"You can come over here anytime and cook. Charli has a key," Abby said.
“I didn’t know this,” I said, wondering about Charli. She probably assumed Id never want to come but the kitchen and living room thing was kinda dope.
"Oh yeah, I actually kinda forgot about that. I stuck it in my lock box in the closet as soon as you gave it to me," Charli remembered.
"Oh, well if you guys even wanted to do a date nite or something we could clear out for a while," Abby offered.
“I wouldn’t want to kick you out,” I laughed. Abby was so sweet. “But this is nice.”
We hadn’t really talked much about what this was but I assumed it was some sort of casual hang. Already it was five steps more organized than a hangout with Vic doing anything. If we cooked it was a mess and if we planned to do something there was never actually a real plan.
"Every other Friday we go into town to see a movie anyway so you could come then," Lindsey said.
She had been quiet and watching us this whole time.
“Sounds nice,” I said, looking to Charli. I couldn’t tell if she wanted me all over her so I stepped to the side. “I wouldn’t hate it. Maybe I should try to be domestic and cook for you.” I was half teasing. I’d probably really fuck that up in reality.
"I'd like to see that," Charli said.
She closed the gap of small space between us. Hanging onto my arm.
“I uh… Don’t think it’d be very good but I can attempt it. If you’d like.”
Her lips were pretty addicting. My eyes zoned in on them sometimes and I couldn’t get them to stop.
"We could do it together," Charli suggested.
"That's sweet," Abby commented.
“I’m in,” I agreed. I licked my lips and bit my bottom one to try and keep myself from staring at hers.
"You're so cute," Charli said, kissing me lightly.
In some way it was kinda cruel of her but of course it made me happy so I smiled and hugged in close to her again. “How’d you decide what to make?” I asked Abby.
It smelled really good and I wanted to devour it but I didn’t want to be rude.
"It's easy and most everyone likes them," Abby answered. She picked up the plates filled with food and moved them over to the table nearby. I pulled out a chair and sat down to wait. Lindsey and Charli awkwardly sat down across from one another.
When Abby came back, she put out salsa and chips as the final touch. "Dig in," she said.
I waited for Charli to take something first. This was all rather formal like a tea party with my imaginary friends.
I smiled to myself and grabbed a slice of the never-ending quesadilla that Abby had made.
“Mm… It’s really good,” I nodded, not so sure what to say. They were all being awkward and quiet. This felt like a test and I hated all that so I attacked the bad air like a fast swinging hammer.
"It really is. Did you use that Mexican cheese?" Charli asked.
"Yeah, it was on sa-" Abby started.
"So, those are some cute hickies," Lindsey interrupted.
"I like them," Charli countered.
I tried not to blush but I knew it was a furious sort of sickness. You can’t really stop once the embarrassment comes.
“I’ll admit, it’s been super hard not to do that,” I laughed. I touched a hand down on Charli’s thigh beneath the table and leaned over her a little to dip my food in her salsa.
"Also, very cute. You guys are all new and shiny," Abby said.
"Uh huh," Lindsey grunted.
“Uhh.. Does it bother you?” I asked, trying not to be annoyed. I put my food down and looked across the table at Lindsey.
"No, it was just an observation," she said.
Abby was frowning and watching Lindsey. .
"They are cute," I agreed. The way Lindsey acted towards me was always pretty nuts. "I decided to put an end to the rumors. No one's going to wonder anymore, come tomorrow. They'll just know."
"I asked her to do it," Charli said.
"It just didn't seem like you is all," Lindsey shared.
"You don't really know me then," Charli replied.
"Cut it out, Lindsey. Can we just have a nice dinner?" Abby asked.
"Fine. I'm sorry," Lindsey said.
"Its fine," I huffed a laugh. "But if a hickie bothers you, we probably shouldn't tell you we've been having sex."
It wasn't the sole reason we came here but I'm sure at some point Charli was planning on talking about it with them.
Maybe she was scared about it? I don't know but she told me they didn't know.
"Obviously," Lindsey replied.
"That's great! I'm happy for you guys," Abby said.
"So, you're girlfriends now," Lindsey said.
"I dunno," I sighed and looked at Charli. "Seems like a lot more than that."
"We haven't talked about it," Charli said.
"More?" Abby asked me.
"I've honestly never been this happy," I said. "Feels wrong to compare it to other things. Did you want to talk about it," I asked Charli.
If it'd been bothering her, I had no clue.
"I consider us together. I just assumed," Charli replied.
"I love you," I reminded. What else did she want me to say? "Do you like that word? Girlfriend? You can say it," I comforted. I never asked her to pretend we weren't together or anything. Although, now, I was starting to wonder if she thought that I did.
"I don't care about a word. Apparently, Lindsey does," Charli griped.
"Well… We're together," I said, looking between Charli's friends. "We weren't trying to hide it, just, feeling things out, which was mainly me. Charli's been too good to me, really sweet and patient. I don't deserve it."
"That's so not true. You guys are good for each other," Abby said.
"I hope so," I expressed. "I do know that's why I waited so long to give into things. I was worried I'd mess her life up."
Charli had everything figured out. The last thing I'd want to do is throw a wrench in that.
"You made it better. You don't see it but you have," Charli replied.
"Aww," Abby cooed.
"I hope so," I said, wanting it to be true. Things got confusing when lust and sex were involved, I knew that well. Things were so new with us but I wanted to believe that they would just keep getting better.
The food was good but I found myself just wanting to touch her.
Since we were with her friends I resisted and ate a little. I could try all I wanted to get Lindsey to just come out with her damage but she resisted under conflict so I dropped that one too, for now.
"We have ice cream and hot fudge for dessert," Lindsey said.
"Awesome," Charli replied.
I held my tongue, knowing that any word from me directly to Lindsey would somehow create an issue I did not intend. I oddly found myself wishing Vic was here, if only to instigate this nonsense away.
We are together and the conversation stayed pretty mild until it got to dessert.
"Why don't you two go set up in the living room," Abby said. "We'll bring the ice cream out."
"Sure," I nodded. They were all being extra weird and I didn't know why. Perhaps I'd gone too far in outing Charli's sex life. No clue.
I guess if Charli wanted to get them alone this would be her chance.
"I wanna talk to them but I'm not really in the mood. I'm kinda pissed and I know I'll just go off on Lindsey," Charli whispered.
"Aww, sweetie," I said, pulling her over toward the couch. "Come 'ere," I said. If they weren't around we could sit and be close. I sat on the couch, giving her the corner and turning toward her so I could check on her. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to upset you. I was goading her."
"You didn't upset me. She was just being an ass. She didn't used to be like this," she said.
Charli looked so pouty and sad. I touched a hand to her face and searched her. "Come 'ere," I asked, wanting to kiss her. Her lips had been tempting me this whole time
. I leaned in and tugged her closer, taking a kiss. Maybe it would calm her. I wanted her more when she got all stormy like this.
"Okay, I can't stay mad when you do that," she admitted.
With a heavy sigh she relaxed into me and cuddled up.
"I just don't understand. When we first met she was so sweet," Charli said.
I moved a little to better hold her. "Its me," I said, placing my lips on her forehead. "Maybe there's stuff going on with her that you don't know about? Or maybe she just wants to fight you because she's frustrated that you're so perfect. I feel that sometimes."
"You want to fight me?" She asked, her eyebrows raising.
"When you're being cute? Oh yeah," I said.
"So all the time," she said.
"Uh. Yeah, yeah," I nodded. "Just about."
"Hmm, should I be worried that you're going to haul off and punch me someday?"she teased.
"Probably not," I laughed. "I kinda already have. My punches are sad."
"You could kiss me instead. I like that idea much better," she said.
"Mmmm," I hummed, leading her chin up so I could kiss her again. "I like that idea."
It was nice to be on a couch, I missed this. If she wanted me to be tame here I wasn't having it. I suffered her terrible friend and I deserved a little treat.
She leaned over and lay her head in my lap, looking up at me and smiling.
"You're way too sexy right now," she told me.
"Uh-uh," I said, petting her. "You're killing me." I might have to take her back home. Like, now.
"I'll just bring you back. I know CPR," Charli teased.
"Good luck," I said, watching her. "Your mouth is so pretty," I mumbled, a little bothered by her. I ran my fingertips over her bottom lip. When I did that she opened her mouth a little more and her breath hitched. I felt it inside of me. That carnal urge. I bent down over her and kissed her. "I want you," I said, after coming back up and staring at her again.
"Then we should go home soon because I want you too," she said.
"Hey," I teased. "This was your idea. You said you felt guilty for not being around."
"Well I didn't anticipate you being so tempting," she replied.
I made a sad face. "Should I be worried about that? I always anticipate you being tempting."
"Why would you worry? It's a good thing, I think," she said.
"It's good that you weren't planning on me being addictive?" I asked.
"Oh! No! I meant it was good that you are that addictive to me," she clarified.
"Mhmm," I nodded, a little unconvinced. I always knew I'd want to be touching her. It was a problem. I smiled softly and enjoyed her presence. A little thing could get to me but I didn't want it to. Plus, she was crazy cute when she was stressed, like right now. I stared down on her, pet her cheeks and played with her hair.
There was aggressive whispering and the banging of cupboards from the other room but I didn't care.
"I want you," I reminded. It wasn't that I didn't want her to forget. More like, I couldn't stop thinking about how it felt when she took me passionately.
"I wish we were home," she replied.
"Sweetie," I said, a little sad. We were supposed to have ice cream and watch a funny tv show. "You're supposed to want to be here," I reminded. "If you don't want to we should go." I knew she'd be sad tomorrow though for not hanging out with her friends enough and being a shitty friend. "Maybe I shouldn't have thrown a bomb into tonight," I realized.
The hickie was unexpected for Lindsey. It must've meant more to her than either of us thought it would. Who knows why.
“Nope. We’re being us. This needs to stop,” she said.
With a sigh, she sat up and then got off the couch. Before she turned away to go in the kitchen she leaned down and took my face between her hands, kissing me soundly and petting my cheeks.
“I love you and I’ll be right back,” Charli said.
"Mm…" I hummed, lost in her eyes. "You better."
“On my honor,” she said, being silly and dramatic.
She disappeared into the kitchen and I heard the murmurs get louder. I caught some words here and there and when Charli spoke her voice was louder. I got the feeling she was laying into Lindsey.
Eek.
It was weird. Something had to be wrong for Lindsey to act so rude. Losing time with a good friend should not make you hate them. There was jealousy here and anger and poor Abby was having to suffer through all of it.
I couldn't take that. I'd want to know why my girlfriend was so concerned with my best friend's sex life. I'd dealt with that much with Vic and the answer was obvious to me.
A minute later Charli came back into the living room and offered me her hand.
“Let’s go, okay?”
She looked caught between sad and mad. Her features pinched and frowny.
I got up, worried for her. Taking her hand, I let her lead me toward the door.
"Goodnight," I said awkwardly. There was a storm brewing inside their white walls.
Charli led me out and didn't speak to them. They must've shared some hard words. Charli and Lindsey both had the instinct to fight instead of compromise.
“Sorry, she just won’t listen and I’m kind of done right now. I didn’t want it to get any more heated. Abby didn’t deserve that in her space. I told her to call me when she grows up and I just left,” Charli said.
"There's something going on," I said. "I think Lindsey might be using this or something, as a distraction. I dunno."
My advice on two people I didnt actually know was probably stupid. "I can talk to her if you want. Alone. I'm not scared of her."
If Vic had to see this girl talk to me once, Lindsey would already have a black eye.
“You can if you want. Maybe you’ll have more luck than me,” Charli said.
"Well, she has no reason to lie to me and I'm not gonna be offended by her full out honesty. I don't know her so all her thoughts about me are just nonsense."
It might help but it might make matters worse and I was bad with this stuff.
"If you want me to I'll try is all I'm saying."
“Go for it. I think I’m the person that can never get through,” Charli sighed.
"Hey," I said, stopping us in the hall and pushing her to rest onto the wall. "I don't want to leave you alone if you're upset. We can go back to the room and forget about it but this keeps happening and I'm honestly sick of it."
“I’ll be fine. Promise,” Charli replied.
"Do you want to wait here or go back to the room?"
“I’m waiting here. I’ll actually just be outside. Yell, if you need me,” Charli said.
"She wouldn't, like, attack me," I said, looking at her. "Would she?" That thought hadn't occurred to me before. Lindsey did have a foul amount of untapped rage.
“No, not at all. She’s probably afraid of you deep down,” Charli replied.
"Why?" I laughed. Anyone being afraid of me was comical.
"Because she's never had to fight a day in her life," Charli answered.
"Oh," I said, wondering what it meant. Perhaps it was a truth about her being spoiled. I didn't know a thing about Lindsey's outside life. "Well," I said, trying to figure out what I should do. "I'll be right back," I said. "If I make things worse I make things worse. It's worth a shot."
If I'm the problem I can probably fix this. I wasn't about to fall a sword.
I kissed Charli and knew that she was sensitive right now. So perfect in every way. As I pulled back all I could think was how much I loved and wanted and felt grateful for her.
I went back to the door and stood on the other side of it before knocking and quickly letting myself in. No point in being gentle. Confrontation was the only thing this person really reacted to.
Abby was nowhere to be seen and Lindsey was sitting at the kitchen island by herself with her head in her hands.
"Hey," I said, walking close.
I got up onto the stool besid
e her and sat down.
"Oh, hey." She looked at me. "What do you want?"
"To talk," I said.
There wasn't really a hint for me. What she wanted or what I could do. Lindsey made it seem damn near impossible to exist in her space.
"Can I get you something. Do you want some water or something?"
"I should be asking you that," she laughed bitterly.
"What for? I have hands," I joked and raised them to her. She wasn't just going to magically like me. I rolled my eyes and looked off toward the empty living room. "Okay, well, I thought I'd give you a shot. Be your impartial counsel… Between your girlfriend and your best friend, it all seems pretty tense."
"Yeah, because you stole her," Lindsey said.
"I didn't steal anything. Charli's a person, not a toy. So let's talk about it. Whatever it is. No one's here right now. You can say whatever the hell you want. Go ahead."
"As soon as you showed up, she was infatuated. I don't trust you. Who knows how long you'll be here. Charli deserves someone stable," she said.
"Can't argue with that," I said sadly. "She does deserve someone better than me. Why do you think I put off touching her?"
"You guys were together before you were together. Even though she wouldn't believe that you were in love with her," Lindsey said.
"Okay, well. So what?" I asked. "What would you do if you were either of us? You wouldn't just say no and walk away. I don't think so. So what's amatter?" I wanted to know. "You don't want me to potentially hurt her so you're hurting her? Is that what I'm to take from this? It doesn't make a whole lotta sense."
"I walked away. I guess I'm just stronger though. I'm not trying to hurt her. I'm trying to tell her why I'm hurt," she said.
"Oh," I said, confused. "Wait like… You walked away from her?"
What the fuck…
"When was this?" I asked, worried. They both got under each other's skin so much. I never even stopped to think that maybe they had done something or been something. Not to mention, Charli hasn't said anything like that. Kind of important information for the new girl in your bed.
"I never told her how I felt. She's so clueless about things like that so I'm sure she has no idea. I knew it would end badly even if she was interested," Lindsey said.
"Lindsey," I said, nervous. Abby lived here with her. I thought they were together. "You have to say something. You're gonna lose her as a friend if you don't." I didn't even want to think about Abby. Rescue her, maybe.
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