Killing Carter

Chapter Eight - Jealousy

Chapter 8

I sat inside my wardrobe, the sleeves of jumpers and skirts of dresses creating a den for me to hide in.  It smelt of the floral fabric conditioner my mum always uses and vanilla from the perfume Jay gave me from my birthday last year.  I leant against the back of my wardrobe pulling my knees to my chest.

When we were little me and Jay would play hide and seek on rainy days off from school.  I was the best at it.  I could always find the best hiding spots which scared mum as Jay always went to her when he gave up trying to find me and she could never find me either.  I would hear her yelling my name, her voice getting more frantic as time passed and I would have to run and tell her that I was fine and that Jay was just a bad hide and seeker.  Then my mum would run off and hide and me and Jay would count to 10 together, sticking together as we searched the house for her.

But sitting here in this wardrobe I knew no one was coming to find me and that I’d have to come out sooner or later.  Well with only a few hours till my date with Cole sooner it would have to be.  I unlocked my phone that was unscathed from its flight across my room last night wanting to read Kale’s text again but as I did this I saw that I had an unread message.  I opened it my eyes hungrily eating up the words I saw there.

‘Missed u yesterday at gym sory bout the other txt friends can call each other beautifull cant they? Hope 2 c u soon x’

I wanted to text back.  To say that I was sorry I didn’t make it to the gym.  To tell him all about my nightmare and getting my job back and how much I had missed him even though it was only 2 days ago that I’d saw him last.  But I couldn’t have him like that.  I couldn’t miss him.  So I locked my phone and shoved it back in my pocket taking a moment to clear my head of him.  However a moment wasn’t long enough.

****

“Where are you going Hun?”  Mum asked as she caught me walking out the door.  I stopped with one black heeled foot on the door frame and closed my glittered eyelids as a sigh escaped my lips.  I had hoped to sneak out without any notice like I did everyday but this wasn’t to be like every other day.  Slipping my other arm into the sleeve of my black leather jacket I turned back into the living room where she was sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in her hands and an old rerun of Friends on the telly.  As I entered she turned to look at me taking in my outfit of a purple lace dress, black heels and my trusty leather jacket.  She knew I wasn’t just nipping to the shops and I haven’t been out with friends in months so neither lie would work this time.

“I’ve got a date mum.”  I said leaning against the back of the couch watching the episode of friends smiling when Phoebe began to sing Smelly Cat.

“Oh who is he?  Do I know him?”  Her voice clearly showing her excitement.

“Kale.”  I lied grinning like a fool.  “You don’t know him.”

“You like him?”  She smiled at me patting the seat beside her on the couch.

“Yeah course I do.  I’m going on a date with him aren’t I?”  I replied sarcastically.  “And I have to go.  He’ll be waiting for me at the corner.”

“We don’t talk anymore.”  She said sadly looking into her tea.  At that I walked out my bag hitting against my leg as I shoved open the door and kicked it shut behind me which was a feat in high heels.  Wrapping my arms tightly around my waist to keep the cold of the night air out and the pain in my heart within I stalked down the street to where Cole’s car was parked.  As I got closer I began to feel sick with thoughts of Cole’s eyes raking up and down my body, his hands on me and I struggled to make myself walk the last ten paces.  But then I thought of Kale; pretended that it was he I was going on the date with, he that was sitting in the car looking through the side window at me as I had told mum.  The nausea subsided slightly and I managed to open the car door and sit in the passenger seat receiving a kiss from Cole on the cheek.

“You look beautiful.”  He said grinning at me talking my hand.

“You don’t look too bad yourself.”  I purred stroking his hand with my thumb.  “Now let’s go ‘cause I’m starving.”  I kissed him on the corner of his mouth as he started the engine.  I could make it through this.  I had to make it through.

****

“You’re just so beautiful.”  He said stroking my hand across the table, his brown eyes skimming across my body and darkening with lust.  A shiver ran down my spine and my stomach churned as my starter threatened to reappear.  Ever since we had arrived at the Royale he’s looked at me as if he wants to rip my dress off and fuck me on the table and it’s making me feel sick.  I had to force myself to finish my starter even though it was only melon so I didn’t want to think about how hard it would be to eat my main.  Every minute spent with Cole felt like hours and I just hoped it would get easier as there would need to be many more dates after this.

“You’ve already said that tonight.”  I smiled at him pretending I was flattered.

“And I’ve meant it every time.”  He grinned reaching across the table to kiss me.  His lips were soft against mine; a butterfly kiss.  Before he pulled away he pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my face.  Jus t then our main courses came and he sat back in his chair, his eyes still on me.  I looked away from him to the waiter whose gaze was glued on me.  He looked like the skinny geeky type with limp dark hair and thin wire framed glasses.  I could just imagine him going home from his shift to play World of Warcraft with his online friends.

“Thank you.”  I smiled at him as he placed my warm plate of macaroni cheese down in front of me, his hands shaking slightly.  He smiled back, his whole face lighting up and Cole noticed.  His mouth formed a tight line and his eyes narrowed at the waiter who muttered a quick ‘enjoy your meal’ before hurrying away.

“What the fuck was that?”  I glared at Cole.

“He was fucking you with his eyes.  I dealt with it.”  He growled shoving a chip into his mouth as if that was the end of the matter but I wasn’t done.

“He was not.  He was being nice and now you’ve terrified the poor guy.”  I replied angrily wanting nothing more than to crack him over the head with my plate of macaroni and watch the cheesy sauce burn down his face.  Now that would make my day.

“Just drop it Rose.”  He said his eyes no longer looking at me with lust, there was something darker there, something scary.  Had he been any other guy I would have stood my ground then broke up with him in a wild rage but since I had to stay with him until my plan has succeeded I was stuck.  So I swallowed my words with a forkful of pasta and washed it all down with a sip of my drink.  Not able to look at him I watched the couple at the table beside us.  They were both laughing, their eyes lit up with laughter and love.  I could imagine Kale and I sitting like them gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes, laughing at a joke he’s told and brushing my fingers across his hand.

“I’m sorry Flower.”  Cole said reaching across the table to kiss my cheek.  “Don’t be mad.”

“Guys look at me Cole.  Are you gonna scary off every one of them?”

“Yeah.  Now that you’re my girlfriend I get you all to myself.”  He grinned boyishly as if I would be flattered but instead I was screaming arsehole in at him in my head over and over again and wondering at what point we became boyfriend and girlfriend.  Sure it was all part of the plan but the reality of it terrified me.  I was going to have to pretend to be his girlfriend for months.  I don’t know how I’m going to make it through.

“And I’m so lucky to have you all to myself.  Even if you are a jealous bastard.”  I grinned back leaning over the table to stroke the corner of his mouth with my fingertips before kissing it.

“I’m the lucky one.”  He said his voice gentle.  He kissed me quickly on the lips and I saw the couple at the table beside us look over, the woman awing.   “Now eat up ‘cause I’m ready for dessert.”  He winked.

What have I got myself into?