She turns on her heel and I watch her ass jiggle as she walks away. Fuck this girl. Why does she have me so twisted up? My dick is down to play, but my mind is warped over what the fuck she did to my man.
I may not be some rapist or abusive asshole, but Charlotte is mine. The moment she stole from me, I vowed to myself, I’d take it all back from her. I’ll never be able to make T recover—that’s between him and God—but I can make Charlotte feel my pain. It’s only fair since she caused it.
“Hey, loser,” I call out, cupping my hands so the sound carries. “You better show up Friday. I won’t accept a no on this.”
She gives me a stupid, sarcastic thumbs-up that boils my blood. “See you around, Hoodlum.”
Charlotte
I yawn as I listen to Loden strum his guitar. It’s quiet in the house as everyone sleeps. I’m tired, but my mind is racing. I keep replaying what happened with Cal over and over in my mind. He’s confusing because I’d almost say he likes me, but then he opens his mouth, spewing mean stuff.
“You doing okay, Lo?” I ask, holding up my phone to look at him.
He’d propped up his phone against his dresser and is sitting in a chair beside his bed, his acoustic guitar perched in his lap. Shirtless, all of his tattoos are on display. When he plays, I hear whatever he’s feeling inside. It comes out through his music. It went from something hard to almost sad sounding.
His head lifts, his dark brown eyes widened in surprise. “Why do you ask?”
“You seem sad.”
He runs his fingers through his inky black hair, his bicep bulging. Even though he’s tall and lean, he’s cut with just enough muscle to look good. “Just thinking.”
“Thinking gets people like us in trouble. Talking is what saves us,” I parrot Carrie.
A chuckle rumbles through the line. “Fine. I had a fight with my dad.”
“And?”
“He thinks I need more therapy.”
“Are you wanting to use?” I ask, worry trickling through me.
“No,” he mutters. “I’m okay there. About other stuff.”
“Like…”
“He thinks my being gay was because I was always fucked up. Now that I’m sober, I can straighten out my sex life too.” He shakes his head. “Why is he such an asshole?”
“My dad was that way with Hollis. He’s okay with it now. Maybe your dad will come around.”
“Your brother settled down with some hot firefighter. I’m fucking anything with a dick in a ten-mile radius. If I had someone to love, I think Dad would accept it. He doesn’t understand casual sex, especially with men.”
“What does Mena say?”
“She thinks the pressure is too much.”
“From your dad?”
“No. This life.” He sighs. “I love music. But this life? It’s overwhelming.”
I wish I could hug him.
“Lo,” I murmur. “Promise me if you ever feel too overwhelmed, you’ll come see me. Please.”
“Yeah, baby, I will.” He flashes me his fake smile. “You still daydreaming over Cal the naughty teacher?”
“I’m not daydreaming.”
“You probably have your hand in your panties diddling your Skittle while thinking of him.”
I laugh. “Don’t be a freak.”
“I mean, I’m not into chicks, but I wouldn’t say no to watching.” He waggles his black eyebrows at me. “Wanna show me what all the fuss is about?”
“Then you’ll really need therapy,” I say, grinning. “Remember? You hate sweaty vaginas.”
He shudders. “I was just trying to make you feel better, but you’re right. Keep your kitty cat in her cage.”
Loden goes back to playing a song, this one more upbeat. My mind drifts to this afternoon. How I had my hand on Cal’s dick. A text comes through.
Unknown Number: Meet me outside.
“Oh God. He seriously is not here right now,” I grumble.
“Hot teacher?”
“Yeah,” I mumble. “I guess he must have gotten my number from Hollis. I’ll call you tomorrow. Be good, Lo.”
He grins. “I’d say the same for you, but I’d prefer you be very bad with Cal so we have something interesting to talk about later.”
I flip him off. “Bye.”
“Bye, baby.”
We hang up and I don’t bother throwing jeans on. I’m wearing cotton shorts and a sweatshirt, but it’s still warm outside being that it’s August. I toss my phone on the bed before sliding on flip-flops and sneaking down the stairs.
I unlock the door, push it open, and close it behind me, scanning the driveway, looking for Cal’s obnoxious truck.
“Cal?” I whisper into the darkness. “What do you want?”
Someone approaches from the side of the porch, swiftly and angrily, but stops just inches from me.
“Cal? Why the fuck would Cal be here?”
I freeze, terror sending ice shooting down my spine. “Ryan?”
He reaches a hand up and I flinch, not at all interested in the pain he’ll inflict. Another step forward and the moon reveals his face. His frown indicates he doesn’t understand why I’d pull away from him.
“You need to leave,” I state, trying and failing to keep my voice steady.
“I’m not leaving, babe.”
“I’m not your babe anymore,” I remind him. “Leave.”
“Charlotte—”
“Leave or I will scream,” I threaten, tears already forming in my eyes.
He pounces, his palm landing on my mouth, and he shoves me against the front door. My head bounces off the wood, dizzying me. His hips pin me, his arousal evident in the way it stabs me. One of his strong hands grips my throat.
I whimper, hating how weak I sound. I squirm to no avail. Ryan has always been stronger than me. Meaner. My hands grab at his wrist, trying to pull him from my neck.
“Stop fucking moving,” he seethes. “I just want to talk and you’re making this difficult. Calm the fuck down and I’ll let go.”
My body goes slack instantly, praying he’ll be good on his word. Hot tears flood down my cheeks, soaking his hand that still covers my mouth.
“I drove two hours to come see you.” He inhales my hair. “And the first thing that comes out of your mouth is another
