The Pretend Friend Ch. 08

It was unreal, I thought, to be waking up next to a naked Charlotte with her breasts pressed against my arm. Her hair was a tumbled mess, spilling all over the pillow and covering her face. I parted them now and tucked the strands behind her ears.

The sun was just beginning to come up in the window behind Charlotte and casted a soft light around her figure. She was breathing quietly, her lips slightly parted, and the worry lines that usually marked her face were smoothed out.

Her eyes were a little puffy from crying last night, and my chest ached when I remembered the way she had looked so distraught standing in the dark. Even in the comfort of her apartment, she had been terrified, and she had been afraid to ask for my help because I had been mad.

I never wanted to make her feel that way again. I wanted her to know that even if we had a fight, I would still be there for her.

Her clock read 6:34am. It was still early, but I couldn't fall back asleep now that I was awake. While I didn't want to leave her side, I wanted to change her lightbulb before she left work. That way, when she came home after, there would be light for her.

Leaning in, I pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. She remained unmoving and asleep. I quietly slid out of bed and followed the trail of clothes that led out to front door, picking up my clothes to dress as I did so.

There weren't many stores opened this early, but I knew one that opened at six in the morning. It was about twenty minutes away, but it was also near one of my favorite coffee shops. Two birds, one stone.

I wasn't sure if Charlotte preferred warm or cool lighting, so I ended up getting both just in case. Then I got a second one of each for back-up. Afterwards, I got us coffee and bagels from the cafe, which took longer than I expected.

It was past eight when I arrived back at her apartment, and I blew out a breath of relief when I saw that her car was still there.

"Did you forget something?" Charlotte asked almost breathlessly after opening the door. She was already dressed in a silk blouse and dark trousers for work, but there was a franticness in her expression.

"Is everything okay?" I asked worriedly and took a step forward, but she didn't budge and kept her grip on the door.

Charlotte rubbed a hand down her face. "I... what are you doing back here?"

My chest pinched, but I forced out a smile as I held up the bag and cupholder. "I was going to change your lightbulb, and I brought coffee. I know you get in around nine, so I wanted to do it before you leave."

Charlotte's brows furrowed. "You woke up early to get me a new light bulb and coffee?"

"And bagels," I reminded lightly.

She gave me a look of disbelief.

As if the idea of me grabbing her breakfast before she left for work and changing her light bulb because I didn't want her to come back home to a dark apartment was out of the ordinary.

And maybe it would have been if we were strangers who had a one night stand, but we were friends, who as of last night decided to be friends with benefits. Me grabbing her breakfast and fixing her lights was the friends part.

Still, Charlotte's tone made me feel a little ridiculous, and I tried to disguise my hurt with a shrug as I added, "I'm used to waking up early for Noah anyway."

"Jess, I can change my own lights and get my own coffee," she said tightly.

"And I'm not implying that you can't. I just wanted to do something nice as your friend." A thought crossed my mind, and I frowned. "Where is this coming from? Is it because of last night?"

She clenched her jaw shut.

It seemed like I had nailed the coffin on the head, and the pain that filled my chest now was more than a pinch. It felt like a sledgehammer punching a hole in me, and I stepped away from the door.

"It's fine if you regret last night, and I don't want to put you in a position you're not comfortable with." The thought of her being uncomfortable with me made the hole in my chest ache. "And if you feel pressured last night in any way, then--"

"I don't regret last night at all," Charlotte interrupted in a rushed breath. Still, the ache in my chest only grew. I broke my gaze, but Charlotte stepped forward to grasp my face and turned it back to meet her steady gaze. "Jess, I wanted you last night. It was perfect, and I didn't feel pressured at all."

"But?" Because I could sense there was a 'but' coming, and I got my confirmation when her face fell. I tried to keep my own neutral as she dropped her hands from my face and sighed.

"As perfect as last night was, I don't think bringing sex into our friendship is a good idea," she said. "It makes things too... complicated."

"Is this because I bought you coffee and a new lightbulb? Because I would have done that for any of my friends, not just you or because we slept together," I said.

Charlotte shook her head. "No, it's... I just don't want to risk our friendship. You're too important to me, Jess."

And even though my chest still ached, the pain began to lessen.

"You're important to me too."

She offered a small smile, and I mustered myself up to do the same.

Then she eyed the cup. "Can I still have the coffee?"

The grin that broke out on my face was genuine now, and I handed it to her. "Of course you can, and I'm still down to change that lightbulb if you'll let me."

Charlotte rolled her eyes, but stepped aside to let me through. "Fine, but just so you know, I know how to change a lightbulb."

I leaned in as I passed her. "Oh, I don't doubt your handiness, Princess."

Her cheeks flushed, and she shoved me away playfully. "Shut up!"

A laugh bursted through my lips, and my heart gave a little jump when she chuckled along.

And even though I was a little disappointed that we wouldn't be having sex anymore, I was glad that we still had our friendship.

------------

Scratch that. I was more than disappointed that I would no longer be able to taste Charlotte's lips and feel her body writhe against mine again. It also didn't help that I had today off, and I had nothing to do either.

My mind was like a broken record player as it replayed everything from last night non-stop. I could still remember the way she moaned my name and how her fingers had clutched me with need. Being with Charlotte had been everything and more, and if I knew that last night would be the only time, I would have kept going until the morning.

I tried to go on a run to clear my mind, but that wasn't enough. So afterwards, I masturbated as an attempt to get it all out of my system, but she was still stuck on my mind even after three orgasms.

Everything about Charlotte just stuck with me now that I had been with her and knew what made her tick. I wanted to explore more and see what other pleasure points I could trigger. Most of all, I wanted her to touch me all over.

As my hand reached back down to touch myself again, my phone rang, and I blew out a frustrated breath before picking up.

"Hello," I grumbled while wiping my hands on the sheets.

"Hey." At the sound of Olivia's voice, I pulled the phone away to check the screen, and yeah, it was her.

"Did you get to the airport, okay?"

She let out a sigh, and I sat up.

"Can you come pick me up?" she asked quietly, and my stomach twisted at the fragility in her tone. Olivia has never sounded like that. "I know you don't owe me anything after last night, but I really could use a ride right now."

"Where are you?" I slid off the bed and grabbed my keys and wallet.

"I'll text you the location," she answered, her tone still so off. "We're parked on the side of the freeway. You won't miss it."

Before I could question her further, she hung up, and I quickly left the apartment. She texted me her location just as I got to the first level, but it wasn't to a building or anything of that sort. It was on the freeway just as she said, and my stomach twisted with a bad feeling.

She wasn't far from where I was, and it only took about fifteen or so minutes before I saw the wreckage and emergency vehicles. Olivia's rental was busted from behind, and it looked like the back had caved in from being rammed into. Pieces of metal and lights littered the road, and I parked far behind the wreck and walked the rest of the way up.

There were multiple cops on the scene, and they quickly tried to stop me when I got closer. I glanced behind them to where firefighters were trying to cut open the driver side door on the other car, and I felt the rise of nausea when I saw the amount of blood running down the driver's unconscious face.

"She's with me!"

The cops and I turned in the direction of Olivia's voice, and she emerged from behind a pair of EMTs. Beside her was a younger girl, who looked only a little bit older than Noah, and my stomach dropped despite her appearing uninjured. Olivia, on the other hand, had a bruise forming around her left eye and blood oozing from a long cut that ran down from her temple to her cheek.

"Holy sh --" I glanced over at the girl and adjusted myself. "Olivia, what happened?"

"I-I don't know. I was just driving straight, and the next thing I know, he hit us out of nowhere," she stammered, and as she lifted a hand up to touch the cut on her cheek, I saw her fingers, which were bruised and cut, trembling.

Her eyes were wide and frazzled as she glanced around the scene, and her body went still when she saw the first responders pull the man out of the car.

"Fuck," she muttered and ran her fingers through her hair. "Fuck, I swear the light was green. I was just going straight, and I never saw him. I don't --"

I grabbed ahold of her shoulders and turned her back to the scene. "Olivia, focus on me, okay? Are you and your..." I glanced over at the girl again.

Olivia blew out a breath. "Oh shit, this is my sister."

The girl gave a little wave and smile. "I'm Holly."

"Hi, I'm Jess," I said as I glanced between the both of them. "Have you given your statements to the cops?"

"I told them what happened," Holly answered.

I looked at Olivia for confirmation, but she was starting to turn around to look at the scene again. I tightened my grip on her shoulders, and she jerked back to face me.

"We'll go to the hospital, okay?" I looked behind her at the EMTs, who were still waiting for us. "And then we'll--"

"No hospitals," Olivia interrupted, her eyes growing wider.

"Olivia, you're bleeding," I said calmly. "You need to see a doctor."

"No!" She jerked out of my grasp and stumbled. One of the EMTs caught her, but she quickly shoved him away, her eyes shooting around wildly. "I don't need to go to a fucking hospital! I'm fine!"

"M'am, please calm down."

"Don't tell me to fucking --"

"Olivia," Holly said firmly, and Olivia stopped as her eyes snapped to her sister. "Please come with me to the hospital."

Then Olivia's face crumpled, and I saw tears pool at her eyes before she squeezed them tightly. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she clenched her fists, and knowing exactly the signs of a panic attack, I immediately moved forward and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

She tried to wiggle away, but my arms only grew tighter.

"Just let them check you and your sister out, okay? She might look fine, but just go with her to make sure there's nothing internal. For you too," I whispered, and finally, I felt her muscles begin to relax. Slowly, I pulled back to look at her, and she reopened her eyes to meet mine. Olivia gave a small nod, and I breathed out an air of relief.

"Can you call Charlotte?" she asked quietly and dropped her gaze. "I wanted to, but she's mad at me and I don't know if she'll--" her voice cracked, and she bit down hard on her lip.

I gently tilted her face up, and a tear slid out of her eye. She quickly wiped it away. "I'll call her and let her know. She might be mad, but she still cares about you, okay? It's Charlotte. She'll be there."

"Okay," she whispered and then stepped away from me to look at her sister. "Oh god, Holly, I'm so sorry."

Holly tried to reassure her with a smile. "I'm okay, Liv. See?" She shook her arms for Olivia to see. "I don't feel any--"

Olivia dropped to her knees and engulfed her sister in a hug. "I'm sorry, Holly. I'm so sorry."

Holly sighed in a soft, sympathetic way that shot a pang through my chest. The way she was comforting her older sister reminded me too much of Noah and how he had to mature too fast growing up. The first few years after I had him were the roughest for me as I had to adjust to being a mother and an adult at the same time, and he had to deal with far more than he was supposed to as a child.

As I watched Olivia and Holly embrace, I began to wonder if Noah would have had a better life if I had stayed in Atlanta. At least then, I would have still had Maeve to help me raise him, but I would have lost Charlotte.

That sudden thought filled me with fear because it reminded me that if Charlotte ever found out the truth, there was a good chance of me losing her forever.

------------------

Charlotte didn't pick up my calls, so I sent her some detailed messages to let her know the gist of what happened and where to find us.

Afterwards, I followed the ambulances to the hospital, and Olivia made me promise to stay with her sister the whole time until their parents got there. Holly ended up being fine, internally and externally. She didn't even seem shaken up as she told me a lot of stories about her and Olivia as I waited with her.

From her, I learned that she and Olivia were half-sisters with the same mother but different fathers. When I asked her what happened to Olivia's dad, she told me she didn't know, but he was someone her family rarely talked about at all. Holly revealed that Olivia had a younger sister, named Lilah, but she had passed away before Holly was born. Her mom would sometimes just stare at the picture they had of Lilah in the house, and she would always look sad for a long time after.

My stomach twisted when she told me that because I couldn't imagine losing Noah. If I ever did, there would be nothing else for me to live for.

Her parents eventually arrived, and it struck me for a second when I saw the similarities between their mom and Olivia. Vanessa, which I learned was her name, clutched onto Holly tightly as she cried while Holly's dad, Paul, thanked me vehemently for staying with her. I told them where Olivia's room was, and I didn't miss how tight Paul's smile grew afterwards. Vanessa didn't even acknowledge the information and continued holding onto Holly, who had begun to frown. I left them to it and went to Olivia's room, which was a few doors down the hallway.

Olivia was sitting on the side of the bed, her feet dangling off of it as she stared blankly at the floor. She immediately looked up when I entered.

"Her par -- I, ah, your parents came, and they're with her now," I told her, and she gave a quick nod before dropping her gaze to the floor again. I stepped further into the room. "Charlotte hasn't called me back yet, but she's probably been stuck in meetings and phone calls. I'll call again in a --"

"Don't bother," she muttered. "She doesn't like hospitals either, so she probably won't come."

I frowned. "She doesn't like hospitals?"

Olivia lifted her head to look at me blankly. "Her mom."

"Oh."

A tinge of guilt pinched my chest when I remembered that Charlotte lost her mom not too long ago, and I hadn't been there for her at all.

Suddenly, the fast click of heels grew closer until it was in the room, and I spun around to see Vanessa stride towards us, her face pulled into a deep frown.

She walked right past me towards Olivia, whose face had twisted in fear.

"Mom, I--"

The slap rang through the room when Vanessa struck her across the face, and I immediately rushed forward and stepped in between them.

"She's hurt! You can't just hit her!" I exclaimed angrily, but Vanessa didn't even budge or look away from Olivia.

She pointed an accusing finger instead. "Were you drunk?"

Olivia's face was still turned to the side, her cheek already turning pink from the slap, but quietly, she answered, "No."

Her mom let out a disbelieved scoff. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"I didn't drink."

"Did you drink last night?"

At that, Olivia stayed quiet, and Vanessa's lips curled.

"I never should have let her go with you," she seethed. "The moment she asked, I should have said no because I just knew something like this was going to happen. You have always been like him. You both just do whatever you want and to hell, with consequences, right? Until it's too late and someone dies!"

Slowly, Olivia turned her head to steadily meet her mom's gaze, but there were fresh tears in them. It began to flow down her cheeks, and she didn't wipe them away this time.

Vanessa looked away from her daughter's tears and huffed out a breath. "I will not lose another one of my child again."

Olivia's fingers curled into the bed sheets as more tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm your daughter too, Mom."

"You're his daughter," she snapped, and Olivia flinched. She looked like she had been struck again, and my heart ached for her. "You have always been more his daughter than you were mine. Even after Lilah --" Vanessa's voice broke, and she backed away and shook her head. "I'm glad that you're okay, but I don't want you around Holly anymore. She's already too attached to you, and if something like this happens again, I don't think I can ever forgive you."

Olivia's chest was moving rapidly again, and I set a hand on her shoulder to help steady her.

"What gives you the right to talk to her like that?" I scolded, and Vanessa looked at me sharply. "You don't even know what happened, and you just come barging in here hitting her when she's injured? What kind of mother --"

"Jess, stop," Olivia said firmly.

"I have every right," Vanessa gritted. "This is a family issue so --"

"Oh, so now she's family?" I scoffed.

Olivia grabbed my hand. "Jess --"

Vanessa took a step towards me, her eyes narrowing. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Oh my god, Liv!"

We all turned in the direction of the door, where Charlotte and, to my surprise, Laura entered. Charlotte made a move to push past Vanessa, who let out a scoff, and pulled a shocked Olivia into a tight embrace. I stepped away to give them space and turned to Laura, who was looking at all of us with an amused expression.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "I was leaving the hospital after lunch with my dad when Charlotte ran in looking like a crazy woman."

Charlotte didn't even protest Laura calling her a crazy woman. She was still hugging Olivia, who had closed her eyes and returned her hug.

Vanessa turned to the door, but Laura immediately stepped in her path.

"You know, most moms, even half-decent ones, would be worried after their daughter was injured in a car accident, but you're leaving her in tears?" Laura clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "If you two didn't look so alike, I wouldn't even believe you were her mom."

"Get out of my way," Vanessa gritted.

Laura lifted a brow. "Oh, by all means, walk around me. I was just giving you my two cents. I like to do that. Jess, tell her."

I rolled my eyes but decided to not feed into the fuel for Olivia's sake. Vanessa stepped around Laura and shot her one final glare before she strode out of the room.

"Hey, don't let the door hit you on the way out! They're new, so they might be a little stiff!" Laura shouted after her. The click of Vanessa's heels faded further away, and Laura turned back to us with a grin and shrug. "Some of them, anyway."

"You shouldn't have done that." Olivia pulled out of Charlotte's hug and wiped her eyes. "She doesn't let things go, and she's the governor."

Both Laura's and my eyes widened.

"Holy shit, that's Vanessa Kline?" Laura laughed and then her face grew even more excited. "Wait, then that makes you Olivia K--"

"Hansen," Olivia finished, her voice tight. "Olivia Hansen."

The room fell quiet again, and Charlotte sat down beside Olivia and wrapped an arm around her.

"My mom is Erica Nielson," Laura said. "No offense, but she hates your mom."

I sighed. "Just because you say no offense doesn't mean it's not offensive, Laura."

But Olivia actually chuckled. "No offense taken."

Charlotte and I looked at her in surprise while Laura grinned.

"So who's Erica Nielson?" Charlotte asked.

Laura gasped dramatically as she slapped a hand over her chest. "You don't know our state senators?"

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Your mom is a senator?"

"Did you not vote in our last election?"

"I was busy!"

"The privilege of rich people, I swear!" Laura exclaimed.

"You come from old money," I coughed, and she shot me a glare.

"Charlotte does too!"

"Actually, her dad is self-made," Olivia corrected.

Laura shifted her glare to Olivia. "Do you not remember when I defended you against your bitch of a mother a minute ago?"

"Laura!" I scolded.

Olivia narrowed her eyes. "I didn't ask you to."

Laura scowled and opened her mouth to retort.

"My mom came from old money," Charlotte blurted out.

The room fell silent as we all looked at her, and I had to bite down on a grin when her cheeks flushed red. It only grew redder as the silence dragged on, and I decided to help shift the attention off of her.

"So I'm the only one with broke parents," I said, and they all turned their gazes to me. "At least I think they were, to give me up the way they did."

My eyes found Charlotte's, which softened, and she stretched a hand out, offering. I immediately took her hand in mine, and it tingled where we made contact. She interlaced our fingers, and smiling, I looked up to see Laura looking at our joined hands. She lifted a questioning brow, and I looked away, only to see Olivia staring at our hands too, her face blank again.

"I want to go home," Olivia stated as she pulled her gaze up to meet Charlotte's.

Who then straightened. "Are they letting you leave?"

"They will," Olivia said firmly. "But that's not what I meant."

Charlotte was scanning the injuries on her face, her brows scrunched together in concern. Those brows relaxed now as understanding filled her expression before she frowned.

"You're in no condition to fly back," she said.

"I'm not staying here any longer."

"Just for a few days until the concussion goes away."

Olivia blew out a shaky breath and forced a smile. "No thanks. If I stay here any longer, I'll end up killing myself."

My gaze found Laura's, who frowned and crossed her arms uncomfortably.

"You can stay with me," Charlotte offered, brushing off Olivia's threat of suicide like it was nothing. For most, I knew it was just an exaggeration.

"I'd rather not," Olivia said but didn't explain why. I didn't notice how close she had leaned into Charlotte until now as she extracted herself and dropped her gaze.

My stomach tightened as I glanced between the both of them. Charlotte's face was still fixed in concern, but Olivia's expression was different. It reminded me of that morning at her hotel when she had that contemplative, soft look on her face after we slept together. Only, this time she didn't look contemplative at all. She looked like she was in pain, and I would have passed it off for her injuries if she didn't glance at our interlaced hands again.

I could feel it starting to click as my mind started to pull together all of our interactions.

"Where do you live?" Laura asked.

"New York," Olivia answered.

She knew who Charlotte and I were to each other, but she didn't tell us. It might have been for fun like she said, but as her eyes flitted back to Charlotte now, I knew that it wasn't.

"I can drive you back tomorrow. My family has a house there, so I'll just stay there for a few days and head back," Laura offered cooly. "Jess and I have a performance tonight with our band, but we can leave first thing in the morning. I have an extra bedroom, so you can stay at my place tonight if you want."

Charlotte frowned. "She just got in a car wreck. She's not ready for a --"

"I'll take it," Olivia interrupted. "The ride and the place for tonight."

"Olivia," Charlotte stressed. "It's only for a few more days, and then I'll even fly with you there."

"Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed and stood. Charlotte looked up at her as her frown deepened. "You have work here, and I won't be driving so I'll be fine. There's nothing left for me here. The sooner I leave, the better."

"You have me," Charlotte said softly.

Olivia glanced over at me, and everything finally clicked. She tried to mask the disheartened look on her face, but I caught it before she turned away. The tightness in my stomach worsened.

"I can't stay here, Charlotte."

Laura stepped in as she droned, "I'll get her there safe."

Charlotte snapped her gaze over to Laura. "Do you even own a car?"

"I own a couple," Laura answered with a smirk, and Charlotte's jaw tightened. "Jess, tell her."

Instead of answering her, I looked over at Olivia. "Are you sure you can't stay?"

The corner of her lips lifted just slightly. "Why? Are you going to miss me?"

I felt Charlotte's hand tightened around mine, but I kept my gaze on Olivia as I answered, "I kinda think I will."

For a brief moment, her face softened before she shook her head and chuckled. "Then I've definitely overstayed my welcome."

Charlotte let go of my hand to stand and embrace Olivia again. Olivia's eyes fluttered close, and she pressed her face deep into Charlotte's hair.

Behind them, Laura wiggled her brows at me and did some weird gestures with her hands while pointing at them.

What, I mouthed.

She mouthed something back, but I couldn't tell what it was.

Then Charlotte and Olivia pulled away, and Laura stopped and smiled at them innocently.

"I'll come see you before you leave tomorrow," Charlotte said.

"You really don't have to."

"I want to."

Olivia smiled genuinely.

Then Charlotte's phone rang, and she gave her an apologetic look before picking up. "Hey, Dad."

I stiffened while Laura's expression darkened, the smile leaving her face. Oblivious, Charlotte quickly left the room with the phone call.

"Thanks for the ride offer," Olivia said to Laura, who pulled her gaze away from me to look at her.

"It's no problem."

"It's like a thirteen hour drive," she warned.

"Good thing I love driving."

"She once drove two days to Las Vegas," I said, and Laura flashed a grin.

"For marriage or the casinos?"

"For Taco Bell," Laura chirped. "There's a location there that sells frozen cocktails, and I wanted to try it."

Olivia gave me an 'are you kidding' look, and I shook my head.

"Was it worth it at least?" she asked.

Grinning, Laura launched into the terrible trip she took to Las Vegas, and I excused myself to go use the restroom.

Charlotte wasn't in the hallway, but I heard her voice when I opened the restroom door.

"-- again. It's unfair to her, and it's not right."

Thinking she was still on the phone with her dad, I began to quietly slip out, but then Vanessa's voice followed right after.

"You've never been a parent, so you don't get to stand here and lecture me about anything." Vanessa's heels clicked closer to the door, and I froze.

But then it stopped when Charlotte spoke again. "You're right. I'm not a parent, but I know what it's like to lose one. She just lost her dad, so the least you could do is be there for her since you're the only one she has left. I know your feelings about him and you are validated for having those feelings, but she's your daughter too. Just because you have another one doesn't mean you can just disregard her."

There was the quick click of Vanessa's heels and remembering what she had done to Olivia, I rounded the corner and rushed in between them. They both looked at me in surprise, but I glared at Vanessa.

"Don't fucking dare think you can hit her too," I warned.

"What?" Charlotte stepped up beside me and scanned my face with a frown. "Did she hit you?"

"No, not me," I answered while not taking my eyes off Vanessa, who glared right back at me.

Charlotte's head whipped around to look at Vanessa. "You hit Liv?!? She has a concussion!"

Vanessa had the nerve to look guilty, but it was only for a brief moment before she masked it with a cool expression and squared her shoulders.

"I let my emotions get the best of me," she said with a shrug. "I thought I lost my daughter."

"Daughters," I corrected, but she didn't deign to look at me this time.

"Stay away from Liv," Charlotte warned.

"You don't get to tell me what to do with my daughter."

"No, but I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of a mother you are," Charlotte threatened, her voice low. I looked at her and was surprised to see the coldness on her face. It was unnerving. "Lay a finger on her again, and you'll never see the inside of your office again."

Vanessa let out a scoff, and she stepped forward. I immediately stepped in between them, but she kept her eyes on Charlotte. "You're a child throwing around empty threats."

"They're not empty."

They remained glaring at each other. My body was tight with tension as I waited for Vanessa to strike, but she never did. She was the first to take a step back, and I watched her warily as her lips stretched into a smile that looked too sharp to be genuine.

"Tell my daughter I wish her a safe flight back," Vanessa said curtly, and then her eyes landed on me with a knowing look that made me uncomfortable. "Jess, was it?"

I gave her a single nod as I forced myself to hold her gaze.

Vanessa's smile stretched wider, and she glanced between us. "Charlotte and Jess. Since we all live in the same town, I'll put this all behind us for the sake of civility."

"I meant what I said," Charlotte gritted.

The smile remained on Vanessa's face, and she didn't say anything else as she glanced over at me one more time before turning around and walking away. I held my breath until I heard the door close, and Charlotte let out a frustrated groan at the same time.

"That woman is pure evil." She began to pace and fidget with her fingers. "I knew she was bad, but to hit her own daughter while she's injured? It's not right!"

I stepped in her path and gently grasped her arms. Charlotte's eyes, wide and wild, snapped up to meet mine.

"You're a badass, you know that right?"

Charlotte huffed out an angry breath. "Why didn't you guys tell me earlier?"

"It wasn't my place to tell you," I said.

She pulled herself away from me. "Why am I always the last one to find out everything? Why didn't Liv call me?"

"She thought you wouldn't pick up because you two had a fight," I answered.

Charlotte frowned. "But I would have. I would have dropped everything and came even if I was still mad at her."

She looked so hurt and disappointed in herself that it shot a pang through me. I took a small step towards her and was relieved when she didn't back away.

"I know you would have," I said softly. "And you did come. You dropped everything and came, and you even told her mom off."

"I could have done more. I could have --" She broke her gaze. "She called you."

Closing the gap between us, I cupped her face in my hands and tilted it up to look at me.

"I see the way Liv looks at you. She likes you a lot," Charlotte whispered.

My body grew still as I took in her words. Charlotte looked completely serious.

God, she really had no idea.

"She can't know," Charlotte continued as I stared at her in stunned silence. "If she finds out what we did last night, she would be devastated."

"Char--"

"It's a good thing we agreed to stop, right?" Her eyes searched mine.

My gut felt like it had been sucker-punched, and I let my hands fall from her face and stepped back.

"Yeah," I muttered. "Good thing."

She exhaled slowly and ran her fingers through her hair. "Good."

I walked over to the sinks to put distance between us as my heart thudded. The temptation to kiss her was still so strong. I would give anything to feel her hands on me and her breath on my skin as she kissed me all over again. I wanted to go back to last night and relive it over and over again as if it was the first time with Charlotte.

"I'm glad we're on the same page," she said, and I met her gaze through the mirror. She offered a small smile.

"Me too," I agreed and forced out a smile even though it didn't feel like we were on the same page at all.

It felt like she was already on that page, and I was still trying to drag myself there.

--------------

Tonight was the beginning of the last weekend before classes at the college town started, so the bar was already packed by the time we got there at seven.

We were the first of three performers for tonight, so we didn't waste any time setting up. Sadie and Alex had already gotten there before us, and they were halfway done with the set up before Laura and I arrived.

Charlotte and I had gone to the towing company to get Olivia's belongings from the car, and we brought it to Laura's apartment, where Olivia was staying for the night. Charlotte tried to convince her to stay at her place instead, and even though Olivia tried to reassure her that it was more practical for her to stay at Laura's since they were leaving together in the morning, I knew that that wasn't the real reason.

Laura seemed to have guessed it too, which she confirmed when she pulled me aside at the bar after we finished setting up, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, "Olivia is in love with Charlotte."

I merely sighed.

"And you two fucked, didn't you?"

"Yes." I rolled my eyes. "Olivia and I --"

"No, you and Charlotte." Her eyes glimmered while I froze. "Something happened. I can feel it."

I turned away. "Nothing happened."

"Oh my god, it did!" she exclaimed, and I spun back to her as her eyes sought out the girls. "I gotta go tell --"

"You will tell no one!" I whispered-yelled, and her eyes flicked back to me with a grin. "She doesn't want to continue it, and I don't either so it's done. If she finds out I told you, she'll be really angry, and an angry Charlotte is not fun to deal with."

"You told me nothing. You two were just so obvious," she cackled.

"Laura, I'm serious."

"Fine." She huffed out a dramatic breath, but the teasing grin remained on her face. "But I don't believe that either of you want it to stop."

"It doesn't matter," I said even though the tightness in my chest said otherwise. "She and I are friends, and with Olivia having feelings for Charlotte, it's too complicated. Charlotte thinks Olivia likes me and doesn't want to hurt her."

"But what do you want, Jess?" Laura's grin faded into seriousness, and she stepped towards me. "You've always done what others want, even when it came to me, but what do you want?"

I much preferred it when she was teasing me. She was asking a tough question, one that immediately sprung Charlotte to my mind, but she couldn't be what I wanted because I couldn't have her.

At least not in the way that I really wanted.

"I want our performance to go well tonight," I answered, and she rolled her eyes. I knew she didn't believe me, but I continued anyway. "I want Noah to be back at home, and I want Charlotte as my friend. Nothing more."

"You're a lost cause, Silva."

I shrugged.

Laura didn't push the issue any further, and we regrouped with the girls to talk through the performance. The crowd had gotten larger, and just a few minutes before we were about to start, I saw Charlotte enter. My heart gave a little stutter, and I hated that she had that much of an effect on me. It only made it harder to forget about last night and even harder to stop wishing for more.

Her eyes met mine, and her lips stretched into a smile. She gave a little wave, and I felt myself do the same.

"Kiss me during 'Talk'" Laura whispered into my ear, and I pulled my gaze away from Charlotte to look at her. She leaned back, grinning as her eyes shone with mischief.

"What?" I exclaimed, and my eyes darted back to Charlotte, who had moved to the bar and ordered a drink.

Laura grasped my face and turned me back to face her. "Kiss me during the bridge."

"Why?"

"Why not? We've done it before. It rouses up the crowd, and we have a bunch of horny college students here tonight. You said you wanted a good performance, so lets give one."

"But I..." My thoughts trailed back to Charlotte, and I resisted the urge to look at her again.

Laura lifted a challenging brow, and as her eyes glanced behind me towards the bar, I knew what she was trying to do.

"Fine," I said and brushed her hands away. "I'll do the freaking kiss."

"Fantastic," she sang and skipped back to the girls.

I forced myself to not sought out Charlotte immediately even though I wanted to get another glimpse of her smile again. I had to prove Laura wrong.

Then, after the performance, I was going to get drunk and find someone tonight to get over Charlotte.

The plan solidified as I picked up my guitar and returned my gaze to the crowd. I scanned the many faces slowly before I finally let my eyes settle on the one I wanted to look at. She was already staring at me, drink in her hands, and the grin on her face was otherworldly. She gave me a thumbs-up.

"You ready, Jess?" Sadie called out.

I raised a thumb, and heard the click of drumsticks. I finally forced my gaze away from Charlotte's and stepped up to the mic.

Everything became a blur after that. The thrill of performing slid through me, and I let it take away everything I had been worrying about. I danced across the stage, and not even long into our set, my body was drenched in sweat, but it was everything. Adrenaline coursed through my veins in the way that being on stage always did for me, and as I looked at the girls, I knew it was the same for them too.

When 'Talk' came on, we flew through the song so smoothly that I almost forgot what Laura and I had planned on doing. Halfway through the bridge, she spun towards me, and through my haze, I finally remembered. I grabbed Laura by the front of her shirt, pulled her in, and planted a firm kiss against her lips. I heard the crowd grow louder, and Laura stopped strumming to grab my hips and pull me closer.

Then as the bridge fell away to the last verse, Laura pulled away with a smirk and gave me a playful wink. Laughing, I shoved her lightly and jumped back into the verse.

After we finished with the second to last song of our set, we called for a short break, and I hopped off the stage to head to the restroom. Just as I stepped off, a tall woman, black hair and brown eyes, gently grasped my arm, and I turned to her, surprised.

"You were great up there!" she shouted through the noise.

"Thanks!"

"Is it okay if I buy you a drink after?" she asked with a flirty grin.

Suddenly, Charlotte filled my mind again, and I couldn't stop myself from glancing around the crowd, searching for her, but without the high platform, I couldn't see much of anything.

But I wasn't even supposed to be thinking about her. That wasn't in the plan tonight at all, and as my eyes returned to the woman, I felt myself nod. Her grin widened, and she let go of my arm.

"I'll wait for you at the bar," she said.

I nodded again before leaving for the bathroom.

My white shirt was almost completely soaked from sweat, and my hair was plastered to my skin. I splashed water on my face and neck, and I heard the door squeak open. I looked up in the mirror and stopped when I saw Charlotte step in.

Sweat glistened on her skin and strands of her hair fell loosely around her face, which was flushed pink from the heat. Maybe it was the low lights in the bathroom, but her pink lipstick looked several shades brighter, almost red.

Standing so close to her now, my heart started to beat faster again, and I forgot why I couldn't just kiss her right now.

Dangerous, Silva. Those were dangerous thoughts.

In the mirror, I saw her step towards me, and I finally shut off the water and turned around.

Friends. We were just friends, I reminded myself.

My lips tugged into a grin. "Hey, did you like the --"

She closed the gap between us in just two strides and pulled my lips down to meet hers.

Energy zipped through my body the moment I felt her soft lips again, and Charlotte wasn't hesitant nor gentle this time. In just a manner of seconds, she pushed me against the counter, and I slid on top of it without breaking contact for her to step in between my legs.

"Char--" A groan broke through my lips when her hands slid around my body, slipping under my shirt and grasping my hips.

My skin was searing with heat.

Charlotte didn't slow down at all. I felt her teeth graze the corner of my mouth before she took my bottom lip between them and tugged.

"Fuck," I exhaled when she let go, and then her lips were pressed firmly against mine again. Wanting to take back some semblance of control, I wrapped my legs around her waist and pulled her closer as my tongue pushed past her lips.

It was so easy to get lost in this, to get lost in her. The taste of her lips, sweet and bitter from the cocktails, were enticing, and the way her tongue, soft and warm, slid along mine so perfectly was both assertive and teasing.

Her lips moved down, away from mine, to press a kiss against my jaw. I tried chasing it, but then she slid one hand down to grip my thigh, sending an aching throb between my legs. My head fell back with a groan, and then her lips were descending further, kissing and sucking.

There was a sudden cheer from outside the bathroom, and I suddenly remembered that our set wasn't over and was technically on break.

"Charlotte, I have to get back," I said even though I didn't want to leave. Her teeth nipped my skin as she sucked on the side of my neck, and I almost said fuck the performance.

But then she pulled away and stepped back, and as my eyes fluttered open again, I inhaled sharply. Charlotte's lips were swollen, and her lipstick was smeared around the corners of her mouth. Not only that, but her shirt, usually so perfectly ironed, was wrinkled and loose from me pulling at it. She looked so disheveled, so utterly mishandled.

And there was the hunger in her eyes, the green and gold darkened and her pupils blown, as they roamed my face and neck like she wanted to go in for seconds. I gripped the edge of the counter as my stomach fluttered and tightened, and in my daze, I could have sworn her lips tugged into a smirk, but it was gone as if I imagined it.

"You have a performance to finish," she said, her voice low and raw.

I almost reached for her again, but then she turned around and walked out of the restroom before I could blink. For a while, I just stared at the door in shock and complete disbelief. Then it swung open, and I was off the counter in a flash, only to be disappointed when Sadie stepped inside.

Her eyes widened. "Holy shit, what happened to you?"

"We have a performance to finish," I muttered and pushed past her. As I made my way back to the stage, I looked through the crowd, searching for Charlotte, but there was too many people.

Sadie's voice was close behind me as she followed. "Wait, Jess, don't you think you should--"

"Not now, Sadie," I breathed out and quickened my steps.

We climbed back onto the stage, and on the higher platform, I scanned the crowd. It didn't take long before I found her again. Relief instantly flooded me.

Charlotte was still here, and she was staring straight at me.

"And here I thought you were taking a dump. Seems like 'Miss I Wanna Be Friends' changed her mind," Laura snickered in my ear, and I forced my eyes away from Charlotte to look at her.

"What?"

Laura grinned. "She staked her claim on you, Jess. No one's gonna dare come up to you tonight."

"What are you talking about?" I asked with a tinge of annoyance and finally noticed other gazes on me and turned to see the other girls sharing the same grins as Laura's.

Alex pulled out her phone, pulled up the camera, and then turned the screen towards me. I saw my eyes widen in the reflection.

"I tried to warn you," Sadie chuckled.

Marks. Charlotte's lipstick, faintly in the shape of her lips, imprinted my mouth and neck like marks. Then there was the small bruise on the side of my neck, where I had felt her suck on the skin with her teeth.

My eyes snapped back to the crowd, back to Charlotte, who wasn't hiding the smirk now as she took a sip from her drink. Her eyes glimmered mischievously, and I remembered the way they ran over my face and skin earlier, as if she was satisfied by what she had done.

A thrill shot through my body.

Laura slung her arms around my shoulder, laughing. "You've been claimed, Silva." She didn't let go even as Charlotte's eyes narrowed. My heart hammered.

Charlotte tilted her head, and I caught the challenge in her gaze, as if she was asking, you wanna do this?

Pulling away from Laura, I took my guitar from Alex's hand, and my gaze never strayed from Charlotte's as I started to grin.

She leaned back, a satisfied smirk sliding across her face again, and I knew she read my message loud and clear.

Yeah, Princess, we're really fucking doing this.

---------------

The moment I turned the corner, the door to my left popped open. A warm hand yanked me into the supply closet before pushing me against the door, clicking it shut.

Charlotte's lips were instantly on mine again, and this time, I was more prepared for her. My hand slid down her thigh, grasped it, and I spun us around to pin her against the door. A sharp gasp escaped her lips, which broke away from mine in shock, but I was quick to close the gap again and sucked her bottom lip between mine.

Her hands were moving everywhere on my body. She pulled at my shirt, balling the material between her fingers and twisting with need. Then she grasped my arm, her nails digging into my skin.

But before we could get carried away, I remembered what I wanted to settle with her before things got too heated, and I grasped her hands and pinned them to the door beside her head. It was hard to pull away, even more so when Charlotte tried to chase my lips for more. Still, I held my resolve, and her eyes fluttered open.

I swallowed as my eyes searched her confused ones. "I thought you didn't want to do this because of our friendship."

"Are we really having this discussion now?" she groaned, her body writhing against mine with need.

I wanted to smile from the desperation in her voice, but I refrained because we needed to have the conversation now. I didn't want a repeat of this morning. The pain was still too fresh. If she was going to continue having doubts, then I wanted to end this now before any more feelings were hurt, especially mine.

"Charlotte, I need us to be on the same page about this," I said firmly. "Our friendship comes first, remember?"

Her head fell back against the door, but she stopped squirming at least and blew out a sigh. "I felt like I took advantage of you."

I blinked. "I -- uh, what?"

"You bought me coffee and changed my lightbulb."

I was still so confused. "I told you, I would do that for --"

"And you made me orgasm twice!"

I had to bite down on a smile at the memory of that because she still looked so conflicted. Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and exhaled sharply.

"What's the problem, Charlotte?" I asked gently.

"The problem," she began through gritted teeth, "is that I am no different than Olivia. I didn't even get to make you cum yesterday, and I know that it was your choice, but that's the problem. You are such a giving person, and people like Olivia and I, all we do is take and take without thinking. Then you were gone in the morning, and all of that just hit." She blew out another breath, this time more subdued and dejected. "But then you came back, giving me more than I deserved, and I just... I freaked."

Silence filled the closet as I stared at her tightened face. My stomach felt weightless and fluttery, and my heart was pounding so fast that I felt like she could hear it.

The problem wasn't that she was afraid of ruining our friendship. The problem was that she was afraid of being like Olivia without knowing that she and Olivia were so fucking different, it was ridiculous she would think otherwise.

Charlotte tried to end this thing between us because she was afraid that she was using me. Even though she enjoyed sex with me last night, she ended it because she cared about me.

God, she was perfect even though she was so infuriating sometimes.

"You think you don't give?" I said, and she hesitantly opened her eyes again. I smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips before pulling back to continue. "You checked up on Noah and I when I was sick and stayed over to make sure I would be fine. You bring milkshakes and buy him pencils for school. You look after Noah for me when I bring him into work. You help me make dinner even though you don't know your way around a kitchen to save your life." At that, I got a small smile out of her, and warmth filled my chest. "I can go on and on about how giving and caring you are. Olivia doesn't hold a candle to you, Charlotte. Not even a fraction. Not even close."

She was staring at me, the smile faded and replaced with a contemplative look. "I thought... I don't know. I thought you liked Liv, and I know that she likes you. I didn't want to be selfish, but you just -- I can't stop thinking about last night."

I let out a long sigh. "I can't stop thinking about last night either. I don't have feelings for Olivia. Honestly, Charlotte, I think she might --"

Charlotte surged forward to kiss me again. Taken aback, my grip on her wrists loosened, and she pushed my hands aside to cup my face and deepen the kiss.

The way she kissed me, her tongue sliding against mine slowly but firmly while her lips sucked mine gently, made my legs grow weak. I pressed myself against her, and groaned quietly when I felt a tingling jolt shoot down my legs.

"I want you so much," I murmured against her mouth. Charlotte's fingers trailed down to my waistband, and remembering her words and what she wanted, I grasped her hand and guided it into my pants.

The moment I felt her fingers, warm and soft, touch my dripping folds, I almost came undone right then and there. It took every bit of resolve for me to hold it back, and I buried my face into her neck, clenching down on my jaw as she rubbed me gently.

"You're so wet," Charlotte marveled, and god, the surprised wonder in her voice, along with my pent up need since last night and her fingers stroking me now, sent me over the edge.

That light, fluttery feeling exploded through my sex, and I felt it flow out onto Charlotte's fingers, which were still stroking me. I moaned and panted against her neck as my body trembled.

When I finally began to calm, she pulled back, and my eyes peeled open again to meet wide, hazel ones blinking at me in awe. I felt myself throb against her fingers again.

Then she slowly smiled. "Did you just--"

I swallowed the rest of her words with my lips, and she quickly recovered to kiss me back.

"You turn me on so much," I murmured.

I felt her lips lift into a grin against mine. I pulled her hand out of my pants and then drew her thigh up to my hips.

"And as much as I want you to make me cum again..." My lips hovered over hers and teasingly held back when she tried to lean in for more. She let out a huff. "I really want to fuck you so hard that you'll barely be able to walk out of this closet."

She let out a sharp exhale, alarm flashing across her eyes as if she remembered that we were in the bar's supply closet, where any of the employees could walk in at any moment.

The walls were pounding from the second group's performance. Noise wasn't a concern at least because I intended to make Charlotte scream again.

My lips fell on hers, and she instantly relaxed into the kiss, fear giving away to lust. Charlotte hooked her leg across my ass and slipped her arms around my back. I slid my knee upwards, hiking up her skirt, and pressed it against her crotch, which to my pleasure, was already warm and damp.

She broke her lips away and whimpered as her nails scratched down the back of my shirt.

"You're fucking soaked," I chuckled.

"I'm wet for you," she shot back. Her eyes snapped open, glinting, as her lips lifted into a coy smile.

That damn smile.

I slid my knee away just enough to slip my hand down between us and pulled her panties down. She let out a gasp, her head falling back against the door when I slid my fingers across her throbbing sex, feeling but not quite giving what I knew she wanted.

"Jess." I heard her swallow. "Please."

"Please what, Princess?" I prodded her slit apart just slightly.

"You know," she seethed.

"Do I?" I grazed her clit with my finger, and she jerked against me.

"Fuck me," Charlotte gasped. The vulgar words sounded so filthy and strange coming from her, but that was what made it so sexy and satisfying. "I want you to fuck me with your --"

I slid two fingers inside of her, and the rest of her words were replaced with a loud groan.

"Such a good princess," I whispered against her ear and felt her shudder. "Tell me what else you want."

"I want you to kiss me."

"Mhmm." My mouth slid away from her ear to reclaim her lips. Her tongue slid out to meet mine, and I sucked on it gently while my fingers continued to dip in and out of her.

Charlotte's tongue faltered before she pulled away from the kiss, and her heavy breaths fanned my face. I opened my eyes again to see her staring at me, her gaze firm and filled with need.

"I want you to suck on my neck," she panted.

"Yeah?"

She quickly nodded and leaned her head back to expose her neck. I dipped my head down and planted my mouth on the underside of her jaw. The vein on her neck pulsed against my lips, and I gently sucked on her soft skin with my teeth and tongue.

Charlotte's fingers slid into my hair, tugging it loose as her breathy moans filled my ears.

"Jess," she gasped, and the soft reverence in her voice made me pull back to look at her. Still, I continued to finger her, relishing the way her body squeezed my fingers so tightly. Charlotte's eyes fluttered open again, and I immediately read the desperate plea in them.

If it was anyone else, I might have dragged it out. I might have withdrew my fingers and held it against her clit for a moment before dipping them back in. I might have prolonged her orgasm until she begged and then screamed my name when I finally gave her what she wanted.

But this wasn't just anyone. This was Charlotte, and from the way that her walls were pulsing faster, I knew she was growing closer to climax. And because this was Charlotte, I would give her everything she wanted, and right now, she wanted to cum on my fingers.

I pressed my fingers upwards to slide against her clit, and her eyes fell shut as she thrusted against my hand with need. I kept stroking and pressing at the same pace. Her breaths grew heavier, and her hands slid up under my shirt and clutched onto my body for support. I leaned forward and kissed and sucked on the skin below her ear.

She exhaled my name with a soft whimper as her body tightened up, and I felt her nails dig into my back and drag. A sharp gasp fell through my lips when pain laced through my skin, but Charlotte continued to scratch her fingers down my back until she began to jerk. Her fingers dug in deeper and stilled as she cried out in pleasure while cumming on my fingers. As much as I wanted to keep hearing her blissful screams, I pressed my lips against hers to distract myself from the pain, and she returned the kiss eagerly.

When her body finally calmed down to a slow grind against my hand, I withdrew my fingers, and she sighed contently into my mouth. Our kiss gentled until I pulled away and lowered her leg back down to the ground.

"Hey there," I whispered when her eyes opened again to meet mine.

"Hey," she rasped, and I couldn't help but grin. To my relief, she returned a soft one. "I think you stole my voice."

"That good, huh?"

She rolled her eyes, but her grin remained.

"That and yesterday were just the tip of the iceberg, Princess." Bringing my fingers up, the ones that had been deep inside of her, I sucked them into my mouth, and her eyes widened. Sweet and tangy. "There's so much more I want to do with you."

Charlotte blinked and let the surprise rolled away. "With no strings attached, of course."

My stomach plummeted.

"Of course." I leaned in to kiss her before she could see the disappointment on my face. Then a thought crossed my mind, and I pulled back again to gesture to the marks on my neck. "But you staked your claim on me."

Her cheeks flushed, and she scowled. "How else would I get you to myself?"

"Who says I'm exclusively yours?" I teased.

Annoyance flashed across her face. "I don't like sharing."

"I thought it was no strings attached, Charlotte." I made it a point to enunciate her name slowly.

Her eyes darkened, which shot a thrill through me. "Jess."

I smiled genuinely, then, and leaned in to press a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'm only messing with you, Princess. I'm all yours until we're done."

Finally, her face relaxed, and she allowed herself a small smile. "After that, I don't know if I'll ever be done with you."

A little thrown off by her mood switch, I raised a brow. "You can be a little scary sometimes, you know that?"

She blinked innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

I didn't let myself linger too much on her words moments ago or the possibility of what it might mean. Because Charlotte didn't want strings, and I didn't want to ruin this good thing. Hope can be devastating when broken, so I didn't let myself feel it.

Then Charlotte's lips fell on mine again, and I let those thoughts and her words drift away for good.