Page 56 of Spiteful Lies

I grimace. “I don’t want your used sex toys.”

We laugh as we carry her suitcase down the stairs. Actually, I’m carrying it, and she’s guiding. “Tell Charlotte Merry Christmas from me. Okay?”

“I will, and I’m sure she’ll wish you the same.” I wave as she rolls her bag down the path. “Bye, Roni. Safe trip.”

She waves as Terri appears and wraps her up in the biggest hug. He waves bye to me and takes her bag. They disappear hand in hand. Slowly, my smile melts off my face. Things are so much simpler in their world. I hope it stays that way.

I hurry back upstairs to my room and start to pack a few clothes for tomorrow. I don’t need much. Most of my Weymouth clothes are still at Mom’s house, so my wardrobe is set. My makeup bag is packed, and I look down at my polished nails. I was surprised when Wren suggested it, and she smirked when my eyes popped.

“You took some getting used to, but you’re okay,” she says.

I smirk. “I like you better now that I know you’re not purer than snow covering the lawn.”

She picked out a pretty lavender color that shimmers when I flex my wrist. I touch my tongue to my lips and taste the gloss stuck to my lips. Instantly, my thoughts are consumed by the boys. What would they say if they saw me dolled up like one of the other girls? Wyatt with his taut muscles, Bryce with his model good looks, Justin with his gentle hands, and Pierce with that sassy mouth. And good God, that tongue.

The outside door swings open, and I stare at Charlotte as if she’s caught me with my hands in my pants. She’s lugging a suitcase out of the basement.

“What are you blushing about?” She looks around. “Did I interrupt something?”

I scoff. “No. Roni wishes you a merry Christmas, and I told her that you wished her the same.”

Charlotte shrugs her shoulders as she pulls the suitcase into the dorm. “I do, but I’m glad I wasn’t around to receive the message. Nothing against her. But I have to start packing.”

There’s no point in telling Charlotte that Terri proposed to Roni. I don’t think she thinks of him much. He wasn’t the one that got away. He’s the one she let go.

“Can I help?” I ask, taking the bag from her hand and carrying it up the flight of stairs. She nods, and we take off down the hall to her room.

“How did you fit all this stuff in here?” I stare at a full set of LV luggage in the center of the room. “Where did you even store it?”

She shrugs. “In the basement. Could you hand me my purse?” She slides her room key off the keyring and tosses it at me. “Do me a favor? The movers are coming later to pick up the couch and take it to storage.”

“On Christmas Eve? That’s going to cost a lot.”

“Rawlins is paying for it.”

“She’s paying for something?” I ask.

Charlotte frowns. “If she makes an exception for me, then she’ll always have to make an exception. Her hands are tied.”

I nod. “I wish you would take the scholarship. You’re as stubborn as Mom. She’s staying in that apartment. She insists it’s my money.”

“It is,” replies Charlotte, “And right now, you don’t have a lot. I’ll find my own way. This is my life, so I better get used to it now. Astrid, you’ve done a lot for me. It’s okay if you let this one thing go.”

“Are you going to talk to a lawyer?” I ask hopefully

She shakes her head. “The will is ironclad. If I receive even a dollar from the estate, you will lose your inheritance.”

“How will Howland know?”

“I wouldn’t try him, and we won’t. I’m grateful for what you’ve done. I really thank you for it.”

“I thank you too. If the situation had been reversed and you were at Monarch, I know I wouldn’t have been so kind.”

Charlotte shudders. “Don’t be ridiculous. You would’ve liked me eventually.”

“After today, I’ll let this topic drop…”

“No, you won’t.”

---