She jerked her hand out from out of my fingers. “What the fuck, Josie,” she hissed under her breath.
The damage was already done. Carter heard me, and the asshole paused, turning around. Stragglers still hung around the stands and sidelines, and two of the assistant coaches were on the field picking up equipment. I wasn’t alone, and the knowledge made me braver than I would have been in another situation.
Carter’s helmet dangled from his fingers, and sweat coated his hairline, making the sandy locks wild. He ran his free hand through the damp mess. As his gaze landed on me, a smirk spread over his lips.
I wanted to punch him in the throat. I wanted to draw blood.
“The answer’s no,” he said smugly.
“You don’t even know the question,” I snappily retorted, keeping my back straight as I faced him.
Mads might not be happy with my choice to drag her down with me, but like a true friend, she had my back. “You really want to die, don’t you? If you get caught talking to her, what do you think will happen?” she challenged.
He gave Mads a sour look and went back to ignoring her. “I don’t want Brock’s sloppy seconds.”
I snorted, my fingers curled into my palms, nails digging into my skin. “Liar. You’d jump at the chance to fuck me.”
Then he went and said the one thing that he knew would make me see red. “Kenna’s back. What do I need you for?”
Mads lost it then. “If you so much as fucking look at her,” she snarled, lunging forward at Carter.
I grabbed her arm, pulling her back to my side. I didn’t trust Carter.
Mads flicked her cigarette in his face.
Carter just laughed.
Keeping a firm grip on Mads’s arm, I stepped forward an inch, putting myself slightly in front of her and drawling, “This isn’t about you or me.”
He took the bait. “What is this then?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “How’s Angie?”
The ball sack sneered. “Drunk, as usual. It would be a shame if something happened to her. A tumble down the stairs perhaps.”
“If you hurt her, I’ll rip off your dick and show everyone how small it is,” I threatened, meaning every word, and I let him see it.
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. He wiped at it with the back of his hand, the black glove still covering his fingers. “What do you care what happens to the bitch who kidnapped you?”
“I just fucking do,” I shot back. “Is that clear?”
“Whatever. She isn’t my concern. I couldn’t care less what your mom does orwhoshe does. Shit. Maybe I‘ll take that cougar pussy for a test drive.”
He was purposely trying to rile me up. And it was working. “What is the point of all this? What do you hope to gain?” I sincerely asked, hoping to understand his twisted mind just a little bit.
“Revenge.”
“I don’t know why I bother. You’ll never be a decent human.”
“Like you?” He chuckled. “You might find out just how far you’re willing to go to save someone you love.”
I angled my head to the side. “Tell me, Carter, who is it you love then?”
“Myself,” he answered without hesitation.
“Your ass must be pretty jealous of all the shit that comes out of your mouth,” I said, disgust thick in my voice.
Carter’s gaze slid over my head a second before an irritated someone said, “Do we have a problem here?”