The walk home feels much longer tonight. I should’ve taken my truck. It’s old and leaves a huge ball of smoke whenever I pull away, but at least it still runs.
When I get home, the apartment’s empty. That’s what I like most about sharing with the other girls. When I’m here, I always have the apartment to myself. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to go out with them, to have close friends I can laugh and chill with. But then I remind myself that I’m not here to make friends. I’m here for Jamie. My sister is all that matters. A month after I finish here, Jamie will be eleven. I need to find a good job and get us a place of our own before she’s twelve.
I throw my bag on the single bed. I don’t have much in my room, just the second-hand bed and nightstand. I first shower, then make myself some coffee before settling down on my bed. I need to finish the assignment I’m working on even if it takes all night. Luckily it’s Sunday tomorrow and I only have to be at work at twelve, which means I can sleep in.
I get lost in my work until I’m finally happy with it. Grabbing the cup with some cold coffee still left in it, I walk to the kitchen. I’m busy rinsing the cup when I hear the door open. I dry my hands and go to see which of the girls are home. When I see Carter coming in with his arm around Evie, I feel a slight sting of disappointment. I brush the unwelcome feeling away.
“… fucking bitch,” he finishes whatever he was busy saying as his eyes land on me.
Damn, those eyes of his have the power to turn my mind to slush.
Then Evie looks up and my lips part with shock when I see her swollen cheek. Mascara is streaked over her cheeks, with red blotches around her eyes. I rush forward and grab Evie away from him.
“Get your hands off her,” I hiss.
Was he busy cursing Evie as they came in?
I bring her to the couch and let her sit down. I lift her face up, and with worried eyes, I take in the bruise on her cheek. Her tears make my insides quiver with anger. Evie is one of the nicest people I know. Why would he hurt her?
I turn back to Carter, my body shaking with rage. “Get out!”
He takes a step towards me and it makes me tense. I’m nothing like my friends. I won’t hesitate to introduce my
knee to his balls.
“Let me-” he starts to talk, but I cut him off. He can keep his explanation for those air-headed bimbos he likes to screw.
“Nothing you say will make this okay. You’re nothing but a spineless piece of shit. Is it a turn-on?” I sneer as I walk towards him. “Does it make you feel like a man?”
“Della,” Evie calls from behind me. I need to get back to her. I shove him as hard as I can, and I’m pleased when he takes a step back.
He tilts his head and there’s an expression on his face I can’t read. Maybe anger? Who cares anyway? I hate the Screw Crew. They’re nothing but a bunch of bullies. I hope they aren’t close friends of Evie. She needs to stay away from guys like them. They’re nothing but trouble.
I didn’t see it earlier, but the brand of shirt he’s wearing is of the expensive kind. He reeks of money. That explains it all.
“You should use some of that money and buy yourself some morals,” I snap.
To my surprise he laughs, shaking his head at me. His eyes drop to my legs and it’s only then I remember that I’m only wearing a shirt.
888
CARTER
White cotton panties. Fuck. She yanks the shirt down and scowls at me.
“Careful, babe. Looking at me like that will get you in trouble,” I taunt her just because it’s so fucking easy to get her all riled up.
Earlier at the diner, I actually thought she was hot. I admired her for standing up to the guys. I don’t have to like her to admit that she’s got killer legs, and don’t even get me started on her mouth. I’d love to see her on her knees with her lips wrapped around my cock. Then I’ll live up to the what she thinks of me as I add her name to the screwed list. She’s just another judgemental bitch. I regret standing up for her to my friends, telling them to back off and to drop the bet. I’m going to win that bet just so I can see the look on her face when she realizes that she’s nothing but a four hundred dollar fuck.
I watch as her scowl turns to a death glare, but I don’t miss the blush creeping over her cheeks. What do you know? Little Miss high and mighty may hate me, but those blushing cheeks are a clear sign that she’s attracted to me. That will work perfectly to my advantage.
I grin at her and whisper, “Game on.”
She takes another step closer to me and I get a whiff of her scent. She smells edible, like crushed apples.
There’s a slight frown on her forehead when she says, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I’m not one of your friends.” She wiggles a finger between us. “Whatever you think is going on here, it’s not. Get out of our apartment before I call the cops. “
“You’re quick to judge others, aren’t you?” I say as I start to plan all the different ways I’m going to have fun with her. “You’re one of those who loves to sit on your high fucking pedestal, while passing judgment on anyone who’s different from you. Quite fucked up if you ask me.”