Page 10 of The Lair

My dark eyes stare back at me as I thoroughly apply the dye, and I make a mental note to add a few more boxes to my grocery list later. I don’t want to run out just in case there’s an emergency.

Right, because my social and/or romantic life is so intense.

I snort at my own thoughts as I cover the last few strands with the foul-smelling chemical. My hair brushes my shoulders, which is the shortest I’ve ever worn it. Paired with the wispy bangs I never thought would suit me, but I’ve grown to love, I don’t look like the Allie from six years ago. At all.

That was the goal all along.

My phone pings with a notification, and I frown. Jada is working right now, and I rarely get texts from anyone else. Other than the group chat we have for The Lair—which Charlie spams, and Travis never participates in—my phone has been quiet all day.

Speak of the devil.

Charlie

Allie Cat!!!!!!

I try not to smile and fail. It’s not the first time he’s texted me privately, and it’s always for the same reason.

Charlie

My friends and I are going to a bonfire party after work on Friday. Wanna tag along?

You only have one option btw.

And it is to say yes.

Once my hair is done, I take off my disposable gloves, rinse my hands in the sink for good measure, and grab my phone from where I set it earlier on the toilet. And then I stare at Charlie’s texts and wait for the guilt to make itself at home like it always does.

I tried to fight it since that first day he introduced himself at The Lair with his contagious smile and kind eyes, but I can’t deny it anymore—Charlie is my friend.

A friendship that shouldn’t have happened, but then he went and made a point to include me in every single one of his plans with his friend group, claiming that, “You spend too much time on your own, Allie Cat. That can’t be good for the soul. You’re more than welcome to hang out with us.”

At some point, he got so insistent, I asked him if he was flirting or if he liked me orsomething. I have zero experience with men, but that’s what they do when they’re interested in someone, right? They pester them to death.

But he only laughed and said, “You’re beautiful, but I only like you as a friend. Please tell me I didn’t just break your heart.”

Charlie is like an annoying younger brother to me, which makes it worse when I always text him the same thing.

Me

I’m not sure.

I know I’m not going, and he knows I’m not going, but we both want to pretend otherwise.

Charlie

Only for an hour? Pretty please?

I’m typing that no, I don’t think I’ll make it, when he texts again.

Charlie

I’ll bring carrot cake.

That makes me reconsider. Narrowing my eyes at the screen as if he could see the suspicion in them, I text back.

Me

To a bonfire party?

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