Crushed - Pamela Ann Page 0,27

parts of Lindsey’s wedding and rehashing childhood memories that highlighted Lindsey’s crazy moments.

“Why are you doing this?” I really wanted to know why he was putting his friendship with Brody on the line by taking me in.

He pondered a moment, taking a break from eating to drink from his soda before he finally responded.

“You and me, we’re both in the same boat. Maybe I’m just fed up with all this crap and all the bullshit. We’re like the underdog, you know? We don’t have a fucking choice but to deal what they dole out. So, I thought, fuck, this is so fucked up, and if I can help you get out of this situation, I shouldn’t hesitate.” His heartfelt sentiment went straight to my heart, touching me deeply. “It sucks, you know? It’s hard—it’s fucking hard—and I fucking get that.”

It was, and I was honestly glad he was here with me.

“Thank you. Thank you for that and your kind words. You have no idea how good that just made me feel.” No one, not even Trista, could understand what it was to be in this position.

Done with our cozy dinner, Carter did the gentlemanly thing by taking the couch while I took over his bed. I was actually surprised he didn’t join his friends and party outside. It gave me a glimpse of the new Carter—the tortured one. This new version had a soul, had intense depth, and I couldn’t help having more respect now that I understood where he was in life, his pain, thanks to this odd sense of camaraderie with him.

He was a friend, and I was happy I had found someone who understood me without undermining my decisions or my inexplicable pain.

~ A ~

The next day, freshly showered with my wet hair in a loose bun, I donned some casual, denim short shorts and a peach-hued loose top then tiptoed out of the room to find Carter still fast asleep on the couch.

Upon entering the kitchen, I was surprised to see Brody there, about to make a pot of coffee.

“Well, look at you, looking fresh as a daisy!” His comment was made with a barb, coming off unfriendly.

I stilled, but instead of throwing back shade, I clashed my eyes with his. “Your eyes are red … very red.”

“That’s what happens when you don’t sleep.”

Obviously. It was a miracle I got any sleep at all knowing what the hell was going on in the house. Thankfully, I did get rested sleep.

“Well, maybe you should head to bed, then, ‘cause you look like you’re about to pass out.”

He threw me a hurtful look, as if he was pissed and saddened at the same time. “Can you blame me, Amber? You’re the one who decided to barge in here and fuck with my head.”

I blinked a few times, perplexed, before I found the wherewithal to speak. “What? You think that’s what I’m here for?”

He was insane.

He didn’t move, didn’t blink. Instead of addressing what I had just said, what came out of his mouth threw me for a loop.

“So how were the newlyweds?” he stonily asked, drawled with pure acid.

Damn, he wanted to go there. Okay, then.

“Good … you know … They’re the same as usual.” As usual, I wanted to jab it in, but I chose to answer it in a less cruel way since he was hurting. It was plastered all over him, even if he wouldn’t admit it. I knew Brody well.

Something flashed in his eyes before he made a cruel smirk. “I wouldn’t know,” he said.

He resumed his task of making coffee, busying himself with measuring the coffee grounds, pouring chilled water into the water panel, and then pressing the start button for it to begin brewing. Only then did he finally resort to looking back at where I remained unmoved from my spot, somewhat mesmerized by him doing menial chores.

“She lied and kept a secret about being married to him while I was with her.”

Immense sadness filled me. I was sad for myself, for him, and the unchangeable situation itself. Personal emotions aside, I understood where he was coming from, but at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the hurt that was constantly stabbing my heart each time I saw him, knowing full well he would never be mine.

“Time heals all wounds. It may take a very long time to get there, but you will get there eventually,” I meekly stated, hoping my words would enlighten him.

“You’re certainly very optimistic,” he said with a