Torn

Chapter 4✓

Carter 

I can't manage to take my eyes off the key chain in my hand as I drag my bag behind me. I started down the sidewalk in a complete fog on my way to go and meet Xander. My stomach is in knots about what I may have to say to him. How do I explain myself, and where should I even start?

You'd think that after I had already tripped over my own two feet just a few hours prior, that I would watch where I'm going but hindsight is twenty-twenty, I guess. I'm too deep in my thoughts about my meeting with Mr. Smith and how terrified I am for the upcoming conversation with Xander, that I don't see the hard-muscled chest in front of me until I smack my face right into it.

"Ouch, shit!" I cry out and rub my nose, almost falling backwards.

Two hands reach out and grasp my arms to steady me. Goddess be damned, I need to get myself together. Never in my life have I been such an uncoordinated disaster. Tucking my hair behind my ear I look up to once again apologize to a stranger that I tried to run over.

"Well, I'll be damned. Hello, Carter." A deep masculine voice stirs.

My face burns as I look into yet another utterly gorgeous man's face. Steel-grey eyes, deep brown hair, a short, clean-cut beard, and a single raised brow stare back at me.

"Fuck..." I stuttered. "Quinn?"

Oh, for fuck me. No. No, no, no. I refuse to believe this was happening. One of them? I can manage that. I can figure it out much easier if it was just one of them at a time. But both? I'm going to be sick.

He chuckles. "What? It's only been nine years, Carter. You don't recognize me anymore?" He feigns disappointment. "You should know that to this day I'm fairly sure that I could recognize you in a crowd out of a million. From your pretty, dark red hair, to that hair tuck you still do, that teases me with a peek at that sexy little moon." He reaches his hand up and runs his thumb lightly over the crescent moon behind my ear, sending an electric current straight through me.

My face burns with embarrassment and those butterflies that are going crazy in my stomach right now, can go to hell. He drops his hand to his side as I take a step backwards. I can't breathe with him that close, let a lone think.

"Well, in my defense, there's nothing left of the gangly little teenager that I left behind all those years ago. You look amazing, Quinn. How have you been?" I shrug, gesturing to his whole body with my hand.

His eyes darken at my words and instantly guilt settles into my stomach. He quickly covers it with a smug smile and crosses his arms. Just like Xander, Quinn has bulked up, he is seriously huge. But I'm not lying when I say he looks different. Both him and Xander look like they could be leaders of a biker gang.

"Oh, no. It's you that looks amazing, little one." His smirk widens as his eyes roam over my body. "I've been... well, same old same old. Not a lot has changed for me over the years. What are you doing back in town? I never thought that I would see that pretty face of yours around here again after you just... up and left." He shakes his head as his eyes darken once more.

"Oh..." Here we go again. Am I going to have to do this twice today? I look down at my watch. Damnit! I'm getting sick and tired of almost being late today.

"Quinn, as much as I would like to stay and talk, I really must get going. I'm going to meet... Hey! Why don't you come with me? I am going to meet Xander at our old spot?"

Oh, get a grip, Carter! Try not to sound so eager, would you? In my own defense, it would be so much easier to explain myself just once. After seeing them both today, I know that I need to get this off my chest once and for all and what easier way than to get it over with all in one shot?