by Catori, Ava
“Why not?” She shrugged.
“I’ve been rude, in your business, and an ass. Are they the qualities you’re looking for in a friend?”
“What are friends…” she trailed off.
“Don’t have many these days?”
“Few and far between.” Why was she even talking to him? It’s none of his business.
“You’re obviously friendly with Crystal. You wouldn’t give up her information.”
“And I still won’t,” she warned.
“Fair enough.”
Cree looked into Carter’s eyes. “I saw myself in your eyes,” she admitted. “The desperation was your truth. I guess it just comforted me that I wasn’t alone.”
“In being desperate?” He quizzed.
“I feel alone so much anymore, even surrounded by people. I used to like being alone. It was easier. Only now, sometimes I’m lonely.” It was a hard thing to accept. She never needed anyone, and having her sister was enough. Trust was a big piece of the puzzle, but she was weary and worn down. Something told her that she couldn’t do this forever. Selling herself… it couldn’t be the only way. She watched so many girls get ruined, fall into drugs with bad people, and with a glimmer of the past in her eyes she remembered wanting more.
Carter nodded in understanding. He met her eyes. Their gaze smoldered. Cree looked down at her food and picked it apart.
“My family is part of a money laundering scheme. We pass drug money through different channels.” He couldn’t believe the words were coming out. “I got greedy. It landed me in trouble. In this line of business, even family can be the enemy.”
“Are you scared?” She was glad he was finally talking.
“Yeah. I thought I could get away with it, skim some off the top. I was told otherwise. If I go back, it’s going to be ugly, but I have to face the fire. I thought maybe I could find the girl they wanted. She took some information. I don’t know much more.”
“I still can’t help you.”
“I know. I’m not asking you to. What about you?”
“I had an abusive father. We left home a few years ago. It was safer on the street than it was in my own home. I won’t go back. This is my life now.” He noticed she spoke without emotion. No regrets, no pain, no anything. It would have sounded the same if she said she wanted a side of mayo with her sandwich.
“I’m sorry.” He said, on hearing on story.
“For what?”
Carter caught her eye. He saw the pain, but her voice didn’t waver. He nodded.
“It’s all I’ve known for the last few years, but I’m tired. I don’t know what I want anymore. I don’t know how to dream. Every dream I have turns into a nightmare.” Sadly, that was the truth. The ache in her words, so subtle he could have missed it, but there it was.
“What will you do next?” He asked.
Cree shrugged. “I’m not going anywhere. This is all I know.”
“What about your sister?”
“She broke free, but she’s stronger than I am. She’s always had more fight than me.”
Silence. Carter looked at Cree and swallowed hard. “Can I see you again?”
Cree laughed. “What for? You want to hang with a hooker?”
“I could use a friend. It sounds like you could too.” It was risky, but the girl was growing on him.
“Friends are dangerous. You’ve got to watch who you trust.” She said, eyeing him.
“I think I can trust you. You wouldn’t give up information on Crystal. You seem pretty solid.”
“But I can’t trust you,” she said sadly. “You broke into my room. Do you know that lock on the door was the thing that helped me feel secure for the first time in ages? You violated that. Now I know that anybody can come in when they want. I can’t live with the fantasy of feeling safe behind a locked door anymore.”
He realized how big that was in her world. “I’m truly sorry.” Carter looked down. It wasn’t just about going into her room for some shred of information; he’d taken her sense of security away. “Again, I’m sorry.” He stood and fished out a few dollars from his pocket. Tossing it on the table, he turned to leave. “You’re right. I wouldn’t make a good friend.”
As he walked away, she couldn’t get the look on his face out of her mind. Spinning around, “Carter, wait.”
He turned on hearing her voice.
“Come back.”
Slowly he went back to the table and sat.
“What do you want from me?”
“I don’t know. What do you want from me?”
“I don’t know.” But something in his eyes, her heart wrapped up around him. She didn’t want him to leave…not without her. “Can I come with you?” The words took her by surprise.
“What?” He wasn’t sure if she was joking. They were the last words he was expecting. Why would she want to go with him of all people?
“I don’t want to be alone. I need a change.”
Carter shook his head. “My family is dangerous. You don’t want to be around them.”
“My family destroyed me.” Her voice fell flat.
“I thought you didn’t like being around me?”
“I thought so too. But when you got up to leave, something inside of me panicked. I’m not ready for you to go.” The words felt foreign. Where were they coming from?
“I could stick around another day or two,” he said, his gaze now locked on the girl in front of him.
“Okay.” She didn’t know what else to say. He was hardly someone she should be dabbling with, and yet she wanted him around. Cree swallowed, “Thank you.”
Carter nodded. “Sure.”
After paying the bill, Carter and Cree walked back out to the car.
“I can walk,” she said. “It’s only two blocks.”
“Why don’t you come in for the night? I’ll cover your time.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Getting in the car, she was still baffled by what was happening here. Something was happening. She just had no clue what it was.
On returning to the hotel, he followed her to her room. “I’ll show you a trick.” Showing her how to mark the door with tape, she’d know if someone had been in her room uninvited.
The sat in the hotel room together. Carter on the small sofa and Cree on the square arm chair, both looking at the other, neither knew what to say.
Chapter 8
Kendle had big news. The lawyer agreed to take her case and they were moving forward. She would need a statement from Cree as well as Kendle. It was up to Kendle to get her sister to talk. She knew it would be hard, but for the first time in ages she felt in control. She was going to take her life back and put her father behind bars. She’d spiraled out of control for so long, to finally have a path and see a light at the end of the tunnel felt amazing.
Graham had changed so much about her inside. Giving her the confidence and strength to believe in herself, he stood by her side as she told her story to the lawyer.
The more they had against him, the better chance they had at making it stick. Also, if her mother would come forward it would help. If not, she could be treated as a hostile witness, since Kendle had gone to her repeatedly seeking help. This was going to get messy, the lawyer warned. It would dig up the past, be painful to live through, and she’d have to repeat her story more than once…but if they followed through, she’d find her justice at the end.
Now she needed Cree to tell the lawyer her story and give a statement. She’d stop by the following day and talk to her. If she could convince her to stand by her side, together they could take their father down and put him behind bars where he belonged. If she didn’t agree, Kendle would still push. She just hoped her sister would come forward and talk.
She went by the following day. Kendle knocked on the door. When nobody answered, she figured her sister hadn’t gotten back yet. It was still early. She hoped to see her before she went to sleep for the day. She’d try calling. Kendle dialed her
sister’s number, but nobody answered. She’d come back later.
Chapter 9
Carter drove into the night. He’d intended to go home, to face the fire, but Cree talked him into running away with her. She was an expert at hiding and not being seen. She needed a new start. There was nothing here for her anymore. She needed a new life. Disappearing into the night, she made a mental note to contact Kendle at some point so she didn’t worry.
It was the kiss that changed his mind. She sat there curled up on the chair talking to him. There was something in her eyes. She needed a shoulder. She needed somebody to lean on. He couldn’t be that guy. He had his own problems. They sat looking at one another, neither wanting the night to end.
Cree stood and walked to him. Not a word. Climbing over his lap, she straddled him. Her hand moved across his cheek. She leaned in and kissed him. She wasn’t sure what came over her, but everything inside of her pulled her toward him.
Carter’s hands raked through her hair. Pulling her closer, the couple got lost in the moment. Their mouths locked together, both trying to run from life, both needing to feel like everything would be alright.
Cree pulled back. Looking into Carter’s eyes, she saw herself and swallowed hard. Before she could change her mind, before she could climb off of his lap, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back in for another kiss.
Her lips were sweet and soft. A hunger inside wept. She needed someone to believe in, someone to believe in her. Could he be her savior? Could he right a wrong? Make up for his bad deeds by doing something good? He could take her away from this life. He had enough. He’d been stashing it away. They could run away together…a silly dream. A fleeting moment. And then he said it out loud.
Cree looked at him intently. She quietly nodded. “Let me get my things.”
“Just like that?” He was stunned.
She shrugged. “I don’t have anything to lose. Besides, I need a fresh start. I can’t keep up this way anymore. I’m tired. It never ends. I need a break.”
Carter looked at her. “Why did you kiss me?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you do that often?”
“Never.” She flushed. “I don’t kiss…” she hesitated, “on dates.”
“What’s going on here? Between us?”
“Is there something going on? I don’t know. I just think I want to spend more time with you. Is that a crime?”
“Not a crime, just unusual.”
“Look, I’ve never done this before, okay. I just…there’s something in you that I’m drawn to. Just go, okay. I didn’t want to have to defend my choice.”
“No, wait. I didn’t mean to put it that way,” he corrected. “It’s just that we didn’t get off in a normal sort of way.”
“What’s normal?” She shrugged. “I wouldn’t even know normal if it came and bit me in the face. Do you want to go or not?”
“Sure.”
It wasn’t a romantic interlude. They’d done little more than kiss, but like some hot bonded glue, they were pulled together, wanting more time. Cree had never felt that way before. Normally, when she was done with a guy, she was glad to be left alone. But this time, when Carter said he was leaving she didn’t like it. She wasn’t ready for him to be gone. She didn’t want to be left alone. She knew he must have felt the same way. After all, he came to say good-bye. Why else would he bother?
Chapter 10
Kendle’s face was wet with tears on hearing her sister’s voice. “You what?”
“I needed to leave. I need a change. I’ll be back eventually.” Cree explained.
“How could you just leave without saying good-bye? When will you be back? And who is this guy? How do you know he won’t hurt you?” Kendle was concerned that her sister acted out of character. Was she going against her will? Was he forcing her to say these things?
“I’m lonely and tired. I need something different for a while.” She tried to calm her sister down.
“The lawyer…will you speak to her?” Kendle asked, knowing she had to get it out.
“I’ll think about it. I’m not ready.”
“The case will be stronger.” She pleaded, knowing it would be easier with two statements.
“I don’t know if I can. Listen, I’ve got to go.” She hung up before her sister could respond.
Opening up wasn’t easy, but over the course of the next few days Carter and Cree shared more of their lives. They randomly drove across towns and down back roads, stopping for food and an occasional hotel to sleep.
“Where are we going?” He asked.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m just along for the ride.” She answered.
At the next hotel, the only room available had a king bed, not two queen size mattresses like what they’d been getting comfortable with. Carter turned to Cree. “Do you want to keep driving or get that room?”
“I’m not sleeping with you.” Cree stated bluntly.
“I can sleep on the chair,” he said. “I’m tired. I’m not sure I want to keep driving.”
“You take the bed. I can sleep in the car or the chair.” She’d slept in worse places.
“We’ll work it out.” Carter went back to the counter and paid for the room. “Why don’t you sleep under the covers and I’ll sleep over them,” he suggested.
“You’ll keep your hands to yourself?”
“Yes. You know you’re the one that kissed me, right?” Carter laughed at the nonesense of it all.
Cree looked away. “I don’t know how to feel things, okay? Don’t expect more out of me.”
Carter took the key and headed to their room. On opening the door, the couple walked in. “I’m going to grab a shower,” he said, tired from all of the driving.
As the water sprayed to life, Cree curled up on the bed and closed her eyes. What was she doing? What was she doing here? She couldn’t run forever. She’d have to face life eventually. This would have to be her last night. It was time to go back. It was a good distraction, but her life wasn’t on the road. They both had things to do.
Carter came out with a towel wrapped around him. Looking over at his travel mate, he noticed how sweet she looked, curled up and sleepy, almost angelic. Funny to call a hooker angelic, but for a moment, she could have been any woman he’d met previously in his life.
Cree rolled over and looked at Carter, who was now standing with a towel that wasn’t doing a very good job at hiding his newly formed erection. “Oh geez,” she groaned and rolled back over.
“Sorry,” he shifted and pulled out some clothes. “I’ve got to wash some of this stuff. Do you want me to wash anything of yours? I think there’s a laundry room at the end of the hallway.”
“I think I’m ready to go back.”
“Back? You’re going back?” Carter was surprised. He didn’t really think about much more than the current moment when she was around.
“What did you think this was a never ending road trip?” She couldn’t very well stay on the road forever. She had to work and figure out what was next for her.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just not ready to go back to my life yet.” His truth wasn’t going anywhere. He’d have to face the fire eventually.
“Then stay with me for a while.” She suggested.
Carter looked at her. “What is this? You? Me?” Were they something? They were certainly stuck together for some reason, but neither was sure what was going on. We’re they running away from life, or trying to find their way to each other?
Cree stood up and went to him. She reached for the towel and yanked it off. He stood naked, unflinching, and unapologetic for his hard on. “I’m afraid, okay? I’m afraid if I do something, if we do something together that I’ll have feelings. I’m afraid of feeling things.” She looked away.
Carter’s hand went up to her cheek, turning her back to him. The smolder between them was real. He looked into her eyes and leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers. “I want you,” he whi
spered. “I want to touch you, to taste you, and to feel you.”
Cree swallowed hard. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I’m afraid if I like it, I’ll be shredded to pieces inside. I’m afraid I’ll want to hold onto you forever, and that will be the moment you walk away.”
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” There was nothing else to say.
“Why?” She wasn’t even sure what pulled them together. They were like a pair of mismatched toys, neither knowing what to do next.
“Because I feel it too and it’s bigger than both of us. You can’t deny the attraction, can you?”
Cree looked down. “I’ve never done that…with feeling.”
“Then let me be your first.” His voice was tender.
Cree held her breath. She reached out her hand, touched his body, his naked body, and didn’t let go. She was melting. Something was there. She couldn’t deny it. She was afraid if she felt something it would be ripped away from her. Could she handle that kind of pain?
Carter’s gaze locked onto Cree. No more words were spoken. They stood frozen in place, unsure what to do next. Carter took a deep breath and leaned in to kiss Cree.
Couldn’t she see there was something between them, some magnetism that pulled them closer? He wanted to hold her, touch her, taste her, but he was as broken as she was at this point. Would he cause more trouble than she needed? Was it simply lust and desire filling his soul, feeding the fire? Or was he growing more attached to the girl that fell into his life?
Cree swallowed hard and shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
“Wow, I’m feeling special. You have such a way with words,” he teased. He stepped in closer, into her personal space. His breath was warm on her skin as he stood only inches away. Carter looked into her eyes; he needed to check. He needed to know she meant it. “Are you sure?” His whisper was soft.
She nodded in response, slowly. Her voice was barely audible. “I think so.”
Carter reached out for Cree. He pulled her into his naked body, feeling the material of her clothes pressed to his skin. “You should really be naked for this,” he whispered as his lips found hers. His fingers laced through her hair and for one fleeting moment, she was lost.