Deuces Wild

Her mouth drops open and twin splotches of red burn on her cheeks. “Oh, so that’s what you think of me,” she says in a low, angry voice. “That I’m a whore and you can just buy me? Fuck you, Carter Franklin.” She gives me a hard shove right into the pool.

Chapter 18

Mallory

I stand here shocked for a second that I actually pushed Carter into the pool. Even if he did deserve it. When he comes up for air the look on his face is one of shock too. I wait for his anger to come, for him to shout at me, but we only stare at each other, neither one of us saying a word. I swallow the lump in my throat because the anger I was feeling cooled. I’m sure as fast as the pool had cooled Carter. Now all I feel is sadness. Why does this hurt more than when my mom didn’t believe me about her boyfriend? Because you started to trust Carter, my mind whispers.

I thought we’d grown close. I keep my distance with him when it comes to personal space but not with other things. Over the last week I’ve told him more and more about my life. Tears sting my eyes but I fight them. I won’t cry in front of him.

“I guess Carter was so excited for his first house party he couldn’t even wait to get his swim shorts on.” Aly laughs, causing my eyes to shift toward her. Owen is standing next to her with his arm draped over her shoulder and holding a blanket in the other hand. They are early. This isn’t surprising. Aly’s been wanting to get a peek at Carter’s place and the two of us have become fast friends. She’s always punctual. She even asked me to help her pick out a swimsuit. She said she was going to bring over a few that she already owned and try them on while she is here. I thought it would give us alone time so I agreed to show her the ones Carter ordered for me. I have yet to open the bags. They are still sitting in his closet in a nice little stack. No matter how many times I knocked the pile over it always seems to get folded up into a nice, neat pile. I’m not sure if it’s the maid doing it or Carter.

“Something like that,” Carter answers in a way that isn’t really answering at all. He doesn’t look mad but he starts moving toward me. I have no idea what he’ll do when he gets out of the pool so I make a dash for it.

“Follow me. We’ll change.” I motion to Aly. She ducks out of Owen’s hold to follow me. Carter jumps out of the pool but Owen grabs him by the shoulder.

“Let them go,” Owen tells him. I keep on walking but wait for Carter to tell Owen to fuck off or mind his own business but he doesn’t. I peek over my shoulder. Carter continues to stare at me but resigns himself to staying with Owen.

“Did you push him in the pool?” Aly whispers as I show her up to Carter’s place.

“Yes, but—”

“Girl, you don’t need to finish the sentence. I’m sure he had it coming.” Her words make me smile. “You going to tell me why?” Her eyes dart all around Carter’s place as we enter but she keeps following me until we enter the closet.

“He gave up part of his closet for you?” She looks around in awe. My side of the closet is filling up more and more. I don’t know where it’s all coming from but I swear there is new stuff every day. There is no way that I’ll ever be able to wear all of this stuff.

“Maybe it was half empty before I got here,” I toss back, not wanting to think about Carter doing anything nice for me right now. I want to stay mad at him for a little longer.

“Su-re.” Aly rolls her eyes before she jumps up onto the island in the middle of the closet. She makes herself comfortable and dumps all of the swimsuits out of her bag. “Tell me what Carter did that got his ass tossed into the pool.” Her eyes light up. “I bet there are cameras on that pool! We could watch it in slow motion.” She snickers. I bite my lip to keep from laughing with her. “I’m teasing. I just wanted to get you to smile so you’ll cough it up.”

“He tried to pay me to live here,” I admit. I look down at the swimsuits she dumped out. His words make me feel cheap and dirty. “My mom’s boyfriend tried to offer me money too at one point. I left to get away from that but I’ve obviously walked into the same situation.” I look up at Aly.