Page 87 of Never Kiss and Tell

In a flash, I grab her hand and tug her to me, wiping that smirk off her face when she clambers into my chest, her hand gripping the front of my shirt to steady herself. I lower my face down, hovering my lips inches from hers. Her breathing grows uneven and her tongue darts out to lick her lips.

I’ll make her regret keeping her mouth from me, even if I have to play dirty.

Bailey inches closer, like she’s going to kiss me and just before she does, I pull back, releasing her.

Her chest heaves a heavy sigh and I can’t hold back the chuckle.

“Mostly an asshole,” she murmurs.

“Charlie.”

Both of us snap to look for the source of the voice at the same time. If you know my luck, you can probably guess who’s fucking standing there.

Priscilla hugs her arms to her chest, shivering in a dress that’s too short and a pair of stilettos. Her makeup runs down her face and I can tell she’s been crying, but strangely, it doesn’t cut me the way it used to.

“Goodnight, Charlie,” Bailey says, giving me a sad, half-smile, before slipping in the back gate to our conjoined place and disappearing.

I watch after, a sinking feeling in my gut that pisses me off.

“What are you doing here, Priscilla?” I asked, mildly annoyed that she just keeps showing up where I am.

Priscilla reaches for me, but I grip her wrists to stop her.

“Can I come inside? I’m freezing.”

I shake my head.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Why not?” she asks, fresh tears streaming down her face.

“Because I’m not doing this anymore, Priscilla.”

She narrows her eyes, jerking her hands from me. “It’s because of her, isn’t it?”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I murmur, rubbing the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger.

“Itis,” she snaps, angrily. “Iknewsomething was going on between you two.”

“No. It’s got nothing to do with her.” I take a step back when Priscilla tries to reach for me again. “I said no.”

“Charlie,” Priscilla whines, stomping her foot. I guess, in a way I feel guilty. I’ve allowed her to use me whenever she wants for this long, pulling the plug now seems like a dick move. But Bailey’s right. After the way I saw her act with her friends, the fucking shit she tried to pull knowing damn well what food we have, I don’t want any part of it anymore. She was fun, for a little bit. I maybe even loved her for a while, but I won’t let her walk all over my family anymore.

“I think you need to leave,” I say, nodding to the BMW her dad bought her at the curb, behind my truck. “I don’t want to see you hanging around here or the restaurant.” I need a clean break. If I don’t make it known she’s not welcome, she’ll continue to show up unannounced. “If you show up, you’ll be escorted out.”

I leave her standing on the sidewalk, even after she screams my name. She’s not my responsibility anymore. No this isn’t about Bailey, but she helped me fucking see that Priscilla isn’t good for me.

I go to Bailey’s, because Priscilla isn’t going to ruin our night. I slip inside and make my way into her room where I can hear the shower running.

Perfect.

I toe off my boots and then toss my shirt on the floor next to hers outside the shower before unbuttoning my jeans. Through the steamed glass, I can see her, rinsing the shampooout of her hair. When it’s gone, she meets my gaze.

“What are you doing?” she asks, watching as I slip my jeans down my legs.

“Showering.”

“With me?” she asks, surprised when I step into the shower with her.

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