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Jax: Forty-five minutes.
Wyatt: I’ll be there in thirty. Stop her from leaving early.
I strip off my clothes faster than ever and take the world’s quickest shower. I'm out the door less than five minutes after I arrived home and I’m on my way to Mulberry Lane.
When I pull up outside of the Robinson’s house, Charlie’s standing in the driveway with her hands on her hips. She’s yelling at Jax as he’s leaning against the side of his car with a smirk on hisface. He twirls his keys around his finger and his eyes light up with amusement when they land on me.
“Well, now that Prince Charming is here, I'm going out with some of the guys. Love you, Charlotte.” Jax kisses her forehead and she shoves him away from her.
“Stay away from Macy! I told you all, I hate the name Charlotte!” She swats at his chest again.
“I love you, Charlie.” Jax grabs her in a bear hug before letting her go and hopping into his Jeep.
“Love you too, Jax.” She rolls her eyes, but she loves her little brother. “Tell Cody we’re having dinner next week!” She yells as he reverses out of the driveway.
As soon as Jax’s car is out of sight, Charlie grabs her duffle bag and slings it over her shoulder. She tugs open the back door of my truck and tosses it on the seat before climbing into the passenger’s seat. She doesn’t say a word as she buckles her seat belt and stares straight ahead.
“Um… hi to you too?” I run a hand through my hair, noticing it’s getting way too long. I definitely need to get it cut this week.
“Hi. Now, can we please drive before I'm late?” She folds her hands in her lap and keeps her attention focused ahead.
“Yes? Why do I feel like a chauffeur right now?”
“Isn't that what you are?” This time she spares me a glance, but she looks bored and unimpressed.
Rather than respond to her, I drive straight to the airport without saying a single word to her. I pull up in front of the drop off zone and hop out of the truck. When I get to her side, she’s already hoisting her bag over her shoulder and trying to walk into the airport without saying anything to me.
I grab her wrist and spin her around. I have her pinned against the side of the truck before she even knows what’s happening.
“What the fuck, Charlie?” I growl, more than done with this little game she’s playing.
I get it. She’s trying to remain emotionless where I'm concerned, but that’s not going to work. There are years and years of emotions between us and just because she wants to ignore them doesn’t mean she can.
“You can't pretend there’s nothing between us,” I whisper, dropping my forehead so it’s resting against hers.
“I'm not pretending. Anything there was between us went up in smoke the day you broke up with me.”
“I never stopped loving you.”
“Well, you probably should. There’s no way we’re getting back together.” Charlie places her hand over my heart and pushes gently. This time I don’t fight her. I take a step backwards and give her the space she needs to get out from between me and the truck.
“I thought I was your best friend.”
“Once upon a time you were, now you’re just the boy I grew up next to.”
Chapter 9
Charlie
By the time I get back to my apartment in California, the last thing I want to do is pack. I know the movers will be here in two days and everything needs to be in boxes by then but still. I’d much rather sit here and sulk. Attempt to figure out what I want in life. Maybe think of a different career choice that can keep me away from Wyatt.
My mind keeps drifting to Wyatt and the hurt in his eyes when I told him he should stop loving me. I can't let him in again. I can't open up my heart and risk getting destroyed all over again.
“Charlie! You can't stay in your room for the rest of your life,” Blake yells through my closed bedroom door.
“She’s hurting, Blake.” Mom tries to calm him down, but it isn't helping.
“No! She needs to get out and keep living. I'm going to fucking kill that kid for doing this to her.” He slams his fist into the wall, making me jump.
