Thanks for the reviews! (not exactly going to be a Carter love story...)
She didn't know why she did it, letting him up before she'd even realised, before she could think about her actions. Carla opened the door slightly with the chain still hooked for guard. She's known about his return for a couple of minutes and already they had started playing games with the other's head, his fault though. Seeing Peter approach through the hall, his hair and skin dampened by the autumn rain, he made her blood run cold.
"Let me in, then," He said softly as he leant his hand against the door, looking directly at her. He could barely see her behind the shield but her sparkling emerald eyes staring back at him almost knocked Peter straight off his feet.
"No," She says sharply like his suggestion was the most ridiculous thing she had heard all year, "Why are you back?"
"I heard about you and Nicky, didn't I,"
"How?" Not that it mattered.
"A little birdie,"
The conversation wasn't going anywhere, she could easily guess that it was Tracy who spilled the beans. Carla was only angry that she couldn't have been there to watch his reaction. She narrowed her eyes, perhaps she hoped meeting him again would cause disgust. But she now could sense his pain, his frustration that she had picked one of his oldest enemies like it was a direct insult. He had a ridiculous aura of betrayal radiating from him, yet somehow he made her question herself. His dark pools watching her had nearly pulled Carla back in. Nearly.
"Is that it? You travelled thousands of miles for that? Forget your troubled son or elderly dad, come back for the ex wife that hates your guts," She corrected herself, "One of your ex wives." She put on a mocking tone and maybe it sounded convincing. The simple truth was she found it amusing that she was still his biggest priority, though neither would admit it.
He had no choice but to ignore her comment. To brush it off and play her own stubborn game, "I bet Nick is in there, hiding behind you," He didn't really believe it and she didn't particularly react but Peter persisted, "He is, isn't he?"
"I've told you once,"
"Coward," He forced a smirk, moving closer to the door. He could almost see some of her apartment, it was spacious and bright. Not entirely like the Carla he remembered but he didn't think he knew her anymore.
"Just leave me alone," She spoke, bored of his presence. The smell of his harsh, woody aftershave clashed with fresh cigarette smoke and she hated that it reminded her of home.
"Fine," Peter wasn't to be defeated that easily, "Nick's at the bistro, right?"
She couldn't tell. He might either scurry back to wherever he came from and she'd never have to see his face again or he would actually find Nick. Carla didn't want to take the risk as he turned to leave. "Come on, then. Say what you've got to say." She unhooked the chain and moved away from the door, crossing her arms as subconscious protection.
He glanced around the room and it seemed like torture. Modern, open plan, a framed photo of the pair at the coffee table. It felt very Nick and Carla. Nick and Carla, he could imagine their Christmas cards this year, 'Lots of love from Nick and Carla'. It made Peter's skin crawl. Looking back to her, she was wearing a simple white tee shirt and leggings, her hair tied back loosely, not the Carla Connor many people knew of but the one he found most beautiful. "Of all the blokes you could've had, really?"
"Well, he's a damn sight better man than you could ever be,"
It was probably true and Peter knew it. He sat on one of her settees.
"Make yourself at home, please." Carla remarked as she looked to her wall clock, Nick could be back at anytime.
"Is that wine on the floor?" He asked as he noticed the stain on the carpet by a side cabinet.
"Nevermind that," Not wanting Peter to pretend to be the knight in shining armour she once viewed him as, Carla lowered herself to a chair facing him and was determined to get the message across, "You want to know something else about Nick? He would never, ever hurt-"
"-The man is an idiot," he interrupted her, "Saint Nick? After everything?" She wasn't interested, it was obvious but he couldn't comprehend that Carla would find Nick attractive in any way.
She rested her head into her hands. His comments grating further, always playing the victim. "I don't know where I would be without him and do you know what?" Raising her voice, she couldn't bear that he came to criticize her boyfriend, "Nick's been far more of a dad to Simon than you." She knew his weakest spot; never could she have imagined saying those words to him before. She almost found it sad how close they used to be and had been reduced to this.
He looked away, visibly wounded. Peter could understand it now; Nick had become her new apparent hero, up on the pedestal. Whether the couple's relationship was as unhealthy as theirs used to be was irrelevant. Returning too late, she had already fallen hard and he knew Carla was truly no longer his. By seeing it for himself, perhaps coming back wasn't such a mistake. Standing from his seat he was ready to head away towards the door before she continued.
"You need to move on too,"
"I have," He laughed unnaturally, not sure of his own motives. Probably to save what pride he had left, "Plenty of times,"
Yes, he moved on long ago during their wedding reception. Carla rolled her eyes as she stood with him, "Well, you keep doing what you're doing," She smiled slyly and her voice almost a whisper, "And I'll keep doing Nick."
Ouch.
He took a few steps towards her and Carla could feel her heart slam against her chest as she cautiously watched him. She hated Peter, every single bit. And the affect he knew he still had, even when he didn't speak. The distance between them could have been paper thin but she kept her stance and unfailingly glared at him. If only looks could kill.
Having no other choice, she hit her fists hard against his body in an attempt to back him out of her home, "Just fuck off."
Unfortunately their eyes met as they stood a matter of millimeters apart, near to the doorway. Regardless of how much she wanted to, Carla couldn't take her focus away from his. He slowly closed the gap, pressing his lips lightly against hers.
