Page 181 of The Charlie Method

She looks between Mitch and me, clearly unsure who to believe. “This isn’t the time for drama,” she finally says. “We have standards here, and I don’t want rumors like this affecting our sorority’s reputation.”

I want to scream. “It’s not a rumor. He’s lying.”

“Am I?” Mitch chimes in, his smirk growing wider. His friends laugh again, egging him on.

I can’t even look at Will, afraid of what I’ll see in his expression. Murder, most likely. Mitch and his frat bros are chortling as Agatha huffs away, and it takes all my willpower to hold it together.

“Let’s get out of here,” I tell Will, gripping his hand so tight I fear I might break it.

Faith falls in step with us, forcing me to a stop when we’re a good distance away. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I just want to leave.” I lean in to give her a quick hug. “Thanks for having my back.”

“Always.”

“I know I’m supposed to stay and help with cleanup, but—”

“Go,” she orders. “I’ll deal with Agatha and the execs.”

“Thank you.” I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like Faith.

As Will and I walk out of the ballroom, I feel the stares of Mitch and his Delta Tau crew burning into my back. My chest is tight with embarrassment. Will’s hand is steady around mine, but even his touch can’t calm the storm inside me.

We give our tickets to the coat check girl, collect our jackets, and then head toward the lobby, where Will says, “Do you mind if I hit the head before we go?”

“No problem. I’ll meet you out front.”

I exit the hotel through the glass sliding doors in the lobby and step onto the wide sidewalk, the winter air hitting my face like a slap. It feels good, though. The chill. It opens up my lungs, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.

I lean against the brick exterior, staring out onto the well-lit street, trying to collect myself.

But the quiet doesn’t last long.

“Thought you could just walk away from that, huh?”

I stiffen at the sound of Mitch’s voice. I turn to see him stepping outside, a nasty grin plastered across his face. My stomach twists. I don’t want to do this again. Not now. Not ever.

“Go away,” I mutter.

He comes closer. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle people knowing the truth about you?”

“I said leave me alone.”

“Or what?” His voice drops to a venomous note. “You’re really something, you know that? Acting all high and mighty, pretending to be so perfect. But you’re just a slut, Charlotte. You think banging two guys makes you special? It just makes you pathetic.”

I clench my fists. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know enough. You were never good enough for me, and you’re not good enough for these hockey players either. They’ll figure it out soon enough.”

The words cut deep, even though I know they shouldn’t. I open my mouth to retort, but before I can say anything, Will appears behind us, his eyes blazing with fury.

“What thefuckdid you just say to her?”

Mitch’s smirk wavers for a moment, but he recovers quickly. “Oh, look, the knight in shining armor. What, you here to defend your little toy? Doesn’t it bother you she’s screwing your buddy behind your back?”

Will doesn’t hesitate. He’s on Mitch in an instant, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall. “Shut the fuck up already.”

Mitch laughs. “You gonna hit me, tough guy? Go ahead. See how that looks.”

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