Into the Darkness

No. Lex Edwards did things for a reason. I did whatever I had to do to make sure she became mine again. As for her text, I didn’t respond because for now I had nothing to say. I had no plan, I had no control and I couldn’t fix this right now. I couldn’t deal with this today. I changed into my sweats and hit the gym much to my body’s disapproval. Tonight I was going to meet Rocky for the game; a guy’s night was just what I needed. No Charlotte, I told myself. Just for tonight.

If only the universe was on my side.

Chapter 23

Charlie

May2005

“OK sorry, I promise I’m listening now. So who’s going to the concert tonight?” I asked for the hundredth time.

After what happened last week my head was so far up my ass. I hadn’t spoken to him despite his numerous attempts to contact me so he could explain what Adriana told me she saw. What was there to explain? He was caught fucking his wife on the piano two minutes after I walked away. I didn’t need an explanation, it was an epic fail in my eyes and that night skull-tattoo guy and I made out for like an hour on the beach while I was completely drunk on some concoction. He wanted more but I used the good old ‘Aunt Flow’s painting the town red’ excuse.

“Me, Elijah, Logan, Jennifer, that chick from English class with the huge rack...”

“You mean Lily?”

“Yeah that’s her name.”

California showcased the best upcoming new talent once a year and the concerts always went off. It was a four-hour drive so Dr. Edwards organized a room for us at a posh hotel next door which was the only reason my dad allowed me to go.

“And what about your—” I cleared my throat, pretending to pass it off as a nasty cough, “—brother?”

“He and Samantha have some event to go to.”

Like a couple. OK, I was fucking pissed. As much as I hated him right now, there was that tiny part of me that wanted to see him so he could beg me to forgive him. This was not the right frame of mind to be in. I had filled out a survey and read numerous articles in Cosmo magazine and they all came up with the same answer: he’s a fucking jerk so leave his sorry ass now before you end up being the fool. Yep, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Well, unfortunately the fool was sitting in Adriana’s room still thinking about him and how much I missed him.

I began flipping through Adriana’s magazines, my mind really not focusing on them but rather the pinboard above her desk. The photos were scattered everywhere, a ton of us, but it was the ones of Alex that caught my attention. How could one human being be so fucking photogenic in every photo? He was like a goddamn male supermodel. Did I really have it that bad? How could just a photo make me go weak in the knees? I looked at the one of Alex and Samantha on their wedding day. I felt the knots starting to form in my stomach, reality creeping its way in as I examined his expression. He loved her, right? Otherwise why would he marry her and fuck her on the piano?! There it was again, anger rearing its ugly head.

“I love that photo of them,” Adriana sighed.

/> “How did they meet?” I asked.

“In college, first year I think. You know my brother, he was a man-whore here in Carmel. I’m surprised he settled down. I don’t know how she did it but she did.”

Way to go for asking that question. Alex was a man-whore. I can’t say I really paid attention back then but if I could feel any smaller right now I’d be a goddamn ant.

“She’s nice,” was all I could manage to say.

“Yeah she is. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like her but sometimes I think she asks too much of him. Almost like its back to 1950 where women stayed home making pies and leaving them on the window sills to cool down while the men brought home the bacon.”

“Maybe he likes that… You know, that whole I’ll be the caveman you be the cavewoman,” I mumbled.

“I guess…maybe… It’s just that Alex is not like that. Yes, he is my brother and annoys the fuck out of me but deep inside he is such a kindhearted guy. He would never hurt anyone intentionally and he would never treat a woman that way. Sure, he fooled around in high school but who didn’t?” Adriana walked over to her stereo and cranked up the latest Rihanna song. As we both sang our lungs out, a knock on the door echoed through the room. I was lying on Adriana’s bed throwing a rubber ball hitting the roof as it rebounded back to me. Yes, I was that frustrated.

“Adriana. You have someone here to see you.” His voice made me lose my catch, the ball rolled over to his feet. “It’s Logan,” I heard him grit his teeth. I sat up as he looked at me, annoyed. What the fuck did I do? I wasn’t the one fucking my wife on the piano!

“Sweet. Char, grab your things and let’s go. I call shotgun!” she cheered.

I quietly gathered my things and my cell trying my best not to make eye contact as he stood in the doorway blocking the entrance. You could cut the tension with a fucking chainsaw in here. I was praying he would leave so I could exit without having to walk past him.

“C’mon, the concert starts in a few hours and we need to get a good spot. Thank God Logan is driving so I can be car DJ.”

I was looking forward to Adriana being car DJ but it annoyed the fuck out of Logan. Their arguments over petty things provided good entertainment while slumming it in the back.

Alex stood still by the door, and I had no choice but to walk past him. As I made my way to the door careful not to make any physical contact, he quickly held onto my arm.

“Did you invite him tonight?” he asked bitterly.