What Can Be

Chapter 9

We pull up to the bar and both jump out of the car. A few people walk out, laughing their heads off about "some guy" inside and I'm praying it's not Carter. I glance at Jack and give him an apologetic look before we finally make our way inside. It's pretty crowded and I glance around looking for either Carter or Levi, but no one is to be found. I finally feel a tap on my shoulder and spin around to see Levi smirking at me. He looks me up and down and I just draw in my breath, praying Jack hasn't caught on to any of this.

"He's over here." Levi exclaims, leading us to the corner of the room. Carter sits in a booth, laughing his ass off and singing. I roll my eyes and slide in next to him.

"Hey, Carter..." I rest a hand on his shoulder and he turns to me.

"Hey! Raven!" He yells and, without hesitation, plants a sloppy kiss on my lips. I pull away immediately and stare at him wide eyed.

"Carter!" I exclaim and push him away from me. "What the hell? You're too drunk to know what you're doing."

"No babe, you came here with me, remember?" He smirks and slings an arm around my shoulder. I roll my eyes at him and look over to Jack who is giving me an odd look.

"C'mon I think it's time for you to go home." So I pull him out of the booth and help him out into the night air. Jack unlocks the car and opens the back door for him to step in but says nothing. Levi follows us back to my apartment in his car and we all pull into the parking lot. Jack still is silent as he helps me with Carter. We all make our way to the elevator and no one says a word, except for Carter who has been touching me and trying to flirt with me the entire time. I unlock the door to my apartment and Carter stumbles inside, looking around.

"Raven, can I talk to you outside?" Jack asks me. I nod and say to Levi,

"Can you watch him for a moment?"
He nods and so we both walk outside.

"What's up?" I ask. He sighs and looks down.

"You don't see it, do you?" He asks me, sadness in his eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I laugh a tiny bit.

"Levi. The way he looks at you." I sigh and step in closer to him.

"I don't know what you mean." He rolls his eyes a bit.

"I've never seen it before. It's like he wants you, sexually, but he knows he has you, but it's also like he's in love. I don't know..." My eyes dart up to meet his. I shake my head, "is there something between you two?" He asks.

"No! Not at all!"

"No history? You two never knew each other before he moved in?" I look down,

"Not the first time." I mumble to myself.

"What?" He asks, demanding for an answer. I sigh and finally look up at him again.

"He was my neighbor when I was a kid. For fifteen years before we left for college." I shake my head, "but we're friends, that's all."

"Not to him." He sighs and finally grabs hold of my hand. "I had a lot of fun tonight and I'd like to continue this. But you have to promise me that he won't be an issue." Jack finally says. I stare up at him and nod my head.

"Yes! Jack I've never been so comfortable with anyone the way I am with you. I'd love to continue this." He smiles wide.

"Well then, it's settled." I smile up at him and lean in a bit closer. "Damn, I really want to kiss your right now." He smiles down at me.

"Well, why don't you?" I smirk. He laughs,

"Because Carters lips were all over yours." I can't help but laugh,