Dynasty Boys

Chapter 27

Elle

I sat on the sofa, completely stunned, the chocolate square I was about to eat slipping from my hand and falling to the floor. It was him, the guy who had assaulted me at the bonfire. My heart hammered in my chest as my mind raced, and in that split second, a flood of dark, unsettling thoughts rushed in. They all seemed to center around Carter.

Could Carter have done this?

I didn't want to believe it, but the memory of his eyes that night still haunted me. It wasn't just the anger or the violence, they hadn't looked human. They were cold, predatory, as though I wasn't even a person to him. The image of that stare lingered in my mind, creeping into my thoughts every time I tried to sleep.

As I sat there, staring at the empty space in front of me, a sinking feeling took hold. I realized how little I truly knew about him. We'd barely exchanged words outside of the usual small talk. In fact, we'd never had a real conversation. I didn't know him at all. And yet, here I was ; in his bed, trying to convince myself that maybe I could fall in love with him. It didn't make sense.

Not anymore.

Maybe this is just how he acts with every new girl, I thought bitterly. He never bothered to get to know me, never gave me a chance to understand him. But even as I wrestled with the thoughts swirling in my head, I found myself pulling my phone from my pocket. Before I could fully stop myself, I pressed it to my ear, the dial tone echoing in the silence as I waited for him to pick up.

"Hey, what's up, Elle?" His voice came through, cool and casual, a little too smooth, with a strange emphasis on my name, like he was signaling to the people around him to quiet down. It was almost as if he had done this a thousand times before.

"I was watching the news, Carter, the guy at the bonfire he's...he's dead. He was murdered. I...it was you? Wasn't it?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but I knew it came out shaky, betraying the fear I couldn't suppress.

What could I even say?

My mind was a whirlwind of panic, and my hands trembled uncontrollably in my lap. I could hear my shallow breaths, rapid and uneven, as I waited for him to answer. The seconds felt like hours, stretching out in the silence until, after what felt like an eternity.

"I'm not talking about this on the phone, Elle. But no, I didn't kill him. We will talk about you questioning me about it later because I'm confused. What made you think that? Wait I'll be at your house in a few." He deadpanned, his words sending a shiver down my spine.

I threw my phone onto the floor next to the TV, letting out a scream that tore through my chest. Carter made me crazy! He had this way of making me feel small, of treating me like a child, as if my thoughts and feelings didn't matter. 

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm down. Slowly, I took a few deep breaths, trying to steady my shaking hands. My heart was still pounding, but at least I had control over my breathing now. I picked up my phone again, each movement feeling slow and deliberate as my chest tightened with anxiety.

"Hey, Elle! Are you okay?" Nicole's voice came through, still drowsy but warm, laced with concern. I glanced at my watch, swallowing the lump in my throat, it was already late.

"Hey, yeah, I um... I think so," I said, my voice hoarse. I could feel the panic still rising in my chest. "Is it okay if I sleep over tonight? It's fine if not, I just... I really don't want to see Carter right now, and I need to talk. I don't think he knows where you live, so it'll be fine. I just don't want him to show up." I was breathless by the time I finished, the words tumbling out in a rush.

Nicole was silent for a moment, then responded, her voice soft but reassuring. "Of course. I'll send you my address in a second! Next time, you don't even have to ask, Elle. You're always welcome here."