5 Chapter 5: Love Triangle

Nancy’s POV

It’s been a couple of days since my date with Ronnie, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Despite being uncomfortable at the restaurant, the date itself was still amazing. We’ve been texting more since then too.

Carter asked me earlier today if I’d go with him to a friend’s party. He said he wanted to apologize for what he said before.

The house we’re at is loud and full of people having fun, though I doubt many of them will remember anything the next morning. The smell of spilled alcohol and too much cologne was surrounding the whole house. We immediately went to the backyard where there are fewer people around and a nice breeze.

I hear a sigh next to me and look up to see Carter staring at my phone.

“You’re waiting for a text from him, aren’t you,” he says. It’s a little windy on campus tonight; the wind blows Carter’s shaggy blond hair around his face.

“I am not, I’m just checking my phone. People do that, you know,” I reply sardonically.

“Look, I wanted us to hang out together, not with your phone attached to your face,” Carter replies snootily. His brown eyes have never looked so angry when looking at me before.

“We’re at a party… It’s kind of difficult to hang out one-on-one when we’re surrounded by people,” I say as if it’s the most obvious thing ever.

Carter sighs again and looks away from me.

“Hey, what’s your problem lately? And I’m not talking about just being concerned about me talking to an older man.” I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for an answer.

“I think you owe me that much, since you still haven’t apologized for insulting me and my job.” I tap my foot on the ground impatiently.

“I’m not sure why you’re so upset about me seeing someone anyway. You don’t see me, Jessie, Sara, or Molly getting upset and overprotective when you and a girl show interest in each other.”

Carter hasn’t dated much, but he does go on a date occasionally.

“The girls I see are in class with me! Not running businesses and sleeping around with every girl he meets!” he yells.

My hands clench into tight fists. “First of all, how would you even know who he’s sleeping with? Second of all, why does that matter? He’s an adult and can do whatever he wants! We’ve been on one date! That doesn’t make us exclusive until we discuss it! Not that that’s any of your business anyway.”

“He’s sleeping with you obviously!” Carter points a finger at me.

I glare at him for a moment. “I don’t sleep around on the first date. If you don’t know that by now then how can you even call me a friend?”

“Well, with the way you talk about this guy it wouldn’t surprise me if you put out before you even made it to the restaurant!” He glares back at me and pokes me in the chest with his finger.

I stare at him with my mouth hanging open. I can’t believe he just said that to me. I blink, trying to keep any tears from dropping.

“Is that what you really think?” I ask quietly.

He stands there not saying anything, just looking at something behind me. I scoff at him and start walking toward the house. He wanted me to come out to a party and I did, thinking we could work out whatever happened between us the last time. That was obviously a mistake! My phone vibrates with a new message.

Ronnie: Are you having fun?

Nancy: Not really, my friend Carter is being a dick. Think I’m ready to just go home for the night.

I make my way through the house to the living room and sit in an empty chair.

Ronnie: What’s he being a dick about?

Nancy: Everything? It’s confusing.

Ronnie: Maybe he’s jealous.

Nancy: Of what?

Ronnie: Me.

Nancy: Why would he be jealous of someone he doesn’t even know?

I wait for his response but it never comes. I can faintly hear Carter calling my name. But honestly, I don’t care. I just want to go home and watch a movie or something; he’s been too weird since I first met Ronnie.

Carter finally finds me in the living room and stands in front of my chair.

“Have you ever been in a situation where if you say what’s really on your mind it could either make or break you?” he says in a rush.

“I guess, why?” I ask.

“Well, that’s what I’m struggling with right now. What I have to say could either ruin something I love or make it better.” He runs a hand through his messy hair.

“You’re making me nervous …” I wrap my arms around myself.

He crouches to my level. “Listen, we've been friends a long time.”

“Yeah, and?” I wave my hand for him to continue.

He doesn’t say anything for a moment.

“Can we please just get away from all the noise and go on a walk?” He runs his hand through his hair again. He’s very anxious.

“Yeah, let me text Jessie so she doesn’t worry.”

Nancy: Carter and I are going for a walk, see you later.

Jessie responds almost immediately.

Jessie: Have fun, let me know how it goes.

I see I also have a message from Ronnie!

Ronnie: I’m sure he’ll tell you.

I roll my eyes and put my phone away. I’m so tired of the men in my life being vague with me.

“Okay, let’s go for a walk.” I stand, though I don’t take Carter’s offered hand.

We make our way out of the crowded house and start walking down the street. The cool breeze feels good after being surrounded by warm bodies. We walk at a slow pace and in silence for a couple of minutes.

“Carter, do you remember in 10th grade when you were so anxious because you had accidentally driven your dad’s car into the garage door and you thought he was for sure going to be pissed and whatnot?” I asked.

He’s quiet for a moment. “Yeah,” Carter says softly.

“And do you remember how in 11th grade you asked out Madison Walters to prom and were so nervous that it would ruin our whole friend group no matter what her answer was?” I pressed.

Carter sighs. “Yeah, I remember.”

“Do you understand where I’m going with this?” I ask, bumping into his shoulder.

“Yeah, those are both situations where you were there with me no matter how they turned out.” He bumps my shoulder back.

“Exactly. No matter what it is you need to say I’m still going to be by your side. We’re family at this point. You know how important family is to me.”

He stops walking and turns to me. He looks at me for a couple of seconds before he puts both hands on either side of my face and quickly presses his lips to mine.

It takes me approximately two seconds to realize what’s happening before I push him away from me.

“What the hell, Carter?” I shout, taking a couple of steps back.

“I love you, Nancy. I have for years now, and this thing with ‘what’s his face’ is making me realize I should’ve said something much sooner.”