Chapter Twenty Six; Age is just a number right?

"She called off the engagement and threw the ring into the lake." Carter finished the story the next night over dinner at Caroline's house.

"What a girl Carter. What a girl." Alan laughed patting Carter's back

He shrugged "I know how to pick then don't I pops?"

"Sure do son." he replied

Caroline's blue orbs were focused on the gorgeous man in front of her. The only thing she'd noticed that changed from high school to now was that Carter was more built in the muscle department and his hair was much more darker, he also grew a few more inches and his smile was to die for.

"Answer your phone Caroline please. It's annoying." Charlotte complained not tearing her eyes away from Carter

James had finally decided to call her after a whole week of no communication except for their brief two texts last night. Excusing herself she went out into the kitchen.

"Yes James?" she asked a little more harshly then tended

"Wow did I catch you at a bad time?" he asked shocked

"Kinda, yeah I'm having dinner with an old friend." she replied looking at Carter from the kitchen "What do you want?"

He sighed "I was calling to check on you. Who's the old friend? Is it a guy?" he asked

"I really don't think you need to know seeing as you didn't tell me about Adeline."she replied harshly

"Ah so you've heard the news I'm assuming." He replied with a laugh "Don't worry Caroline nothing is going on between us."

She ran a hand through her straight blonde hair "James no one hangs out with their ex it's awkward and weird." She stated

"Yeah I'm aware of that, but we weren't really dating then it was more of a friend with benefits kind of thing." he said jokingly which earned him a scowl from Caroline on the other end of the phone "When are you coming back to LA?" he asked trying to defuse the now thick tension

Caroline looked to her family as she drummed her fingers on the counter "Probably this week, why?" She questioned

"Because Adeline really wants to meet you and I miss you."

The thoughts that ran through Caroline's head earlier about Carter now made her feel guilty "Oh, well I miss you too. I'll see when the next flight leaves tomorrow I suppose."

"Great!" James's voice said sounded excited "I'll see you soon then babe."

"Mhmm." she hummed

"I love you Caroline." he slowly said

She swallowed a lump in her throat "Yeah, I love you too." she pressed end before he could say another word.

"Who was that Care?" Carter wondered curiously as she took her seat in the dining room

"Oh just a friend of mine." she replied

Alan looked to his daughter and in a split moment he actually had something kind to say about her "Did you hear Carter that Caroline is dating James Franco? He's and actor a real big one."

"Oh really?" Carter asked both shocked and impressed

"Sure is, he's a um interesting man I'd say. But none the less she loves him." he smiled to Caroline.

The brunette man smiled at Caroline then to her father "How old is he exactly?" He asked

Alan rubbing a hand over his chin "I think about thirty something, not early thirties either."

"You're only twenty three Caroline. Shouldn't you date a guy who, I don't know is maybe a little closer to your age?" Carter asked

"Age doesn't really matter. I mean I am old enough to make my own decisions." she replied picking at her fingernail polish "He's good to me so I really don't understand why it's a big deal."

Carter sat up more in his seat "Well, when you're thirty six he'll be almost fifty Care." he shrugged his shoulders "But, hey you're old enough to make your own decisions."

"And that's supposed to mean what exactly?" Caroline asked angrily crossing her arms over her chest

"Nothing Caroline." he replied shaking his head

Standing up Caroline headed toward the back door "Lets go talk about this outside." she gestured to the door

Carter went outside without any objections "I only meant that, it's not really going to work out you and James." he answered her question from inside the house

"Listen here Carter, do not come back in my life and tell me what will and won't work." she hissed pointing a finger towards him "And if you think you'll fill that spot in my life if we break up. You're surely mistaken."

"Caroline I'm not even saying that. Don't push people out of your life all because of Andrew." Carter replied shaking his head "I love you and I'm only looking out for you."

His I love you meant more then a simple brother sister kind of love they used to have. Carter actually was in love with Caroline for the longest time, like every typical guy he couldn't tell her.

"I'm sorry Carter." she replied looking at her feet "I just have that wall up still."

"It's okay, I understand." he looked at her with sympathy

Caroline groaned throwing her head back "No! Not that look, wipe that look of your face boy." she laughed

"My bad girl calm yourself." He joked back nudging his shoulder with hers "I've missed you Care."

"I've missed you too Carter." she smiled up at him.

(James's P.O.V)

Days without Caroline seemed to have no light. While nights seemed cold and lonely. I hadn't realized how much I would really miss her until she left.

"You know if you don't want Care to leave marry her. She is a sucker for marriage after all." Seth grinned at me while flicking through the tv channels

"Marriage?" I asked grimacing at the word "Thats not my thing man and you know it."

He shrugged stopping for a brief moment on MTV "Well I'm sure tons of guys are just lining up for her number James. I mean the girl is flawless always has been." He paused "Listen your 35 and she's 23 how much longer will she wait just for talk of an engagement ring?"

He was right but I'd never tell him that "It's not my thing." I repeat standing up and walking toward the door "I'm going to head home now. See you later."

Seth nodded "Drive safe bro." he called as I closed the door

Getting into my car I ran a hand through my hair marriage? The idea seemed so simple yet so awful. Being tied down and starting a family sounded great but in reality I wasn't sure that I was ready for it. But, some part in the back of my mind was saying it was a great idea.

As I walked through the door to my house Adeline shot up from the couch "What's up buttercup? Why the long face?" She asked her bottom lip sticking out in a pout

"Seth said I should think of marrying Caroline." I replied collapsing onto the couch

"Mmm I see. Well I think you shouldn't marry her."she said waving her hand "Thats coming from a girl who knows you so well.

I raised an eyebrow at her "And why shouldn't I marry her?" I asked

"It's simple you still have feelings for me. And it's true so don't try to deny it." Adeline said confidently leaning toward me smashing her lips to mine

Sure in that moment I was being a guy not really thinking about my loving and gorgeous girlfriend who was in New York at the moment. I was only thinking of my needs nothing else in my head.

"What the hell Adeline?" I yelled after a moment pushing her away "You know I'm in love in Caroline."

"How about you tell me in the morning how you feel. All I'm asking is one night." She stared at me with familiar green eyes

A part of me wanted to cave in but another part knew it was wrong to even think of caving. Standing up I shook my head "No, I have Caroline now Adeline and you won't change my mind on anything."

Adeline grinned at me "Nice job James I'm proud of you."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusing "I'm sorry what?"

"That was a test on if you're serious about this Caroline girl or not. And obviously you are." she flipped her hair over her shoulder "Well done my friend. Now I'm off to bed night James."

I stood there stunned at how I had no clue what the hell just happened. Either way apparently I passed this weird 'test' thing and it meant I was serious about Caroline.

(Sooo sorry I haven't updated in forever with an actual good chapter I had OGT tests. It's an important test so I can graduate high school. Anyway moving on drama soon. Who's excited??)