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“What?”
My friends scoffed, but Harlow just looked around at us as she took in what was happening. She didn’t know Charlie well enough to defend her. She didn’t know what I knew.
“Don’t act like you don’t know what we’re talking about,” Graham hissed. “What’d Charlie ever do to you?”
Of all of us, I was surprised that Graham didn’t share my feelings.
Before I could respond, Harlow asked, “Did you try to sleep with her?”
Graham’s face fell, and mine twisted in disgust.
“Deacon, you didn’t . . .” Graham trailed off. “What’d you do?”
“What did I do?” I said with a laugh, and shook my head as I sat back in the booth. “Nothing. And, no, I didn’t try to sleep with Charlie.” Graham kicked at my leg twice, but I continued. “I wouldn’t touch her even if she was in my bed and begging.”
The silence that followed my statement felt thick, and I knew before I turned my head that she had come back.
Sure enough, when I looked to my right, Charlie was standing there holding our drinks. She wasn’t looking at me, or anyone, just staring at a spot on the table as crimson stained her cheeks.
My stomach dropped and guilt tore through me, but only for a moment before I was able to lock on to my disgust again. She had hurt one of people I loved most in this world. It was about time she hurt too.
She licked nervously at her bottom lip, and had to attempt to speak twice before there was any sound behind the words. “Mama already had your drinks waiting,” she explained, but stood still for a few more seconds before she hurried to place the drinks on the table.
“You’re an asshole,” Knox growled when Charlie left.
Graham was running a hand over his face, and shaking his head slowly. “Get out,” he demanded.
“I’m not gonna apologize.”
“No shit,” he bit back immediately, but he still looked disappointed in my response. “But someone has to for you, and someone needs to make sure she’s okay.”
“Why?”
Graham’s frustration was palpable. “Because it’s fucking Charlie, that’s why. Now move.”
I let him out of the booth, and started to sit back down as he stalked off, but stopped. “Forget it. I’m not hungry.” I pulled out my wallet and tossed a ten on the table. “Tell Graham I walked home. See you two later.”
I didn’t expect a response from them, and didn’t wait for one. I just turned and walked out, ignoring my best friend on my way out as he spoke quietly to the girl I never wanted to see again.
Chapter Three
Charlie
May 30, 2016
JAGGER SIGHED FOR the fifth time in as many minutes, and turned his green-eyed stare to me from the driver’s seat of my car. He didn’t say anything, just gave me “the look.” The one I had seen so often growing up with him. The one that meant he was about to switch from my big brother to my parent.
When he didn’t say anything, I closed my book and set it down, then relaxed against the side of the warehouse. “Well?”
A dejected laugh fell from his mouth, and he lifted his hands before letting them fall to his lap in defeat. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I don’t know what’s wrong with your car—I know nothing about cars.”
My shoulders sagged a little.
“Take it to the mechanic, or better yet—”
“Here we go,” I murmured.
“—go buy a new car.”
