Page 14 of Heartless Devil
* * *
Two brutal hours of shopping later, we’re standing in her bedroom discussing the few people she actually invited.
“Don’t worry, I made sure Todd knew he was invited.” She grins.
“I don’t even know if I like the guy, Cam,” I say.
“Charlie, promise me you’ll live a little. We only have a little over a week left of school and you won’t have to see him all summer if you don’t want to. Just have some fun.”
Have some fun. I can do that. Can’t I?
“I’m impressed. You look fucking hot,” Cam says, pretending to fan herself.
“Really?” I frown, looking at myself in the mirror.
I found the most amazing black skinny jeans. There are several rips above and below my knee. I paired them with my favorite Chucks, and a deep red, low cut shirt. My long dark hair is down, landing towards the middle of my back.
“Absolutely. Your tits look amazing in that shirt.” She gestures towards my ample cleavage. Now I’m regretting my choices.
“Sometimes, I’m not sure if you’re normal,” I say, laughing. “That sounds like something a guy would say.”
“It’s the truth. Don’t you want me to be honest with you?” She shrugs.
I glance over at my best friend. Her hair is thrown over her shoulder in a braid. She’s wearing a pair of white skinny jeans, a purple crop top, and no shoes. She told me it was her house and she didn’t need to wear any.
“Are you planning to swim?” I ask her.
“Depends on whether or not that’s where the hot guys are,” she says, shrugging.
“You’re unbelievable.” I laugh.
The music has been blaring from downstairs for the last hour. I glanced out the window earlier and there were already cars lined up down the driveway.
“Let’s go.” She grabs my hand, pulling me from the room.
“If you decide to drink, try and stay away from Cole. He’ll rip that shit from your hands just as quickly as you pour it,” she says.
Once we’re downstairs, Cam runs off squealing to a group of girls from school. I scan the room, looking for anyone I might know, but come up empty.
This is already shaping up to be an early night for me.
“Hey, Charlotte.” Todd Baker slides up next to me. I didn’t even realize he was here.
“Hey, Todd.” He offers me a drink, but I wave him off. I’ve known Todd since eighth grade, but I still wouldn’t accept a drink from anyone without seeing them pour it first.
“You look good, Charlotte,” he says, his eyes roaming over my body.
Something about the way he’s looking at me makes me feel uncomfortable, but I shake the feeling off.
“Charlie, come here.” Cole’s gruff voice pulls me from my thoughts. Before I even have a chance to protest, he’s yanking me away from Todd, shoving me into the nearest room, and shutting the door.
“What the fuck, Cole?” I throw my hands up.
“I told you that guy is a tool,” he growls.
“I don’t care what you told me. You’re not my dad, Cole,” I point out.
“No, I’m not. But you aren’t going to fuck that douche bag in my house.” His face is full of rage.