by Starling,Amy
I had to hold the phone away from my ear so she didn't make me go deaf. Alicia emerged from the bathroom – clothed, much to my dismay, but smelling so damn amazing I was this close to pulling off her shorts anyway.
“Carter? What in the world are you doing on my phone?”
I winced as the girl's voice pierced my eardrums through the speaker. Alicia snatched it from me with a glare, as if I had done something horribly wrong.
Great going, Carter. Let's piss her off even more. What a wonderful way to get those panties off her, eh?
“Dana, please. Calm down. It's me.” The shrill hissing abated. “What? No, that wasn't Andy. It's my friend Carter.”
Mass confusion, I'm sure, ensued. I sprawled on the bed, too exhausted from Dana's verbal assault to move.
Alicia put her friend on speaker phone while she brushed her hair.
“I'm sooo sorry I wasn't there for you at the, uh... the thing yesterday,” Dana wailed. “But my professors refused to let me postpone the exams. Bastards.”
“It's all right.”
“But I heard what that douche did to you. Where is he, huh? I'll chop off his balls myself if it'll make you feel better.”
“What a pal,” I whispered, brushing against Alicia on the way into the bathroom. The sweet scent of her shampoo followed me, and I smiled like a lovesick idiot, unable to help it.
“That's not necessary, but thanks for your support. I just feel bad all those people got plane tickets and hotel rooms in Texas.”
“Weren't they mostly on Andy's side? Screw 'em, then.”
Well, now. Alicia sure had made some interesting friends since last time we saw each other.
“I just wish you were here in Florida. Then we could hit the town and find us some hotties to take home.”
“Actually, I am in Florida. I just flew into Sanibel to visit grandma and grandpa.”
Dana was understandably confused. “But who was that man claiming to be your husband? If this is some kind of sick joke...”
Alicia looked at me like I was a cockroach climbing up the wall. Christ, just how mad did I make her?
The funny part about it all was that I actually cared.
I was a lot like Jayce and my other buddies in that regard. To me, nothing was a bigger turn-off than a woman having an emotional breakdown. Why get involved with one of them when there were so many others out there?
Alicia wasn't just any woman, though. She was a friend. There was nothing I'd not do for her; I came to that conclusion long ago.
“Don't you dare tell anybody about this, got it? Not a soul.”
“Jesus, Alicia. You know I can keep a secret.”
She took a deep breath. “We're kinda on our honeymoon pretending to be married.”
Dana flipped out; she patiently explained our ploy and all the reasons for it. I had to give the woman credit for being so calm, really. Guess dealing with a bunch of bratty five-year-old kids all day had rubbed off on her.
“I get it,” Dana said finally. “Ed and Susie have always been a bit loony tunes. It sucks you've got to do this, but I mean, c'mon. It's millions of dollars we're talking here.”
“So you promise you'll keep your mouth shut?”
“How can you doubt me?” She squealed. “But hey, this means if you're not really married, we can go out partying after all!”
“Oh, Dana, I don't know.”
“C'mon, what else are you going to do all night? Hang out with your loser friend?”
“I heard that,” I shouted. “It'd be nice if you bothered to meet a guy before passing judgment.”
Alicia was mortified. “He's not a loser. He's a firefighter, and I've known him for years.”
“A firefighter, you say?” Dana cackled. “Whoo, that changes things, then. Is he single?”
“I... I don't know!”
Poor Alicia was turning redder and redder. I thought it was pretty damn funny, but did feel just a little bad for her.
“Whatever. You're meeting me at Club Captiva tonight, and I don't wanna hear any complaining about it. It's half price drinks for ladies on Friday, y'know.”
“I told you, I've got company.”
“So bring him too. He sounds cute.”
I winked at Alicia, who looked as though she might puke. She put her hand over the receiver.
“Sorry about her.”
“Don't worry about it. And I think going out for drinks sounds like a good way to spend the night.”
Dana kept begging her until finally, she relented.
“Fine. Maybe one night with some random guy's just what I need to get my mind off Andy.”
“That's my girl! You won't be disappointed in the selection. Men at Captiva are hot.”
Wait a minute. What? She'd screw some stranger, but not me?
Could she not see how fucking bad I wanted her?
Jealousy stirred in me as she went to do her makeup. If only I had the balls to tell her how I really felt – although she wasn't stupid. She surely already knew.
Problem was, I don't think she cared.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I called to her from my perch on the bed.
“You're the one who encouraged me to say yes.”
“To drinks, yeah. Not messing around with other dudes. I mean, don't you think it's a bit early for that? You only just broke up yesterday.”
“Better to get it out of my system quick,” she said, staring at the mirror.
“I just don't like the idea of it.”
She threw down her curling iron. “I don't see what business it is of yours. Are you gonna tell me what I can and can't do now, just like Andy did?”
“Don't you dare compare me to him. Unlike him, I actually give a shit about you.”
“All you care about is getting laid. You said so yourself.”
Well, yeah, but...
But that was before Alicia marched back into my life. Now I wanted more than sex with whoever threw themselves at me. I wanted it with her, and nobody else.
She wasn't interested in me, though. She was far too angry for that. And, like she said, I wasn't her keeper. If she wanted to take a new man to bed every night this week, who was I to stop her?
“It'll be fun,” she continued, her tone icy. “Captiva's full of gorgeous women. Isn't that right up your alley?”
Her words stabbed me like a knife. I was too hurt to respond.
You know what? Fine. If this was what she wanted, screw it. She could have her fun, and I'd have mine.
Convincing myself that I was okay with it, though, wasn't gonna be that easy.
Chapter 8 - Alicia
Club Captiva wasn't my usual sort of hangout. It was packed with people, and the bass-heavy dance music played so loudly that my brain rattled in my skull.
“Alicia!” Dana squealed and charged at me with open arms. “Oh, girl, it's so good to see you.”
Dana was my cousin on dad's side, but because she lived in Florida, I hadn't seen her in over a year. She still had the same purple hair, but a few new tattoos adorned her arms.
“I'm glad we could meet up,” I yelled over the noise, but she wasn't looking my way anymore.
She stared at Carter and licked her lips. I tried to squash the jealous feelings. Me, jealous that other girls found him attractive? No, of course I wasn't.
“Might this be the sexy firefighter you were telling me about?”
Carter beamed, not seeming to mind the attention at all. He stuck out his hand for her to shake.
“That's me. Name's Carter McGraw.” He looked her over. “Nice ink. I just got a new one done myself, a few weeks back.”
I bristled as he showed her the tattoo on his arm. She enthusiastically pulled up her shirt to show him the bunny on her hip.
Were they already flirting? Oh, hell no.
“Come on.” I pulled Dana away to the bar. “Let's go get those half-price drinks you told me about.”
“Girl, I've already gotten started. Gave t
he bartender my number so he'll pour heavy on the vodka.”
The second we approached the bar, all eyes were on Carter. Women giggled and whispered as he strode past. It was clear he had his pick of any of them.
I didn't blame them for staring. He moved with confidence through the crowd. His laugh was contagious, his smile enough to make me weak in the knees.
He'd showered, shaved, and dressed up. Earlier, at the hotel, I'd watched him as he got ready, wanting him desperately but too mad and prideful to say so.
“So you two have quite the little scheme going on.” Dana sipped her drink and pointed to my fake wedding band. “Better take those off, don't you think? No man in his right mind will hit on a 'married' woman.”
“Yeah. Guess you're right.”
I caught Carter watching me as I slid the ring off. He frowned and followed suit.
Why did removing this ring feel so incredibly wrong?
“You're lucky to have such a good friend,” Dana continued, practically rubbing against him. “Ah... You are just friends, right?”
No. No, we weren't. There was chemistry crackling between us, emotions running high that were too painful for us to discuss.
If only we could both be honest. If only things had gone differently ten years ago.
“Yeah,” Carter confirmed. “She needed some help after that Andy asshole ditched her, so here I am, her fake husband. Not sure I'm doing such a good job of it, though.”
“Oh, why is that?”
“I'm not much good at commitment,” he said with a shrug. “Being tied down just isn't my thing. I've always been more into playing the field. Exploring my options.”
“Mm. I know exactly what you mean. Like, if I had to screw the same man for the rest of my life, I'd be miserable. It'd get so boring after a while.” She grabbed my arm. “Don't you agree, Alicia?”
Carter was watching me for my reaction. I felt sick when I looked at him anymore.
He'd never settle down. Marriage wasn't for him. He liked variety too much – which was precisely why I couldn't give in to my desire for him.
I'd always remember the joy of our first kiss, followed by the hurt of him choosing another girl over me. If I actually slept with him, only for him to wander off into another woman's arms after...
I couldn't bear it. Not again.
“Well, Allie?” Carter asked. His playful smile, however, was wearing down my resistance.
“Do I agree? No, not really,” I said quietly. “I was about to get married, after all. When you love someone, you enjoy being with them, and only them.”
“But you said you never really loved him,” he retorted.
I felt like punching him. Even Dana, the perpetual chatterbox, realized he'd gone too far. She turned to some guys hanging around the bar and began talking with them instead.
“Yes, let's announce my relationship problems for all the world to hear.” I pushed past him, spilling some booze on him as I did. “I told you that in confidence.”
“Look, I'm sorry. I was just trying to...” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
I grabbed Dana and left him there. If he enjoyed a revolving carousel of women, then by all means, let him have his pick. I wasn't gonna be one of his conquests. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
“What's going on between the two of you?”
Dana cornered me as I took a nice, big gulp of my drink. She folded her arms and gave me a knowing look.
“Carter's an asshole.” The alcohol stung my throat. “All of 'em are.”
She chuckled. “Well, duh. Most guys are clueless; the rest of them are dicks. Some are both. But hey, if they're good in bed, that's all that matters.”
“No it's not!”
“It is when you've got your pick of the litter.” She gestured to a trio of guys who were nervously watching some girls dance. “I could nab any man here just by winking at him. You could do the same.”
Dana was related to me by blood, so I wasn't sure how we'd turned out so different. Sure, sex was all that mattered when you wanted company for a night – not when you were looking for forever with someone.
“So tell me everything,” she said, grinning. “Have you fucked him yet?”
“Excuse me?!”
“Carter.” She was nonchalant. “Guy's a firefighter who could double as a movie star. He's the sexiest man in this club tonight, no question.”
She was, unfortunately, right about that. Already, he had girls nipping at his heels and hovering beside him at the bar. I cringed when he bought one of them a drink.
“We're only friends,” I assured her, hoping I could believe the lie myself. “And that's all we'll ever be.”
“You can be friends with someone and still bang them. Guy that scorching hot wouldn't last five minutes around me.”
“Don't you dare.”
A wicked smile spread over her face. “Ah, so you do have a thing for him.”
His laugh carried across the dance floor. Some flirty redhead put her hand on his back. He sure as heck didn't protest.
“It's clear as day he wants you too.” She stirred her beverage and sounded quite jealous. “For him to come to Florida with you and pose as your husband for a week, that's more than most friends would do.”
“He's only doing it because I promised I'd pay him a share.”
“Do you seriously believe that?”
He and the redhead seemed to be getting along far too well for my liking. I contemplated striding over there and tossing my drink in her face.
“Hey there. You two ladies up for a game of pool?”
The man's voice made both of us jump. Behind us stood a a good-looking guy with warm hazel eyes and a disarming smile. He rolled a couple of balls from hand to hand.
Dana immediately pounced on him. “We'd love to. I'm a pool champion, though, so you know.”
“Is that right?” He gestured to another man waiting by the tables. “Just so happens we're betting men. What do you say to a little wager?”
“Let's hear what you have in mind.”
“If we win, you'll give us your numbers.” His gaze shifted to me. “And if you win, we'll get you both drinks.”
“Sounds like you two win either way,” Dana flirted back. “C'mon, Alicia. Forget about Carter. He's a big boy. He'll be fine without you.”
I spotted him at the bar as Dana dragged me away. The redhead was talking his ear off, but he didn't take his eyes off me.
His jaw clenched. I could see that he disapproved.
You know what? Too bad. If he could screw around, so could I. Maybe he'd at least understand how I felt for once.
The men introduced themselves as Robert and Tim. Both were handsome and charming, and it felt good to flirt with someone new after the shit Andy put me through.
Between shots at the pool table, Tim relentlessly hit on Dana. It wasn't long before he had his arm around her waist.
Robert offered his critique on my game technique. “See, you're holding the stick wrong. You'd sink more shots with better posture.”
“You think so?”
“Definitely. Let me show you.” He stood behind me, just a little too close, and adjusted my arms. “Try it like that.”
He was so warm, and smelled so good, and I was halfway to drunk. I decided I wouldn't mind too much if he asked me to go someplace private.
Across the room, Carter was fuming. The redhead had moved on; other girls kept trying to get his attention – but the only woman he'd look at was me.
“Ooh, another miss,” Robert teased. “Keep this up, and you'll be handing over your number for sure.”
“Where's Dana?” I looked around for her. “It's her turn.”
I spotted her in a dark corner, making out with Tim as she sat in his lap. Well, then. I knew she moved fast, but jeez.
“I think they've forfeit the game.” He looked me over with a lick of his lips. “We can keep playing by ourselves, or –”
“Allie, there you are.
”
Carter's voice was tinged with annoyance. He came up and threw his arm around my shoulders like I was a piece of property he owned.
I glared at him. Robert, taken aback by his intrusion, just stared.
“It's getting late. We've got to go.”
I wrenched away. “Go if you want. I'm having a good time, so I'll get a ride back with Dana.”
“Hang on a minute,” Robert cried. “Who the hell are you?”
“I'm her husband.”
He said it while looking squarely into my eyes, and a sudden chill came over me – followed by anger. How dare he? Who did he think he was?
“What? You didn't tell me you were married.” Robert backed away from us, muttering excuses for why he had to go, and vanished into the crowd.
Carter was triumphant, but I hit him in the chest.
“Why can't you just let me have fun for once, huh? You're not my keeper, Carter. Stop chasing away every guy who comes on to me.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I'm looking out for you. Don't wanna see you get hurt again.”
“Bullshit! I've already been hurt – by you.”
I could see that he didn't understand, and I wasn't in the mood for explaining.
“I don't get it. It's all right for you to whore yourself out to any woman in the bar, but not okay for me?”
His brow furrowed. “But... But that's different.”
“No it's not.”
Suddenly, it all seemed to dawn on him. He tried to reach for me, but I pulled away, too pissed off to let him have me so easily.
“It bothers you when other girls hit on me. Doesn't it?”
I couldn't answer. Pain and jealousy swelled in my chest. Why did I feel this way? Why should I care what Carter did with other women? He'd only just waltzed back into my life a day ago.
“I'm going to tell Dana goodbye,” I said flatly. “Take me back to the hotel. Then you can do whatever you like without me burdening you. Screw every girl in this bar; I don't care.”
He gaped at me in bewilderment. Yeah, I was acting like a spoiled child, but I couldn't make myself stop. I'd hidden my feelings for years, and finally, I'd had enough.
