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Turning toward the voice, I see Britney standing with two other girls, who look just like her. Basic.

What the actual fuck is she still doing here?

I start leaving, ready to ignore her, but then I hear her say Charlie’s name to one of the girls.

Walking toward her, I say, “You can keep her name out of your mouth. Go back to Chandler, Brit.”

“I was just saying that I thought it was funny to see Charlie in your jersey after everything that happened last year.”

Shifting my bag to my other shoulder, I sigh. I know I should just walk away and ignore her, but curiosity gets the best of me. “Why would that be funny?”

“Oh, you don’t know?” She pauses. “I guess you wouldn’t. I mean, why would she tell you about all the guys she hooked up with after Tony broke up with her last year?”

“Ha! Yeah, okay, Britney. Go home.” I start to turn again, but she keeps talking, halting my track to the bus. Gripping the strap of my bag tighter, I turn back to face her.

“She slept with half of Greek Row, Beck. It was sad, really. I can’t say I blame her for running home. I would be embarrassed, too, if I was rated the worst lay on campus.”

She and her friends look at each other and laugh.

Here’s the thing I think Britney is forgetting here. I’ve known Charlie a lot longer than she has. Not for a second do I believe anything coming out of her mouth. Does it still sting? A little, but only because I do know she was with Tony for a while. And I also think she dated him to try to forget me.

What really makes me angry though is that she is lying—again—and disrespecting my girl.

“Britney, I’ll say it again. Go. Home. You’re pathetic, thinking you could ever change my mind about Charlie. I have loved that girl since we were kids.”

“What the fuck are you doing here, Britney?” I hear Casey say before I see him come to stand next to me.

“Hi, Casey. It sure is good to see you. You’ve gotten much better-looking since high school.” She winks at him.

“Fuck right off, Brit. And don’t even think about trying to mess with my sister again.” He points his finger at her, seething.

“Settle down, Casey,” she huffs. “Isn’t it funny though—how easy it was for Beck to stand up for Charlie and not believe me?” Then she turns to look at me. “Too bad Charlie couldn’t do the same for you in high school, Beck. I guess she didn’t care about you as much as you do her. It was so easy for her to walk away from you. But I am curious about something. Why didn’t you ever tell her the truth?”

Casey steps closer to her and her friends. “Take your manipulative, lying ass out of here. How did they let you stay anyway? You’re definitely not anyone’s friend or family. Leave.” He nods his head toward the exit and grabs my elbow to pull me away. “Let’s go. Charlie’s waiting for you at home.”

We drop our bags with the driver to put under the bus and are almost to the door when she shouts, “Bye, bye, boys. Tell Charlie I said hello. Was a shame I didn’t get to talk to her at the game.”

Casey flips her off and pushes me toward the steps. “Come on, brother. Ignore her.”

“I’m good. I just can’t stand that girl.” I shake my head and settle into my seat.

Casey sits down and nudges my arm with his elbow. “I didn’t hear everything she said, but just stay focused on you and my sister. You finally got her back. Don’t let anything mess it up this time.”

I nod.

Putting my AirPods in my ears, I drop my head back onto the headrest and close my eyes. I know it was all lies, but I do hate how I handled our breakup. She deserved the truth then, like she does now.

Soon.

We’ll talk about it all soon so we can put it behind us.

She’s mine, and I need to make sure she never doubts me or us again.

CHAPTERTWENTY

CHARLIE

Featherlight touches dragme out of sleep. I can feel fingers moving up my legs, causing goose bumps to sprout. I’m trying to wake up, but my eyes don’t want to open. When a finger reaches my panties and tugs the center to the side and circles my clit, I moan.