My head was still spinning when I pulled up at Jared's house. I snatched the keys from the ignition and reached into the back seat to grab my bag, completely annoyed with myself for allowing Dominique's bullshit to get to me. My workout clothes were still sticking to my sweaty body and all I really wanted to do was take a shower. I got out and slammed the car door, rushing over to the gate.
I unlocked it and slipped through, quickly closing it behind me. Digging into my bag, I fumbled with my clothing as I searched for my phone. Finally my fingers wrapped around the slender device just as I reached the door. "Babe I'm gonna say it now, you were right and I was wrong." I called out, stepping inside. Unfortunately, my mouth went completely dry when I came face to face with Shannon.
I froze, staring at his handsome mug. Judging by the look on his face, he clearly wasn't expecting to see me either. He just stood there, chewing on his bottom lip as he shoved his hands into his pockets. A heavy silence settled between us, thicker than any tension I had ever felt before. The familiar scent of his heavenly cologne set off a wave of emotions that my mind cycled through faster than lightening. The journey started in my head, but quickly ended in my heart and I felt that deep pang rippling through me once again. The kind of pain that choked the breath from my body and short circuited my mind, leaving me feeling gutted and raw all over again.
"Hi Carrie." He offered a greeting, but never moved from his spot.
"Hi." I dropped my bag and keys on a nearby table, wanting to completely ignore him and just leave the room, but at the same time, I didn't want to let him see that he could still affect me.
"You doing okay?"
Before I could gather my words and lie to him, tell him that I was better than ever, that he didn't shatter my heart and break me, the sound of a door opening and closing echoed through the quiet house.
"I just have to call them and I'm sure I can...." Jared's words trailed off as he rounded the corner, phone in his hand. "Oh, shit, I didn't think you'd be back this soon." He cleared his throat and I knew I had to pull myself together. This was bound to happen from time to time and I needed to suck it up. I couldn't very well ask Jared to stay angry with his own flesh and blood, the one person he was so close to.
"It's fine, I'm just sweaty and need to get cleaned up," I let out a deep breath and struggled to erase any sign of uneasiness from my face. "I know you guys probably have some work to do, so I'll leave you to it." I wanted to play it off and keep it light. I ambled over to Jared, rising up on my toes and kissing his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too." He leaned in for one more peck and then I walked away, not even bothering to acknowledge Shannon or his comment.
"It was nice to see you."
I rolled my eyes at his parting words, he certainly had nothing to say to me last night in front of his whore, not that I'd have given him the time of day anyway. I cringed when I thought back to Dominique's suggestion in the parking lot of the gym. Did he put her up to that, I couldn't help but wonder.
I entered the bathroom and started the hot water before peeling the clothes from my body. Stepping under the hot stream, I closed my eyes, hoping that by the time I was out and dressed he'd be gone. If not I'd have to keep myself amused upstairs until he left.
I picked up the shampoo bottle, squeezing some into the palm of my hand and smiling at the way the scent brought happy memories to mind. Rubbing my hands together, I lathered up my hair and let the hot water wash everything away.
Ten minutes later, I shut off the water and wrung out my hair. "Here you go," Jared opened a towel and wrapped it around me. "I'm sorry, he just stopped by to work out an issue before we leave this weekend."
"This is your house Jared, and he's your brother. You certainly don't have to explain why he was here. Besides, I can't stay angry forever, right?"
He sighed, leaning against the vanity to watch me grab the bottle of lotion from behind him and sit down. "That didn't sound sarcastic at all Carrie." Squirting a quarter size amount into my hand, I rubbed it over my skin.
I should have known better, he could read me like a book. Of course I wasn't happy to see Shannon, but this wasn't my home and I had to be mature. "Okay, I'll admit that it's not easy to stumble upon him unexpectedly. It still hurts, but it's getting better, and I appreciate how understanding you are about it. Thank you, now can I tell you about what happened to me at the gym?"
He frowned, tilting his head to the side. "Well, I was going to ask about lunch first, but sure, what happened at the gym?"
He watched intently as I lathered my damp body down. "Oh, lunch was interesting, she put on a great show for your mother, pretending we were the best of friends. You were right about her, she's a complete asshole. But... I went to work off my frustrations at the gym, not wanting to bring it back here with me, you know? Guess who I run into?"
He rolled his eyes and stepped closer as I stood. His arms wrapped around me. "Find a new gym. There's nothing wrong with being polite in front of others, but I want you to stay away from her. What's she thinking, that you're just gonna forgive and forget?"
He followed me into the bedroom and sat on the bed, watching as I pulled some clothes on. "She isn't interested in being my friend Jared."
"Good, she isn't a very trustworthy or genuine person anyway." He leaned over, propping his elbow on a pillow. "Stay away from her, she's trouble."
I pulled my favorite old and very worn Def Leppard tee over my head. "She suggested that I sleep with her."
His eyes widened and he reminded me of one of those cute little big eyed toys you get out of those claw machines. "What the hell are you talking about? Dom hit on you? I'm assuming this happened at the gym."
I crawled on the bed, settling directly in the middle and folding my legs beneath me. "Why do you think I came home still wearing my workout clothes and all sweaty?"
He was frozen for a few seconds before the corners of his mouth resumed their usual softness. His eyes finally looked away and then back at me. "So, wait, she is interested in you? What about Shannon?"
"She wanted me to begin a relationship with both of them."
"Is that so?" He snarled, adjusting his clothing. "And what about us? What does she think, that you will just walk away from me, from what we have?"
"I can assure you, I'm not interested in her or Shannon!"
"It's just the point Carrie."
Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his, kissing him tenderly. "I think I made it clear in front of him exactly how I feel."
I watched the corner of his mouth twitch into his cheek and he flipped me over, pinning me to the bed.
"I know you just got clean, but I'm ready to get you dirty all over again."
