A Certain Not-So-Bad Boy

{seventeen}

{a/n} 

The picture is Maya's Dad (Oliver) played by Patrick Dempsey. Enjoy!

What came to my mind was the first day that Carson and I met. Remember the whole lunatic driving thing? Yeah.

As soon as my dad turned away towards where I'm assuming Ramona lived, Carson floored it. I can confidently say it was at least thirty over the speed limit.

"Slow down, are you crazy?" I shrieked.

"Only for you, babe," he winked, looking in my direction.

"Eyes on the road!" I screamed as he swerved to avoid another car.

He eventually let up. We were now at a comfortable speed when he spoke up. "What's the deal with you and Lacey?"

I hesitated. "What do you mean?"

He smiled softly, and I was on high alert. I was in unfamiliar territory. "Relax," he said, and somehow, I did. "I see the way you get all... stiff, you know? You seem really forced around her lately."

"You're good." I had to give the guy credit, I was trying to be inconspicuous. "Okay, she kind of confronted me after dinner last night. It was for no reason, and she told me she was Brooke's cousin," I sighed.

"Oh. Why'd she confront you?"

"No reason," I repeated, giving him a sideways glance. He gave me a look of disbelief. "Fine. I guess she wanted to send a very clear message to stay away from you. And who knows what kinds of awful things she told Lacey about me and my family! I mean, Brooke always hated me. But now Lacey does too! And I thought we were getting along at first but now she's just a--"

"Whoa, calm down there. We both know that I'm never going to stop giving you company now," he smirked. "And who cares what either of them thinks of you."

"Why were you with Brooke on the first day of school?" I asked, the question popping into my mind. "I mean, you don't seem to adore her either."

Carson sighed, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "It's all because of Clark and Faith. They want--"

"Your parents?" I clarified.

His face went blank. "Yeah. They want me to be with someone who is heir to a financially successful business. Someone like Brooke. They think it's good to join with another company or some crap."

"That's not fair," I said bleakly. Then another, more bitter thought crossed my mind. "So you and Brooke are... together?" I asked casually, even though the words felt like poison rolling off my tongue.

Carson glanced at me in amusement. "Are you jealous, Angel?"

"What? No! No, just... you know. Curious."

"Well, to satisfy your curiosity, no. Not now, not ever. I mean, I have standards."

"And to think everyone calls you some rich reckless bad boy."

He stiffened slightly. "Do you listen to all those rumors?"

"No, God no. That's just what I heard at first, but I didn't know who you were. And to be honest, I was cautious, but I didn't believe them."

"Good to know." He smirked. "We're here."

I looked around. We were, in fact, parked in a parking structure. "I didn't even notice."

"We've been here for six minutes." He got out and ran around the front of the car to open my door, smirking all the while.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my clutch before standing. Carson offered me his arm, and I draped my arm through his so they were linked. We walked together, conversation flowing easily like it always did.