“Carter!” I hissed.

“Consider this your warning tool,” Carter’s eye got dark, “the minute you touch my girl. I will end you.”

Brandon started to stand up but I beat him to it, grabbing Carter’s arm and pulling him with me. As soon as we were far enough away that I didn’t think anyone else would hear us, I whirled around, “What the hell is your problem?!”

Carter looked a little sheepish, “I’m just looking out for you Blaze.”

“You’re being an ass**le!”

“Well!” His arms shot out to the side, “I don’t think he’s good for you.”

I was getting freaking tired of people telling me who is and isn’t good for me. I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing I would have put my shirt back on. “And why is that Jason?”

His eye flashed with hurt, he knew I only used his first name when I was mad at him, “Because of what he does. You heard him, he fights for a living Blaze. And he was having a hell of a time trying not to hit me and I just met him.”

“Because you were being incredibly rude! And you’re right, you two had just met. If you would have given him five seconds you would have seen how amazing he is. Instead, you continued to push every button you could find, and why did you have to keep calling me your girl. I’m not your anything and you know that.”

“You’re my best friend Blaze.” He said softly.

“And I thought you were mine, but my best friend wouldn’t have treated anyone the way you just did, especially my boyfriend.” I turned to walk away but he grabbed my arm.

“Blaze I’m sorry. Please don’t walk away from me, I’ll make this up to you I swear.”

Yanking my arm from his loose hold, I stepped closer to his body, even though I was much shorter than him, he still backed up, “Do you have any idea how much you’ve embarrassed me?” I put my hands on his chest and shoved him back, “When I told them about you, all I did was gush over how awesome you were and how much I missed you. Then you show up and treat them this way?” I looked down trying to get ahold of my emotions that were all over the place. I was embarrassed, angry and sad for the loss of the Carter I knew. Huffing sadly, I glanced back up at him, “Go back to base Carter and please don’t call me anymore. You shouldn’t have come to California.”

He grabbed my hand when I turned away and pulled me back to his chest, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m so sorry Harper. I was being stupid, I just – I don’t know. I guess I felt threatened by them, you’re my best friend, and they were all looking at me like they wanted to protect you from me. It pissed me off, and I shouldn’t have let it. I’m really sorry.”

I sighed and put my arms around his waist, “Because they would protect me in a second. It’s just the same as it was on base, Carter. These guys are really protective of me and Bree. That’s why I’m so comfortable with them, it’s like I went from one family of a bunch of brothers, to another.”

“But you barely know them.”

“Carter,” I laughed lightly, “how long had I known you before you knocked out a guy from a different unit that said something about my chest?” He shifted his weight not wanting to answer, so I continued, “About two hours. It’s the same.”

“It’s not Blaze. I want to be the one to protect you. I don’t want anyone else to do my job.”

“Oh my God. What is it with you guys? I don’t need anyone protecting me and I’m not your responsibility.”

“I know you don’t,” he pulled back a bit and looked at my face, “there’s just something about you that makes guys go crazy wanting to take care of you.”

I rolled my eyes and cursed my tiny frame, “I know. Oh!” I smiled widely at him, “Did I tell you I busted some guy’s nose that was coming on too strong?”

His eyes darkened but he still smiled, “No, but I would’ve liked to see that.”

“He just wasn’t understanding that I didn’t want him, and then he challenged Brandon and I knew Brandon was going to do something, so I did it first. Smashed his face right into my knee,” I brought my knee up now, “See, I still have a bruise from it!”

Carter shook his head and hugged me to his chest again, “I’m proud of you Blaze.” He kissed the top of my head and I tensed, not knowing what to make of that, “Do you forgive me?”

Pulling away from him, I punched him lightly on the arm, “Yeah, but you need to be nice to my friends. And you need to apologize to Brandon.”

“You really like him?” His face twisted.

“Yes, I do. So be sweet!” I grabbed his arm and started walking back to everyone else, “It’s Friday so there will be a party at Chase’s house tonight. If you can get back on everyone’s good side, you all can come over and crash after.”

He stopped walking, “Yeah, what’s up with that guy anyway? To be honest, I would have thought he was your boyfriend, the way he looked was like he wanted to kill me.”

I laughed, “Honestly, I have no idea. You and Brandon are both wondering that. But he means well, I promise.”

Carter mumbled something under his breath, but I was already rushing over to my boyfriend so I didn’t hear him. Brandon stood when he saw me coming over and caught me in his arms, smiling against my mouth when I kissed him soundly.