Trapped with Carter Stone

CarterStone

HAILEY

Some people ruin your day. Carter Stone ruined entire years of mine.

The worst part wasn't that he was handsome, popular, or worshipped by practically everyone on campus. It wasn't even the fact that he always seemed to find me no matter how hard I tried to stay invisible. The worst part was that every time I convinced myself he'd finally leave me alone, he'd somehow find a brand-new way to make my life miserable.

And today, judging by the knot already forming in my stomach, was going to be one of those days. I've lived my entire life by sticking to one strict rule-avoid Carter Stone at all costs. He isn't just the 6'2" athletic guy with broad shoulders that fill out his hoodie like it was tailored for a god. He's the kind of person who makes you want to run the second your eyes land on him-which is a problem, because sometimes I forget how to.

Twelfth grade would have been perfect if he hadn't tampered with my chair, sending me crashing to the floor on my butt. Thirteenth grade-wait, no, college freshman year-would have been bearable if he hadn't marked me with that awful nickname "Hay bale" all because my parents own a farm out in the countryside.

And now he's staring at me from my laptop screen like he owns the damn thing. Sun-kissed tan skin, piercing blue eyes that scream predator, and bulging muscles visible even through his hockey gear. I've been glued to this damn chair for hours, editing the shots I took of him because, apparently, he's gracing the school magazine after scoring multiple goals in the last game. "Heey.”

I suck in a breath and reach for my coffee, then freeze when I hear that familiar voice.

"Please let him walk by," I pray inwardly. "Please let him laugh with his teammates and ignore me for once."

“baleeee." He drags out lazily, not even bothering to lower his voice. "Miss me? You ran away before we could finish our last conversation."

I wince.

I need to get out of here.

I shoot to my feet, slam my laptop shut, shove it into my bag, and grab my coffee. I don't need to turn around to know he's watching me. The heat crawling up my neck and the dull ache settling between my shoulder blades already gives it away.

I whirl and hurry for the door, but he doesn't let me escape that easily. "Planning to run away again?" he blocks my path, effortlessly towering over me with his hands shoved in his pockets, and my stomach betrays me with a stupid little flip. I hate that my body reacts to him before my brain remembers how much I'm supposed to hate him.

I shake my head, and a small smile brightens his face. He pats my head, ruffling my hair a bit. "Good girl." His smooth voice tickles my ears. "So," he says casually. "Are my pictures ready or have you been staring at them all afternoon?"

"They're not ready yet." I say, ducking my head to hide my burning cheeks. "I'll have them ready by tomorrow." I've trained myself since high school not to think of him in any romantic way. In college, I buried those thoughts until I could barely feel them.

But the intensity in his gaze makes my chest tighten.

He leans closer, and his faint masculine scent wraps around me like a trap, making my pulse jump. I clear my throat and simply look away. "I changed my mind." He says quietly, "I want it today."

Something inside me snaps. "I'm not your personal photographer, Carter. I work for the school." I emphasize the last word, gritting my teeth as my chest heaves. I've been doing this gig since freshman year to keep my scholarship intact. Student photography doesn't suck entirely since it's my major, but it does suck when Carter turns everything into his personal kingdom.

Like right now.

"Well, look at that." He murmurs. "Someone's finally standing up for herself."

I stiffen as he steps closer, his sneakers brushing my beat-up shoes. "I like the fake confidence, sweetheart," he murmurs, his voice dancing on the edge of intimacy and a threat. "It's cute, but you should know that doesn't work on me. I'll give you until the end of today."

"I ... I can't make it," I rush out, my eyes wide with panic. "I've got two part-time jobs today. There's really no time to-" "Like I said, Hay bale," he sighs, taking another step closer, "that's not really my problem."

He snatches my coffee and takes a sip.

He grimaces, twisting his mouth like he'd just tasted poison. "Terrible taste," he mutters, glancing down at my clothes. "But I guess that matches your fashion sense."

His eyes flick to my lips for half a second, but then he looks away, clearing his throat like he caught himself doing something he shouldn't. "Just make sure your terrible taste doesn't affect my pictures, okay?"

"It won't." My voice is barely above a whisper. "I'll make sure your picture turns out perfect for the magazine."

"Good." A small, satisfied smile curves his lips. He shoves the coffee back into my hands, steps back, and gives that infuriating little wave. "Be good, Hay bale. Try not to run away again, I'll see you in a few hours."

He won't find me in a few hours. He doesn't know where I work.

I let out a shaky breath, glance around the crowded cafeteria, adjust my bag, and walk away with my head low.

Embarrassment burns deep under my skin as people stare. f**k Carter Stone. He takes every opportunity to mess with my emotions like he was born for it.

I rush outside, hail a taxi, mumble the address of the downtown diner, and try to savor the few moments of peace before the next nightmare begins.

"Hailey!" Jade yells from the counter, and I can barely control the groan that slips out. I force a smile at the blonde customer glaring at her plate like it personally offended her.

"I'll be right back," I say, bowing slightly before hurrying to the counter. I wipe sweat from my forehead, but before Jade can say a word, loud laughter erupts as four or five guys saunter into the diner. "OMG! Is that Carter Stone ?! The NHL prospect?" Jade gasps beside me.

The air instantly leaves my lungs.

Carter's deep blue eyes clash with my honey-brown ones immediately, like he knew exactly where I'd be standing- like he walked in looking for me. A part of me wants to run, but another part can't look away. I'm glued to the spot as Jade keeps calling my name.

"He's looking at us," she whisper-yells, slapping my shoulder. "God, he's smiling at us. Do you think he finds me attractive?"

Carter doesn't even spare a second to look at her.

"Well, well." He says slowly, looking around the diner before his gaze lands back on me. "Hay bale works here too?"

Heat floods my face, and I scream internally at my legs to move, but that nasty smile on his face pins me in place. I don't have the pictures. I didn't even try to finish it. I know what happens when Carter doesn't get his way, and I refuse to be on the receiving end.

Since this is a public space, he wouldn't try anything stupid. Ignoring him right now will be my best option, so I turn away, focusing on Jade instead. "What did you say?"

She's barely breathing, cheeks flaming red, her mouth forming a perfect 'o' like she's staring at a K-drama lead. The familiar prickle races up my neck as every hair stands on end.

A firm tap on my shoulder sends jolts up my spine.

"Where's my picture, Hay bale?" His voice is calm, almost bored, but the way he says it makes my stomach twist.

I can barely breathe.

I turn around slowly, meeting his gaze. "I don't have it ... I'll be done editing by-"

"Tomorrow?" He cuts me off, tilting his head as he studies me like I'm the interesting part of the room. "I think I'd like to have them today." I swallow. Hard. "Carl-"

He doesn't let me finish. He grabs the coffee mug Jade had prepared earlier, tilts it, and splashes the entire contents across my apron, soaking me through. Tears burn my eyes as the warm liquid seeps in, and for a second, something like guilt flickers in his eyes-but it's gone as quickly as it appeared.

I brush past him to grab a napkin, but he grabs my wrist, stopping me. "You seem to enjoy testing me, don't you, Hailey?" He murmurs, slightly tightening his grip on me. "Do we always have to do this?"

Anger flares through me. "I used to think you were someone worthy of the respect and fame you get ... but now? You're just a coward." I spit the words in his face, trembling with rage.

l've had enough.

Enough of the insults.

Enough of the humiliation. Enough of the pain.

I've tried ignoring him, staying invisible, sticking to my rules because I'm so damn tired of his tantrums. But coming to my workplace to humiliate me? This is my limit.

"And apart from the fact that you're an asshole, do you know what I've always wanted to tell you?" My palm cracks across his face, drawing gasps from the onlookers and leaving a stunned look on his face. "Leave me the hell alone!”