Scornfully Yours (Torn Series) (10 page)

Pictures could really be deceiving. But it seemed like his fans were going on an online rampage trying to figure out who I was from what little I read in the article.

     “This IS bad,” I muttered, freaking the hell out.

     I wasn’t worried about my parents because they barely had time to watch the news let alone read a gossip magazine. But still, how was this going to affect me–what were people going to think of me?

     “You think? This is awesome babe! You’re like Bass Cole’s girlfriend!”

     “I
am
not! Stop saying that. People might hear you,” I hissed at her as I looked around the coffee shop.

     I warned her off but she was grinning like she won the lottery.

     “Oh, shut up! This is great! You should enjoy it! I mean—you should really enjoy Bass Cole…I would happily sell my grandmother if I could spend a night with him in my arms…what I wouldn’t give to be with him for one night…”  She trailed off, day dreaming her wits out.

     Even if I wanted to ‘enjoy Bass and all his glorified scrumptious body’, the man wouldn’t even dare kiss me knowing the kind of emotional rut I was in.

     “It’s not like that with us—
Trust me
. I admitted that I had just broken up with Carter and stuff. So, that put him off a bit, I think.”

     Trista’s eyes bulged out. “
Fooor real?
Emma! You’re crazy! What woman would say shit like that when you’re out with the hottest shit in Hollywood?” Trista looked stressed out as she looked at me.

      I couldn’t stop the bubble of laughter that threatened to crack.

     Her expression was just too hilarious.

     “So, did he like dump you already? He’s quite known for his one-night stands! I guess it’s a good thing that he did dump you…it’s not like you need another Carter in your life,
you know?
Yeah, Emma, you’re better off without Bass.” Trista looked like she was trying to convince herself more than me.

     Poor thing, she was so invested I felt bad seeing her this way.

     “Actually, I am seeing him for dinner tomorrow. He signed on a movie and some of the cast members are going to be there as well. Get to know each other and whatnot.”

     She jumped out of her seat and lunged at me with a big hug. Her shrieking caused some of the people to look at us to see what the ruckus was all about. I did say she was always damn cheery, didn’t I?

     “Trista Stevens, did you forget to take your anti-psychotic pill again?” That question made Trista laugh so hard she started to tear.

     “This is why I love you Amber. Your twisted sense of humor never fails to entertain my boring life.” Both of them were the best of friends, they even had the same twisted sense of humor.

     “Love you too, Tris.” Amber blew Trista a kiss when she rounded the table.

     “O.M.G.
Is that you doll?
” Amber gasped at the magazine as she frantically went over the pages, seeking the article about me and Bass.

     “This is crazy!” Said by an over thrilled Amber.

     It certainly is.

     I was lost in thought, staring at the magazine cover that when I felt Trista freeze next to me. ”No dolls, this is about to get insane. Carter Mason just walked in and he doesn’t look happy.”

     Oh no.

     Not yet.

     I’m not ready to see him yet!

     Too late, when looked up, he barely just arrived at our table.

     Fuck my life!!!

     God, he looks so…so dark, dangerous and sexy—a total opposite of the blonde, blue-eyed Bass.

     “Can we talk outside?” He sounded ominous. As usual, no nonsense or pleasantries—no ‘hello’ or an ‘excuse me’.

     I stopped gawking at his beauty and managed to quickly gather my thoughts.

     “Alright.” I got up. “Be back in a sec.” I murmured at Amber and Trista. They both looked like they were going to burst from curiosity. The other students in the coffee shop watched our exchange and stared at the unfolding drama we were causing before their eyes.

     Once outside, he walked towards his black Escalade and opened the door for me. Seated, the familiar scent of Carter permeated the car. His scent made me nostalgic amongst other things. I tried to calm my nerves but it was pointless. I was extremely edgy and anxious.

     Suck it up, Emma.

     When the other car door opened, he slid inside and locked the doors. The engine was running with no music playing, the silence was deafening.

     “I thought you wanted to talk. So,
talk
.” I commanded, aggravated at his silent state.

     His large hand ran through his disheveled hair making him look even more sexy.

     GAWD!

     My blue eyes met his dark fathomless depths. Without breaking eye contact he spoke with evident strain and torment. “I badly want you back, Emma.”

      Steady, my shattered heart.

     “We’ve been here before. Yesterday in fact, if you don’t recall.”

     “I know. I was an idiot. I haven’t slept because every time I shut my eyes, you’re all I see. When news broke about you and Bass spending the night together, I couldn’t take it, Em. This is fucking killing me. You’re
killing
me and I’m going insane. I can’t think straight!”

     Tempting…how fucking tempting…

     I leaned back against the leather headrest and contemplated what to do.

     Could I really be with someone who didn’t love me? It was obvious that the more time I spent with him, the worse my feelings got. At the end of the day, going back to him wouldn’t solve anything, not really. I may have him physically but I’ll never have his heart, his love. Knowing how I am, I would not be happy with that nor would I be content with a half-ass kind of commitment. If I stayed with him, when the inevitable end came, I would be solely hurt and I would eventually regret it sooner or later.

     “I can’t do that.”

     “Why the hell not? You and I were great together, Em. We were…and you know it!” He heavily sighed and stared at the car ceiling. “Are you guys dating now or something?” He challenged, his throat bobbing up and down as his eyes searched for truth on my face.

    
Or something…
that’s what Bass and I are…the connection was there. I felt it, Bass felt it. But the timing was all wrong.

     “No. It’s not like that. The gossip you see and hear, are just well…gossip.” That was the truth.

     “Why are you doing this now, Carter? Is this about your pride and ego? Because I honestly don’t buy the shit you’re telling me. We both know that you’ve have some crazy wild rides around town. Sex with me isn’t exceptional. You’ve done more questionable sexual exhibitions of sorts with other women. So, what the hell is going on?”

     “Un
fucking
believable!  I fucking miss you! That’s what’s going on. It’s the entire truth!” He barked out in frustration.

    
He misses me?
That’s a first…kind of emotion. All he ever would say is ‘I need you’ and the other infamous line, ‘I want you’.

     “Don’t shut me down without some thought, Em. Just promise you’ll think it over before you give me an answer? I’d rather take that than your immediate rejection.”

    
Astounding
, I thought.

     Has the world tilted on its axis or something? Have aliens capsized Carter Mason’s brain? There’s got to be some bizarre answer to this.

     This is so unlike him.

     He was an ultimate insensitive, callous, demanding, hard, detached jerk that I have ever met.

     “Emma?” His voice pleaded.

     His tone was melting my purpose, my sole objective of staying away from him. Fuck love!

     “I’ll think about it. No promises though, just so we’re clear,” I clarified with total nonchalance.

     “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” I barely nodded because my mind was going through a battle of sorts.

     “It’s past one already, want to grab something to eat? Or better yet, why don’t I take you out tonight? I haven’t taken you out on a date for awhile.” Carter lightly suggested, hopeful.

     Yeah, amongst other deficiencies you have, I wanted to add but couldn’t muster the energy for another lengthy argument. When was the last time he ever took me out properly? I can’t remember. It’s that bad!

     “I’m fine. Do you think you could just drop me off at my dorm?” I didn’t think I could muster enough energy to endure a lengthy meal with him.

     “Yeah, of course.”

     When he got into traffic, he turned to me. “It’s our second to last game of the season against UCLA. Will you come and wear my jersey?”

     How about not? I’m not going to be your jersey girl, buddy! “I can’t. I have things to do.”

Carter just nodded.

    The student housing was pretty close from the café and the ride back was quick. I didn’t waste a moment’s time getting out of his SUV. 

     “Thanks. I’ll see you around,” Muttering a quick goodbye before slamming his door shut and not giving him a chance to respond.

      Carter’s team apparently won that night.

“I’m intimidated by the fear of being average.”

- Taylor Swift

     With another grunt of frustration, I lightly hit my forehead on my closet door a few more times before I heard Lindsey clear her throat. “Oh honey, that’s not how you say a prayer. You should try the floor—it clears your mind like no other.”  Smartass!

     I glared at my smirking friend. “How does one dress amongst Hollywood folks?”

     Lindsey barked out a shrieking laughter.

     I gave her a death stare.

     “This weird upheaval is
for tonight’s outfit?
” She looked at me with askance. I threw a discarded shirt at her and she laughed even harder.

     She was certainly not helping the situation.

     “I was fine about it until Bass texted me that it was going to be held at Martin Lombardo’s home.” That statement made her laughing rampage halt, mouth hanging ajar. 

     “No shit and you don’t have an outfit?!” She said, agog and purely horrified, now it was her turn to freak the fuck out.

     “Now’s not the time to give me a lecture, Linds. I have an hour before Bass gets here!” I gave her a quick retort, my eyes filled with pure dread.

     Martin Lombardo was a glorified producer/director. Most of his films are Oscar-worthy and have won a crap load of them too. He’s an icon, a legend. I was impressed that Bass was going to make a film with the director. But that amazement turned into trepidation when Bass mentioned I was meeting the director himself tonight.

     “Give me a second to run through my closet. Go get yourself something alcoholic to drink. You look like you need it.” She was about to leave but she stop mid-stride. “You know what? I’ll bring you a bottle of tequila. You just wait and sit here!” Linds departed my scattered room as my phone beeped.

    
Bass Cole: Am leaving the house. Be seeing you very soon!

     I smiled.

     Why do I grin like a silly idiot each time I see his name?
Oh gosh
, he’s starting to worm his way inside—way too quickly for my liking, much to my dismay.

     Linds was back with what looked like ten outfits and a bottle of tequila, to which she threw next to me. I caught the bottle before it landed on the bed.

     “Okay, now strip!” she commanded like a lieutenant. 

     She was browsing through her chosen outfits when I stripped my clothes off, leaving me with my bra and underwear on. Linds and I are about the same size, so I suppose the clothes shouldn’t be any problem.

     “How about this one?” She held out a flashy red skin-tight silk dress. It was gorgeous, but the narrow top would make my breasts look squashed. Not the kind of attention or ‘wow factor’ I’m looking for tonight.

     I shook my head, “too vulgar.”

     “Alright… How about this one?” She held out a simple A-line dress. “that’s too plain Jane, doll.” I said and she scampered to hold out a few more and I declined them all.

     She was getting annoyed, I could tell. I didn’t want to be a pain in the ass but none of them really appealed to me.

     “
That!
I want to try that one on!” I ran to her and grabbed the dress from her hand.

     “Finally! You’re such a pain, Princess Emma!” Lindsey rolled her eyes and helped me with the dress.