Loving Cara(58)
“No.”
Ty laughs and scrubs his face with his hands. “So, he didn’t ask you to stay, as in, move in with him?”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I know it’s too soon.”
“Have you done the ‘I love you’ thing yet?”
I can’t help but meet his eyes and grin.
“I take that as a yes.” He smirks and watches me for a long minute, blinking sleepily, but not breaking eye contact. “I’m not surprised, you know.”
“Why?” I ask, taken aback.
“He’s always had a soft spot for you. Not to mention, you’re hot.”
“Shut up.” I wave him off as he smirks.
“You are, Cara. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s finally noticed.”
“He’s a good guy,” I whisper, and close my eyes.
“One of the best. So you didn’t tell him you wanted to stay?”
“Of course not.”
“Cara.” Ty pinches the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb and shakes his head ruefully.
“Why would I say that? It’s like inviting yourself to someone’s party or something. It’s his house, he should say it first.”
“Says the girl who has clearly never been in a relationship.”
Ouch. “Eff off, Ty.”
“I’m sorry, hon, but how is he supposed to know that you want to stay if you don’t tell him? Josh has many talents, but being psychic isn’t one of them.”
“You’re psychotic,” I mutter, and glare at him, making him laugh.
“You need to communicate if you want it to work, you know. That’s just Relationships 101.”
“Are you a lawyer or a couples counselor?”
“A little of both.” He smiles softly, his blue eyes full of humor.
“I have to pee. I’ll be right back.” I jump up and head for the bathroom, needing a minute to gather my thoughts.
Could it be that simple?
Is that why Josh looked so torn yesterday when he watched me pack? Maybe he wanted to ask me to stay, but didn’t think I wanted to.
Yep, I’m an idiot.
I wash my hands and walk back to the living room, surprised to see Ty with my phone pressed to his ear.
“Dude, seriously? Don’t be an ass. Cara’s back. Here she is.” He hands the phone to me, his face sober.
“Hello?”
“What the fuck is Ty doing at your house this late in the evening?” Josh’s voice is deceptively quiet.
“He came over to say hi. My lights were on.”
“How long has he been there?”
“Why?”
“I’m just asking a question, Cara.”
“Long enough for us to get naked and have wild and crazy sex in every room of my house. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Watch yourself, Carolina.”
“No, you watch yourself! Who do you think you are to call me and question me about having my friends over? I’ve known Ty my whole fucking life, Josh, just like you. What exactly are you accusing me of?”
“Cara, stop.” Ty is standing with his hands on his hips, shaking his head. “You’re not helping.”
I shake my head in return and listen to silence on the other end of the line.
“Well?” I ask Josh.
“I’m not accusing you of anything,” he murmurs, his voice resigned and tired. “I’m sorry. I hope you sleep well, baby.” He hangs up.
I throw my phone across the room. “What the fuck, Ty?”
“Cara . . .”
“Why is he acting like this? I just saw him this morning, and he has the balls to be jealous because you are over here talking with me?”
“Cara, he’s in love with you. He’d be jealous of fucking Santa Claus right now.”
“Bullshit.” I’m panting, my hands are in fists at my side, and I’m just fucking pissed.
“No, it’s not bullshit. If the roles were reversed, I’d kick his ass. It was inappropriate for me to come over. It just didn’t occur to me because you’re my sister in my head, but not in his head.”
Ty sits at the edge of the couch, his elbows on his knees, and watches me calmly as I process what he’s said.
Well, shit.
“I fucked up,” I whisper, and sit dejectedly in my chair.
“It happens. He’ll get over it.”
“He was so mad.” My voice is shaky, and I feel the tears welling in my eyes.
“Whoa.” Ty raises his hands in surrender, his blue eyes wide. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. It’s time to call Jill.”
He finds my phone across the room, pops the battery back in it, and as soon as it’s rebooted, he finds Jill’s number and calls her.
“No, I’m not fucking Josh right now, thanks for asking.” He swears under his breath about what girls talk about on the phone and pushes his hand through his hair. “You need to talk to Cara. She’s crying, and tears are so not my department.”