Carved

CHAPTER 3

ELLA

I'm ready to duel.

I knew the day would come when I saw Dylan again. I tried to mentally prepare myself expecting it. Although, I didn't expect he would be Becker's cousin or that he would have two girls wrapped around him. I also didn't expect him to look so enraged. Why would he be mad at me? He's the one that disappeared with no explanation. I had no idea where he was and why he never called or mailed. He just vanished like what we had never existed. He left me while I was still in the hospital. Where was he when I was lying on that cold bed hurt, or when I was healing, or when I was dealing with everything that happened that horrible night? How could he think I would cheat on him? He should have known I would never.

Right now I can't stand to look at him. Even though he looks so good with his light brown tousled hair, hazel eyes, chiseled jaw, and perfect muscles under his tight black t-shirt....awful. Truly awful. I am disgusted with what I have seen in the news about him. Dylan Merrick, playboy. Here he is proving that he cared nothing about me. Where did he find these two girls hanging on his arms anyway? There's hardly enough material to call them dresses. They leave nothing to the imagination. I can see part of a nipple. A nipple! I am further disgusted. Gross!

"What are you doing here?" I finally ask.

"I haven't seen you in years and that's all you have to say? Not what I expected."

"You expected something warmer? You haven't been here in my hometown for seven years. I thought you lived in New York. What kind of greeting did you want from me?"

"The guys and I moved to Philly and are opening another club. And maybe I did expect something warmer so try again. The first time we met you said you loved me."

"Well, that's not going to happen."

"When you and your family came back after a two week vacation you told me you missed me and gave me a kiss I will never forget." He leans in close to my lips as he says it.

I almost leaned in to clear the small space between us before Becker pulled me back. I feel thankful and regretful. I would never cheat. Becker has always been so sweet. We have a great time together. Most of the time. He has been kind of grumpy lately and we did argue last night after the fire rescue. I don't think he would hurt me like Ian though.

"That's definitely not going to happen. What else?" By the look in his eyes, I know he's trying to get me riled up.

"After a winning football game you used to give me a bear hug."

"And you would give me a slap on my ass. That's not going to happen either." Was he hoping I would forget?

"How about we shake hands?" I run through my mental diary to search for a clue if this could be a trick. Should I trust him?

"Just a handshake?"

"Just a handshake." He wraps his fingers around my hand and I immediately feel electricity shoot up my arm just from his touch. I pull my hand away quickly. There must be static in the room. He gives me a knowing smirk and I want to wipe it off his face.

"Um, it's been a long time. It's nice of you to stop by." I narrow my eyes and grind my teeth as I say it.

"It's nice to see you alive and well, Ella." He narrows his eyes and grinds his teeth also. I could have died and that's what he tells me. This makes me angrier.

"Uh, you two know each other?" Becker pulls me even closer to him as he asks. I mentally roll my eyes. Didn't the near kiss and conversation we just had answer that? I hear Rebel quietly call Becker a dweeb. I can't believe he let Dylan come in here. I narrow my eyes at him. He winces and goes back outside. If he had a tail, it would be between his legs. Then Whisper's voice mentally comes into my head saying something inappropriate about my comment. I've been friends with her far too long.