Page 99 of Always You

Confusing as fuck.

34

The weird feeling in my stomach says this was a bad idea, but I do my best to push it out of the way.

It’s ten p.m. when we walk into the VIP area of Le Chic, the newest club in town. It’s weird how easily doors open now that I’m the newest addition of AFA fighters. Ever since we’ve arrived, Jason and I don’t have to wait in any queue, even though we’re not twenty-one yet, and tonight is no exception.

I wait for Charlotte as she follows us, placing my hand on the small of her back, guiding her up onto the balcony that oversees the entire club. It’s everything you’d imagine when you think about LA and a new club. The furniture is a luxurious black leather, with crystal elements that make it look fancy and expensive. A huge ass chandelier is hanging in the middle of the club, illuminating the floor with a disco light that’s hooked up with a massive ornament.

I look at Charlotte, who has been gawking at everything she sees the entire day, and now is not any different. She’s wearing a little black dress, with some black motorcycle booties that make her the rebel I know she can be. She doesn’t fit in with the rest of the girls in the club, in their designer dresses and high heels, but she looks gorgeous. If anything, it makes me like her even more. Her dark blonde wavy hair falls perfectly over her shoulders, and I softly tug it to get her attention.

“What are you drinking, babe?”

“Water.”

My eyes widen, shooting her an incredulous look.

“What?”

“You’re at a club in LA, even though you’re too young, and you’re gonna drink water?”

“Since when do you drink?”

I can’t unseen the disapproval in her eyes. “Just alittlemore since I moved here. No biggie.”

Her candy pink lips purse with a deep frown. “Do you remember what happened the last time you got drunk when I was around?”

How the fuck can I forget? It took me a week to believe she actually forgave me. Though watching her green eyes flare up a bit has me wondering if that’s really the case.

I push a strand of her silky hair behind her ear, bringing my lips close to her neck so I have an excuse to breathe in her sweet scent. “I’m not saying get drunk. I’m saying have a drink. Relax.”

The sigh that follows is deep, and I narrow my eyes at her, wondering what is going on in that pretty little head of hers.

“Maybe later, okay?” she offers, and I shrug my shoulders, then continue ordering her water. It takes a minute for the server to come back with our drinks, and we all stand next to each other, roaming the club from the balcony.

“So, this is what you two have been up to this entire summer?” Charlotte looks up at me with a smile, but there’s disappointment in her eyes.

Fucking hell. I was trying to avoid this look by taking her to a club instead of hanging out with her back at the house. There’s nothing more I want right now than to pull her on my lap, with her settling her head in the crook of my neck, watching some stupid movie. But the thought of having her in my arms only makes me want more, and I know that will confuse everything for her. Hell, it will confuse everything forme.We’re not together.We’re friends. We made that very clear when I left. The more we keep pushing those boundaries, the more our friendship will be destroyed. I just know it. So, I took the safe route and brought her to a party instead. That way, I won’t be tempted to touch her every chance I get.

“Pretty much,” I admit with a shrug as the server hands us our drinks.

The three of us take a seat on the leather couch, with Charlotte sitting in the middle, as Jason and I have both our arms spread out over the back.

“Have you ever been to California, Charlotte?” Jason takes a sip from his drink, offering her a questioning look.

She shakes her head, giving a quick glance my way.

“Do you like it so far?”

“It’s different,” she responds with an unimpressed look.

I cock my head a little, looking at her while my hand softly strokes her hair. she’s floating on a cloud of uncertainty and it’s tugging on my heart more than I want.

“You okay?” I ask.

She brings her attention back to me, sucking in a deep breath, plastering a big smile on her face. “Yeah, I’m great!”

I’m not buying that.

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