Page 117 of Someday Away

I huff a laugh. “What’s your point?”

“You’ve never had that look on your face when you talk about a girl.”

I snort. “You’ve only heard me talk about her tonight.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You were thinking about her just now. Don’t deny it.”

I take a long swig of my beer. Jeremy was a pretty solid friend in high school, and it feels good to talk about this thing Charlie and I have. Of course, I didn’t mention to him that Link is equally fucked over Charlie Bennett, but I suspect that won’t be a secret for long after tonight.

“That’s what I thought,” he says with a knowing smile. Then Jeremy pauses as his eyes catch on someone behind me. “Oh, who’s this little lost kitty?”

I glance back and see Charlie standing against the wall, shifting from foot to foot as she clutches her glass in a white-knuckled grip. Her brown hair falls over her shoulders in soft waves and her creamy cheeks are flushed while she scans the room. Her full lips are turned down in a slight frown, and I can’t help but grin because she might be all laughs and smiles with us these days, but that serious little pout is what drew Link and I to her to begin with.

“That’s Charlie,” I murmur to Jeremy.

“Well, well, what an adorable resting bitch face.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, that we can agree on.”

She turns her head, and her dark forest eyes collide with mine. I give her a wink and lift my chin, beckoning her over. Her lips lift slightly at the corners, and she pushes herself off the wall and heads our way.

I watch her eyes flick to Link, her frown deepening. He’s been flirting up a storm with Seren and her friends for the past hour. Seriously, some of those girls have hearts in their eyes and must have soaking wet panties to match. I don’t think he realizes he’s doing it. Despite his attempt on the way here to fall into his usual moody persona, he’s different now, and the more he drinks, the more his guard slips. My heart swells to see it because I feel like I’m looking at that charming, funny, smart-mouthed boy from our past.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, glancing down at the text.

Lincoln

Stop looking at me like that.

Like what?

Okay, I know exactly what he’s talking about, but he’s fun to fuck with.

Lincoln

Like you’re in love with me. People are going to get ideas.

Ideas? Like I’ve seen your huge dick, and I liked it? Not to mention, you’re a fantastic kisser.

We seem to look up at the same time and our gazes lock. I give him a wink, and he rolls his eyes at me before looking back down at his phone.

Lincoln

Fuck off.

I love you, too, buddy.

He’s happy, which makes me happy. Of course, Charlie seeing that side of him with anyone but us is probably a recipe for disaster. Not that I think she’s a particularly jealous person, but she’s insecure and cautious with her heart for obvious reasons—Matt, you fucking dick.

“Hey Bennett,” I drawl as she approaches our table. “Nice of you to finally make it.” She shoots me a glare and sticks out her tongue. I grin, and my fingers are dying to pull her against me and kiss the hell out of her hot little immature mouth. But I resist. For now.

“So feisty,” Jeremy says with a smirk.

Charlie’s gaze snaps up to his, and I see uncertainty flash in her eyes.

Smart girl, I think, realizing she’s already figured out exactly who Jeremy is.

“This is Jeremy,” I say, waving a hand in his direction. “This is Charlie.” I give him a steady look. “Be nice.”

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