After telling Chloe the whole situation, she was just as shocked as I was.

She also said she'd "kick that fake blondes skinny ass" for hurting her friend. I agreed with that statement. Over time, Landon has become her friend too.

I asked her for advice on weither I should confront Carter about the situation. He is Landon's friend and he's clearly of interest by Audrey, he deserves to know.

So, I texted him first.

M: Hey.

My heartbreak quickens as I wait for his answer. He responds within seconds, as always.

C: Hey.

M: Can we talk?

C: Of course.

M: Coffee?

C: Am I paying? ;)

Smart-ass.

———————

Carter insisted we have coffee at the coffee shop we met.

He was there first, gorgeous as always when I walked in. I feel nervous and distraught at telling him this, especially since it's somewhat awkward between us right now.

"Talk to me," he says as he sips on his coffee that appears to be a cappuccino.

I take a deep breath, not knowing what subject to toggle first. "It's about Landon's girlfriend."

Something shifts in his blue eyes, which I know realize, are tired. Small bags have formed underneath them, their almost unnoticeable. He looks so stressed out.

I feel a small ounce of my heart ache in concern for him.

"She uh," I say not knowing how to spit out the words, "she texted me. Yesterday."

He nods. "She warned me about how close I am with someone and how she doesn't fucking like it, but it's not who'd you expect."

Carter sits there waiting.

"It's you," I finally say, "she's using Landon to get with you."

He closes his eyes and one of his hands comes up to rub them. It appears, that it was quite obvious to him.

"You already knew this?" I ask, slightly pissed off. Why would he know this and not tell Landon? Or anyone?

"Of course I knew this," he confesses, "Audrey has wanted me for years."

I close my mouth and lean back in my chair.

So there's history.

"Elaborate," I command. I'm pissed and I want to know what this whole ordeal it about and why the fuck I'm being dragged into it.

"Landon and I went to high school together back west," Carter says. I already knew this but I let him speak.

"Landon and Audrey were on and off through school. She'd cheat on him and he'd want her back because she's a manipulative bitch who always gets what she wants.

But that never stopped her from wanting to screw me. She's always wanted me and I've always despised her."

He sips on his coffee again and exhales a deep breath.

"Why do you hate her?" I ask curiously.

"Because she's a bitch," Carter states the obvious. I have to hold back a snort.

"She's also a whore and screws anything that identifies as a dude," he adds and I cant help but laugh a little. I can tell he's trying to make light of the situation.

"You should tell Landon."

He nods, "yeah, I know. And I will I just," he pauses taking a deep breath, "I'm so caught up in shit right now that I can't deal with it."

I hesitate, not knowing if I should ask or not. I'm not very good with being caring towards certain people, I wasn't really raised with a caring mom one hundred percent of the time.

"Is everything okay?"

He nods but his eyes still remain tired, "just family stuff."

I nod and don't intrude further. It's his business after all.

"Why don't you come over tonight and I'll make us dinner?" He asks.

I try to come up with an excuse. I'm not sure having dinner would be best for him. He looks exhausted.

"I have homework," I shrug. He gives me a bullshit look, "on a Wednesday? Homework."

I sigh, "Carter, you look tired and I don't want you to make me a whole meal and everything-"

"Who said I'm making a whole meal?" He asks as he gets up from his seat, "I was thinking Kraft Mac and Cheese but if you wanted steak then you could've said something."

I roll my eyes, "if you're gonna be an ass then I'll happily go home."

"Okay, okay," he raises his hands in protest.

————————

At Carters amazing apartment, I take off my coat and lay my purse down on his couch. He takes off his layers, leaving him in black sweatpants and a tight, grey, long-sleeved shirt that shows off his broad shoulders and large fore-arms.

He heads for the kitchen first and I sit on a barstool. He opens a cabinet and pulls out the iconic blue box of Mac and Cheese before grabbing a small pot and filling it with water.

"Get yourself anything you want, gorgeous," he says as he opens the Kraft box. I roll my eyes, choosing not to annoy him about the name, and walk over to his fridge.

Which is completely stalked with food. Veggies, fruits, cold coffees and more take up the shelves of his refrigerator. My eyes land on a Sprite and I immediately reach for it.

Jackpot.

"You grocery shop a lot?" I ask him.

I make out a smile on his face, "maybe."

His side profile is so... beautiful. His nose is just as perfect as when I saw it in that coffee shop for the first time. His dark lashes are long and straight, his pink lips plump.

It's bad how much I'd enjoy kissing them.

It's even worse that I want to kiss them.

He pours the noodles in and throws out the box before turning to me. I sip on my soda.

He stares at me and I become slightly self conscious. I'm wearing a tight sweater and ripped jeans so my outfit isn't embarrassing.

Oh my fucking god why do I care what he thinks of my clothing?

The tension between us is unreal. Ever since the rooftop, I've wondered if he's felt the exact same thing.

He strides over to me, a small grin on his face and those blue eyes full of mischief. I'm leaning on the cold fridge and am slightly thankful for that, It's lowering the heat my body is getting from his blue eyes.

He walks closer and closer to me, until his body is just inches from mine. I look up at him. He's noticeably taller than I am, at least by a number inches and I'm 5'7.

Carter places his hands on either side of my head against the fridge. He lays his head low and now our faces are only inches apart.

My breathing is faster and my pulse is going insane. I feel that throbbing between my legs again. A throbbing that I've somehow only felt in the presence of him.

"Remember that kiss, Mandy?" he whispers to me. I practically choke on my soda which is close to my lips.

I nod my head and he smirks, his eyes landing on my lips. He grabs the soda gently out of my hand and puts on the counter beside us.

"I don't want to wait anymore," he admits. My ass could practically swoon right now.

So he has felt the same?

"Then don't," I taunt.

He doesn't waste a second and reality literally bursts before I recollect his lips on mine.

The kiss is gentle and slow, but I don't want to be gentle and slow. I've waited for this and I know sure as hell he has too.

His lips are so insanely soft against mine. Most guys I've kissed had super chapped lips, it was kinda gross.

But Carters, their soft and light and so fucking sexy.

I don't want them anywhere else but on my body right now.

His body fully presses into mine, pushing me further against the refrigerator. His hard chest against my breasts makes the throbbing in my clit ten times as fast.

I lace my fingers through his dark hair and practically moan when I feel how soft it is. Carters hands land on my hips as our lips continue moving.

Our kiss is a mix of gentleness and rip my clothes off before I literally explode. His lips are trained against mine, licking and biting and teasing and oh my god it feel so fucking good.

It's a wave of heat and want and everything combined. My lips are in control and my body has fully given up. I have no clue where my mind is.

All I can focus on is Carters lips and hands and body on mine and I have never wanted something so much.

His tongue dips into my mouth and he groans when I lick back, vibrating through my entire body. I bite teasingly on his bottom lip.

I nearly gasp when I feel his strong hands lift me up by my ass and land me softly on the cold, granite counter.

What in the hell is happening.

One second we're making fucking Kraft macaroni and the next we're making out on his expensive counter top.

I mean, I'm not complaining.

I've waited a while for this. I don't think I've wanted to kiss someone so badly in my entire life. My arousal is evidence of that but I'm slightly thankful we're clothed.

He pulls away. His chest is rising and falling fast alongside mine. We're both out of breath.

"I have waited so long to do that," he confesses. His hand cups my cheek and I melt against it. The coolness of his rings cooling my heated face.

"You're so fucking sexy, Amanda. You have no idea," he whispers. His head dips to mine again as our foreheads lock together. His lips are inches away from mine again and my core tightens into a warm, arousing pretzel.

"I could say the same for you," I tease back. He chuckles as his nose rubs against mine.

"I want to do so many things to you, with you," he says and my breath hitches in response. I wrap my hands around his neck for more support.

I hear a bubbling noise coming from the stove. Carter and I look over and see the noodles have boiled over.

"Shit," Carter mutters under his breath. I hold back a giggle.

It's so odd, because when I'm with Carter, it feels like time has stopped. Like the universe is on pause. My brain just doesn't comprehend anything but him.

I've never felt anything like it before.

I hear a dinging coming from my bag on the sofa and hop down from the counter as Carter grabs some napkins and adjusts the heat on the stove.

I open my purse and am shocked to see 'Mom' lighting up the screen.

I slowly answer, not sure what to expect. I have to calm my breathing since I'm still recovering from the very hot kiss that happened less than 2 minutes ago.

"Hello?"

"Hi honey," my mother says cheerily.

"Uh, hi mom."

"What are you up to?" She asks.

I look over at Carter who is now looking at me. His face shows no sign of a smirk, but simply analyzing. He mouths "who is that?"

"My mom" I silently mouth back.

"Uhm I'm just studying," I fib, "big test tomorrow."

"Oh great! I'm ordering the plane tickets now for Winter Break so I wanted to quickly ask you the dates you want to come."

Shit.

I've been so caught up in school and... Carter, that I haven't even thought about Winter Break in a few weeks. Stress immediately consumes my brain.

"I'll have to get to you on that, Mom. I have to see when I'm available."

There's a small moment of silence on the other line before she says, "do you want to still come?"

"Of course I do. I'm just really busy right now," I explain. Ever since college, I've noticed my mothers mood has changed. I would love to go back home but New York is my home now and I'm super busy with school.

"Okay. Just let me know then," She says.

"Okay," I reply awkwardly.

"Love you, honey. Bye." she hangs up.

I take a deep breath as I toss my phone onto the sofa.

"Everything okay?" Carter asks. His hair is messy from my hands and his eyes are no longer heated, but gentle.

"Yeah, just parent stuff. Winter Break traveling and what not."

He nods, "I get it. Don't stress yourself out though."

He pours the noodles into a bowl where the powdered cheese is and begins mixing with a spoon.

My stomach growls. Even if it's bad for you, the shit is still good.

Carter dishes me a bowl and stands next to me where I sit at the counter as we both eat.

"Yummy?" He asks.

"Am I five?" I ask sarcastically.

He chuckles, "is it good?"

I nod and he smiles.

"I want to kiss you again," he admits and I stop chewing.

"Maybe I do too."

I take a sip of my water and attempt to avoid those blue eyes that make me want to strip my clothes off.

"Then eat and let's fucking kiss, shall we?" He says as he pushes his bowl to the side.

He gives me no time to finish my meal. He grabs me off of the bar stool and drops my ass back in the counter before kissing me again.