Chapter 3: Under His Guard, On Edge

Carter’s lips curl up. “Next time, refuse Caleb the same way. Tell him I taught you.”

He grins, clearly enjoying himself. I roll my eyes, but there’s a smile tugging at my lips.

“I won’t.”

I mutter under my breath, but Carter just laughs, shaking his head.

The first time I met Carter, I was honestly terrified of him.

He had this aura—untouchable, almost dangerous. I remember hiding behind my mom, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.

Carter’s mom and my mom have known each other for years. They were super close back in the day.

They went to college together, pledged the same sorority, and have stayed in touch ever since. I grew up hearing stories about their wild adventures.

Even though they lived in different cities, they FaceTimed all the time. When I was little, I often saw Aunt Lisa on video calls.

She’d always wave at me through the screen, asking about school, telling me I’d have to come visit someday. It felt like she was part of the family, even from miles away.

Now that I’m going to college, we moved back to Maple Heights, and she was the happiest about it.

She called my mom the minute she heard, already planning dinners and shopping trips. I could tell she’d been waiting for this for years.

Even the house we live in now—Aunt Lisa set it up. Our houses are right next to each other.

It’s a cozy cul-de-sac, the kind where neighbors wave from their porches and kids ride bikes until dark. Our houses share a backyard fence, and I can see their golden retriever chasing squirrels every morning.

“Oh my goodness, this is our Lily! So sweet and cute! Wonderful—Lily got into Maple Heights University. Come to Auntie’s house often, okay?”

She hugs me tight, her perfume floral and familiar. There’s genuine warmth in her voice, and I can’t help but smile.

The elegant woman with wavy hair holds my face, looking me over again and again. She doesn’t want to let go.

She brushes a stray hair from my forehead, eyes shining with pride. It’s the kind of affection that makes you feel safe, like you really belong somewhere.

There’s a sparkle in her eyes—she really seems to care about me.

She squeezes my hands, promising to show me all the best places in town. For a moment, my nerves fade, replaced by a sense of hope.

Maybe she knows something about me. There’s a special tenderness in her gaze—a kind of kindness I rarely get.

It’s like she sees the real me, not just the new girl in town. I’m grateful for her acceptance.

I nod. “Okay.”

My voice is small, but she beams, hugging me again. I feel a little lighter, like maybe this move won’t be so bad after all.

A lazy male voice sounds from behind. “We got company?”

The words draw everyone’s attention. I turn, heart pounding, and see him leaning against the doorframe, looking impossibly cool.

I turn. The boy stands at the door, hands in his pockets, looking at me with a half-smile.

He’s tall, almost intimidating, but there’s a softness in his eyes that catches me off guard. His presence fills the room.

My first impression? He looks dangerous.

There’s a confidence in the way he stands, like he owns the space. I feel a shiver of nerves, unsure how to react.

I know who he is. Aunt Lisa has a son a year older than me, also at Maple Heights University.

I’ve heard stories—some good, some not so much. He’s a legend in his own right, and everyone seems to have an opinion about him.

He’s a year ahead, and I heard he’s studying psychology. Technically, I should call him upperclassman.

It’s intimidating, knowing he’s already established here. I wonder if he’ll even remember my name.

Carter’s hair is short and neat, his features have a bit of a rogue edge, and he looks like someone you shouldn’t mess with.

He’s got that bad-boy charm, the kind that makes you want to run and stare at the same time. There’s an intensity in his gaze that’s hard to ignore.

But it’s wild—someone who looks this intimidating is majoring in psychology.

It’s almost ironic, like he’s trying to understand people just to mess with them better. Still, it makes him more interesting.

He’s tall. With a few slow steps, he stands right in front of me, his dark eyes staring straight at me.

I can feel my pulse racing. He’s close enough that I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes.

I almost step back. Nope, not running.

My instinct is to retreat, but I force myself to stand still. I don’t want to seem weak.

Help! The pressure is real.

I send a silent plea to my mom, wishing she’d rescue me. But I know I have to face this on my own.

After a moment, I look up at him, nervous. “Carter… hi, I’m Lily.”

My voice is shaky, but I manage to meet his gaze. He studies me for a second, then smiles.

He’s stunned for a second, then bends down a little, meeting my eyes.

There’s a softness in his expression, like he’s remembering something from long ago. I relax, just a little.

Noticing my burning ears, Carter’s lips twitch and he smiles lightly. “Long time no see, Lily.”

His voice is teasing, and I can’t help but smile back. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.