Frayed (Torn #2)(4)

When I heard a knock on the door, I distractedly went for it. I was momentarily taken aback when I saw Carter standing outside looking fresh out of the shower. “So you’re taking us to LAX, huh?” I asked while I studied his frowning expression. I liked Carter… back before he broke Emma’s heart.

“Yup, where’s your luggage, Tris?” He asked glancing about the living room when I let him in.

“It’s in my bedroom. Lemme go get it really quick.” I strode inside my room and was surprised that Carter followed me.

Okay. I paused and looked at the infamous playboy again. He was acting rather odd. What gives?

“I need a favor,” Carter murmured out of the blue.

I knew it! He wouldn’t have gone all the way in my room if he didn’t need something. This favor would be about Emma. This douche bag, womanizing jerk wants something and I sure as hell won’t do it. He had caused enough damage to my friend. “If this is about Emma, you can forget about it, Carter. Let her go. You’ve done enough damaging shit.”

He suddenly looked offended at my unexpected retort. Possibly because I was never mean to him, but when he cheated on my friend in the nastiest way possible, that’s where I drew the line.

Carter handed me a white gift bag. “Tris, you know I would never ask you if this wasn’t so important. I love her and I just want you to give this to her.”

“Carter, I don’t know about this.” I bit my lip as I eyed the item he was holding. Whatever was in it, it contained bad juju.

He exhaled a breath as he gripped the bag. “Promise, I will owe you one, Tris. Just this once, that’s all I ask.” Carter suddenly looked a little unsure. I saw him run his fingers through his hair a few times.

Well, maybe he should’ve thought it through before he decided to get down and do the nasty with Cece, Amanda and her trio of skankerettes. “Let it go, Carter. Emma’s doing her thing now. Besides, I don’t want to be on Bass Cole’s bad side, either. I mean they live in the same house… they may even be sharing the same room. Why would I risk that? What’s in the bag anyway?”

Carter’s eyes bulged out. “Live in the same place?” He screeched. “f*uk! f*uk! Mother f*uker!”

Yeah, buddy, that would be you aiming at yourself.

Sighing, I moved towards my table and got my tote. “Let’s go.”

When I spun around, I was surprised to see Carter… a little messed up? The hurt was so obvious on his face, I suddenly felt bad for him. “Carter?” I threw an empty water bottle at his direction.

It went past him. Though his eyes flicked toward it, it didn’t change his state. I huffed out loud and waited for him to snap out of his idiotic, trance-like state. I should be a little considerate. After all, hadn’t I gone through the same crap four weeks ago? Yeah, Carter and I are in the same boat on this one. I guess I should be a little sympathetic.

We were both, after all, cheaters.

Funny, how admitting that now doesn’t hurt any longer. I felt numb inside. I hoped being around my friends would help me get through the hell that I made for myself. How I wished Amber was here. She would help lighten up the mood, her dumbass jokes always worked like charm.

“Do you think Bass will be successful this time?” Carter asked, breaking my own thoughts.

“Carter, LISTEN. The last time… Emma was super, hella, head-over-heels in love with you. After that kinky debauchery you pulled, though, I can’t answer that. Bass and Emma are like fireworks. They spark up and explode. Do you honestly think for a second that for the last month nothing’s been going on? Come on, dude. You’re smarter than that.”

“Fireworks… how would you describe Em and me, then?” Carter looked up and his dark depths caught me off guard. Sure, I grew up with this idiot, BUT I admit… there are times I get caught off guard… speechless… when it comes to his hot-o-meter.

“You and Em were like a ticking time bomb… hot and explosive… but it has a limit.”

“I got her back after Bass almost got to her. I can do it again.” He sounded so sure of himself, too. Whatever, dude.

“Sure, now, can we go? I feel weird doing heart to heart with you.” That granted me a smile. He begged me again about the stupid gift. Blah.

“Fine! If shit hits the fan, I am blaming you, Carter! And you owe me BIG time.”

Carter grinned at me sheepishly. “Thanks, Tris. I knew I could count on you.”

“Whatever. Now move your tight ass out of my apartment before your crazy sister starts looking for us.”

After five minutes, we were out of my place. Lindsey ran into my arms when she caught sight of me. “God! I have missed you, doll! Are you ready to rock and roll with the Greek gods?” Lindsey held me tightly, released me and pinched my cheeks.

I admit, seeing my friend again made me feel good inside. I needed some light inside the darkness that I was in. Even a flicker amidst the dark hole was enough to suffice.

Lindsey didn’t say much until we were on the freeway. “What was that in the white paper bag?” she directed the question to her brother, who just happened to tense up at her unexpected inquiry. I was seated in the back, so I just sat back and watched the siblings interact. I was going to let Carter handle this shit. He was the one who brought the damn thing, not I.