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I pace the floor in my room, trying not to freak out over what Teddy has planned. When Chief Sloan left, I was speechless. Words refused to formulate sentences, then travel to my mouth. I wasn’t completely sure what Teddy wanted to do, but I had an idea. I was just hoping I wasn’t right.
My door swings open as Teddy steps inside. “Charlie, we need to talk. About last night—about today.”
“There is nothing to talk about. You’re an idiot and have a death sentence obviously. I thought maybe you were smarter than this, but clearly you’re not.” The words come out quick and sharp without even thinking, unlike a few moments ago.
He lets out a single huff, then rushes toward me.
“What, going to grab me by the throat again and tell me how you’re in charge? Or how I should watch my mouth? I’m done listening to you.”
I’m not sure if it’s the anger from last night or the complete bewilderment at what he’s doing, but I’m not lying. I don’t care anymore. And maybe that’s the problem with love that comes so quickly.
You get caught up in the honeymoon phase and think that’s how it’ll always be. You don’t take the time to learn who your partner really is. Sure, I knew Teddy was a bad guy. I just didn’t think he was that kind of bad guy. The one that would treat me like dirt over something I’ve already tried to correct. Something I’ve already apologized for. I don’t think he realizes it, but he’s doing nothing more than pushing me away even further.
I turn and try to retreat to my bed, but he catches me by surprise yanking me back by my hair. His face comes over my shoulder and rests by my cheek. “You really think you run this shit, Charlotte? Because you don’t. If I were smart—which I’m obviously not because I fell for you—I would kick you on your ass to the curb. Too bad I still want you. I still need you.” His words are a hiss.
“You can think whatever you want if it’ll make you sleep better at night. That I love you, or you’re better than all of this, but it won’t change the fact of who you are and what you’ve done. You’re—”He kisses my cheek. “—a—”His lips find my jaw next. “—whore.” Pain vibrates through me as his teeth dig into my neck, and then he pushes me away, still holding my hair.
A silent sob claws at my throat, begging to be released, but I won’t let it. Instead, I bite my lip and prepare myself for whatever he throws at me next.
“You know, Charlie, I tried to give you everything you could ever want. You’ve never had to ask for a single thing. And the way you repay me is by defiance? By sleeping with someone I practically raised?”
Anger vibrates through my body. “I never slept with Lucas. Never.” The words grind out between clenched teeth.
His grip on my hair tightens. “I don’t believe you,” he whispers. I hear the buckle of his belt coming undone followed by the low sound of his zipper. “I’d be a fool to believe such a lie.”
My eyes stay glued to my bed in front of me as he lets his body lean into mine. “I don’t care what you believe anymore, Teddy. Nothing I say even registers with you.”
He snaps my head back, bringing his face next to mine again. “Good.”
Everything that comes next happens so fast and so slow—all at once. He pushes up my dress and rips off my delicate panties. They never stood a chance against him. Normally his roughness wouldn’t bother me, but this is different. He’s like a completely new man doing anything he can to hurt.
“Teddy, no!” I yell, but it’s no use.
“What’s the matter? Don’t want to fuck because I’m not Lucas? Or have you moved on to the cop now?” He laughs. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out how you talked to him? See, from what I saw, I couldn’t figure out if you were trying to get information or seduce him. Probably the latter.”
My body freezes.
“Didn’t think I would know about that little exchange too? Don’t you know by now that I see everything.”
Suddenly, my heart breaks. Literally breaks. I can feel the small threads that have been barely hanging on finally snap, sending my heart shattering into my ribs. I’m not sure if this is just the last straw, or maybe the fact I’ve felt too guilty to realize how terrible he’s been, but nonetheless, every piece of my heart sinks to my stomach.
I grab my hair above his hand and yank myself away, then turn to face him. My voice is a murmur. “Why are you doing this? Why do you want to hurt me?” Tears fall from my eyes and hit my cheeks, but I push them away roughly with the back of my hand.
His eyes meet mine, and for a split second, the fight leaves.
His blue orbs become soft as he studies my face. “I need you to hate me, Charlie.”
“Why?”
“Things are just easier when you hate me.”
His confession is the light at the end of a dark, dark tunnel. It gives me hope, but it’s short-lived.
Just as quickly as the fight left his eyes, it returns. With one hand he pushes me to the bed as the other finishes the job of pulling down his pants. I try to raise up—to run—to do anything other than let him on top of me, but he crawls over me, securing his palm in the center of my chest.
“Teddy, please,” I beg, but it falls on deaf ears.
I claw at his arm and wiggle my way up the bed as far as I can go, but he’s stronger. I try to remember everything my dad taught me, but when I see his face, I can’t bring myself to jab his eyes or push my palm into his nose.
