Page 58 of Mr. Charming

Maybe if I had waited for him to come to me, this feeling of guilt wouldn’t be invading every cell in my body. I hate the version of me that just made an appearance, and I hate that this trade made it come to the surface like some parasite lying dormant in me all these years.

Tweetie’s hands slid under his sweatshirt. “Lace, silk, and skin. As much as I love it when you wear my sweatshirts, can I see what’s underneath?”

I sat back in his lap and grabbed the hem of the sweatshirt, peeling it off my body.

“Fuck, how did I get so lucky to score you as my girlfriend?”

Without saying anything else, he picked me up and walked me into the bedroom. He didn’t ravish me but took his time, as if he was savoring my body, my very presence. We stayed up talking about how we would get through this until we figured out a way for us not to do a long-distance relationship.

I was back in my familiar, blissful state with him until a woman knocked on his door the next morning, accusing him of impregnating her. All at once, I was back to being the insecure, anxious woman I’d been twelve hours before.

Twenty-Nine

Tweetie

“Who invited Tedi?” I ask, seeing her and Decker in the stands for Bodhi’s game as we make our way around the rink.

I fist-bump Bodhi on my way to the seats with Rowan and Conor.

“The girls asked them to join us. Surely, you don’t mind since you’re all Team Decker, now that he makes Tedi happy?” Conor claps me on the shoulder.

“Is this the same fucked-up shit you did to Henry?” I grumble.

Rowan laughs. “Nah, we know better than to try to force you to do anything.”

Tedi’s in a huddle with the girls, and Decker sits next to her, but he’s on his phone again.

Rowan and Conor sit closer to Decker, so I do the same.

“Hey, Decker,” I say, putting out my hand.

He shakes my hand, then Rowan’s, and lastly Conor’s. “Hey.”

“When’s the last time you’ve been to a novice game?” Conor asks.

“Since I was a novice,” Decker says. “Ice hockey isn’t my thing.”

“Is field hockey?” Rowan asks, laughing.

Tedi’s ears must perk up because she turns in our direction, her hand immediately seeking out Decker’s leg.

You can do this. She’s happy. Look at her fucking smile.

“Decker’s not really good on the ice,” she says, shaking her head and smiling.

“Thanks, babe.” Decker stretches his arm out around the back of Tedi.

Would anyone notice if I ripped his arm off?

“Come on. You admitted it yourself. That’s why you’re a baseball player.” She pats his leg and leans in.

I turn my head before I have to witness her lips touch his cheek.

If I gave him a bloody lip, she wouldn’t be able to kiss him.

“That’s because hockey is the hardest sport.” Conor puts his hands on Decker’s neck and squeezes.

“You think so, huh?” Decker asks.

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