“I don’t condone what happened, but I’m glad it helped, I guess. Promise me you won’t let her take advantage of you like that again.”

“That part of my life is over,” I tell her. I kind of like that she appears to care.

“What a grown woman saw in a fifteen year old …” she adds shaking her head. I hate all this deep and meaningful crap. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

“I guess I’m irresistible,” I say with a shrug. Her eyes narrow at my comment, making me smile.

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“I bet you’d like to be full of me,” I say leaning into her space. The quips just roll off without my brain even engaging.

“You’re a pig,” she replies with disgust, shaking her head. And just like that all is right again. Things between us are back to the way they used to be. Just the way I like it.

Thankfully a few minutes later the waitress appears with our food. Now we can eat and stop all this damn talking.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Indiana

I’m still confused about the afternoon I spent with Carter. Once we arrived back home, I left him to work on his car while I took Lassie for a walk. The whole time analysing everything that was said between us at the restaurant.

We’re still not what you’d class as friends, far from it. To be honest, I have no idea what we are. At least he let his guard down briefly, allowing me to get a glimpse of the real him. Of course his bastardry was back in full swing on the drive back home, which didn’t really surprise me.

To say I was shocked to find out he was paid for sex would be an understatement. His landlady sounds like a monster. A predator. She could go to prison for what she did. No matter what he thinks, a grown woman having sex with an underage boy is wrong on so many levels.

It also broke my heart. I love that he did it to help his mum, but I also hate that he had to do it in the first place. He acts like it was no big deal, but I’m sure there were times it wasn’t easy for him.

He shut me down when I asked about his father. There’s definitely a story there, but it’s his choice if he doesn’t wish to disclose it. I’m glad he and his mother no longer have to struggle. Mr. Shepard isn’t short of money. In my eyes that’s all he has going for him. I have no idea what Carter’s mother sees in him. He’s a tool.

My father and I say hello to be polite, but neither of us really like him. My dad nearly came to blows with him a few years ago when he verbally abused me and made me cry because Lassie defecated on his lawn. He’s a dog. That’s what dogs do.

When Lassie and I arrive back at the house, I find my dad and Carter with their heads buried under the hood of his car. I like that my dad is helping him. Since he doesn’t have a father and my dad doesn’t have a son, I think this will be good for them both. As long as Carter doesn’t continue to get me in trouble that is.

I can’t believe Brad said what he did. Well actually I can. He does have a bit of a reputation. I knew if we ever got together he’d expect sex. The fact that we’re not even dating and he planned to meet up just to get in my pants though, pisses me off. I can assure you he won’t be getting anything from me now.

••••

As the days pass, nothing really changes between us. Carter still insists I travel to and from school with him, even though he continues to be an arse ninety-nine percent of the time.

He hasn’t had a girl climb through his window since that skank. That’s a plus. I’m not sure why it pleases me, but it does. It’s not like we’re ever going to get it on.

Saturday rolls around fast. I get up early and take Lassie for a walk. When I arrive back home I run into Elizabeth, Carter’s mother. “Morning, Indiana,” she says as I walk down the driveway.

“Morning. You’re out and about early,” I say.

“I’m going to visit an old friend today. She lives a few hours away,” she replies, smiling pleasantly. I really like her. How she produced such a douche I’ll never understand.

“That’s nice. Have a nice day,” I tell her, returning the smile. “Drive safely.”

“Thank you. You too, sweetie.” She reaches out and gently grabs my arm as I go to walk away. “I’m glad you and Carter have become friends. He didn’t have many friends where we used to live,” she confesses. Why does that not surprise me? I just grin in response. I have no words. We’re far from friends but I can’t bring myself to say that to her.

After I take Lassie off his lead, I leave him to run around the back yard while I head inside for breakfast. Meg has finally been let off her grounding so she’s coming over to hang with me later. It’s going to be hot today. We’ll probably go swimming and do some sunbathing down by the lake.

Once I’ve eaten, I clean up my mess and head into my room to make my bed. Of course my betraying eyes find their way towards Carter’s bedroom window. Suddenly, his bedroom door flies open and he storms into his room. He must be in a mood today. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I’m taken aback when I see Mr. Shepard hot on his heels. He grabs hold of Carter’s arm, roughly swinging him around. I watch on in horror. He is right up in his face, screaming. I can’t hear what he’s saying through the closed window, but he’s not happy. I feel sorry for Carter. My father would never treat me like that, no matter how bad my behaviour was.

Ugh! I can’t stand that man.

A few minutes later he storms out. Carter slams his bedroom door. His hands clutch either side of his head as he tilts it back, looking up at the ceiling. Poor thing. Seeing him like that tugs at my heart. I’m tempted to go over and see if he’s alright, but I don’t. He’s liable to take it out on me.

He must sense me watching, because his head snaps in my direction. I want to duck down, but it’s no use. I’m already busted. I give him a sympathetic smile, but the arsehole flips me off. He takes a few steps towards his window and abruptly closes his blinds. He makes me so mad sometimes.

I get a text from Meg saying she’ll be over in an hour, so I decide to go out back and play fetch with Lassie while I wait. I’m only outside a few minutes when I hear Mr. Shepard’s angry voice.

“I want the lawns and edges done. You better do a good job too. I’m happy to have your mother living here for free, but you need to earn your keep. I’m not supporting some bastard child that isn’t even mine.”

My hand comes up to cover my mouth. I’m both appalled and shocked he would say that to him. How dare he? “Yeah, well if I had my way I wouldn’t be here either,” Carter replies in a deflated tone. The cruel comments bring tears to my eyes. Everything in me wants to go over there and give that dipshit a piece of my mind. He has no right to speak to Carter in that way. I’m appalled.

“Just get it done,” Mr. Shepard snaps. “When you’re finished you can clean out the garage.” I hate him even more now. Poor Carter. I wonder if his mum knows he’s being treated this way. I’m going to mention it to my dad when he wakes. Maybe he can talk to him about it next time they’re working on his car.

A few minutes later I hear the lawnmower start. I sneak towards the wooden fence that divides our properties and peek through one of the gaps in the paling. A lump rises to my throat when my eyes land on him. His shoulders are slumped and there’s a frown on his face. He looks even more miserable than usual.

Our yards are big. It’s going to take him forever to do it on his own. My dad at least has a ride-on mower. Carter is doing it with a push one. I wish I could go over there and help, but I know he wouldn’t want me to. He’s too proud for that.

••••

“Oh. My. God. His body is just as beautiful as his face. It should be a crime to be that hot,” Meg says. I turn my head to look at her. Her glasses are pulled low on her nose whilst she stares straight ahead.