Page 86 of Even Exchange

“What’s up is your little ‘boyfriend’ here,” Jonathan says, using quotation marks that piss me right off, “is making it seem like he’s getting some from you when we both know you’re a prude.”

I open my mouth to speak, but Charlotte silences me with a finger and says, “Maybeyoushould shut the hell up before I tell everyone here about the time you had to go to the hospital because you had an allergic reaction to fucking a grapefruit.” Charlotte shrugs. “Oops.”

Everyone within hearing distance snorts a laugh, and his eyes go wide.

“In case you forgot, Charlie,” he snaps, “the only reason I even tried that was because you couldn’t ever finish me off!” My spine straightens, grip tightening on Charlotte. “Noah will be ready to dump your ass once he realizes you’re a shitty lay.”

Rushing to stand, I pull Charlotte with me and gently nudge her out of the way as my blood boils. I regret not putting a stop to his idiotic comments when they were dating, but I sure as hell will now.

“Why don’t you get my girl’s name out of your mouth?” I bark.

Jonathan howls a laugh. “She was my girl way before she was yours.”

The reminder is unwelcome. “Well, she’s not anymore.”

“Thank god for that.” He rolls his eyes. I glance towards Charlotte, whose arms are wrapped around herself, jaw clenched.

“You should have a little more respect,” I say, walking towards him.Calm down, Caruso.I scan our surroundings, and it looks like Bexley and some of the other coaches must have left.Good.

“I don’t need to respect you,” he says as we stand nose to nose.

“Not me. Charlotte.You’re,” I say, poking his chest, “the one who fucked up. So maybe shut your mouth, put your tiny dick between your legs, and walk away.” I smile in his face as smoke blows out of his ears.

“Or what?” Jonathan asks.

“Trust me,” I say, gritting my teeth, fists clenched at my sides. “You really don’t want to find out.”

Get control of yourself, Caruso.

You’re not this guy.

A wide grin spreads across his face. “Maybe I do,” he says, shoving my shoulders unexpectedly, and I stumble backwards, the heat of the bonfire throwing up alarms in my head. I leap out of the way just in time, the bystanders gasping as I catch my balance.

“Seriously?” Charlotte shouts at Jonathan, her voice shaky. “You’re going to shove my boyfriend in the fire for what?”My boyfriend.She’s now directly in front of him, and I hurry to her side. If he lays a single finger on her, someone will definitely be headed to the ER tonight, and it won’t be me.

Jonathan glances between us, and I can feel the presence of the boys at my back. “Walk away,” I tell him.

The wheels spin in his head, but he’s at least smart enough to realize he’s outnumbered and nudges Charlotte aside as he storms off.

She bumps into my chest and I start after him, but she stops me. I look down at her, unable to ignore the way the orange fire reflects off the moisture welling in her eyes.

“Char.”

“I’m fine,” she croaks before clearing her throat, and I throw my arm around her shoulders.

“Let’s go.”

“You just got here,” she argues. “And it’s your birthday.”

“I don’t care. We’re heading out,” I tell the boys, and they wave us off.

I tuck her head into my side, and as we head down the path towards the cabins, her shoulders begin to shake.

“Shh, it’s okay,” I tell her, squeezing tighter. “We’re almost there.”

The hike lasts an eternity, but we finally arrive at my cabin. I unlock the door and bring her inside. She pulls away and swipes tears off her face while kicking off her shoes, then crawls into my bed and under the covers. Her pained gaze connects with mine, and my chest caves in on itself.

“Charlotte,” I murmur, following her lead and climbing in, then tug her close. She falls against me, resting her hand on my chest, toying with my necklace.

---