Mil SO (Military Significant Other)

12. Carter

(In media is Carter)

"Hello?" a gruff voice answered. I took a deep breath and felt a small smile on my lips.

"Carter," I breathed. There was a pause on the other line.

"Iris?" he asked.

"I miss you," I said.

"You've been avoiding me if I remember correctly," he said.

"You reminded me of my family, and that hurt. You have to understand, Car, I wasn't strong enough to handle that. And I didn't want you to see me like that. I was having panic attacks every day," I tried to explain.

"I understood that, but I didn't understand why you just left without so much of an explanation or backward glance. We took care of you after what happened and as soon as your aunt came, I never heard from you again. You just left, and then we got shipped to San Diego so I couldn't wait around and see if you would return," he said. I could hear the frustration in his voice.

"That's perfect," I smiled.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"I'm in California. That's where my aunt and uncle moved us. I'm an hour away from Pendleton," I said.

"That's great! Can I come get you tomorrow?" he asked. I thought about my aunt and uncle and everything that happened. I wanted to escape it all.

"How about tonight? I'm in desperate need of my Carter and Iris time," I said.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I'll tell you when you get here," I said. I got up and packed a small bag as I hung up the phone. I grabbed my shoes and packed some toiletries and my charger. Now all I could do was wait. I texted Heath to let him know that I might by gone for a few days.

Heath:

What do you mean you'll be gone?

Me:

Childhood friend is going to be in town. I need a break from everything.

Heath:

Even me?

I sighed and stared at my phone for a moment.

Me:

No, of course not.

Heath:

Then I'm coming with you. Look outside.

I looked outside my window curiously to see Heath leaned against his car with a duffle bag in his hand. I smiled slightly and sighed. He was so cute. My smile only grew when I saw Carter's car pull up. I grabbed my bag and ran down and out the door. I jumped onto Carter as soon as he stepped out of the car and dropped my bag. He laughed and hugged me tightly.

"Hey flower," he chuckled. I wrapped my legs around his waist and squeezed him tightly. I really missed him. I chuckled and hopped down. Carter kissed my head before he grabbed my bag.

"I've missed you," I smiled. He chuckled and turned to face Heath.

"Hi," Carter said holding his hand out to Heath. Heath clenched his jaw and shook his hand. He looked kind of mad. When he let go, I laced my hand with Heath's and held his arm.

"Carter, this is my boyfriend, Heath. Heath, this is my best friend, Carter," I introduced them. I let go of Heath and moved back to Carter's side. He slung an arm around my shoulders and led me to the passenger side. I slid in as the boys put the bags in the back and we were off.

"So why did I have to come get you tonight?" Carter asked. I sighed and took my attention away from the window.

"I was suffocating in there," I answered.

"What, school or home?" he asked. I rolled my eyes and leaned the seat back slightly.

"Both. Home, Charlie and Peter were trying to take the parental roll all of the sudden, and at school, Madison Rowe humiliated me in front of everyone," I explained.

"Madison Rowe, as in... Madison Rowe? Why did she do that?" he asked. I glanced back at Heath briefly before facing front again.

"Long story," I muttered. Carter reached over and held my hand gently.

"Dad will be happy to see you," Carter said, giving my hand a light squeeze. Heath coughed loudly in the back.

"How long until we get there?" Heath asked.

"Half an hour with me driving," Carter said slyly. I laughed and shook m head at him. Carter looked like a younger version of his father. He had ruffled shorter blonde hair and gray eyes. I relaxed against the window and decided to take a nap for the rest of the ride.

"Iris, we're here," Carter shook me gently. We were just passing the security at the front of base. We drove a little deeper into base and reached one of the houses that looked exactly like the one next to it. Carter pulled in and stopped the car. I looked back to see Heath was fast asleep. I smiled and slid in the backseat as Carter moved to get the bags.

"Heath," I said softly. I peppered kisses on his face until his eyes fluttered open. He looked at me and sighed.

"Oh, you're talking to me now?" he said huskily. I rolled my eyes at him. I should've picked up on his jealousy a long time ago. The handshake, the clenched jaw, the coughing whenever Carter touched me; it was all right in front of me.

"You're not jealous, are you?" I said jokingly. He pouted and crossed his arms as he looked away from me.

"No," he lied. I took his hand in mine and sighed.

"Heath, Carter has literally been my best friend since I was born. We grew up together. He was like my older brother and he always looked out for me. I stayed with his family after my family died until they could contact my next of kin. Carter is my family, and I want you two to get along," I tried to explain. He sighed and eventually pecked me gently.

"I don't like the way he looks at you," Heath said. I looked at him confused in the dark car.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He looks at you like... you're his everything. You're his world and he'd do anything for you. That's how I look at you. I don't want him looking at you the same way too," Heath explained. I shook my head and chuckled.

"But you're my boyfriend, Heath. Carter is more like my brother. I love you, okay?" I said. He nodded and kissed me gently.

"We should get inside," he said. I pushed the door open and stepped out. Heath followed. Here goes nothing.