Page 24 of Shattering Nash

Shit.Charley grabbed her neck.

“I’m calling the police.”

Two visits from the police in less than two weeks? There was no doubt her neighbor would report it to the landlord, and he’d force her out on the spot. As of now, she was struggling to afford a place with few leads. She couldn’t risk being homeless.

When Keely reached for her phone, Charley grabbed her wrist. “He didn’t do anything, I swear.”

Keely furrowed her brows and pointed to Charley’s neck. “Then who did that?”

Charley flattened her lips, and Keely’s gaze darted around the room. “Where’s Cody?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. There was no getting past this without answering her.

“Rehab.”

Keely squinted, pointing to her neck. “Cody did that, didn’t he? I’m gonna beat the shit out of him.”

“Keely, you can’t.”

Keely scowled, eyeing her neck. “You’re right, I can’t. So I’m gonna get Kill and Jay to do it.”

This was the last thing she needed right now. Charley drove her hand through her hair, tugging at the ends.

“That motherfucker. After all you’ve done for him, and he…”

“Can we just not?” Charley bit the inside of her mouth, stalling. The last thing she wanted to talk about was her brother and the surrounding events. “Not tonight. It’s been a reallybad week, and I’d like to forget about most of the things that happened.” Charley was on the verge of tears. Everything was catching up to her. And now the situation with Zeke. She needed a well-earned break.

She straightened and gave her body a little shake. Once her emotions were under control, she forced a smile. “We have such a fun time ahead of us. I just want to focus on our night out. Please?”

Keely nodded, whispering, “Okay.”

Charley felt a sense of relief. It was short-lived.

“But just so we’re clear, when Cody comes home, I’m kicking his ass.”

“Keely…” She moaned.

She held up her hand. “Fine, I’m letting it go. Alright, well, let’s get changed. Come on.”

Charley furrowed her brows, looking down at her outfit. Before she could say a word, Keely narrowed her gaze, making it clear she didn’t approve of her outfit choice.

“You’renotwearing that.”

“I’m not?”

“What?” Keely snorted. “No, Charley. We’re going to a club, not grocery shopping. Listen, if you want to impress this guy, Nash, then you’re going to have to wear something that’ll get you noticed.”

Ugh, why did I tell her?It was a weak moment, and they’d been sharing. A girls’ night involving a lot of laughs, a few secrets, and way too much wine. She’d opened up more to Keely in that one night than she had with anyone else her whole life. And the most interesting topic of conversation was Nash. She’d even mentioned having a sex dream about him. It was all in fun, and Keely had shared far more than Charley. Where was the harm?Right here and now.

“I’m not trying to impress anyone. I don’t even really know him.”

After the debacle a few days ago, Nash was the last person she wanted to see. Her face immediately heated thinking of their interaction.

“What better way to get to know someone than dancing, drinking, possibly making out?” Keely wiggled her brows. “Sex in a bathroom? Hell, he already knows what you think of him.”

Charley had shared with Keely in hopes her friend would show some mercy and not want to put her in a position to run into Nash at the club. It didn’t work.

“Ughh, I’m never telling you anything again.” Charley groaned, covering her face with her hands.

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