Page 132 of The Charlie Method

“What does me going down on her in a closet have to do with that? We both know Charlie’s not the type to be pressured into anything. But just say no if you’re worried.”

He won’t say no. Because he’s as drawn to her as I am. Charlie is a beautiful mystery. Everything about her makes me want to dig as deep as I can. To crawl inside her. Make her smile. Hear her laugh.

I haven’t felt that urge since high school.

I push the thought aside. Fuck’s sake. I’m not looking to fall in love with Charlotte Kingston. I want to sleep with her again. Maybe get to know her some more. Nothing beyond that.

My phone buzzes in my hand. It’s the message Will just sent to Charlie.

LARSEN:

We’ll be home in about 30. Coming from the arena.

CHARLIE:

Okay. I’ll be there in an hour.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

BECKETT

The stats don’t lie

AT HOME, IGRAB ATUPPERWARE OF LEFTOVER LASAGNA THATWILLmade last night and nuke it in the microwave. It’s probably not wise to carbo-load right before a potential sex date, but I’m not taking it for granted that Charlie changed her mind about anything. And I’m famished.

“I’m gonna go take a real shower,” Will says after we’ve devoured all the leftovers. “St. Anthony’s water pressure is dogshit. I think I still have shampoo in my hair.”

A shower doesn’t sound like a bad idea. And it might be prudent to get some manscaping going.

Just in case.

We disappear into our respective bedrooms, reconvening downstairs a half hour later, where I grab some beers while Will puts on a movie from the Timeline franchise.

“Yo, did you see there’s a new one coming out next year?” he calls toward the kitchen.

“What? No way.” I return with two tall cans of IPA, handing him one.

“Literally just saw it on my feed.” He holds up his phone as proof.

“Is Lykander coming back?” I demand.

Bobby Lykander is the actor who’s starred in all four of the Timeline movies, but the last one ended in his tragic death. At the hand of his younger self. Fucking devastating.

Will glances at his screen, scrolling. “He’s on the cast list, but we don’t know if it’ll be flashbacks or if this means Qualls survived.”

“He totally survived. Or at the very least, he went even further back in time to make sure he didn’t die. Obviously.”

“Obviously.”

The doorbell rings. We exchange a look.

“I’ll let her in,” I say, then wander toward the front hall.

I open the front door to find Charlie on the stoop.

My jaw drops. “What are you wearing?”

She looks confused. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? It’s just leggings and a sweatshirt.”

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