Steeling Her: A Romance Novel

Carter

“I’m so hungry, I could eat the freaking table right now!” Haley nibbles on her nails as the three of us sit patiently in a restaurant. There are a family of four and an elderly couple sitting in the seats around us. It’s quiet, but peaceful; it’s just what I need. I hate large crowds and a busy restaurant, it makes me a little nervous. The people outside are rushing around because they’re leaving work or are meeting up with someone. It’s also peak traffic time.

“Tell me about it, I need pizza or something. I haven’t eaten anything all day today. My classes were long and painful. This week is the worst, we were given so many outrageous assignments. I feel like all the professors get together for a night and plan the week they give a shit ton of work to do,” Danielle swears as she scans the menu.

She never fails to make us laugh when we’re together. She always has something that’ll make you giggle like a child. Speaking of, the cutest little boy who is sitting behind Danielle keeps waving at me. He has dark glowing skin with jet black hair. He’s coloring on the paper place mats beside his sister. He looks up every now and then, and every time he does the movement it always catches my eye.

He has a few front teeth missing, which indicate he’s quite young, despite his lengthy legs.

I wave back once again, and I see his cheek go lightly pink once again. His dad turns in his seat to see who his mini-me keeps waving at. Once he sees my hand moving back to greet his son, he sends me a similar smile. He gently chuckles and shakes his head, turning back to face his kids.

“He keeps waving over at you.” Danielle says as I flick my eyes back to give her my attention that I was giving to the little charmer behind her.

“Yeah, he’s so cute,” I gush and decide to finally give my roommates my attention. The buzzing sound of Haley’s phone loudly vibrates on the tabletop, gathering all of our attention.

“Seriously?” Danielle chuckles over to her and I wonder who it is? It’s probably TJ, it’s always him. He always calls her every day to check up on her to see if any of us need anything. But really it’s just an excuse to call over and see his new girlfriend.

“Okay, so what if he’s needy? I think it’s so cute. It feels good that he wants me all to himself.” She swipes her phone and answers the call, “Yes, TJ?” She smirks in a bored tone just to tease him. Danielle and I chuckle back just as the waitress comes over. “I know, babe. Look, you need your guy time, and I need my girl time. I haven’t seen them in a few weeks,” she whines as she plays with her straw.

Uh, Haley, we live with you?

“Are you guys ready to order?” The small brunette girl walks over to us with a pen and paper in hand. Clicking the back of the pen against the sheets, she prepare herself for what we’re about to order. I nod and so do the girls.

“I’ll have the pesto bruschetta with some mozzarella, Hawaiian Pizza with extra ham, and some garlic sauce on the side. Oooh! Can I also get a pink lemonade with my main course too?” The young girl scribbles down Danielle’s order in a flash. I wonder how she got all of that. I’d be struggling to gather what the hell she just said. Danielle just ranted it off with no time to spare. “And don’t forget to bring out the dessert menu afterwards. I need that chocolate fudge brownie all up in me TONIGHT, HONEY!” She waves her hand around dramatically, making everyone at our table burst out laughing. The waitress proceeds to underline something written on her notepad, making me laugh even more.

“That was Danielle, yes . . .” Haley confirms down the line.

“For you miss?” the young girl pulls me back to earth.

“Um . . . I’ll just have a vegetarian pizza.” I close the menu over and grab Danielle’s to hand it back to the waitress.

“Would you like jalapeños on it?” she coaxes me, and I feel my eyes widen. I nod rapidly. “Good choice! They’re so delicious with the vegetarian pizza.” I can see the desire in her eyes as she writes down my order. She wishes that I’d share it with her. Not tonight, honey, as Danielle would say. She turns to face a talking Haley.

“Hang on a sec, TJ.” We can hear him groan on the line and we all smile once again. “I’ll have a garlic bread with mozzarella and the mighty meaty pizza with jalapeños too.” Haley smiles at the waitress and she leaves to give our orders in. I have a feeling it’ll be quick enough because there are not many people here tonight. “No, TJ, this is a girl’s night, and we’re having a slumber party too.” She smiles and rolls her eyes. Next, she lets a bellowing giggle escape her mouth, once again, letting it echo around the restaurant. “No, TJ, we don’t wear pink on Wednesdays too!” Danielle snorts, and I smirk back at her. We make eye contact and she rolls her eyes in a lively manner. “Yes, we’re at Dodo’s Pizza . . . No, you’re not allowed to come ov— . . . TJ, no!”

Haley starts laughing stridently at the phone. She flips her hair over her shoulder and leans back on the seat, staring at her nails like they’re the most fascinating thing in the room.

After about ten or so minutes of trying to convince TJ he can’t join our girl’s night out, the appetizers arrive, and the two girls have the biggest eyes and the largest of grins on their faces. They’re so hungry that, if given anymore waiting time, they would have successfully eaten the table. Their stomachs were growling upon its arrival, and they couldn’t wait to dig in.

I hear lots of “Mmmm’s” around me as they dive headfirst into the meal prepared for them, one that looks absolutely delicious.

“Ugh, this is hitting so many spots right now!” Danielle sighs as she bites into her food. Her bruschetta looks and smells to die for. She pushes it into my face, wordlessly telling me to have a bite. So, I do. I bite into the dough and sigh at the taste too.

“That’s so good . . .” I mumble through the food as I cover my mouth with my hand. I chew on it, getting a burst of flavor with each piece. While I’m lost in the taste, the trembling of my phone catches my attention.

Nick: so you girls are having a slumber party? xx

Me: yep, food first, then movies, then girl talk xx

I laugh at how long it took for him to be told by TJ that none of us were available tonight. No doubt in my mind, he’s not happy about it.

Nick: where is my invite? xx

I laugh a little at his message. He’s definitely complaining on his end. I just know he wishes to come join us, just to see what we get up to on our nights together.

Me: you don’t get one. You’re not a girl ’’ xx

I laugh loudly at my own message back to him. I can so tell he wants to join our little party, but that’s not happening.

Nick: Awww come on! How come TJ gets to go? Xx

When I read his question, I whip my head up to Haley, who has a mouth full of food. She raises an eyebrow at me, wondering why I have a surprised look on my face.

“Did you know that TJ is coming right now?” I ask her and her eyes widen once my words click. She scrabbles on the table for her phone to call him.

“Oh no he’s fucking not! I swear to God . . .” She leans back to face the ceiling, silently praying for the Lord to give her all the strength in the world to not kill her new boyfriend. “TJ! I swear to God you better not be co—get out of that car right now! TJ, I’m not asking. Turn around or I won’t be happy . . .” she continues the rant while I text Nick back.

Me: he’s not supposed to be and Haley just flipped. safe to say, he’ll be returning shortly xx

Nick: he’s not going to be happy one bit…. but let’s get back to that slumber party you all have planned. Can I come? Xx

What a cheeky guy. Why does he want to come to an all-girls slumber party? Where there will be gossip, girl talk, and chick flicks?

Me: why do you both want to come? Xx

I ask him, wondering why they both want to come see us so badly.

Nick: uh… because Carter + sexy pyjamas = a very happy Nick. That’s why xx

I feel my cheeks go bright red and cover my face away from the girls who I know are staring at me. I can feel their eyes on me. He had to say that, didn’t he? I never understood why guys always wanted to be around a slumber party. Now, I do. They think that it’s going to have sexy pyjamas, or lingerie and girls bouncing up and down with excitement during pillow fights.

That’s the furthest thing from the truth.

It’s all about Ben and Jerry’s, green face masks that make you look like you crawled out of seaweed, a ton of cake, embarrassing dance moves, and your hair tied up into a hideous messy bun. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what actually happens at a slumber party.

What the girls do in the movies, with pillow fights in their underwear and such, doesn’t actually happen. Unless you’re one of those cool girls, which I am not.

Me: That’s not how it goes ’’xx

I laugh out loud a little once again, thinking everyone else is in on the joke, but they don’t have a clue as to what I’m laughing about.

Nick: tell me how does it go then? ’’xx

He’s such a flirt sometimes, and I can’t help but blush at what he does. He does this all the damn time, and I always seem to have this grin on my face.

I don’t answer him for a little while because I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to flirt back over the phone. I’m so bad at this kind of stuff. I laugh to myself knowing that I’m not that girl, I can’t do what Haley and Danielle can do. They can flirt with ease, while I’m an awkward potato with a face drawn on its skin.

As you can tell, I’m really nailing this right now.

Nick: come on, give me some sort of detail of what you do at slumber parties, seeing as I can’t come over and see for myself? Xx

I can almost hear the teasing tone in his voice. I still don’t answer him. I don’t even know where to start with the non-sexy acts and fun we have at a slumber party. I don’t want him to be turned off by me.

When the two of them have finished eating, my phone buzzes away on the table. Without even looking, I know who the caller is. I lift my screen up to see if I’m correct, and I am; Mr. Jackson himself, with the photo of the two of us lighting up my screen.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell the two of them. I know they both want to hear what we we’re going to talk about, but I won’t let them.

“Hi,” I answer him as soon as I leave the air-conditioned restaurant.

“Hey, are you okay? Do you want me to come get you guys?” I can hear the clanging of his keys as he plays with it in his hand. I know he’s serious about coming to get us.

I hear what sounds like TJ saying “I’m coming with you” in the background. I shake my head, only to realize they can’t see me.

“Yeah, everything is fine.” I giggle at how cute they’re both acting tonight. They can’t leave us alone for five minutes. They both need us more than we need them. “And you both should stay where you are. We’re fine, we’re getting food and having our girl time,” I order them to stand down. Haley will definitely not be happy.

“Are you sure? I can come get you guys and we can have a night in? Then I can stay over in case—” I wait for him to finish off his sentence but he’s taking a long time.

“In case of what?” I ask curiously. He’s taking his time replying to me. “Nick? You still there?” I ask, wondering if he got cut off.

“Uh . . . yeah, I’m still here.” He stops again and I’m waiting for him to continue talking, but that doesn’t come.

“Nick? In case of what? Is there something that’s going to happen to us?” I ask, a little on the edge.

“No! No, nothing will happen. I just . . . Well . . . I don’t know? I really don’t know where I was going with that, to be honest.” He laughs but he sounds a little nervous. I quirk my eyebrow into the carpark like he’s standing right in front of me.

“Are you su—”

“Will you go out with me again?” He cuts me off in a hurry. I’m stunned into a silence. The tables have turned, and I’m now quiet. When I finally process what he had just asked, I can hear him still talking to me. He wants another date?

Oh my god! He wants another date!

“Yo? Carter? You still there? And breathing?” He laughs at me and I snicker back.

“Yes, I’m still here; and yes, I’m still breathing; and yes, I’ll go out with you again.” I take the phone away from my ear and do a small dance to myself, not caring if I have an audience. I’m sure I do, but I don’t care. I try not to let out a huge squeal.

I place my phone back to my ear and I can hear him breathing down the line. He clears his throat and speaks again, “Alright, cool! Amazing, um . . . I’ll text you later and tell you the details . . . Alright, cool!” he repeats. I know he has no idea what he’s saying right now and it’s absolutely adorable when he does that.

“Cool! I can’t wait,” I whisper back. I don’t know why I turned so timid, but my voice is in awe of what he just blurted out. “Did you call me to ask me that?” I wonder.

“I’m not going to even attempt to lie. Yes, that’s the main reason. And I kind of miss hearing your voice. I haven’t seen you since Monday and . . .” There he goes again. He stops mid-sentence. I don’t know what he’s thinking. He goes from rambling to silence like a flick of a switch. “I miss you.” Those three words send my heart soaring high into the sky. The slight flutter of it in my chest has me smiling inside and out.

I have never, in all my life, heard a guy tell me he misses me. Outside of family, of course. Hence, why my cheeks are hurting from the silly smile on my face.

“I miss you too, Nick,” I tell him, because it’s the truth. I haven’t seen him because he’s been training extra hard for football these days. He’s tired almost all the time nowadays and all he wants to do is fall asleep, eat, do gym work, and train.

“So, do you need me to come over tonight?” I lose it and start laughing at him. I can hear he’s chuckling too. He just wants to come over and see what girls do for slumber parties. Not happening.

“Nick, no! You guys can’t come over!” I continue to laugh at how endearing he’s being. I really miss him too, but it’s girl’s night tonight. I can see him all day tomorrow.

“Fine, I’ve got a game tomorrow. I expect to see you there! Cas’s house is hosting the party and you guys are definitely invited. And you’re coming with me!” I beam at the last part. I’ll make sure to be there with him. If he wanted me to go, I would have gone if he just asked properly’.

“What if I don’t want to?” I tease him.

“You’re coming, Steel. You don’t have a say in it,” he orders playfully.

“What if I run away and you can’t find me?” I tease again, and I hear a small chuckle leave his mouth on the other end of the line. I’m standing outside on a small deck overseeing cars zooming by behind trees that have overgrown. I hear the small hiss of the leaves when the wind flows over them and makes them move, along with my hair. I fix it while I speak and wait for a response from him.

“I will run after you, hunt you down Liam Neeson-style, and tie you to a chair at the place I’m going to take you on our date and make you smile if I have to,” he jokes making us both chortle at his tactics. “But seriously, I get that you don’t like parties. We can leave after a few hours if you want, it’s just . . . I’m co-captain, and I need to be there for the team afterwards.” I nod in understanding but remember that he can’t see me, again.

“That’s fine, Nick. I’m getting used to it. I know where I like being best at a party, so once I’m there, I’ll have no problem,” I tell him he doesn’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.

“And where’s that? Outside?” I grin like a fool at the way he linked it all together like he’s been paying attention to where I’m most comfortable at a booming, crowded party.

“Yes, outside. Like that time when we were all talking outside, that was fun,” I assure him. That’s the same night we kissed. Our very first kiss together.

“I remember that night so well.” His voice drops to a lower yet softer tone, and it sends a raging shiver up my spine, making me shake slightly. That was so sexy.

“Me too.” We both know what we’re thinking. That kiss—the one that led to another, and another. It was amazing. Not that I had a long list to compare it to, but it really was. I liked the way his arms wrapped around me and held me while our tongues fought. It was perfect. “So, I better get back inside before my food arrives and then it’s cold,” I tell him, but I still have the desire to stay on the phone with him.

“Alright, text me later and let me know what you guys are up to. And if we’re allowed to come over.” He laughs a little at the end, emphasizing the word “allowed,” like we’ve banned him from seeing us tonight.

I giggle in response. “Okay.” I playfully sigh like it’s a chore and he’s the parent. “Daddy,” I say jokingly. I can hear his breathing turn sharp and rapid. There is a moment of silence between us again, but this time, I am the one who’s confused.

“Jesus, never call me that again unless it’s in the bedroom, Carter. Fuck!” He holds his breath.

What did I say? I don’t get it? I only called hi—oh . . . shit.

Oh shit. Oh shit! Oh SHIT!

I get it.

Oh God, that’s so embarrassing. What is with me and my stupid mouth these days? I really need to think before I speak. Dammit.

“Bye!” I hang up without listening to his response. “Why the fuck did you say that! What the hell, Carter!” I scold myself, and I can feel my entire body go bright red like I’m in a sauna. “I just called him ‘Daddy’!” I scold myself. This is so embarrassing.

I decide after a while and some calls from Nick, which I ignore, to amble back into the restaurant and back to my seat. I place my phone down beside me. That was my first mistake, because it kept ringing and ringing and ringing.

I watch it light up with his name on it; call after call after call.

“What did he do?” Haley asks while I stare at our picture. She thinks Nick did something, but he didn’t. It’s all on me. I know it probably seems dramatic, but I’m so embarrassed right now. “That bad?” She starts to laugh and I flick my gaze up to her laughing while drinking her Diet Coke through the clear straw.

“Actually, it was me.” I cover my face with both hands feeling myself heat up again. I groan loudly in the restaurant not caring. The only thing I care about right now is the fact that I just called Nick ‘Daddy.’ I’m a walking embarrassment. “I called him . . . ‘Daddy,’ ” I confess.

Silence falls on the table, and the two of them break out into a fit of laughter— cackles, actually. I still didn’t look up. I’m glad they find it hilarious, because I don’t.

“You just called my brother . . . ‘Daddy’? Oh . . . my God! He’s going to love that!” She continues to shake with laughter as I swipe my fingers apart to look out and see them both wiping their eyes and still laughing at me. As if I’m not already embarrassed enough.

“Carter! I didn’t know you had a kinky side to you!” Danielle winks at me and I roll my eyes at her playful chide.

“Can we not right now? I’m so embarrassed.” I groan at their two smirks.

“There is nothing to be embarrassed about, seriously. Nick will be thinking about that twenty-four seven!” I don’t know what’s weirder, the fact that he’s going to be thinking about that or the fact that Haley just told me he will. “My brother is always super horny.” She’s making it worse—so much worse. Danielle picks up on that.

“Haley, not helping,” she comments with a grin on her face but is silently telling her to zip it.

“What? He is—Wait! Are you . . . a virgin?” she whispers the last part and thank God, she has some sense when asking me. I swear, if she asked it while surrounded by people, I would have walked out on them and told them I’d meet them at the dorm.

I nod back at her question and she leans her head back. “I never would have thought,” she mumbles, and I get a little.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask her with a little edge to my tone. This catches her off guard a little.

“I didn’t mean it like that, I swear.” I soften my expression when I know she genuinely didn’t mean it like that. “I just . . . thought you already gave it up? That’s all. You’re a pretty girl, I just thought . . . I’m sorry,” she apologizes and now I feel bad for doing that to her. I just don’t feel so good right now. I easily get embarrassed and I’m not experienced in this area, so it’s extra embarrassing right now.

“It’s okay, I’m just embarrassed. That’s all. I’ve never . . . you know . . .” I bob my head hinting at the thing I can’t even say out loud.

“Had sex?” Danielle asks out loud with no shame, and Haley and I both hit her for announcing that.

“Would you like a microphone while you say it? I’m pretty sure the guys in the kitchen didn’t hear you,” I whisper in irritation at her.

“Sorry.” She holds up both her hands in surrender like I’m holding a gun to her head.

“Can we drop it? Yes, I’m a virgin, and it’s embarrassing to be one in college. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one in this college who is an honest to God virgin right now.” I fidget with my glass of water as I wait for the food to come out.

“Well, at least you’re a rare species.” Danielle giggles, making me smile and Haley laugh too. They always know when to leave it alone with me, and it’s the same with them. I always know when to drop it. So, I’m glad they don’t want to bring it up anymore.

If they did want to speak about it some more, they couldn’t because the aroma of our food being set in front of us was overpowering and it shut everyone up really quickly. The food looked so delicious, it made our mouths water. God that smells good.

The first bite was the best. We all moaned to the taste, but straight after, Haley followed it up with “Fuck off, does she have a tracking device on me or something?”.

I spin my head around to face the door to see the one girl I really don’t want to see or speak to, especially because my lawyers advised me against any contact with her unless it was for self-defense. They’re working on a restraining order against her. It’s leaning towards me, seeing as the college finally coughed up the security tapes thanks to my dad.

The click of her heels makes me rotate back around and ignore her, but I can’t when she comes right up to our table to comment on our eating habits.

“Greasy pizza girls? Shouldn’t you be eating a salad or something a little less . . . heavy?” The way she said that word implies something a little more than what she meant. We all stay silent, not wanting to entertain the thought of actually responding to her and her friends.

While they laugh under their breaths, we continue to eat and not listen to their horrible comments. It’s because of girls like them that eating disorders begin in innocent and self-conscious girls.

“Shouldn’t you get a tic-tac the size of a biscuit before you comment on our food. Your breath is kind of making me nauseous,” Danielle says sarcastically as she rolls her eyes, but continues to eat her pizza. I smile into my food for that quick comeback, one I sure as hell wouldn’t have been able to respond with enough attitude.

“I’m sure that’s the reason why you have a boyfriend. Oh wait . . . you don’t.” She places her hand in her hip and points the slice hovering over Danielle’s mouth.

“Neither do you, you dumb bitch,” Danielle says back with a growl, and I almost choke on my pizza with her brutal retort. That lights a fire in Maya’s eyes as she leans over the table towards Danielle but Haley is on her feet, backing her up and away from us.

“Leave, Maya. Get your food and leave us alone. You’re not going there with us. Not today, not ever, so leave,” Haley speaks lowly to not draw attention to our table, but it’s too late. People are staring at the six of us. All the while, I keep eating my pizza happily; grease and all.

“I have a right to be here, Haley, you can’t make us leave,” she spits back, stepping forward into her space. I stand up and tug on Haley’s sleeve, getting her attention. “Oh, Saint Carter to the rescue,” she comments. I roll my eyes and ignore her childish jab.

I don’t have the time nor energy to even respond to her and her ways. All she wants is a rise from me and evidence to go against me in the restraining order so she can continue to taunt me. That’s not going to happen.

“Don’t worry, ladies, the guys will get bored of you all and come right back to us,” Kelly comments, really pissing Haley off.

Kelly dated TJ in high school for a while, but TJ only did it because she pretty much begged him to. “You’re only the rebound,” Kelly mouths, and that really ticks Haley off. So, she throws a slice of pizza right into her face—smack bang in the middle—and rubs it right in, ruining her makeup. I sit there, wide-eyed staring at Kelly with meat and tomato sauce all over every inch of her face. My mouth falls open.

She just did that. Holy shit, Kelly’s face is smothered in red sauce, and there’s an odd pepperoni hanging on for dear life.

The two other girls behind Kelly gasp and stare at Haley. Then an older man walks over to us. I suddenly know who he is. He’s in a suit and tie, has salt and pepper hair, and looks like he’s really annoyed. I’m just not sure which one of us he’s annoyed at.

“Excuse me, you three need to leave.” To my surprise, he points at the three girls standing over at our table, his thick southern accent evident and tanned skin striking. He’s pointing at the ones who caused trouble and a scene. I, for sure, thought he would ask us to leave because Haley threw the pizza slice at Kelly.

“What? She’s the one who threw the pizza at me! She should leave, along with the other two bitches too!” Kelly waves her fingers at Haley, then to Danielle and me.

But the manager isn’t having any of it. He simply shakes his head and points to the clear doors they came in just moments ago. After a while of just staring at him, they finally decide to leave, but the girl who was serving us meets one of the minion’s stares that I, undoubtedly, picked up on. They both glare at each other for a while, and the dark-haired girl finally leaves out the doors. All of us are watching them as they glare at us while walking back to their car. All of them are unhappy about this not going their way or the way they had planned when they saw us all eating here.

“Your meal is on us today.” He raps his knuckles on the wooden table and leaves.

What? What did he just say to us? I flick my attention back to my roommates and they seem equally as puzzled as I am.

We watch his retreating frame as he leans in and kisses the waitresses head before he disappears behind the double doors. Now that I get a good look at her, they look alike. They must be related somehow.

We’re eating our pizzas that are happily paid for by the manager. The waitress walks over to us to check and see if everything is alright. We all nod with huge grins on our faces as a sign that the food is delicious. “You were right about the jalapeño’s,” I comment and she beams back at me.

“Can I just say, I wish you aimed a little more left?” she says to us, and I’m wondering what she’s talking about. So is Haley, because that’s who she’s talking to. Haley furrows her brows and continues to chew so she can speak without a mouthful of food.

“Um . . . I don’t know what you mean?” she speaks finally and puts her slice down so she can converse with her.

“The pizza? I wanted you to get the brunette—”

“Aid?” Her head whips around to the front door again and we all see Rob. Or is it Ryan? I can never tell the difference, other than Rob is a lot quieter than Ryan. They’re identical in every way except for their personalities; they’re polar opposites. But it’s not just him standing at the door. Nick and TJ are there too, right behind him.

“Rob? Wh—” she stammers out, not believing he’s right in front of her.

“Are you alright?” He steps forward and lets the guys pass through behind him. All of us stand up to greet them. Nick hugs me and TJ hugs Haley. Then they move to check on Danielle.

Where the hell did they come from?

And why do they all look so worried?

They all grab chairs to join us and Haley huffs. “So much for a girl’s night and a slumber party,” she jokes with all of us, but Rob just stands there, staring at our waitress, who I now know is called Aid. Probably short for something else; like Adrienne or Adrianna.

“Rob!” There’s a booming voice back by the door, and it’s that brunette again. I thought they all left. Maybe she stayed and waited for Rob to come. Why are the guys even here right now? I don’t mind it right now, so I’m not going to question it further.

I watch the waitress step away from Rob and walk away from everyone. I’m assuming this is the girl she wanted Haley to hit with the pizza slice.

“We need to talk,” Nick whispers in my ear beside me.

“Can we not? I’m so embarrassed, Nick,” I groan a little and bite my pizza, hoping the food would comfort me. I need chocolate right after this too.

“Hey.” He takes my chin and directs me around so we’re inches apart. “Don’t be embarrassed. Seriously, it’s all good, Carter. Just don’t call me that unless we’re alone and in a bedroom. But there’s no pressure about it, Carter. I didn’t mean today or tomorrow. When you’re ready, I’ll be there. I was just flirting and playing with you.” He smiles, attempting to make me feel better.

I appreciate how nice he’s being about it and feel a weight lift off my shoulders. I’m not ready yet. This is why I really like this guy. It’s so natural with him, and he never pressures me into anything I’m not comfortable with.

“You can call me ‘Daddy’ anytime you want, provided it’s only between us.” He winks and seals it with a kiss. “Now, give me a slice of this pizza.” He reaches over and takes a slice from my plate and bites into it. He’s not going to like it. There’s no meat, and I know him and the guys like their meat.

He stops and stares down at the slice. “Where the fuck is the meat on this?” he asks the slice in his hand, but I just laugh at him waiting for the inanimate object to reply to him.

“It’s vegetarian,” I tell him and bite my own slice. He throws it back down and a loud scream catches our attention. I forgot where we were.

Our waitress steps back and walks away, but Rob goes after her and pulls her back. “You hurt me!” she cries as she thumps his chest with her fists. “I’ve cried over you too many times, Rob!” she tells him, and I can see the tears fall down her face. I feel so bad for her. She doesn’t need an audience.

“I know, Aid, I’m an idiot,” he says softly to her. While he pulls her closer to his chest. “I’m sorry,” he apologizes to her. She looks up at the ceiling and wipes her eyes.

“So dramatic,” Maya’s friend comments while rolling her eyes. What is it with their group and the way they treat other girls? I suppose mean girls stick together, don’t they?

“Just leave, Rachel.” Rob turns around and points to the door where they came in from.

“Not until I talk with you, Rob! You owe me that!” she screeches back. I can see her face going a little red with irritation.

Rob sighs and rubs his hand through his hair. I feel a hot breath on my face, knowing it’s Nick. “The short version; Rob messed up, he slept with Rachel, on your left, in order to get the girl he’s been in love with for years, on your right. Adrianna and her family own this restaurant. They’ve been on and off for a while, mainly because Rob can’t make up his damn mind. I feel bad for her, she’s so sweet and deserves a guy like Rob when he’s not fucking around. Pun intended. She walked in on them, even though they weren’t together, and wouldn’t talk to him for months. Looks like he’s finally grown some balls and is going to tell her how much he loves her. Well, I fucking hope so because this shit should be on a soap opera.” He laughs and kisses my cheek.

I slap his chest, telling him not to laugh at other people’s misfortunes. That was us not so long ago. He sends me those beady eyes that say he’s sorry and he keeps requesting a kiss from me.

So, I kiss him on the lips and I hear someone pretending to barf down the other end of the table. I know it’s Haley and so does he.

“If you don’t stop over there, I will eat your pizza, Haley.” The sounds stop as soon as Nick finished his threat. He didn’t look anywhere else other than me while he said it. “Thought so.” He smirks and sits back in the chair with his hands behind his head.

We didn’t even notice the screaming match happening between Rob and Rachel. That is very surprising because I thought Rob wasn’t the hot head; as it turns out, he is.

Adrianna walks away, having had enough of this. I stand up instantly and tell Nick I’m going to check on her. He smiles with concern but nods at me to go ahead. I feel her pain. She’s fought enough, and she’s over it. I can see it on her face. I see her running into the bathroom, alone, down the short hallway. There’s a part of me that’s glad it’s not me, but another part of me feels bad that it’s happening to someone else.

I push the door open and hear her sniffle in one of the cubicles.

“Adrianna?” I ask and it stops immediately. “I’m Carter, the jalapeño loving vegetarian pizza eater.” I hear her chuckle, allowing me to figure out what cubicle she’s in, but I can still hear the sniffles from her.

“Hi, Carter . . .” she says after some time of what sounds like her trying to get herself together. I can hear the roll of toilet paper thumping at the side and being used generously.

“You want to talk about it?” I ask, unsure of how to approach this, I’m trying but I know I’m not the best at this type of thing. I haven’t had many friends for practice. She stays quiet for a while longer. I stand opposite the door and wait for something—anything.

“I went to high school with Rob and Ryan. We became best friends in my first year there. I gravitated towards Rob more than Ryan. I clicked with him more.

“I was new to the school, and he took a liking to me too. We used to hang out every single day unless one of us was sick. If it was me, he’d come over and bring me chicken noodle soup his mom made for me; if it was him, I’d do the same with a little spice in it to make him sweat it out . . .

“I started to get feelings for him after, like, two months of meeting him, and at one party we kissed. It just happened, and it was the best thing I’ve ever felt.” She closes her eyes in satisfaction. “Then I started to get deeper into the feeling between us. I started to more than like him, and I wasn’t sure if he regretted it or liked me back. But he was that guy all the girls loved. He was quiet and mysterious, and there were loads of girls hot on his tail, but he always hung out with me.

“We never dated because I was always telling myself if he wanted to, he would have asked me. But he didn’t, so I pushed it aside. And then, when we went to college, I could see the groupies he had, and we drifted apart. Mainly due to me and my feelings. I couldn’t watch those girls hanging around the guy I fell for, you know?” she asks me. I do know. I know what she’s thinking and it is hard to see that. I couldn’t watch it with Nick. It was too hard, even when I was so angry with him.

“He slept with her . . . and I walked in on it. That was supposed to be the night I was going to confess how I really felt about him, and he didn’t even care. He slept with her.

“Sure, she’s gorgeous, glamorous, sexy, beautiful, and everything I’m not. So, when I saw that, I hated him for it. I couldn’t even look at him anymore. He broke my heart, and I had this massive fight with him. I walked away. I haven’t spoken to him in four months and six days. I’ve been counting because I miss him so much. I miss my best friend out of everything. Although, he has texted and called me many times.

“I can’t be around him if he’s going to be with her though. She’s not a nice person. All he sees is the outside of her—how beautiful she is. She’s the total opposite of me, she’s a girl I could never be, and that’s what’s hard. Because he likes that—he likes those type of girls. I want him to be happy, and I know he’s not with her.

“There’s an old Italian saying. ‘Certe persone sono come alcune mele… belle fuori e marce dentro.’ Meaning some people are like apples; beautiful on the outside but rotten on the inside.” At some point, Rob entered the bathroom. She didn’t even realize that he had joined. I didn’t want to tell her because I want them to talk. I wanted her to keep talking about what’s going on inside her head. It’s good to let it out.

She continues, “He’s such a beautiful person, especially inside, but they don’t even give him the chance to let them see that. I’m glad they didn’t let him. I’m glad, because then they wouldn’t fall in love with him too. I’m selfish when it comes to him, but I really know him inside and out, and I still act so stupid around him. I still fall for him every single time I see him.

“He’s not an apple. He’s this kind and sweet guy that nobody really gets to see, but when you do, people will really love him for his true self. He’s . . . so bright and caring and . . . perfect.

“The best thing about him is when he smiles, not that smirk he wears with those other girls. The real and happy smile that makes me nearly faint, you know?” she asks and I smile down at my feet.

“I do, actually, I know what you’re talking about,” I respond and lift my head to look at Rob, who has his head resting on the wall of the cubicle next to the one she’s inside of. He’s smiling back at me in a daze. I know he’s thinking about her, listening to her describing him and how caring and kind he is, primarily to her.

“Fuck! Is he in here?” she groans. I hear a small smack of metal, I bet she hit her head against the toilet paper dispenser.

“I’m here, Aid.” He chuckles to the wall that she’s on the other side of.

“Shit, Rob! You know I hate when you do that. We were having girl talk with my jalapeño loving, vegetarian pizza eating customer! Can you not do this right now?” she whines. He laughs even more. I know they’ll be alright. I don’t know her all that well, but I have a feeling they’ll be alright.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to talk with you.” He softens his approach and knocks on the door to ask if she can let him in.

“Go talk with her,” she says over the door. He rolls his eyes at her being stubborn and turns his head back to me, shaking his head.

He mouths, “She’s always been like this.” This is probably the longest conversation I’ve had with Rob. He usually just greets me and walks away. “She’s Italian too,” he mouths once more and rolls his eyes playfully and bites his lip.

“She’s not here anymore—”

“Oh, how lovely,” she interrupts him with her sarcastic comment.

“Come on, Aid, come out and talk to me. I hate talking to you through a door.” He knocks again, begging her to come out and talk to him.

“Are you making that face? Carter, is he making that face where he’s pouting and blinking really fast with his eyelashes making him look extra cute?” I chortle because that’s exactly what’s happening with him right now. He knows how to play with her to get her forgive him. “Rob, you can’t do that! That’s not fair,” she whines. “I’m not coming out until you lose that look,” she promises, and he smirks back at me. “And don’t you dare be smirking either.” He snickers and shakes his own head at how she’s reading him so accurately when she can’t even see him. “Carter? Is his face neutral?” she asks me, and I reply with an immediate yes once he shows me. After the confirmation, she opens the door up and they see each other again.

“I’ll leave you guys to it.” I wink at her. “I’ll be outside if you need me, either of you,” I tell them and they both thank me.

Giving them their privacy, I walk back out to our table to see Nick eating Haley’s and Danielle’s pizza, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning with a slice in each of his hands. Typical.

I set myself back down and as soon as I do Danielle asks me how she is.

“I think they’ll be alright, he’s got a lot of work to do. She’s strongheaded and won’t let him away with anything, but they’ll get there. I can see they both really care for each other and she speaks so highly of him. They’ll be fine,” I assure everyone so we can finish off our food and we can finish off the girl’s night we had planned, minus the boys.

Three hours later, we kept the boys happy by having dessert too, which was also on Adrianna’s father, who I now know is the manager and owner of the restaurant. So, staying a little while longer kept them happy, and they allowed us to continue the night. They did fight it at first, but Danielle put on the puppy dog eyes that worked a charm with both of them, telling them she hasn’t hung out with us both at the same time in a very long time, and it’s the truth.

So right now, we’re lying on my bed with face masks on, hair tied back, and watching “The Blindside.” Who doesn’t love Sandra Bullock?

“There was so much drama today, Jesus! I’m surprised the three idiots left us alone. I thought shit was going to kick off and we’d be in a massive fight, then we’d all be kicked out.” Danielle spoons another scoop of ice cream out of the tub. She’s had several battles with that tub in the last ten minutes because it came out of the freezer rock solid.

“I was ready for one. Kelly can be such a bitch sometimes. Scratch that, all the time. Those three are a real problem for us! Maya is hands down the worst though. Sorry, Carter.” She laughs sitting back against the pillow when she finished talking. She’s hyper—she’s had too many nerds in one night. Danielle gawps at Haley like she has three heads.

“She’s so annoying, like, I see her everywhere,” I complain to them. I’m usually not the person to really bitch about another person, but Maya is an exception to the rule. She’s annoying and petty and I’m tired of actually talking to her, talking about her and seeing her.

I swear, I feel like she hunts me down just to make a point to intimidate me. You’d think she’d have some sense to leave me alone after I pressed charges against her and her two sidekicks about ruining my car. I thought that she’d back off, but silly me forgot she’s not a smart girl and likes to really put her foot in it.

“Let’s not talk about them and enjoy the movie. I don’t want them to ruin the good vibes we have right now. We can watch Magic Mike and take notes for the guys to learn a few moves for us. And to see sweaty and sexy Channing Tatum grind his hips and thrust . . . I think you get the vision I’m currently having in my head.” I laugh loudly, followed by the two others beside me.

This night has turned into a very fun one from an awful start, but I’m glad it’s turned out this way. I made a new friend who I know goes to the same college as I do, one who’s on my side. I can’t wait to see her again, because I know she’ll be around the house more often now.

And that’s what I need; a new friend.