Chapter 13...

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Thank you to @llovelyAries for the beautiful cover!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 

I need a good song for this chapter so if you know any that fights comment them! 

Enjoy! <3

Ethan's POV

I call her sweet-cheeks while she calls me 'daddy'.

Those words kept playing through my head like a stupid mantra. For some reason I couldn't get it out of my head. Just the thought of having Carter call a guy 'daddy' or even be with a guy was weird. Carter was Carter. The little girl with crooked teeth that followed Luke and I everywhere we went. The girl who was my best friends sister and who I thought of as the same.

Sure it bugged me that guy said that but I knew he was joking from the way he sent Car a wink afterwards. That wasn't the part that was really eating me alive. It was the fact that she seemed to know Gage Harper. While he didn't say anything, his friend did most of the talking, I noticed how his eyes stayed on Carter. She didn't seem to notice that but I sure as hell did.

Seeing his interest in Carter made something stir in my stomach and it wasn't a good feeling. Gage Harper was not the person I wanted around Carter. I knew about him aside from the common knowledge of his many 'girlfriends'. So the seeing him there at the diner staring at Carter made me want to do everything to keep her away from him.

"Hey man are you okay?" Luke asked glancing over at me before turning back to the video game he was playing.

"Do you think we need to worry about Carter hanging out with Gage Harper and his friend?" I asked. I set my phone in my lap as I looked at the tv watching Luke's character kill people.

"Well she said she would stay away from him and she has always kept her word." He shrugged not seeming too concerned. Maybe I was taking it too far, if Luke wasn't concerned about his sister getting close to the known 'bad boy' of school than maybe I shouldn't be.

"I guess you are right." I mumbled. He was right about her keeping her word.

"I know my sister. She can take care of herself." I nodded but the voice in the back of my mind kept whispering that I had to keep Carter to myself. At that I froze. Keep Car for myself? Where the hell did that come from? I've never thought about Carter as my own but for some odd reason I didn't reject that idea. It was like a new thing had been found inside of me that was hidden.

The bing of my cellphone jerked me out of my thoughts. A familiar name flashed across my screen making me grin. The whole thing with Carter pushed to the back of my head as I replied to the text.

I'll be right there.

*****

Carter's POV

The entire class I kept my head ducked not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. Knowing that everyone could see my black bra made it seem like everyone was staring at me, which they weren't but it didn't help the feeling. I tried to listening to everything the professor was talking about but every so often I could hear Gage beside me snickering; I just knew it was at me.

When the bell did finally ring I was up and out of my seat in an instant. The sooner I got out of here and headed to change my shirt the better. I did not need anymore people seeing my see through shirt, I mean it could be worse with me not wearing a bra but still.

Making my way to the end of the aisle I was stopped by a pair of long legs. Looking up I sent a glare at Gage who sat in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked up at me with those dark brown eyes clearly proud of himself.

"What is your deal?" I gritted out.

"Nothing just admiring the view." My blue eyes narrowed even more at him.

"Stop staring at my chest! I was running late okay."

"There's nothing to really stare at anyways." He said before standing up. I clenched my jaw fighting the urge to yell and hit him. How dare he make fun of something like that, never insult a girl and her boobs or you will die. Gage knew he got to me for he winked as walked down the steps to the door. I stared after him feeling anger burn through my body. I wanted to smack him right across the face.

Seething I trailed after him. In my head I cursed Gage every which way. I could tell he was purposely walking slow down the hallway so I would catch up with him. It was like he wanted me bitch him out, like he enjoyed it. Once I had caught up with him I decided I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of bitching him out. Instead I walked alongside of him staring straight ahead. From the corner of my eye I could see him smirking.

"You are pretty proud of yourself aren't you?" I asked shaking my head at him. "You love to get under my skin."

"It's not my fault I do. You take things too seriously." He shrugged.

"Like I can't take the 'your boobs are too small' personal? You are so stupid." I grumbled at the end. Gage was silent next to me as we exited the building. I had a little more then 30 minutes to get to my next class so hopefully enough time to change my shirt.

As I headed in the direction of my dorm I noticed Gage still following me. I ignored him hoping he would just veer off into his own direction. When he continued to stay beside me I finally stopped and turned to him.

"Why are you following me?" I put my hands on my hips.

"Who said I am?" He shot back at me.

"You little-" I started to say but was interrupted.

"Hey cutie." A new voice said making me turn to look at the new guy standing right next to me. I watched as his eyes traveled over my entire body, starting at my face and lingering on my chest before sliding to my legs. I could practically see him undressing me in his mind. I held back a shiver of disgust. The guy opened his mouth to say something else when a hard arm snaked around my waist pulling me back to a firm body.

"Back off." I heard Gage growl as his grip on my waist tightened. My back was pressed firmly against his front making my skin tingle. I couldn't see Gage but I saw the guy nod before turning and practically running away. Even when the guy was out of sight Gage kept me to him.

A part of me wanted to pull away from him but the other bigger part did not want me to. It kept me still against him soaking in the heat radiating off of his body. I tried to ignore the giant butterflies that were swarming in my stomach. It felt nice to be pressed against him, almost like we fit together perfectly. I made the mistake of clearing my throat making Gage suddenly let go of me. He took a step back letting me turn to face him once more.

My cheeks were a bright red color and I felt like I was on fire. Just the touch of him made me weak in the knees. I silently begged for my cheeks to return to their normal color which of course did not happen. As I stood there awkwardly Gage stared at him the blank look back on his face. His smirking was gone now leaving his face like a blank canvas. I almost wished for his smirks to be back instead of what it was now.

"I..I uh." I started to say but nothing seemed to come out. My talking seemed to bring him out of whatever state he was in. I saw him clench his jaw, a very sexy jaw at that. His brown eyes were twinkling but were back to being dark and cold. Not even saying goodbye he left me standing there as he walked away. I stood there confused and kind of hurt. He stuck up for me a few seconds ago and now he walked away as if nothing happened.

I literally stood there staring after him like a lost puppy. So many emotions were running through me I didn't know what to think or do. A few people passed me sending me odd looks but my gaze was still stuck on the area Gage just was. He really was a mystery. Once second he is teasing and the next like a stone wall.

Sighing I physically shook myself. I couldn't stand here all day trying to figure out Gage. I had other classes to get to and to focus on. Even as I headed to the dorm building I kept questing as to why Gage left so quickly. After spending the entire walk home I forced myself to get rid of any thoughts with Gage. It was always one step forward, 5 steps back. 

*****

All of my classes flew by. During my lunch break I met up with Macey to grab some coffee and something quick to eat. Because I missed out on breakfast and my usual coffee I was starving and tired by time lunch came around. Mace and I made random talk before she had to leave to go to class.

My classes helped me forget about my earlier incident with Gage. I was too busy and for that I was glad. After I had gotten to my second class, Art, I was scolding myself for letting Gage effect me so bad. I really was acting stupid, he made me act different than I usually do.

It now was now fifteen minutes after 3 and I was heading into the library. I wanted to look through it more than I did the other day, since I was more focused on doing my homework. I was hoping I could find some good books to maybe read later. Being such a bookworm and not having read anything for a good two weeks I was going crazy. I am such a huge reader that when I don't read or have a book on hand I feel like I am missing something.

Making my way up to the 4th floor I was on last time I passed by tons of other students making their way out and in of the library. Deciding not to take the elevator I took the stairs while sending Macey a text telling her I'd be home soon. I realized my mistake of taking the stairs when I reached the third floor and was already out of breath. I really needed to start working out. I thought. Finally reaching the forth floor I stopped to catch my breath for a second. I didn't want people to see how out of breath I was by walking up the stairs.

When I had my breath back I opened the door and walked in. This floor wasn't as busy as the bottom ones since most students didn't care where they sat to do their homework. I had remembered this floor had romance stories so it was definitely going to be my go to floor.

Immediately I headed for the first aisle and saw. I loved everything about libraries and bookstores. Everything from the smell to the comfortable chairs and couches. You could never go wrong with a place full of books in my opinion. I could literally spend hours upon hours here and at Barnes and Noble looking at books.

The smell of books reached my nose making a soft smile grace my lips. My fingertips ran down the spine of novels as I slowly walked down the aisle. My cobalt eyes took in each book with fascination wanting to know what laid underneath the cover. I felt so relaxed and comfortable just browsing the aisle, it was the best feeling.

Just as I was coming down the middle aisle I heard a females voice along with a familiar deep one. I peeked around one of the bookshelves to see Gage sitting there with a pretty redheaded girl. The girl was grinning widely and from here I could see the soft pink of her cheeks probably from something Gage said. I watched as Gage leaned towards her and spoke softly in her ear making the girl physically shiver. His free hand softly ran down her arm as he told her whatever it was.

I stared at the two wanting to know what Gage was saying. I had front row seats of seeing Gage flirt with a girl and by the looks of it, it was working. When he pulled back he had smile on his face. I could tell though it wasn't a real smile with half of his lips tilted up. A few minutes later the girl stood up sending Gage a wide grin before strutting away. The girl radiated confidence and sex appeal, something I had none of.

Gage leaned back in his chair placing one of his arms on the back of a chair, a satisfied look on his face. He had stared after the redheaded girl clearly entranced by her. Looking away from him I leaned back against the bookshelf. Seeing how that girl easily got Gage's attention struck something in me. That is what I needed to do. I needed to learn how to get Ethan's attention, get him to see me in a different light.

What the girl had I had zero of. I had absolutely no sex appeal, no confidence around the opposite sex. I was a ball of awkwardness that always ended up stuttering if I was near a hot guy. Even though I have been around Ethan my entire life I still was awkward around him. Maybe instead of using someone to get Ethan jealous like Aunt Kay suggested, I could get someone to teach me how to be more confident in myself. Teach me to get a guys attention without changing myself to be someone I'm not.

A few minutes passed as I leaned there thinking about it. What could I lose? I mean it sounded better than using someone and this may be easier, quicker. I didn't like the idea of doing that to someone to begin with. Okay it may be not to greatest idea to ask Gage for help but he was the best choice. Wasn't like I could go up and ask my brother and I was not going to ask a random guy. At least I know Gage will want to do it quick since he doesn't like me, making it a whole lot easier.

Not wanting to back out of my idea like I always do I moved out from the bookshelf and headed straight for Gage. My mind was telling me to turn around and not go through with this but I wanted to. If I wanted to get Ethan to notice me I had to do something different. The way I was doing things wasn't working so it was now time to try this. It wasn't the worst idea that I've had. Who even knew Gage would agree.

Carter you can do this. Don't bail out of it now. Once I was by his table I slammed my hands down on the hard top. Gage had his head down looking at his textbook and my hands on the table make him snap up to look at me in surprise.

"What does a girl need to have to get your attention." Came tumbling out the second I opened my mouth.

"What?" He asked confused. His eyebrows were pulled together and he frowned.

"How do girls get your attention? Is there something that makes them stand out that you like?" I asked pulling out a chair and sitting down in it, keeping my gaze on Gage.

"Again what?" I sighed going to tell him before I backed out.

"I need your help teaching me how to get a guys attention." I said. He stared at me as if I just asked him to bring me the moon.

"Let me get this straight you want me," He pointed to himself. "to help you get a guys attention?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"No." He turned his attention back to his textbook ignoring me.

"Gage please! It doesn't have to be a big deal maybe just give me a few tips." I pleaded.

"Okay here is one...no." He said flatly.

"Gage!" He made no move to answer me again. "Then what am I suppose to do?"

"Simple let this fucking stupid idea go. If the guy liked you he would have said it." I stared at him letting his words sink in. If he liked you he would have said it. Was that really true? If Ethan remotely liked me would have told me by now. I slumped down in the chair the reality of what Gage just said sinking in. He was probably right if he did like me as much as I liked him he would have told me no matter the consequences.

"Carter it is not a good idea to change who you are for someone." Gage said his voice soft, he must have seen my crest fallen face. I almost felt like I could cry. My eyes snapped up to his voice surprised that he actually said my name, that was a first. I liked the way it rolled off his tongue for some reason. He made my name sound less boring than it was. My eyebrows were up to my hairline at his soft tone, it was way different than when he was being rude to me.

"I know." I muttered. I didn't want to change myself for Ethan I mean if he didn't like me for me than I didn't want to be with him. I didn't want to be with anyone who wanted to change me. For some reason hearing Gage say that made my heart sink. Sure I knew the odds were not in my favor but I did have some kind of hope he did. Thought that maybe his hugs and smiles meant something more than me being his 'sister'.

"Princess." I briefly heard I Gage say but my thoughts were elsewhere. Of course this would happen. Right when I try to actually get him to notice me or to tell him I realized that he didn't feel the same. A guy like Ethan doesn't go for a girl like me, maybe a girl like Amy though.

"Princess." Gage said louder catching my attention now. "Do you want to um do you want to come with me and Dylan?" He asked rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. I noticed his cheeks were slightly colored showing he didn't do this often.

"Go where?"

"Come on." He said suddenly standing up. Confused I just watched him. Was Gage really offering for me to hang out with him and Dylan? "Are you coming?" He was standing next to me with his textbook and binder in one hand.

"Yeah." Pulling my bag back on my shoulder I stood up and followed Gage out of the library. I couldn't bring it of myself to think about what I was doing. For once I was going to do something I wanted.

Both of us were silent as we headed across campus to the parking lot. It may have just been me but I felt like everyone we passed stared at us. Gage lead me to his Jeep Wrangler. In the sunlight I could tell it was a a dark grey color and really nice. It had big tires jacking it up taller and had little bits of detail Luke's didn't have.

It was a mix of awkward yet comfortable silence around us as Gage drove wherever he was taking me. It felt almost nice driving with Gage while a little bit of our awkwardness still hung in the air. Music played softly in the background but I couldn't make out the words.

Only a few minutes later we pulled into a familiar parking lot. I glanced around taking in the surrounding buildings now that it was day time. I looked over to Gage to ask him why we were here only to see him shutting the door. I quickly scrambled out of the car pulling my bag over my shoulder. I left my other bag with my school stuff in it in the back of Gage's Jeep. I ran to catch up with Gage while looking at the few cars in the parking lot.

"What are we doing here?" I finally asked. It was the middle of the day so there couldn't possibly be a fight, right? Gage didn't say a word as he held the door open for me and continued on leading me down the hallway and stairs. We entered the same huge room that held the fight I went to only a few days ago. But this time it was pretty empty, no screaming people here. Across the room a few guys were punching some bags but that was about it for people.

The place felt a lot bigger than it did a few nights ago but then again there weren't tons of people here to watch fights going on. The boxing ring in the center of the room seemed more frightening now as I stared at it.

"Carter?" Dylan's surprised voice asked. Looking away from the ring I spotted Dylan standing next to one of those small punching bags that hung from the ceiling. He was shirtless and glistened with sweat. My eyes took in the muscles of his stomach surprised to find them there. Sure he did look muscular but not that much. It somehow made him even hotter, although I still saw him as a cute 'boy next door' type of guy.

"What are you doing here?" He asked once we got closer. His eyes shifted from me to Gage. He seemed surprised that Gage brought me here, hell I was still surprised myself.

"Gage brought me." I said even though it was obvious that he did.

"I can see that." Dylan smiled as he started taking off the gloves that were on his hands.

"What are we doing here anyways?" I asked Gage. "There a few too many people here for you to kill me so there has to be another reason." I teased.

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