Heartless (Enemies to Lovers 1)

I force a smile to my numb face as I take the key from my keychain. When I hand it to Jaxson, I whisper, “Thank you.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Logan asks.

Damn, the twins are turning out to be amazing guys. Even Rhett, if I have to be honest with myself. Marcus hasn’t said anything yet. I’m thankful for that. The last thing I have strength for is some wiseass comment about the stupid bet.

“I’m fine,” I say, trying to force one last smile to my face. I just need a shower and sleep.

I watch Marcus, Logan, and Jaxson leave. Rhett places his arm around my shoulders and gives me a sideways hug. “Try to get some rest, babe.”

I nod, suddenly feeling the sting of tears behind my eyes. I never expected Rhett to be so nice. It seems I’ve been wrong about them all. They must think I’m such a bitch.

When Rhett notices that Carter isn’t leaving, he stops.

“I’ll be fine,” I whisper, not wanting to prolong this night any longer than I have to.

Carter watches until Rhett is out of the apartment before he turns back to me.

“Why were you out so late?” he asks again.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I was coming back from work.”

“You couldn’t get a ride with someone?”

I shake my head, not ready to explain that I don’t have a someone to ask favors of.

“Give me your phone,” he whispers, the bite now gone from his voice.

I give him a cautious look, not trusting the peace for one second.

“Just give me your fucking phone,” he bites out.

I scowl at him as I pull my mobile from my bag. Reluctantly, I hand it over.

I watch him punch in his number as he growls, “You’re fucking stubborn.”

He hands the phone back to me. “Don’t ever walk at night again. Phone me and I’ll come get you.”

My scowl turns to a what-the-hell look. Did I bump my head and now I’m hallucinating? Maybe it’s the shock that’s making me see and hear things?

“Don’t give me that look,” he says as he starts to walk towards the door. “Lock it behind me and get your ass in bed.”

I do what he says, locking the door behind him. Then I just stare at it, trying to figure out what the hell happened tonight.

***

CARTER

Fuck, that woman has a death wish.

What angers me most is that it happened down the street from our house. If we weren’t driving back from visiting with Mia, we wouldn’t have been there to help her.

A chill ripples down my spine at the thought of what could’ve happened. Della is Evie’s roommate. That’s the only reason I’m upset, because I know how upset Evie will be.

I’m going to make sure those two fuckers get kicked out of UNC. No woman is safe as long as they’re around.

We’re all quiet on the way home. Once I’ve parked the car, we head inside. I go straight to my room. Before I can close the door behind me, Jaxson says, “I’ll fix her truck tomorrow.”

I want to bite out that I don’t care if they set the fucking truck on fire, but the fact that it’s a lie keeps the words from spilling over my lips.