Chasing Us (Dark Love 2)

w months, and I want more than anything to forget we were almost over.

“So, what happens now, Charlotte?”

I want her, and I need her at this moment. My eyes penetrate hers, attempting to cast that so-called spell she claims I do every time I look at her. C’mon, eyes, you can do it, make her see the light.

“Now, we fuck harder than we have ever fucked each other in our lives. I need to claim you just as much as you need to claim me. You got me?”

I put on a huge grin. Despite this mess I created, my fucking girl makes me smile. Best yet, I get to fuck her so hard and mark her as mine again.

“I got you… and I’m never letting go of you. Obsessed together forever.”

“Obsessed together forever.”

She winks.

CHARLIE

It’s Christmas Eve, and this year we are fortunate enough to celebrate with our family as well as with friends. Rocky, Nikki, and Will flew in early and are staying with us. I couldn’t have been happier. I missed Will so much. He has grown so tall and is at that age where hugs are awkward according to him. He has matured beyond his years, but deep down inside, he’s still that little boy who captured my heart many moons ago.

Kate and Emma also fly over but chose to stay with Eric. What the three of them get up to is beyond me. They are deemed the three musketeers, with their shenanigans always the talk of the town. Rocky whines like a left-out schoolgirl every time they go out, and, eventually, Nikki gives in. Hours later, the four of them will plaster their buffoonery all over Facebook, the visit to the Playboy Mansion being the best one yet.

Somehow, I always get stuck with the shitty stick. I stand there in the kitchen, preparing dinner for everyone, including Dad and Debbie, who have driven down to spend time with Amelia. My mom’s traveling across Europe with my sister, a much-needed bonding session I suggested after my mother came clean about her past. I still remember the night it happened, a month ago when she came to visit us.

“Tell me, Mom, what did your dark angel do to you that has made you so bitter about love?”

She placed her hand over her heart, and with her other, she reached out to me for support. “He came into town one day. He was beautiful like a knight in shining armor. I was seventeen, I knew nothing about love, but I knew enough to know that my heart only wanted him.”

Her eyes scanned my face, waiting for judgment. “He promised me things… the world, and I allowed him to take me in the woods that night. He promised he would love me and be gentle, he always promised he would, but that night he hurt me, took my innocence on the dirty, cold floor. I begged him to stop. I told him if he loved me, he wouldn’t hurt me. He didn’t listen… he took me, then left me there, crying, and I never saw him again.”

I was shocked at the revelation. It all made sense why she warned me of this creature. Her dark angel, the big bad wolf, had robbed her of her innocence.

“Mi corazon… Please don’t hate me…”

“Mom,” I reassured her, squeezing her hand tight. “I don’t hate you.”

“Melanie…” she trailed off.

What about my sister? I watched my mom’s eyes as the secret lay within, and it was there written all over her face.

“It was too late. He left me and implanted his seed. How could I ever forget him?” Her voice now trembling.

Daddy, my heart bled for him. He loved Melanie so much.

“Does Dad know?” My voice was high-pitched, the air not flowing quickly enough.

“He knew that this man had a hold of me. Deep down inside, I know he does, but he always loved Melanie the same as you.”

“Go to her, Mom, go release the demon that has ravaged you. You’ve been carrying this burden for too long. Set it free, and I promise you he won’t haunt you anymore.”

She nodded, smiling before caressing my cheek. “I was wrong, Corazon. He’s not your dark angel.”

I let out a small laugh “Oh, he is, Mom, the only difference is he knows who’s got him by the balls if he ever pulled a stunt like that.”

Amid her tears, she let out a laugh and began the journey to setting her demons free.

I’m knee-deep, or should I say fist-deep in turkey and cranberries when I hear a noise beside me. I look up and find Adriana standing by the kitchen bench. I muster up a smile, and lean over to hug her tight, careful not to smear anything on her beautiful white dress.

“I didn’t think you would come,” I murmured.