Page 83 of Lovers Like Us
“Don’t talk to me,” I say in a calm voice. I’m not thrashing around or about to pop off, but they’re very aware that I can slip into a fight and cold-cockCharlie.
“You’re the one who just asked me to say something,” Charlie says and then laughs bitterly. “I’m sorry it’s not what you wanted to hear, but maybe you shouldn’t surround yourself with people who kiss your ass all day, alllong.”
Maximoff inhales a sharp, agitated breath. His jaw severely sharpened, and he turns and looks briefly around. He’s trying to find someone. A guy who believes he can do everything on his own is searching for one otherperson.
Forme.
His gaze lands onme.
I step forward—Oscar puts a hand on mychest.
“Oscar—”
“Leave my client alone,” Oscar says, his voice non-threatening. We’re both familiar with Charlie and Maximoff going head-to-head.
I lower my voice. “Tell your client to back offmine.”
Oscar shakes his head. “Charlie only listens to Charlie…andsometimesBeckett.”
Charlie still zeroes in on Maximoff. “Here’s the cold-hearted truth. You actuallylikeboasting. You get off on being better than all of us, so you come out here, practically bragging about fucking your boyfriend, whenever you want, whenever youlike.”
Coarse hands splay over my mouth, restraining the string of attacks that I could’ve and probably would’ve spewed. Because I know just how deep and cold those wordsgo.
I’m not surprised when Maximoff charges Charlie, but Beckett shoots up, standing in front of hisbrother.
“Stop,” Beckett says calmly, but Maximoff already rocks back, his fists at hisside.
“Charlie,” Jane warns from the bathroom, toothbrush in hermouth.
I try to tear Donnelly’s hand off my lips, but he shakes his head at me a few times. Quinn whispers to me, “Let thembe.”
Okay, I’m not taking advice from the youngest, greenest bodyguard. I rip Donnelly’s hand off, freeing my mouth, but I staysilent.
Thatcher motions for me to sequester myself in the secondlounge.
I ignorehim.
Sulli shouts from the passenger seat, “Can we please have a non-hyped and non-fucked-upconversation?”
“No,” Charlie and Maximoffsay.
Charlie is the only one still sitting, besides Akara and Sulli upfront.
“You’re so fucking far from the truth,” Maximoff says, “that you don’t evenrealize—”
“That you’re arrogant and conceited and a bigger asshole than you’ll ever admit? I realize I’m a lot of things, but why can’t you? Oh.” Charlie cocks his head. “Because you’re a coward and ahypocrite.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Maximoff growls. “I don’t pride myself on anything, let alone being respectful. You want me to admit I’m an arrogant fucking asshole? Then I am one. I’m shit on the bottom of your shoe, and that’s what I’ll always be to you, Charlie. At this point, you’re just trying to piss meoff.”
Charlie leans back and rubs his lips. “Think what you want,” he says more quietly. “I’m not going to argue with you. You’ll only listen toyourself.”
Maximoff takes a short breath, and his phone rings shrilly in his pocket. Charlie and him stare each other down for one beat longer, and then Maximoff retrieves his phone and pushes towards thehallway.
Towards me and the wall ofbodyguards.
As he nears, they all part to let him through. I don’t move, and so he facesme.
His chest collapses and rises heavily, but his defenses start imprisoning his expression. Blank andcold.
