Quickly excusing myself, Leo graciously moved onto another girl who was eye-fucking him right beside me.
My footsteps were small, yet heavy, with every step I took toward him. Unsure of what to say and also wary of my surroundings, I stopped before him with enough distance not to create any suspicions. His eyes were dark—it didn’t matter that the club was too dark to tell for sure. I could sense it.
The music blared, so he leaned into my ear. “You didn’t answer me.”
I sighed, his scent too irresistible and breaking down the walls I had tried to put up. I missed him and wanted to kiss him right here, right now.
Restraint, who would have thought I was so good at it?
“Yes, I invited him. He’s my friend. Actually, he is one of my best friends.”
“Charlotte, I’m sorry. She kept asking me questions about you, and I panicked. She wanted to know why I hadn’t touched her and if it was because of someone else. I didn’t want to do it, she made the first move, but I thought it would get her off my back. We didn’t continue. I still haven’t fucked her since before you. You have to believe me,” he pleaded, desperation lacing his voice.
Bowing my head, I let out the long breath I had been holding in. I knew he wouldn’t lie to me, but the whole thing still hurt. Adriana had said it loud and clear—he was a manwhore.
So where was that straight-A student brain of mine hiding?
Oh yeah, down his pants.
“I don’t know what to say.”
Alex stood there, silently staring at me. I didn’t know what he was thinking, and it was driving me insane. The DJ mixed songs and started playing music again. The crowd cheered, and the lights dimmed even further. It was dark, people danced, people sang, and I stood still until Alex dragged me to the corner surrounded by strangers. He pulled me in close and started swaying. Placing his hands on my hips, I swayed along with him. I wanted him so bad, I no longer cared who saw us until he pushed me away. As I took several steps away from Alex, I finally crashed into a guy wearing a muscle shirt.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologized, clutching his chest. “I tripped.”
Adriana was standing where I previously stood, obviously walked in after Alex pushed me out the way, and she was talking animatedly before hugging Alex. Pulling away, they continued talking before both their eyes fell on me.
Upset at his sudden move to push me away, I turned to be greeted by Leo. Just as he was about to say something, Adriana barged between us.
“Char! There you are. Oh, hi, I’m Adriana.” She extended her hand which was odd, but being a polite guy he shook it back.
“I’m David.”
“You wanna come eat with us, David?” Adriana asked, shooting me a you-can-thank-me- later glare.
“Sounds good.”
Adriana linked her arm into mine before whispering, “Char, you’re so gonna get laid tonight by him. I can feel it in my bones.”
Adriana’s bones couldn’t have been further away from the truth.
David had no chance, no one in hell.
The only man I wanted was the one staring back at me with an angered gaze, ready to tear David into shreds in one swift movement if he came anywhere near me.
I was going to call this payback, and deep down inside, I loved every minute of it.
ALEX
Nine Years Ago
“Alex, if you don’t want to be here, why the hell did you come?”
Samantha was annoyed by my lack of enthusiasm for baby talk. That’s pretty much all we were doing tonight at this stupid dinner party hosted by one of her gallery friends.
“I didn’t agree to come to the party so we could talk baby shit all night. You know where I stand on that,” I answered back, frustrated.
The whole Finn and Charlotte thing kept replaying in my head. I knew it was an overnight thing, and where the hell would he sleep? There were too many questions, and I had no answers.