Page 14 of Even Exchange

I glare at him. “Fuck off.”

“See you, Cap.” He laughs, nudging my shoulder. “Don’t wait up.” The group waves, heading down the street for the next debauchery of the night.

Thirty minutes later, the scalding water is raining down on me, skin scrubbed new. After turning the metal handle to stop the stream, I step out. Reaching for a towel from the shelf, my hand waves in the air, coming up empty. My eyes fall to the floor, discovering a clumped white mountain.Thanks, Theo.

On top of the vanity, a dainty hand towel folded like a bird catches my attention.Beggars can’t be choosers.I snatch the sacrificial scrap of cloth and rub it against my hair, then continue with the rest of my body.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I roll my eyes at the door while rubbing the water off my stomach. Maybe if I don’t let Theo in, he’ll start remembering his damn key.

Do not enable Theo.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I glance at myself in the mirror and curse, knowing I’m not that guy.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I blow out a breath, heading towards it, hand cloth draped over my dick. Guess Mr. Impatient will have to deal with the indecency.

Hiding my bare body behind the door, I pull it open, craning my head around. “Listen, Theo, we’re gon—” The door shoves against me. “What the he?—”

Charlotte rushes into the room and spins to face me. Her vacant eyes meet mine, their usual sparkle lacking, arms over her chest as she holds herself tight.

“What’s wrong?” Panic sets in, my heart racing. “Did something happen? Sophia said you left the bar. I assumed you came back to the hotel.”I should’ve walked her myself.“Did someone hurt you?”

“No,” she says quickly, and I breathe a sigh of relief, shutting the door. “Well, yes, technically.”

My jaw hardens, worry returning. “Who?”

“It’s nothing,” she says, attempting to swipe away black mascara smudges from under her eyes. My Charlotte radar blares.She’s lying.

“If it’s nothing, then why are you here?” I ask, readjusting the tiny towel on my dick.How can I get clothes without making this awkward?

“Because—” Her gaze drops down my body, and my skin burns at the attention as her mouth falls open. “Oh my god! Why are you…?” Her eyes are glued to my crotch. “Wow.”

And it’s awkward.

“First time seeing a naked man?” I ask, trying to cut the tension.

Charlotte squeezes her eyes shut and spins away. “Second time tonight, actually.”

A knot forms in my stomach, and I snatch a pair of shorts off the top of my bag and tug them on.

“I’m clothed,” I say.

She turns slowly, opening one eye. “Half clothed.”

“Charlotte.” I blow out a frustrated breath, far too tired and tipsy to play games after she showed up to my room looking like this. Ineedto know what’s wrong. Now. “What happened?”

Gnawing on her lower lip, she lies again. “Nothing.”

She runs a hand through her hair—her usually beautiful brown hair, which looks almost black in its current state. The same way it did when she emerged from the ocean earlier today. “Why are you soaking wet?” Silence fills the air as she refrains from answering my simplest question yet. “Charlotte.” I raise my brows, reaching out to pluck what looks like rice out of her damp hair.Yep, that’s rice.I flick it into the nearby trash can.

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