Written by @xSnowKiss
"Have fun." Justin pecks my lips, his hand resting on my back as he does so.
"I'll try." I smile faintly, giving him a quick hug. I was a little nervous about dinner with Beth. I barely knew her and I had no idea if anyone was else was going to be here. Overall, I didn't know what to expect. I kind of wish she'd invited Justin. I needed him with me. I wonder why she didn't...?
"If anything, call me." Justin kisses the top of my head before I step off the porch.
"I will." I promise him, blowing him one last kiss before turning away and walking towards Beth's car. She had offered to pick me up and I agreed to it. Mostly because Justin encouraged it. It was odd to see him encourage such thing considering he doesn't seem to like Beth. Even though he doesn't say so, the look on his face speaks millions.
"Hey, Sweetheart!" Beth exclaims as I climb into the passenger seat. Her mood makes me cringe. Why is she so happy?
"Hey." I force a smile, my eyes flickering over to the doorway where Justin stood. He waves at me and I wave back, already missing him. It was just dinner. It was just one afternoon. Beth hasn't even pulled out of the driveway and I'm already craving to feel Justin's arms around me and his lips upon mine. What would happen when he has to go on tour? What about if he has an interview or an event that's out of state? My heart isn't ready. I didn't realize it as much as I did now. Being away from Justin, even for a short time, was maddening.
"Out of all the boys you could have married, you chose an international singing sensation." Beth makes a tsk-tsk sound. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean there's bound to be drama." She shakes her head sadly. "Lots of it. All Hollywood marriages end in divorce."
"This one's different." I defend, slightly annoyed at her choice of topic.
"That's what they always say, dear." She shoots me a half-smile before returning her attention to the road. "Steve and Mark will be meeting us in Carrabba's. Ever been to Carrabba's?"
I shake my head, pursing my lips at her quick change of subject.
"It's delicious." She continues. "They serve the best Italian food in my opinion. You should order the Chicken Parmesan. It's their best."
"I'll consider it." I reply, not paying much attention to her words. I stare out the car window as Beth keeps talking, my mind wandering. Why does she want me to have dinner with her and her family? Was she related to Aunt Marci somehow? Why does she not like Justin? I mean, she hasn't said she doesn't like him. She just makes it pretty obvious. Questions run through my head and I wonder if I'll get an answer.
"You're not big on words, are you?" Beth's voice breaks me out of my thoughts. "That needs to change tonight. I'd love to get to know you. Marci has told me lots."
"Really." I say simply, curious as to what Aunt Marci could have possibly shared with this woman.
"Really." Beth repeats joyfully. "So Carter. What are your plans for the future?"
"Raising a family with Justin." I tell her without a doubt. "That's all I want."
Beth throws me a weird look, her lips pursed as she turns the car onto another road. "Oh."
I rest my hand over my pocket, the outline of my phone on my palm. I wanted to text Justin. I'm regretting agreeing to this. I should have said no to Beth. Maybe I could have made up an excuse. Maybe I should make up an excuse right now...
"We're here!"
I jump, startled as the car comes to a stop in front of a restaurant I knew was Carrabba’s. Beth out of the car before I can open my own door. Stepping out, the sudden heat hits me in the face as I slam the door behind me. What is with the scorching weather?
“C’mon,” Beth motions me after her. “Steve and Mark should be at the table.” I follow after her as we navigate out way into the Italian restaurant. I’ll have to admit, it smelt delicious. I was suddenly hungry. Then again, I’ve always been a sucker for Italian food.
“Steve!” Beth takes me wrist and drags me over to a table where to familiar faces sat. I recognized Steve and Mark right away. Steve greets his wife with a kiss while Mark chews unexcitedly on some garlic-dipped bread.
“Take a seat!” Beth orders as she herself sits down beside Steve. I take the only empty seat by Mark, feeling the awkwardness begin to build.
“Don’t be shy.” Beth exclaims. “And don’t be so rude, Mark. That breads not going to grow legs and walk away.” Mark shoots his stepmother a glare before setting the bread down and turning to face me.
“She’s a pain.” Mark whispers to me. “I’m still trying to figure out why my dad married her.” I chuckle, resting my elbow on the table. Mark wasn’t so bad. In fact, he seemed quite nice. I didn’t exactly speak to him at the wedding, but now that I hear his voice, I notice a bit of an accent.
“Are you British?” I ask him. He shakes his head, plucking the bread back off the table and taking a bite.
“Australian.”
-Justin-
The minute Carter left, I took the liberty of falling onto the couch and flipping mindlessly through channels. I guess it was nice to have a full afternoon to myself though I missed Carter’s presence. I missed the feelings of her skin on mine, her lips on my lips… Gosh, what would I ever do without her?
I toss the remote aside when I get to MTV, leaning back and enjoying the Teen Wolf rerun that was playing. I was barely ten minutes into it when my phone rang. Digging into my pocket, I pull it out and press it to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Yo, Justin!” Chaz’s familiar voice calls from the other end. “How ya been, dude? How was the honeymoon?”
Chuckling, I hold the phone closer. “It was great.” I tell him.
“You got some didn’t you?” I imagine the cocky boy winking. “Is she good?”
“Shut up.” I snap at him teasingly. “It’s none of your business.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He laughs. “Anyways, are you free today? I thought we could hang out and catch up. It’s been a while.”
I chew on my lip, contemplating on whether or not I should go out tonight. “What did you have in mind?”
“Club Rush!” Chaz says without hesitation. “I heard it’s gotten better. Crazier, even.”
I sigh, old memories flickering through my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Chaz. I put a stop to all the clubbing and drinking when I met Carter. I’m not starting again.”
I hear Chaz mimic my sigh. “C’mon, Justin. You don’t have to drink. In fact, I’ll make sure you don’t drink. Ryan’s coming. Dancing isn’t going to hurt any of us.”
Looking over at the clock, I wonder at what time Carter would be getting back. If I left with Chaz and Ryan and she got home, what would she think? Then again, I haven’t been out with my friends in a long time. Hopping up from the couch, I decide that I’ll shoot her a text.
“Fine.” I tell Chaz. “I’ll go.”