Oblivion {James Rodriguez} {Book ONE}

bad timing

A/N: Fillerrr.

"What is he doing here?" Carter's eyes were literal laser beams. I didn't know what was worse: the fact that he came at the absolute wrong time, or the fact that he had to see me and James together on top of that.

"He was just visiting," I tried to compose myself. "What's up?"

I felt James' tense body behind me. It was as if all him muscles were contracted, on alert at once, ready to pounce. This was a new, unfamiliar territory I haven't seen of him before.

"Nothing, I just came to tell you that you have even more paperwork to sign." Carter handed me a stack of papers, but left the two lattes.

"What? How come?" I groaned. I couldn't believe it when I finished work this morning, now I have to do more?

"You signed your firm's side of the papers, now it's time for my headquarter's side. This is not going to be an easy thing to close up." Carter informed me with serious eyes. I think, in that moment, he almost forgot that James was standing right there, shooting him all the dirtiest looks in the universe.

"Thanks for coming all the way here, but we're really on our way somewhere..." James' stern voice spoke up. That tone gave no room for further discussion.

Carter's eyes flicked sharply to meet James', and I held my breath. It was the kind of look a predator gives his prey right before diving in. But instead of drop-kicking James to the floor Carter-style, his lips curved into an amused smile. The fatal glint in his eyes still remained, though.

"You're taking her out on a date? Lovely." Carter's voice was laced with menacing sarcasm.

"I don't see how it concerns you," was James' stable reply. He didn't seem fazed by Carter's indirect threats, or by his dangerous behavior. James' persistent attitude towards Carter reminded me of a lion tamer.

As thankful as I was for James sticking up for us, we had to leave. Carter's presence was somewhat useful, but also catastrophic. I'm pretty sure it opened up a wound in James and I's friendship, because I had a feeling the questions were going to be endless later on.

"Yes, we should really get going." I added quietly. Carter gave me a look of disbelief, as if he expected me to stall James and make time for him instead. Ha, not happening.

We were already and hour late as it was, and Lola would have never let me hear the end of it being the punctual person she is.

"I'm really sorry. We're having dinner with a few friends and we're very late." I explained further. I felt a small speck of guilt in my consciousness.

"Is it Lola's dinner?" Carter inquired, cocking his head to the side. I had no idea how he found out, but he looked very smug about it. I hoped and prayed Lola didn't tell him anything about it. I didn't know how I was going to handle an entire night with these two men under the same roof.

"Yes." James replied for me as he eyed Carter suspiciously.

"Oh well," Carter raised his eyebrows. "Then we'll both be late together, won't we?"