Page 256 of Darling Venom
Instead, we sat in silence, marinating in our thoughts.
At midnight, Charlie checked the time and got up to leave like she was Cinderella, had a curfew, and feared her carriage would pop back into a pumpkin any second.
I leaned against my headboard, watching her dress. Her eyes were bloodshot, though she’d only shed one tear. I felt like a dickwad. And still, I didn’t tell her what we both wanted me to say.
Instead, I followed her hands as they hooked her bra back on. “Will you be okay alone?”
“I’ve officially been an adult for four years, Tate.” She pretended to count, wiggling four fingers and following it up with a smile I wanted to kiss off her face. “I think I can survive another night.”
“I’ll drive you home.”
Fully clothed now, she stopped at my door, turned to face me, and waved her phone. “I already ordered an Uber.”
“Cancel.”
“It’s a ride share.”
“The only ride you participated in tonight was on my di
ck.”
She stared down at the lock screen, glancing up. “Cameron is here.”
Cameron could go fuck himself.
“Charlie.”
“Tate.” She smiled. Strode to me. Pressed her lips to mine. Took something from me each time she did. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I said nothing for a moment. Just stared at her, hoping the longer I drew this out, the greater the chance Cameron, the douche outside, would take off.
She knew what I was doing.
Her head shook.
A smile ghosted her lips.
“I can’t hold up the ride share, Tate.”
She raised a brow, bringing my attention back to her eyes. Still red-rimmed.
I was the douche here.
Not Cameron.
And certainly not her.
“It’s an asshole move,” she finished.
“Fine. Text me when you get home.”
“I will.”
And then she left.
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Alone this time.
