"What... what do you mean?" Carter asked, walking closer to me.
"My ex... Liam. We started dating in college after we met at a party. H-He was sweet and he was just a really loving person. I don't know what happened but after a year or so... he just changed on me."
I felt myself start to zone out and hold myself while I continued speaking. Carter's eyes were locked on me as I glanced up at him, so I cleared my throat and continued.
"We would get into really bad arguments over the simplest things. I was always doing something wrong, he would get mad because I would get off late, and... it's just nothing I did was right. I guess one day, he just got tired of it and he... he hit me."
My voice cracked at the last sentence before wetness on my cheeks.
"It went on like that for years at a time. He wouldn't even argue when he was mad, h-he would just hit me until he thought I learned my lesson. It gotten to the point where I had to go to the hospital, but I couldn't tell them what happened. There's no telling what he would've done to me," I choked out, wiping my eyes.
"A-And I wanted to tell my parents but I was afraid he would do something to them so I just kept my mouth shut. He made me leave their house and move in with him, breaking contact from them. I've dealt with that for years until I called Natalie for help. I-I took her car and went to Jason, her ex's place. She was staying with him that night so she just told me to go there."
It felt so good to talk about this but at the same time it just made me remember everything that happened. The amount of times he hurt me a-and just used me, broke me. I tried again with Erica, but what happened? I dealt with the same shit all over again.
Now, because of them... I can't allow myself
to be with Carter, even though I really want to.
"I-I know that this isn't a really good reason for how I've been acting, but I'm really sorry, Carter," I sobbed, looking at him and quickly wiping my eyes. "I'm just terrified and I don't want to be hurt again."
"Red, I would never hurt you like that. I know it'll take a lot for you to believe me, but I would never do that to you."
Carter placed both hands on my cheeks, kissing my forehead before looking me in the eyes. I placed my hand over his, sighing and held it tightly before looking back at him.
"I'm really sorry..." I whispered.
"Don't be. Any dick that'll put his hands on a woman should rot in hell anyways. Look, i-if you want your space, then I'll-"
"No," I interrupted. "Stay."
"W-What?"
"I want you to stay, please. I have a lot to work on, I know, but... I don't want you to go."
Carter then pulled me closer, kissing me softly then kissing my forehead.
"We'll go rest up then."
I let out a squeal when he scooped me up in my arms, kissing my cheek. Bringing my arms around his neck, he carried me to my room, placing kisses on my temple. He shut the door behind us once we were inside, then put me on the bed before laying beside me.
Carter wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me against his chest. With a smile, I
turned around and kissed his jaw before laying my head on his chest. I brought a leg over his waist before closing my eyes, listening to his gentle snores.
•••
"Leave me alone," I mumbled, pulling the blanket over my head.
"Come on, wake up," Carter whined, shaking me again.
I grabbed a pillow from beside me, hitting him with it then holding it tightly and closing my eyes. The bed dipped beside and the blanket was snatched off of me.
Thank God I didn't sleep naked.
He pulled the pillow from my arms, replacing it with himself then kissing all over my face. I burst out in a fit of laughs when he started tickling my sides.
"Okay, okay! I'm up!"
Carter grinned then placed one more kiss on my lips.
"Morning, Red," he said, kissing my lips again.
"Morning," I retorted, smiling.
"You sleep a long time, you know that?"
"I know," I sighed. "I can't control it. It could from hours to days."
He frowned. "You haven't gone to the doctor?"
"I hate hospitals and doctors offices. I just handle it on my own."
"Red-"
"Carter. I'm fine, okay? Don't worry so much," I told him, kissing his cheek.
He sighed then pecked my lips. "Alright, Red. Now, here."
Carter reached over to the nightstand, picking up a tray then putting it on my lap. My mouth watered when looking over the plate and I slowly began to smile.
"You made me omelets?"
"Yeah, and they're special omelets. So, eat up," he chuckled, kissing my temple.
"You aren't eating?" I asked him, taking a bite.
He shook his head and I started to pout.
"Not the pout, Red."
I put some of the omelet on a fork then moved the fork closer to his mouth. Carter pursed his lips, looking at me.
"Eat or I'll make you," I threatened, glaring.
He huffed then took the food off the fork, slowly chewing. I smiled at him then kept eating my omelet. I kept eating but I felt Carter's eyes on the whole time. Turning my head towards him, he pecked my lips.
"Red?"
"Yeah?" I mumbled, stuffing my mouth.
"You don't still think I'd hurt you, right?"
"I never thought you would hurt me, per se. It was more of... you seem too good to be true, that's all. I-I'm just preparing myself for when you leave," I mumbled, stuffing my mouth again.
Carter sighed then pulled me on his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist. I looked at him while finishing my omelette and his eyes were still on mine.
"You can prepare yourself all you want, but that doesn't mean it'll happen. I meant what I said, I'll never hurt you, Red. Ever."
I pursed my lips, looking away. He cupped my cheek, turning my head back to him and rubbing it with his thumb.
"You don't have to believe me now. But I promise... you won't even remember the people that hurt you, Scarlett. Not only that, but I'll never let anyone hurt you again."
Carter's soft lips were on mine as he pulled me closer. I brought my hand to the back of his neck, returning his kiss. He brought a hand to my cheek as he slowly pulled back, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered.
"And you're so handsome," I replied, smiling.
I pecked his lips then stood up while grabbing my plate. Carter followed me out of the room with his arms around my waist. I put my plate in the sink then quickly washed it before saving it.
I then turned around, wrapping my arms around Carter's neck.
"Wanna sleep all day?"
"God yes," he quickly answered before throwing me over his shoulder.
"Carter!" I squealed, holding onto him tightly.
"I won't drop you, Red," he laughed.
With a huff, I started tracing over his back with my nail as he walked back to my room. Another squeal came out of me when he tossed me on the bed then climbed on top of me. Carter laughed a bit, kissing my cheek then my lips.
I ran my fingers through his hair as he laid his head on my chest, closing his eyes. Following suite, my eyes closed and felt my body go numb as I fell into a dreamless sleep.