I don’t tell him who those people were, or that half the time Pop Tarts and frozen breakfast burritos were on the menu. He doesn’t need to know everything. “I’m good,” I repeat firmly. “You’re absolved. Released. Your karmic spreadsheet is balanced. I. Am. Fine.”
“But are you done?”
I chew on my lip, thrown off balance by his quick comeback and enigmatic expression. “For now.”
“You’re not fine,” he calmly corrects me. “And repeating a thing doesn’t make it true.”
I try to respond, but he holds up his hand, determined to make his point. “You told the police that Toni has a key to your apartment. You’ve admitted it’s possible she’s with the men who attacked you, who might have done worse if they hadn’t been interrupted.”
I really don’t want to think about that.
“They aren’t in custody yet, which means they could come back at any time and there wouldn’t be anyone around to stop them.”
“Bet you’re a joy at Christmas parties,” I mumble bitterly.
Carter shoots me a stern look. “You want a bright side? Let’s say they’re smart and they stay away. You’d still be here on your own. You said you’d be fine as long as you had a new television. How exactly would you manage that? I know you won’t take pain meds, but there’s no way you could drive responsibly when you’re banged up like this. That is, if you had a car. Do you have a car, JD?”
“No.” Am I shrinking? Can he still see me on the couch or do I look like a smallish speck of lint? “I was planning to call for one.”
He nods grimly. “Sure, that would work. And would you trust a stranger who pimps out his car to help you back up the stairs while carrying your purchases? Would you let him in your apartment? I’m curious, since I already know you wouldn’t ask a friend.”
“How do you—”
“You haven’t called anyone since last night, Green. Not at the police station and not this morning. And judging by your stubborn insistence that you can take care of yourself, I doubt you’ll send up the bat signal once I’ve gone.” His breath comes out in a gusting sigh. “So your plan is to sit on your murdered sofa that’s surrounded by broken glass, with nothing to distract you from worrying about your neighbor and what part she may or may not have played in what happened to you. Did I miss anything?”
“You forgot the takeout.”
“Shit, I did, didn’t I? Nobody’s perfect.”
“Is this what I do?” I mutter, uncomfortable at being so easy to read. “I don’t think I like observant people.”
“Well I don’t much care for the fact that you were right about what I was thinking either. Most of it,” he amended. “I do feel guilty for not getting to you sooner. My friends and I are the reason you didn’t leave at a decent hour, so one of us should have made sure you were safely on your way home. And anyone with an ounce of decency would hesitate before letting you deal with this mess alone. But I don’t see you as a kid, and I don’t think you’re incapable of taking care of yourself. I’m not asking you to come with me out of pity or a sense of obligation.”
“Then why?”
I feel more than see him move closer. When I lift my chin his eyes are already on me, clear and honest. “I enjoy your company, Green. And despite you being stubborn as hell about accepting help, I wouldn’t mind a little more of it. You already know my place has enough room for you to spread out and spend a night or two. At least until you get your locks changed. It seems like the smartest solution to me.”
What he’s saying makes sense. He has the room and he wouldn’t mind the company. Those are reasons I can understand, even relate to.
When I don’t respond right away, he brings out the big guns. “I also thought it might be nice to have Fiona and the guys over for barbecue tonight, since my recipe got rave reviews. I haven’t had anyone over for dinner since I moved in, so I’d appreciate the extra set of hands. You’d be doing me a favor.”
I squint at him, my injured eye throbbing in time to my rapid pulse. He’s wily. I wasn’t expecting that. “You’re using Finns, Fiona and your grandmother’s magical sauce to get me to do what you want? That’s manipulative. That’s bribery.”
“That’s friendship. Particularly when your friend is being too damn contrary to do what’s in his best interests.”
He sits down beside me and I suck in a shaky breath when his hip grazes my thigh. I can’t dismiss my reaction to him when he’s this close, and it doesn’t have anything to do with friendship. It could be an issue if we spend more time together. Who am I kidding? It’s already an issue. “I’ll be honest, Zeus. I’m not sure staying with you is what’s best for me.”