The Fighter and the Lover: Don't Mess with Loco Tex

Chapter 5: The Friend Trend

|| 5. The Friend Trend ||

Once again, the ride was quiet. I wasn't really in the mood for talking in the first place so I simply turned to look out the window. I watched our surroundings fly by, buildings appearing and disappearing, trees waving in the breeze as we passed. I quickly began to notice that we were heading into an area that...let's just say, was perused by people with cars like Carter's. As we came upon a particular hotel, I had fully sunk into my seat, ducking out of view from anyone and lifting a hand to hide my face. "You've gotta be kidding me..."

"What?"

"What do I—" I was interrupted by my own guffaw. "What do you mean what? You know what! Their friggin bellhops would laugh until they're wheezing and coughing if I so much as asked how much it costs a night, I don't even wanna imagine the concierge or–" I shuddered as I cringed at the thought before I even said, "The other customers—"

"Does everyone freak out about what people in the upper class think of them?" Carter questioned as the car began to stalk closer to the entrance where the valet was. In turn, my anxiety decided to say gotta blast! "It's not that big a deal. Even if they give you trouble, just give them my name. They're familiar with my family, and if they see me with you just once, they won't question it again."

"Wh— wait a sec, you're not– are you implying that you're...you're gonna..." I trailed off, unable to finish the impossible thought. The boy glanced over at me and arched a brow nonchalantly. "Woah, woah-woah, wait, back it up, hit pause, take it back to the beginning– hell no! Carter, please, don't. Really, I'll be fine, I'll find something and deal with it, I can—"

A brief look of amusement at my semantics flashed across his face but it was quickly replaced by his shaking head. "Hey, hey, don't worry about it; I'll cover you for a week? Two? Or however long until you figure out your situation or till your parents are back, at least," he shrugged as we began to sneak forwards after a brief pause as the car ahead of us was taken away. "Not like it'll inconvenience me, anyway. My parents won't care. If I can help, I will. No strings attached. All your bases are covered."

"But I could never save up that much to pay you back—"

"What did I just say?" Carter breathed after taking a sip of his drink, leaning back in his seat as the car came to a halt. Turning as he set his drink back in the cupholder, he gave me a lazy smile, his soothing gaze still holding onto concern. "Do, not, worry about it, Loca," he iterated for me with slightly emphasized beats, insisting. "Just think of this as me formally paying you back for Xenon. And the lucky charm you've since given him."

I was about to ask him what he meant but sure enough, I was interrupted by my door opening. My body flinched away instantly and I whirled around to see the valet had opened the door. "Should I take your bag, miss?"

"What?" I furrowed my brow in confusion.

Carter took over then for my mystified, distracted state, and leaned over close to me to peer at him, making me pin myself back against the chair. "Please, that'd be very appreciated," he smiled politely, grabbed my bag and then handed it to him.

"Oh, would you like me to take your bag, as well, Mr. Talivinci?"

"No, thanks; just checkin' the lady in," he elaborated and then moved to get out of the car. I clenched my teeth, offered the valet a polite smile and hesitantly got out myself. Well, I guess I'm not getting out of this one...yet.