ridiculous love I had for him. And what better way to do it than here?

I was almost convinced that, by the end of this trivial ordeal, I would be a free woman. No more attachments, no more guilt trips.





Chapter Eleven





Later that evening, Carter left for about an hour. I assumed he went to speak to Brody. However, I was touched and surprised when he came back with a bag of take-out food and immediately set up shop on the floor in the middle of the room without a care in the world.

“Thought you might be hungry, so I went to grab some food. Hope you like ribs, mac and cheese, and some slaw.”

I was starving. In fact, my tummy had been making a whiny protest minutes before he arrived.

“I love all of the above!” My smile was massive as I hopped off the couch and joined him on the floor. “I must say, Carter, you’re actually not that bad. As a matter of fact, I think you’re mighty awesome.” If he kept going like this, I might just be tempted to trade in Trista for Carter as my bff. Carter was less evasive than the redhead. Okay, that was a fanciful thought, but I could just imagine Trista’s face when I told her what I had been up to.

Salivating as Carter took the food from the bag, I was humming and whistling as I drooled over the luscious aroma wafting its way to me as he opened an item.

Handing me a fork, he gave me a questionable look before asking, “Did anyone try to bug you while I was away?”

I shook my head. “No, surprisingly not.”

“Good,” he said with a satisfied nod. “I spoke to him on the way out. He shouldn’t bug you like that from now on. Well, while you’re a guest here, that is.”

I stilled, giving him a shocked look. “You spoke to him?” That must have been interesting.

“Yeah, I had to. It isn’t like you two are dating, so I asked what his deal was, and he only said he just wasn’t expecting it.”

“That’s all he said?”

“Yup,” he said with a pop of his mouth.

Well, there you go. Had Brody cared more, he would have done something about it. He didn’t, though, so there was my answer.

We began to eat with enthusiasm while recalling the best parts of Lindsey’s wedding and rehashing childhood memories that highlighted Lindsey’s crazy moments.

“Why are you doing this?” I really wanted to know why he was putting his friendship with Brody on the line by taking me in.

He pondered a moment, taking a break from eating to drink from his soda before he finally responded.

“You and me, we’re both in the same boat. Maybe I’m just fed up with all this crap and all the bullshit. We’re like the underdog, you know? We don’t have a f*uking choice but to deal what they dole out. So, I thought, f*uk, this is so f*uked up, and if I can help you get out of this situation, I shouldn’t hesitate.” His heartfelt sentiment went straight to my heart, touching me deeply. “It sucks, you know? It’s hard—it’s f*uking hard—and I f*uking get that.”