“We are going to take you both with us if you can’t stop fighting,” one of the officers threatened.
“Let’s go then,” Greyson laughs. I just know there is a smart ass smirk on his face, basically asking for Will to decanter with something stupid.
“Let’s go then.” An officer grabs hold of Greyson’s arm and pulls him away from me.
“Wait,” I yelp, reaching out Greyson.
Greyson looks over his shoulder, and then tosses me his keys. I watch as they hit the pavement in front of me. “The truck is parked two blocks down. Can you get Cameron home?”
“But, what about you?”
“Don’t worry about me, Charlie.” Greyson gives me a smile and a wink as I stare at the cops loading him into a patrol car. Looking over to Will, he glares at me then gets into the back of another waiting car.
What in the hell just happened?
I stand awkwardly on the sidewalk, watching as the police cruisers disappear down the block. I’m the only one left outside, and most of the customers in the restaurant have either left or are back to enjoying their meal. Jingling Greyson’s truck keys, I glance down the block and sigh. I have no clue what I’m doing, other than Greyson telling me to take Cameron home. Then what? Did I go home, too? Or meet him at the police station? Better yet, where in the hell is the police station?
As I get closer to the truck, I notice Cameron’s thin body slumped over in the passenger’s seat. How am I going to explain that Greyson went to the police station only after tossing what happened between her and Will out in the open?
Hesitating for a second, I have to force myself to open the driver’s side door and haul myself into the lifted beast.
“Where’s Greyson?” Cameron immediately asks. Her tear streaked cheeks are stained with Mascara, while her eyes take on a deep shade of red. Her once stunning slinky black dress is wrinkled and misshapen on her perfect body, and her beautiful blonde curls are fuzzy and scattered around her body. Still, even with all the chaos of what just happened, and even looking this way, she is a gorgeous girl.
“Um…….he had to go down to the police station.”
“What?” Cameron cries, instantly righting herself up in the seat.
“He started shouting some stuff at Will, then the officer said if they didn’t stop he would haul them both in, and Greyson basically said go for it.”
Cameron shakes her head in disgust, and then drops her head back on the headrest.
“He just can’t leave it fucking alone. I knew tonight was going to be a disaster, but he has this infatuation with you, and I can’t say no to my best friend,” Cameron huffs.
“Did it really happen?” I blurt out. My eyes grow when I realize I spoke without thinking. Of course it was real. Why else did Will get so defensive?
“Are you asking if Will beat me?” Cameron rolled her head to the side, giving me the “I already know the answer to the question” look.
“Sorry. Its none of my business.” Shoving the keys into the ignition, I buckle my seatbelt and adjust the mirrors.
“Our relationship wasn’t always like that. One day he just snapped, and I told him we were done. And, well……………after that you can guess what happened.”
I say nothing, but simply nod my head. No words that my mind can conjure up can help the situation. When someone is trying to deal with something, having someone who knows absolutely nothing about the situation try and give you some comforting words only pisses you off even more.
“I should have reported it, but I actually felt bad for him. He would have lost his job and at the time I really thought it was entirely my fault. Sometimes love or what you think is love can make you do some stupid things.”
“I get that,” I mutter softly. Tonight, I panicked while standing on the sidewalk, then everything seemed right again in the world when Greyson came running up to me. It’s not love, but it might just be the closest thing I am ever going to get.
“Just be good to him, Charlie. I realize we don’t know each other, but Greyson is my person. Sure, he might be fucked up in the head, and do some ridiculously stupid things, but at the end of the day he is the kind of man you want sleeping right next to you.” Cameron points to the light ahead, and signals with her hand to turn right.
“Thanks.” I can’t give a label to what Greyson and I have, but I do know that he is someone to keep in my life as long as he will have me.
Chapter 25
Greyson
Watching Will get pushed into the back of a squad car made me smile. That is something that should have happened three years ago when that fucker worked over Cameron, so some sort of pent up anger from the past is soothed watching that happen.
“I thought you were over that dick?” Officer Jennings laughs from the front seat.
“I was, until he moved on to Charlie.” I smirk, leaning back on the hard plastic seat of the cop car. Luck would have it that one of the officers on scene is an old high school buddy.
“She’s hot, Man. What’s her story?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” She killed my ego these last couple days by ignoring me, but seeing her run into my arms erased the questioning doubt I have been carrying around since our bathroom encounter. “So, he wants to press charges?”
“Yeah, and I think they were going to let him until Charlotte spoke up for you.”
A massive smile spreads across my lips when hearing that Charlie wasn’t going to let me take the wrap for tonight. Truth be told, I did throw the first punch. But, that was after I found him pressed up against Cameron in the bathroom hallway. The fucker didn’t even see it coming as I connected a hard left hook to the back of his head. He deserved every single punch, I connected tonight. From all the shit he pulled with Cameron to trying to date Charlie, the fucker had it coming.
“So, were you following them tonight?”
“Maybe.” Officer Jennings laughs from the front seat; he knows me all too well.
We went through the motions at the station. They have us in separate rooms, several officers coming in to get our sides of the story, then hearing that the owners of the restaurant are not pressing charges, only made my cocky grin spread even farther. I knew the little dick wouldn’t be pressing charges after I let what he did to Cameron slip.
“Thanks, guys.” I wave at the desk clerks as I exit through the front doors. Bounding down the concrete steps, I was fully prepared to walk home, but then noticed my blue truck sitting across the street.
A new grin cracks on my face as I jog over to the truck. Charlie catches my eyes and offers a meek smile through the rolled up window.
“How did you find the place?” I ask, opening the door and motioning for her to scoot over.
“Google.” Climbing over the center console, she sits down in the passenger seat and tucks her legs up underneath her.
“Well, thank you. I really didn’t want to walk home, but I had left my cellphone in the truck and I haven’t memorized a phone number since I was seven.”
“I figured,” Charlie laughs lightly.
Fixing my mirrors, I turn the engine over and glance at Charlie. “Want me to take you home?”
“Not really.” Her answer is short, but I know exactly what is hiding behind those two words. She feels the attraction between us, and isn’t ready to end the evening just yet.
“Okay,” I answer. Putting the truck in gear, I head off in the direction of my townhouse. Getting a black eye and hauled in for questioning was totally worth the end result if she is willing to come home with me.
The moment the key get inserted in the front door lock, Charlie has her body pressed against mine. My head drops down to claim her lips as my hands fumble to unlock the door. After several failed attempts, I manage to get it, and push the door open, wrapping one arm tightly around her waist. Pulling her with me, I walk backward into the living room. The urgency of her kiss makes my dick rock hard, pressing itself firmly up against the zipper of my jeans.
“Charlie,” I mumble on her lips, slamming the front door closed.
“Shhhhhh……..” Her fingers fly to the buttons on my shirt, knocking them out quickly one by one.
“Charlie,” I say again, this time slightly pushing her shoulders back.
“I don’t want to hear it, Greyson. I just want you to fuck me.” Charlie’s normally soft voice is heated and clipped.
I’m not about to fuck her in the entry way, or draped over the staircase. Grabbing her around the waist, I toss her over my shoulder and grab the handrail for the stairs.
“Greyson!” Charlie shrieks as I carry her up the staircase.
Kicking open my bedroom door, I deposit her in the middle of the bed, then unhook my belt buckle and pop the button on my pants. Charlie leans back on the dark blue comforter, resting casually on her elbows. Her sparking eyes are hooded while she licks her lips suggestively.
Crawling on top of her, I straddle her waist and force my lips upon hers. Charlie moans and drops back on the bed. Her arms snake around my backside, while her fingertips press firmly into my skin. Trailing my lips down her neck, I carefully slide the neck of her black long sleeve sweater over her shoulders, exposing the light freckles that grace her collar bone.
Charlie grabs the open tails of my dress shirt and forcefully pulls the shirt off my shoulder. Smirking, I raise up on my knees and pull the shirt off the rest of the way. “Now, where was I?”
A moan escapes her swollen lips right before I crash myself back into them. The softness of her mouth as she caresses my tongue sends shivers down my body, making my cock pulse with greed. I need her naked. Grabbing the fabric around her waist, I tug it over her head quickly, breaking the connection of our lips for only a second. Charlie grabs the back of my head and slams her lips back into mine.
Using her hands, she shimmies my pants down my upper thighs enough that I can kick them off the rest of the way. Quickly, I undo the button on her jeans and slide them down her thighs. The reality of her being naked underneath me makes my insides groan. My mind tells me to take it slow, enjoy the moment, savor the sights, but my body screams at me to take her right now.
Charlie’s fingers wrap around my shaft. A pleased smile spreads over her lips forcing me to lift my head away and chuckle. Swiftly, she spreads her legs further apart and grinds her pussy against my cock. Using her free hand, she slides her panties to the side and positions herself for me to thrust into her.
“Please,” Charlie begs, her breathing is now labored as she wiggles underneath me.
Thrusting my hips forward, I enter her in a rapid motion. The pleasure of being inside her is better than any experience I’ve ever had pleasure to partake in.
“Harder, Greyson.”
I might look like a raving lunatic with the wicked smile I have on my face right now, but hearing her say my name accompanied with the word harder is just plain fucking awesome.
“I love the fact that you came home with me tonight.” Grinning, I place a soft kiss to her naked shoulder and slide my arm over her body. Finding her hand, I thread my fingers in with her and rest my forehead on the back of her soft dark hair. “I’m glad you finally gave in.”
“Gave in?”
“The whole friendship thing. I have never just wanted to be your friend, Charlie. I’m glad you are finally willing to take this chance with me.”
Charlie pulls away slightly then rolls over to face me. “This isn’t a relationship, Greyson.” Raising her left eyebrow, she gives me a questioning glance.
“So it’s just about sex then.”
“It’s not all about the sex, Greyson. I’m not that emotionally damaged.” Rolling her eyes at me, she tosses the sheet off and rolls out of bed.
“Bullshit, Charlie. You freak out and turn all hormonal when anyone mentions anything close to the word relationship.”
“I don’t have an issue with relationships. I’m just not going to date you.” Clenching her teeth, she scrambles around the bedroom to collect her clothes. She wants to keep it casual, with an occasional fuck break in between hating each other.
“Whatever, Charlie. Just fucking walk away. Again.” Rolling over to face the wall, I can feel my muscles tense as the covers slide down my torso. The amount of shit we put each other through, after running into my arms this evening and then wanting to come back to my place, and she claims it’s only for fucking sex.
“Thanks for tonight,” she mumbles, slipping her shoes on and heading for the bedroom door. Silence fills the bedroom as she slips out of the door.
I hear the front door open and close downstairs and mentally curse at myself for letting her walk out the door. All she does is push me away; it’s been her game since I met her. She gives a little, just enough to keep me dying for more and then walks away.
Throwing the covers on the floor, I grab my jeans and pull them on. Storming down the stairs, I open the front door and take off after her.
The cold pavement on my bare feet is refreshing after that heated moment upstairs. My eyes catch a glimpse of her walking down the sidewalk, trailing the black sweater behind her.
“Just stop, Charlie,” I shout while picking up the pace to catch up with her. Charlie freezes in her tracks, but doesn’t turn around. The cool evening air whips around my skin, making me think twice about running after her without a shirt.
“Thanks for stopping.” I chuckle as I stand next to her. Charlie refuses to look up in my direction, keeping her eyes fixed on the sidewalk below. Her cheeks are stained from tears that I’m guessing are all dried up now.
“Come on.” Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I turn her around and start walking back to the house. “At least let me be a gentleman and drive you home.”
“I didn’t think your vocabulary contained the word gentleman.”
“Eh, crazier things have happened.” Charlie sighs but doesn’t shun away from my physical contact.
“Thanks,” she mutters quietly. Squeezing her shoulder lightly, my body starts to warm from the close contact. Even if she continues to run away, I’m always going to be there to bring her back in.
“Let me just grab some shoes and a shirt,” I ramble once we get inside.
Charlie remains silent and stands awkwardly just inside the door. Bounding up the stairs, I shake my head at the situation I have once again got myself into. I have the woman that makes my wandering nights and lustful days come to an end, and she doesn’t even care to have a friendship with me outside of fucking when she needs it.
“You ready?” I ask, coming back down the stairs. Charlie is once again sucked into the paintings on the wall. Like a hypnotist captures his audience, the paintings has mesmerized even the tortured of souls.
“You know I didn’t even start cutting until my mom got sick. I used to make fun of those self-mutilation commercials on TV. I would comment on how pathetic their lives must be to cause harm to themselves, how they obviously didn’t have any real friends, and were too chicken shit to take their own lives. Kind of ironic, huh?”
My body froze behind her. I want to reach out and take her into my arms, tell her it’s alright, and we don’t have to talk about this. But, what is that going to do for her? For once she is opening up to me, something that I’ve been begging to happen, and now I’m too scared to listen to what she has to say.
“The moment my mom got sick, I felt like a failure. Fuck, Greyson. I am a failure. I had no real friends except for Sam, and I couldn’t even go a day without drinking, which led to jail and then rehab. I have become those people that I used to make fun of, and the sad thing behind all of it is at the time, I was the stupid, lost, tragic soul, that couldn’t even manage to get her life straight when her mother needed her the most.” Charlie sniffles and brings her hands up to wipe her face, then securely wraps them around her waist.
“I was cutting myself to alleviate the pain of my mother being sick. I tried to be there for her, but seeing it all go down, I couldn’t deal with it. I was
sober for the first time in ages, losing my mother, and praying that each time I ripped my arm open that I had enough courage to press the blade a little deeper and end it all.”
“Charlie,” my voice cracks. Gently, I place my hand on her shoulder and wait for the reaction.
Charlie spins around and it almost breaks my heart. Tears are spilling down her cheeks and her usual bright eyes are clouded.
“I was so wrapped up in my pitiful bullshit that I never actually told my mother goodbye. Now, I have to carry around this guilt for the rest of my life. Not only do I regret every fucking thing I ever did, but now I have these stupid scars that will be a permanent reminder that I am a complete and useless failure.” Charlie’s knees buckle and she hits the floor in a crumpled heap.
Kneeling down next to her, I grit my teeth and pull her into my lap. Tightening my arms around her broken body, I gently rock us back and forth. Charlie’s hands fist my shirt, burying her head in the middle of my chest. My lips press against the top of her head as I try to quiet her soft tears.
“I’m sorry,” she repeats over and over again. Unsure that any words I can possibly utter will make a difference, I keep my silence and continue to hold her body tight. Eventually the immediate pain will subside, and the numbness will return once again.
Chapter 26
Charlie
“I have an idea,” Greyson says, loosening his grasp around me a little. Letting my guard down feels good for once, even if it has to go right back up again tomorrow.
Lifting my head off Greyson’s chest, I wipe my eyes with the backs of my hands and take a deep breath. “What is this idea?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Not really,” I snort. Pushing off his body, I stand and stretch out my legs.
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