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her against the wall.

Chapter 6

    C arter struggled, trying to get away from him, trying to breathe. But he held her hard against the wall. She gave one big push against his chest.
    He smiled at her arrogantly. She was pinned. He had complete control of the situation. They both knew it.
    Then all at once he let her go.
    She moved away quickly and straightened her shirt. “Whoa. Look, Adam,” she said angrily. “You took the test for me. I appreciate it. We agreed that I’d go out with you—once. This is already our second date. I have a boyfriend. I’ve done more than I had to. Now you’ve got to leave me alone.”
    Adam’s eyes burned with anger. He began to pace the room.
    Carter felt a stab of fear. His eyes were cold with pent-up anger. He seemed capable of anything.
    â€œWhat’s your problem, Carter?” he sneered, turning on her. “Aren’t you having a good time?”
    She was really afraid of him now, afraid of doing something that might let that fury loose.
    â€œListen,” she said, “if I set up this double date, will you leave me alone?”
    She could almost see the anger in his eyes fade. It had worked. His cool demeanor returned.
    â€œIt’s worth a shot, Carter. You won’t know until you try.”
    She stood still for a minute. She didn’t know what to do next.
    â€œGo on,” he told her. “Call Jill now.”
    He pointed toward a table in the hallway, next to the kitchen. The phone sat on the table.
    Carter walked stiffly to the table and picked up the receiver. With a glance at Adam, she dialed Jill’s number.
    Please don’t be home, Jill, Carter prayed. If Jill wasn’t home, then maybe she wouldn’t have to do what Adam asked.
    But Jill answered the phone.
    â€œHi, Jill. It’s me.”
    â€œHi, Carter. Is something wrong?”
    â€œWrong? Why do you ask that?”
    â€œWell, you’re calling kind of late.”
    Carter had no idea what time it was. She glanced at her watch. It was after eleven.
    â€œSorry, Jill. I didn’t mean to call so late. Maybe I’d better call you back tomorrow.”
    Carter glanced at Adam. He was sitting on the arm of the couch, watching her. At her last words, he shook his head firmly.
    â€œNo, it’s okay. Gary and I are just hanging out,” Jill said. “What’s up?”
    â€œWell, Jill,” she began, trying to sound cheerful, “Adam Messner asked if you and I would like to double tomorrow night.”
    â€œDouble? You mean, you and Adam with me and Gary?”
    â€œUm, no, not with Gary. With Ray Owens.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt might be fun, don’t you think?” Carter bluffed.
    â€œHold on a minute, Carter,” She heard Jill put down the phone and tell Gary she was taking the call upstairs. When Jill picked up the extension, Gary hung up the downstairs phone.
    Jill spoke in a hushed voice. “Carter, what’s this all about? Adam and Ray? What about Dan? What about Gary?”
    Carter twisted the phone cord nervously around her finger. She was in a tight spot. She didn’t want to say anything to Jill that would make her suspicious. And she couldn’t say anything that would make Adam angry.
    â€œIt’s just a date, Jill. It’s not as if we’re going to elope with them or anything.”
    â€œI don’t get it, Carter. Why would you want to do this?”
    â€œJust for fun,” Carter said brightly. She let go of the cord and started playing with the handle of the drawer in the phone table.
    â€œFun? You think going out with losers is fun?”
    â€œDon’t say that, Jill. I mean, how well do you really know them? You’re prejudiced.”
    â€œI am not. I’m very open-minded.”
    â€œWell, if you’re so open-minded, you’ll give it a shot. Come on, Jill. As a favor?”
    Jill sighed. “I don’t believe this. All right, Carter.