The Carter Family Screw Up [Carter Brothers - Book 2]

Sixteen - "Once a slut, always a slut."

Jake had gone out with his friends so I didn't get a chance to talk to him. I spent the evening catching up on homework then watching a movie with Tessie - it was pretty quiet.

The rest of the week went by the same way. Jake took me to school in the morning but there was alot of awkwardness between us. I still wanted to talk to him about Daniel but I knew it would just end up in an argument.

Cindy pretty much left me alone, aside from the glares and scowls she threw my way, and Grace and I hung out after school at her place a couple of times.

I hadn't heard from Daniel at all since Sunday. I lost count of how many times I picked up my phone to text or call him but chickened out. It felt weird and I didn't like it. Each morning I woke up, I would go to my window and open the drapes, hoping to see him in his room. But I never did.

Literally all that happened when we were together was me either cleaning up his wounds or his friend's gun shot wound. But after he opened up to me about his brother, and then the almost kiss happened between us... He had made his way firmly under my skin.

I missed him.

Friday rolled around and as usual the drive to school with Jake was awkward as hell. As soon as we got out of his car, he locked it and walked away without so much as a 'goodbye'.

I spotted Grace by the school doors as I walked towards the building.

"Things still no better with Jake then?" She asked

"Nope. I hate it." I said.

"Maybe you should bite the bullet and talk to him." She suggested.

"I'm thinking the same thing actually. I think when schools over, I'll take him for coffee and maybe we can get it all figured out." 

"Sound like a good plan to me." She said.

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When my last class of the day finished, I walked to the parking lot to wait my Jakes car.

"Maggie!" Came a familiar voice from behind me. I looked around to see Daniel walking my way. Immediately I felt the familiar fizz of butterflies in my stomach and I couldn't help but smile.

"Dan, hi. How are you? I havnt seen you all week."

"Ive been staying at Rory's while he's healing. My parents decided to come back on Monday so.."

"Right. Uh.. How is he doing?" I asked, hoping this awkwardness between us would fade. I've had my fill of awkward this week.

"Good. He's able to pee and shower by himself now, thank God!" He said and I couldn't help but laugh.

"So listen, are you busy tonight?" He asked.

"Not that I'm aware of. Why?"

"They booked a fight for me and I was hoping you would come. You dont have to-"

"Of course I'll be there." I smiled and he returned it.

"What time?" I asked.

"We need to leave around 6:30pm." He replied.

"What the hell is he doing near my car?!"

"Jake don't start." I said, as i turned around to see him walking towards us.

"You need to stay away from her." He demanded of Daniel.

"And you need to mind your own business." I told Jake.

"I wish you would listen to me, Maggie. He is not good for you. I told you about his reputation. He's violent and people around him always get hurt." He looked dead straight at Daniel when he said that last part.

"Fuck off, Jake." Daniel said, with venom.

"Big words, Daniel." Jake replied with sarcasm.

"Both of you, stop it. And Jake, I don't know how many times I have to say this, but i am not a child. I will make my own mind up about people. I don't need you or anyone else telling me who I should or shouldnt be hanging out with."

"What happened to the Maggie who used to follow me around all the time and tell me how she wished I was her brother? The Maggie who wouldn't lie and tell me she was tutoring someone that I knew she wasnt."

"She grew up, Jake. She got treated like crap by the boy she loved and tormented by everyone who knew her. She learned how lonely and painful it was like to be on the receiving end of vicious and completely false rumors and decided she would make up her own mind about people. And yeah, okay fine, I lied about tutoring Dan. You want to know the truth about why I've been with him? Because he's my friend, Jake."

"Oh its 'Dan' now. You must really be close." He said with a sarcastic smirk.

"Are you kidding me?! That is all you took from what I just said?! You asked me where the old Maggie was, but where is the old Jake, huh? The Jake who cared about me. The Jake who would never treat me with such disrespect... Where is he?!" I yelled with tears forming in my eyes. I turned to walk away but he grabbed my arm.

"You are not going with him." He spat.

"Get off of her!" Daniel yelled and stepped forward. I put out my other arm to stop him.

"It's okay, Dan." I reassured him as o pulled my arm from Jakes grasp.

"You dont get to tell me who I go with." I told Jake.

"Fine. If that's how you want to play it. You can make a choice. Him or me."

"What?!"

"You heard me. Its either him or me. Who's it going to be?" He repeated.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! I can't believe you would actually ask me that."

"I'll take that as your answer, then. Wow - Picking this prick over your own family? Classy Maggie. Classy." He spat.

"If you actually think that that is what is happening here, then I really don't know you anymore." I said.

"You're sleeping together arnt you?" He said.

"What?!"

"I cant believe I didn't see it. It's so obvious. You getting some from Carter here is the only reason you would act like such a bitch."

"What did you just call her?!" Daniel yelled, stepping forward again and I reached out to stop him

"Todd was right. Once a slut, always a slut." He spat, with an arrogant smirk.

Daniel instantly shifted forward to grab him but I jumped inbetween them, putting my hands on Dan's chest and looking into his eyes.

"Don't. Please." I said softly. His eyes softened when he saw my tear filled ones, and his body relaxed somewhat.

But he wasnt expecting me to do what I did next. And neither was Jake.

I spun around and my fist made contact with Jakes face. He stumbled back in surprise and fell to the floor; clutching his now bloody nose, and i bent down over him

"You dont get to fucking ever call me a slut!" I yelled. Daniel put his hands on my waist and pulled me back.

"Come on, Sweetpea. Lets get out of here." I didn't argue and followed him to his truck.