When the final bell sounds for the day I make my way towards the car park. As I approach my car, I notice a few people crowded around. As I get closer, I see exactly why.

What the fuck!

Indiana

I debated whether to get a lift home with Carter, but he’s such a stubborn arse. I knew he’d hunt me down if I didn’t show up. I actually make it to the car park before him. As soon as my eyes land on his car, my heart sinks into the pit of my stomach.

I stand there in shock, until a minute or so later when Carter arrives. I watch on in horror as he drops his backpack to the ground. His hands fist in his hair and complete devastation crosses his face. I don’t blame him. I know how much he loves his car. Who would scoop so low? My first thought is Brad. I’m guessing it was him anyway. Lowlife.

Someone has slashed all four tyres. The windscreen is smashed in. There are dents all over the exterior and, what looks like paint, splashed across the hood. Someone has definitely taken to it with a baseball bat.

“Carter,” I say as I rush towards him. “I’m so sorry.”

I reach out and try to grab hold of his arm, but he shrugs me off. “Don’t,” he says through gritted teeth. He briefly makes eye contact with me before his gaze moves back to his car. His poor smashed up car. My heart hurts for him.

He looks angry. I’m not sure if it’s directed at me, or whoever is responsible for this. If it is in fact Brad, Carter may blame me for what’s happened. Either way, nobody deserves something like this. Reaching into my bag, I pull out my phone.

“Daddy, it’s me,” I say as soon as he answers. “Can you come to the school? Someone has trashed Carter’s car.”

“What? What do you mean trashed his car?” he asks.

“The tyres are slashed and the windscreen and exterior look like they’ve been taken to with a bat. There’s paint thrown all over the hood, too,” I reply.

“What?” he screams. “I’m on my way. If there’s any witnesses, make sure they hang around.” I can tell he’s upset. I know he loves this car just as much as Carter does. Who would do something so sick?

My dad arrives within five minutes. Carter is still standing there in shock. He hasn’t said a word. His body language screams what hasn’t been said. I feel for him. After my dad talks to all the bystanders, he makes his way back to us.

“Nobody saw anything,” he says in a disappointed tone. “Don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of this.” Carter still doesn’t speak. “We’ll get it back to the way it was, son,” my dad reassures him resting his hand on his shoulder. “I’ll help you.” Carter doesn’t react, but my father’s words make me smile. I know he means what he says.

Once the tow truck comes and takes the car away, my father drops us off at home. “Carter, wait,” I call out as he jumps out of the car and storms towards his house. He doesn’t stop. I feel my shoulders slump. I feel so bad for him.

“Leave him be,” my dad says from behind me. “Just give him some time to calm down. I can understand why he’s upset. Don’t take it personally.”

“Thanks for coming out,” I say when he leans down and kisses my forehead. He needs to get back to work. “I hope you find who’s responsible for this, Daddy.”

“Do you have any idea who may have done this?” he asks.

“I know he had a run-in with Brad Cartwright yesterday. That may be a good place to start.” I don’t go into detail. That’ll only serve to get me and Carter into trouble as well.

“Okay, Pumpkin. I’ll look into it.” He kisses me before getting back into the car. I stand there and watch him drive away. As I head towards the house, my eyes are fixed next door. I really want to go to him, but my dad said give him time to calm down. I think that’s a good idea. I decide to call Meg instead.

“What the hell happened to Carter’s car?” she asks. Thinking about his car makes me instantly agitated.

“Brad Cartwright would be my best guess.”

“You think?” she asks in a shocked tone.

“I’m not sure if Carter has any other enemies at school. Although with his attitude, he’s probably pissed a lot of people off,” I admit.

“Maybe.”

“I wish I could do something to help him, Meg,” I confess. “I feel so bad for him. You should’ve seen his face. He loves that car.”

“Yeah, it was a pretty shitty thing to do. He may need to sell his body again to get the money for the repairs.”

“God. Don’t say that.” I feel sick in the stomach now. I hope that’s not the case.

••••

Once my homework’s done, I make something to eat before having a shower. As I lay on my bed, I can’t stop thinking about Carter. I wonder how he’s doing. Standing, I look over towards his bedroom. The light is on, but the blinds are closed. Do I dare go over there? I know I’m not going to be able to sleep until I find out if he’s okay.

My mind made up, I climb out of my window. “Carter. You in there?” I call out after knocking on the glass.

“What the hell?” he says opening his blinds a few seconds later. His hair is wet and his chest is bare. He must’ve just had a shower. God he’s delicious.

“Can I come in?” I ask. Do I even dare enter his room after what happened between us yesterday?

“What do you want?” he asks annoyed when he opens the window.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine. Go home,” he bites. I hate it when he speaks to me like that. I understand that he’s upset, but he’s taking it out on the wrong person.

“Okay,” I say disappointed and a little annoyed. What an arse. I know he’s upset, but he doesn’t have to be so damn rude. I turn and head back towards my house.

“Wait,” he shouts. I stop but don’t turn around. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“So, can I come in?” I ask with a smile when I turn around to face him. He exhales and then rolls his eyes.

“Fine. If you must.” I head back towards his window where he leans out ready to haul me inside.

“Wow. Your room looks different from in here,” I say as my eyes dart around everywhere. It’s so neat and tidy for a boy’s room. Tidier than mine. It’s quite bare. No pictures or posters hanging on the walls. He has a bed, desk, bedside table and a set of drawers, but that’s about it.

When my eyes finally meet his, he’s smiling for some reason. I try my best not to look any lower than his face. I don’t want him to think I’m checking him out, because I know that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.

“So does your room,” he smirks. Memories of yesterday enter my mind making me blush. “Why are you turning red?” I narrow my eyes at him. Coming here was a bad idea. Turning, I head towards the window. “Wait. I’m just messing with you, kid. Don’t go.”

He reaches out and pulls me back until my body lands against his. My back is flush with his chest. Having him so close sends tingles running through my body. My senses are engulfed by his delicious scent. God he smells so good.

Not moving, I keep my body right where it is—against him. One of his arms snakes around my waist drawing me even closer, while his other hand reaches up, pulling my hair to the side. He runs his nose from the base of my neck up to my ear.

“You smell delicious,” he whispers against my skin, making me shiver. He sucks my earlobe into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. “You taste good, too.” I lean my head back against his chest and whimper. “I love those little noises you make. It turns me on,” he breathes. His warm breath against my skin makes it pebble with goose bumps.

He thrusts his hips forward to prove his point. I feel his erection pressing into my lower back. Knowing I have that effect on him does funny things to my lady parts. Slowly, he turns me in his arms and slightly tugs on my hair, tilting my head back until I’m looking up at him. The desire I see in his eyes makes me ache between my legs. He gazes down at me for what seems like forever, before his face slowly inches towards mine.