“You did the best that you could.”
“I’m afraid it wasn’t good enough.” He turned their attention to where Aleks and his flavor of the week stood talking to a group of people. If Carrie had a sniper rifle she would have taken the slut out from a distance. She couldn’t stand the way her hands roamed all over his body.
“I’m afraid he’s going to end up like me.”
“I don’t think that’ll be the case.” He would always have someone. Carrie knew that. How long that someone stuck around, was the more likely question.
“She looks...”
“Like a slut.” Carrie quickly put her hand up to her mouth to cover it. That came out before she had a chance to filter her words, but the chuckle from Mr. Turko relaxed her a little.
“My son does have the tendency to attract that type of lady.” Mr. Turko turned to face her. “I wish he would settle down. I’m sure you know someone that would be good for him. Someone who won’t take his crap. Maybe someone who might be able to overlook his history.”
Mr. Turko looked at her with a strange glimmer in his eye. Maybe there was someone out there for Aleks, but it wasn’t Carrie’s responsibility to find her. Especially since the woman he just described fit her to a tee. Was he trying to tell her something?
“If you’re waiting for Aleks to settle down, you’ll be waiting a long time.”
“Maybe, but I will say that even though he has a date draped around his body, he doesn’t have eyes for anyone but you.” Mr. Turko winked, and they both looked in Aleks’s direction. He was gone. Flavor of the week still remained but Aleks...
“What are we talking about?”
Stood right in front of her. Immediately Carrie felt her face tense. Her look must have turned into a snarl because Aleks actually took a step back.
“Enjoying yourself, Dad?”
“Yes, I am. Just catching up with Carrie. I haven’t seen her for a while since she doesn’t have an excuse to come over to the house anymore.” He winked at her.
“Mr. Tur...John, you know I miss hanging around your house.”
“Maybe you should come by. Maybe you should both come by for a visit.”
It was unfortunate that Carrie’s conversation with Aleks’s dad was ruined by his presence. She couldn’t sit around and chit-chat with him. Besides, she needed to make sure the party was running smoothly.
“I really should get back to the party and make sure everything is okay.”
“Do you want help?” Aleks asked.
“Not from you.” She sneered one last time. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
What was she thinking? Showing Aleks that she cared. What was Mr. Turko thinking? Was
he really trying to make her believe Aleks looked at her for a reason other than friendship? Carrie was sure that’s what he was getting at. Regardless of his intentions, it was a good idea for her to leave Aleks and his father alone. They needed to talk. They didn’t do that very often.
Carrie approached a group of people and tried to join in on the conversation, but she was thinking about Aleks. Without even realizing it, her placement in the circle ensured she had the perfect view of him. She was pathetic.
Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them break through. She would wait. Wait until she was alone. Her pity party wouldn’t last very long, but it needed to be acknowledged. At least for a little while.
Aleks glanced in her direction more than once. Probably just gauging her rage. He knew eventually he would have to hear about his date choice. That’s what they did. Aleks picked inappropriate women to go out with and she ragged on him. Partly out of jealousy, partly out of frustration, partly as an attempt to make him wise up and notice her as a woman. But even after all these years it still didn’t work.
He looked because he was nervous, that’s all. But there was nothing nervous about his stare. It was soft and sympathetic, and it looked like he was longing for something. Yeah, the skinny chick he brought to the party. He probably couldn’t wait to get out of here and take her home. But he wasn’t with her, was he? Carrie shook the thought out of her head. There was no way his subtle glances had anything to do with wanting her. There was just no way.
* * * *
Aleks watched Carrie sashay toward a group of people. Before she joined the conversation she stole a quick glance over her shoulder. For a split second their eyes met, but she quickly looked away. He thought maybe if his dad was around she would stay, but apparently not.
“Nice party.”
“Yep.” Aleks continued to keep his eyes on Carrie, although she did her best to ignore him. When she did look at him it was with disgust.