"Sara, don't, I really don't want you to do this here or.... anywhere else really. I'm grown and knew what I was getting myself into with these two. Besides, you can't just blame Jared for all that's happened." Everything I stated was true, it wasn't his fault. Ok, well, maybe we shared the blame, but I was not going to allow her to fault him for a decision that I made.
She giggled, not because she believed what I said was funny, but instead, because she was obviously still pissed off at Jared. "Stop protecting him Carrie. He's a big boy and can answer a simple little question, can't you Jared?" She leaned forward, cocking her head to the side and pursing her lips together while glaring at him, just like she always used to do to Shannon. We were on pause long enough to place our order, but the tension only returned.
Jared didn't seem bothered at all, having an arm over the back of his chair and crossing one leg over the other. He looked from her to me and then back to her. "Sure, why not?" His demeanor came across as calm and collected, with the exception of his foot nervously moving up and down. "Believe it or not, when I ran into Carrie that day on the plane, it wasn't my first thought to share her with my brother. My head was spinning at how very much attracted to her I still was, and you know, running into her twice in one day like that had to be a sign or something." He smiled so big, those perfect teeth were visible. I slid my palm against his and squeezed his hand tightly. I didn't care what Sara said, Jared was honest with me, he wasn't the one who had hurt me. "If you want the truth, Shannon was the one who came up with the idea, but I'm not blaming him at all. I was just as guilty for agreeing to it. He made it known right away that he was seriously attracted to her and I know just how suave my brother can be, so, I was certain that he would be flirting with her anyway. Hell, what guy wouldn't be? She's perfect." He was staring at me and I could feel my face flush hot with embarrassment.
Sara picked up her glass of water and rolled her eyes. I knew she was far from done with him and was on the brink of a full out bitchfit. When Sara felt that she or any of her friends had been disrespected, her claws came out. That was one thing about Sara, she was extremely protective and didn't hesitate to make her opinion known. "Damn right she is, and she deserves somebody who treats her like a princess, not a whore. Let me tell you something Jared, I was squarely in your corner, but then I found out that you were part of what happened and it pissed me off. If you claim to love someone, you want to kill whoever tries to touch them, you don't offer them up to a sibling. Carrie isn't a toy Jared!"
He smirked, "This is kind of funny to me because you've been just fine talking to me and making plans for us to pick her up from the airport and take her to lunch together. There hasn't been a single word to indicate you were still angry with me, until now, when Carrie is sitting right here."
"Screw you Jared. You're just mad because the truth hurts. The two of you played her."
I cleared my throat loudly. "That's enough! We are in public!"
He always looked so relaxed, but he was really shifting in his seat now. She obviously struck a nerve and he let go of my hand. The look on his face wasn't one I've seen often, but he quickly composed himself. "No, it's not. You're absolutely right Sara. I'm sorry, I made a mistake." He bent toward me and any signs of the overly confident, sarcastic Jared was gone. His expression indicated that he was completely serious. "You deserve better than that Carrie, and I promise to treat you the way you deserve if you'll let me. I love you."
Sara wasn't expecting him to agree with her and to be honest, but neither was I. I valued what he was saying, but I had already forgiven Jared and at this point, I didn't want her to keep bitching at him. "I love you too, and this conversation is over, Sara. We are starting over fresh and I don't want to hear any more about what went on. Can we just eat? I had a rough time in Seattle and I don't care to discuss 'him' anymore. Okay?" I gazed down at the table, feeling my hands actually beginning to shake. Sometimes Sara would get so spun up on how she felt, that she didn't pay attention to how it affected everyone else. She's been known to maintain a grudge when someone pissed her off, and I just couldn't have my boyfriend and best friend at each other's throats all the time.
Sara didn't look happy, but dropped it and I struggled to keep a conversation going between the three of us. After the extremely uncomfortable lunch, Sara dropped us off at my place, giving Jared the most fake hug I've ever seen. I knew she threatened him while whispering into his ear, but I let it slide because she was leaving.
Things would not only be uncomfortable when I inevitably ran into Shannon again, but now Sara was going to also complicate things. Would this relationship survive all of the drama?
God, it felt so good to climb into my own bed, next to Jared. My heart still ached, but at least I had someone next to me who could ease that pain.
