other when the other person wasn’t looking. You’d blush if he accidently touched you. It was like you were trying to pretend nothing had gone down even though a lot already had.
“Piper, think about it. Have you introduced Ainsley and Carter yet? Have you had him over for dinner or even considered it? I know you have his number, but have you used it? You have to wonder why that is. It’s not because you’re scared or because he’s your professor or even because your family knows him. I doubt it even has to do with the age gap you said is there because you’ve told me time and time again you haven’t even thought about it when you’re with him. So, what’s really holding you back?”
But it’s not what’s holding me back that she’s trying to pry out of me. It’s who. And that realization is a sucker punch to the gut that I feel everywhere.
Her features soften when mine become hyperaware of every answer to her questions. I haven’t brought up Carter coming inside even when he’s picked me up and dropped me off. I’ve never been ready to introduce him to Ainsley because a part of me knew there was something worth waiting for—a realization.
My eyes water as I look at her. “Fuck, Jenna. W-What am I going to do?”
“Easton never came home last night,” she tells me openly. “If this is what you want, you need to talk to him. You both have clearly been with other people, so if you want to just be with him…”
Dread fills my veins. “But how do I even know he wants to be with me? We’ve fought too many times. He said awful things to me.”
“Whoa.” Her eyes narrow. “You have been holding out on me, girl. First, I’m going to need you to give me every detail. But not before we eat, because I really will go She Hulk if I don’t have something with this coffee.”
Her joking doesn’t make me feel any better. It just locks me in my state of haze as I think about Easton. Again.
How many times have I thought about him when I shouldn’t have? Subconsciously, I’ve been comparing Carter to him—to what we had. And if he really feels the way he does about me when we argued, then I stand no chance. There’s a chance that I’ll experience heartbreak all over again.
This time because of Easton Wyatt.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I’m finishing my exam when I realize I’m the only one left in the room. Carter’s eyes go to me more often now that nobody else can see. My first day of being recorded while teaching was yesterday. I showed up ten minutes before class to set up and prepare for the lesson. It gave little opening for Carter and me to talk.
I know he’s thinking about it, what happened to us. He texted me the following day and asked how I was. My one-word response left him calling. I answered and had a fifteen-minute conversation with him about how Cap was doing and how great supper was and how much fun I had before telling him I made plans with Ainsley.
But he looks at me now like he knows there’s something more to it. He’s a smart man. I wouldn’t be surprised if my face is covered in guilt and sorrow. I may not even need to say the words for him to know if I just meet his eyes.
Easton stayed out for the weekend, leaving me stewing in my contemplation. I didn’t text him because I didn’t want to have that conversation over the phone. But I realized after Sunday came and went that he wasn’t coming back anytime soon.
Jenna told me to rip off the Band-Aid. But I’d be ripping off two, and flesh would come with it.
When I finish my test, I slowly pack my things and prepare myself. I slip my bag over my shoulder and make the walk up to his desk, gripping the bag strap in my hand.
“Please look at me, Piper.”
I give myself a moment, blink, and then tip my chin up to meet him with a frail smile. He accepts my paper and sets it down with the others, quickly ignoring it. “I’m pretty sure I passed,” I offer weakly.
He stands, walking around his desk and sitting on the edge of it beside me. Reaching out, he brushes our hands together, linking our pinky fingers for a moment before drawing back. A subtle touch, quick,