Chasing Love (Dark Love 1)

Charlotte: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the same way. But this can’t happen again. It’s so complicated. For starters, you’re married.

I didn’t know what came over me, but I was sick and tired of hiding my feelings. And it hurt me to admit that this wasn’t an easy situation. It wasn’t high school anymore. Well, at least for me it wasn’t.

Me: I know, Charlotte. I’m just saying I’m not sorry. It won’t happen again as much as I want it to. You’re right, it’s too complicated, and of course there’s Adriana to think about.

I waited for her response, but it never came. I figured that she either didn’t want to talk about it or she’d fallen asleep. Every part of me wishing she fell asleep. Tomorrow, I’d see her again.

I fell asleep rather quickly, reminiscing how we kissed so passionately under the stars.

We kissed.

I had broken a vow.

So what difference did it matter if I broke it again?

CHARLIE

Nine Years Ago

There were a million and one jackhammers going off inside my head. Why on earth did I drink that spiked punch? Oh, that’s right, because I had kissed my best friend’s brother.

My best friend’s married brother.

I was so fucking screwed.

I had no time to lay there and think about what I’d done. The house was trashed, and we had three hours to have it back to its original condition or Adriana was toast.

“Morning, Charlie. Would you like a cup of coffee before you start?” Elijah offered.

I looked around, surprised and secretly pleased that he’d done a lot already. God, he was such a good boyfriend. “Wow, you’ve already done so much.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t have Adriana grounded on her eighteenth birthday. What kind of boyfriend would I be?”

I patted him on the back. He was such a great guy.

“Okay, so the kitchen is done. I’ll tackle the rest of the house if you attempt the pool house and pool.” He laughed, knowing he’d left the worst part for me.

I pouted as I walked to the door, opening it to welcome the cool, fresh air. Fuck, the backyard was trashed. I grabbed a garbage bag, walking around placing all the garbage inside. I cleaned up the grassed area, which took me ages, then headed to the pool house. As I walked in, my mouth dropped. The bed was unmade, and sheets were strewn all over the floor. Empty cups lie around the room.

Urgh, and condom wrappers were on the floor.

I seriously didn’t want to think about what I could catch in there right now.

“Looks like someone had a good time in here last night… twice.” Alex laughed. “Wow, four times.”

I’d have no choice but to turn around and face him. Act mature, be a nice friend. That’s all you were.

As I slowly turned, he stood there leaning against the doorframe. He was in his sweats looking like a fucking god. It did nothing to make me regret what happened last night. I felt stupid standing there in my boxers and Ugg boots.

“Well, someone isn’t going to have a good time right now, and that would be me. This is rancid.”

Alex helped me clean up the room, stripping the bed and replacing the sheets. We worked in silence. It was better that way. I didn’t want to talk about last night. We said it wouldn’t happen again, and I was sticking to my word, but damn, he looked amazing.

Alex grabbed a tissue to pick up the used condom under the bed. He held it up in front of me, and I was mortified.

“Eww!” I squirmed, but he continued to dangle it there, laughing as he did. I ran to the bathroom as he followed me, but sense prevailed, and he placed it in the trash. Then he scrubbed his hands vigorously.

“Wash them real good,” I told him. “Oh God, that was nasty.”