Page 105 of Mr. Charming

“Will you please leave? I’ll call you later.”

I glanced up at him.

“Whatever…Where’s your bathroom?”

“There,” I said, pointing.

“This is messed up, Jade.”

I said nothing, a melting pot of emotions going through my body.

“You’re making me feel used,” he said in a joking tone, still not taking me seriously.

“Welcome to my world,” I said angrily. “Please leave, okay?”

He grabbed his clothes then left the room. Tears flowed.

Why the hell am I crying? That was so wonderful.

Not understanding why I was so upset made it so much worse.

When I heard him leave a few minutes later, practically slamming my front door, I laid back and cried, letting everything out. It wasn’t him, but he had opened a floodgate that would not be closed easily. The mix of joy and sadness confused the hell out of me.

All my problems had started after I got back from Afghanistan. I had seen brutality, the mistreatment of women and so much more.

None of my life made sense after I had returned from that dirty, dusty, crazy country. Gradually, the tears dried up, but I still felt terrible.

Cooper will never speak to me again. Not after that outburst. I don’t blame him. I’m such a mess! The sadness turned to self-loathing.

I thought about calling and begging him to come back, trying to explain how crazy my life had become after meeting him over there, but I didn’t.

Why would someone perfect like him want a problem-woman like myself?

The answer would not come.

FIFTEEN

Cooper

The next morning, I woke up as confused as the night before? What the hell was Jade’s problem? She had called me, invited me over, let me fuck her, and then went nuts crying? What the hell?

I picked up my phone from the nightstand and turned on the screen. No messages. Maybe it was a one-off? She didn’t seem like that type of woman, but what the hell do I know? Not much.

After throwing the covers back, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stretched my arms. She had been a good lay. I couldn’t deny that one bit.

The look on her face when she came stuck with me as I went through my morning routine, gradually waking up and getting ready for the day. With no job, I had nothing but time.

Around lunch, my phone rang. I grabbed it excitedly, expecting to see her phone number on the screen, but it was one I didn’t recognize. Who the hell is this? I answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey man, what’s up. Long time no hear.”

“Who is this?” I asked, not sure about the voice.

“Damn, bro. We lose touch for a year, and you’ve already forgotten me.”

“Oh, hey, Max. I didn’t expect to hear from you again.”