Page 114 of Never Kiss and Tell

My gut sinks.

I try to listen to the rest of the meeting, but my mind races, replaying every bad scenario over and over again until I think Imight scream. I tell myself to trust him and furthermore, that we aren’t anything official. I’m not supposed to feel these things about him. I’msupposedto not care.

I care, though. More than I can say.

A couple minutes after Charlie left, our meeting wraps up. There’s still no sign of him and I debate on looking for him. Andi leaves to go home to Tom and I circle up to the window beside Lionel.

“Where did Charlie go?”

He pauses for a second, before continuing to cut the chicken he’s working with.

“He went out back with that little girl.”

I bite my lip as anxiety swells inside me.

Sighing heavily, Lionel sets his knife down on the cutting board. “I’ve seen her before. She hung around about a year ago. Even tried to get a job here, but Pops wouldn’t hire her.”

I lean back against the counter, clutching my back to me.

“Staring at that door ain’t going to make it any easier, baby girl.”

I look up at him and he nods toward the back door.

Determination spreads through me and I march toward the door, flinging it open to the empty courtyard. Empty until Charlie walks around the corner from the alley, Bianca in tow. He stills when we lock eyes, but I see the mark of pink lipstick on his cheek.

Pink lipstick that perfectly matches Bianca’s.

Their clothes are ruffled, slightly askew from what they were earlier.

Bianca smiles sweetly at me and waves, though there’s ablack glint of maliciousness in her eyes.

Charlie winces, taking a step toward me.

My body responds instinctively to his, though I’m feeling anything but turned on at the moment. Hurt crashes through me like a heavy weight, landing on my chest. Absentmindedly, I run my hand over the spot where my locket should be, feeling even more distressed when I remember it isn’t there.

I have to get out of here.

I spin on my heel and hurry toward the back gate, knowing I can’t take the time to say goodbye to anyone. If I do, surely I’ll break down. I can’t do that here. If Charlie knew how much that single moment hurt me, he would know my feelings had surpassed the deal.

“Bailey!” Charlie snaps as I slam the gate behind me. I don’t stop.

In fact, I don’t stop until I’m home where I can successfully break down and cry like a baby. I cut on the shower and take off all my clothes, throwing them in a wad at the wall separating mine and Charlie’s rooms with an angry groan.

Fuck him for making me fall in love with him.

Fuck myself for making this deal with him in first place.

And fuck New Orleans for even existing.

I sink under the hot spray of the water, letting my tears mix on my cheeks. Water pours from the ends of my hair in a steady stream around my face.

God, I’m such an idiot. Why couldn’t I pick someone who wasn’t on New Orleans’ list of hottest players in the city?

Deciding I’m just too sad to stand, I curl my knees up to my chest and rest my chin on my arms.

“Stupid, stupid girl,” I mutter, wiping angrily at the tears.

A loud bang on the door makes me jump, letting out a squeak.

---