Dynasty Boys

Chapter 14

Elle

The Smiths' was a cozy little diner tucked in the heart of Haverhill, the kind of place where the air always smelled like fried food and the booths felt like home. I hadn't been there in a while, not since the day we had to pack up and move away. I remembered how devastated I had been, how hard it was to leave that familiar place and the life I had known. My grandpa used to bring me there almost every Sunday after church, and the bond we shared was unlike anything I'd ever felt with anyone else. He was my hero, quiet, strong, wise in a way that was almost mystical. Losing him was something I couldn't fully explain, even to myself. That part of me felt like it was still stuck back in the town we'd left behind.

Now, here I was, sitting across from Lila in the same booth, staring at my food. The greasy fries and burger in front of me didn't seem to matter much. My mind kept wandering back to Jackson, the guilt that still gnawed at me, and the strange knot of feelings I had for Carter. Everything felt a little off.

Lila broke the silence with her usual upbeat energy. She was already on her second plate of fries, her fingers slathered in ketchup as she casually licked them off. "Elle, we should do a girls' night. This weekend, you should come over to my place. My parents won't be home, and Friday there's another party..."

I looked up at her, barely listening. The last party we went to was a blur, and I wasn't in the mood for another one. "A girls' night?" I repeated slowly, unsure. "I don't know, Lila. I'm not exactly at my best right now."

Lila didn't seem phased, though. She leaned across the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, Elle, it'll be fun! Just the two of us. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, school's canceled tomorrow and Wednesday because of what happened earlier today. It's a free couple of days!"

Her words barely registered as I traced the rim of my cherry cola glass. School canceled? That didn't sound real, but at least it meant I wouldn't have to face the halls full of people questioning what happened to Jackson or what happened in the locker room with Carter.

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I glanced up at Lila, who was still stuffing her face with fries. She didn't even notice. I pulled my phone out and froze when I saw the message.

"I want to take you somewhere. Tonight. I'll pick you up at 9 pm. – Carter."

I felt my heart stop for a second. How did he get my number? And why tonight? The message was vague, and honestly, it made me nervous. After everything that had happened earlier today, after the moment in the locker room, where I thought he might just brush me off or act like nothing ever happened, it felt strange to get this message from him now. He'd been distant, and my feelings for him were growing, like a secret that I couldn't control, but I wasn't sure if he felt the same. Was he just playing around? Or did he really want to take me somewhere? Either way, the timing felt off.

Still, I couldn't ignore the flutter in my chest as I thought about him. Carter Knight made my heart race in a way no one else could.

"Is everything okay?" Lila asked, noticing my sudden change in expression as I stared at my phone.

"Yeah..." I muttered, but I wasn't sure what else to say. I quickly shoved my phone back in my pocket, trying to hide the sudden wave of nerves that crashed over me.

We finished our meal, and I was grateful for the distraction, even if it didn't fully calm my mind. Lila and I made our way to my house afterward, to watch a movie, like we often did when I needed to unwind. It always worked. Lila could make me laugh, no matter how bad my mood was. And tonight, I needed it more than ever. Even my grandma seemed happier when Lila was around. I could hear her chuckling from the other room, her old bones relaxing as she listened to us talk.