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6

CHARLOTTE

Cars zoom past us on a highway that is far too busy for a sunny Sunday afternoon. “Circles” by Post Malone plays low in the background, and I try to keep my mind from wandering back to the chaos ripping apart my life.

“What’s up, Charlie?” Sophia asks, glancing over from the driver’s seat, worry etched all over her face.

“Huh?” I say, trying to play dumb.

“We’ve been in the car for thirty minutes, and you’ve barely spoken a word.”

I’m too exhausted to share what’s really going on in my head. Too tired from thinking about how the hell I’m going to afford everything next semester. Or how my boyfriend— ex- boyfriend—ripped my heart out and threw it in a blender.

Besides, I don’t want her pity. I don’t deserve it after all the stress I caused her last year.

“It’s nothing,” I finally reply, picking at my nails.

“Really? We’re best friends,” she says, adding to the guilt. “I can tell something’s bothering you.”

This is the hard part about being friends with Sophia. She’s known me too long. Like, since doing hopscotch in third grade too long. Our moms were even close friends before hers moved away when we were nine.

I go with the half-truth. “Jonathan and I broke up.”

She sucks in a sharp breath, glancing at me with wide eyes before returning her attention to the road. “Really?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the “p.”

“When? Why?”

“Last week.” My eyes wander out the window, a sickening feeling in my stomach. “Because I caught him fucking some blonde bitch.”

“What?” she screeches, hand gripping my arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wasn’t ready to talk about it.” I’m still not, yet here we are.

“So you caught him cheating?” she asks, removing her hand.

“Yep. Walked in. He was moaning her name.” Bile rises in my throat at the memory. “When they noticed me, he pulled out, and his dick flung around like one of the dancing men in front of a car dealership.”

“Lord have mercy .” She cringes while gripping the steering wheel. “Maybe the girl would be willing to John Tucker Must Die his ass.”

“Unlikely.” Visions of flying food shrapnel come to mind. “She was covered in egg roll guts when I left.”

Sophia side-eyes me. “I’m going to need more context.”

“I may have brought Jonathan’s favorite takeout. And I may have tried to beat the cheater out of him with it after finding them.” I press my lips together. “And I may have left the room looking like the trash can outside of Panda Express.”

“Charlie!” Sophia howls a laugh. “Wish I was a fly on the wall for that.”

Resting my head against the seat, I feel a weight settle in me. “You really don’t.”

“So what happened next?”

“I told him to go fuck himself.” My gaze turns out the window. “And then I left.”

Sophia reaches over and pats my head like a child. “Good girl.”

“Stop,” I groan, dodging away from her. “You read too much smut.”

“You can never read too much smut.” She glares at me in disgust. “And a wise person once told me, ‘The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.’”

“That was before I had my heart stomped all over like grapes at a wine festival!”

Also, tried that, got rejected…

Noah turning down my request as I stood half-naked before him will forever be burned into my brain as the most embarrassing moment of my life.

“Oh, so you’re a hypocrite now?” she teases.

“No.” I sigh. “But I don’t think I’ll be ready to put myself out there any time soon.”

If ever.

After an exhausting hour-long rant on why Jonathan is a shithead— which, okay, fair —Sophia finally drops me off at my building.

Shaking off the negative thoughts, I open the door to my apartment and am instantly surrounded by laughter and “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan blaring from a speaker. Andi and Stella, my roommates, belt the lyrics like they’re front row at a concert in the living room, their smiles only growing when they notice me. Everything is easy . I’m so glad we moved in together after winter break.

“Baby cakes!” Andi runs over and jumps on me so fast I stumble.

I catch my balance and melt into her embrace. “Nice to see you too.”

“What about me?” Stella pouts, putting her hands on her hips, and I hug her too.

“Missed you too, Stel.” I smile as she squeezes the air out of me. “Jeez, you two are needy little things. It hasn’t even been that long.”

“I know,” Stella says dramatically, releasing me, and I walk toward my room. “I had to watch two seasons of The Great British Baking Show all by myself.”

I freeze and spin back around. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” She cocks a brow.

“You continued it without me?” I throw a hand over my heart.

“Sorry, baby cakes.” Stella shrugs, giving me a devilish smile. “It’s been lonely round this neck of the woods.”

I chuckle, already feeling tons lighter than on the car ride here.

“You look tired as hell,” Andi says, returning to the living room. “And that only calls for one thing.”

“Sushi and shit-talking?”

“Sushi and shit-talking.” She winks, and I laugh all the way to my room.

Their presence is a breath of fresh air. I can be someone totally different than who I am back in Longwood. While I ache to spend time with my siblings so they don’t feel the gaping hole in their lives where our parents should be, the other part of me savors being in Crystal Bay and actually having my own life.

I’m not weighed down by being Georgia Benson’s daughter, the one who has to remain perfectly polished and put together at all times. The one who couldn’t possibly be allowed to pursue a career that doesn’t fit the predetermined path Mother planned for me.

I’m just… me.

* * *

Freshly brewed coffee and blueberry scones awaken my senses as I wait impatiently in line at Crystal Coffee. The on-campus java shop is unsurprisingly packed, given every student is still readjusting to eight a.m. classes after the break.

At least it’s Friday and I can finally sleep in tomorrow.

“Morning, Charlotte.” My head swivels to find Noah striding toward me in athletic clothes, hair wet, and two to-go cups in hand. “Thought you’d appreciate not having to wait.”

He holds one towards me, and a grin spreads across my face as I step out of line, eagerly taking the unexpected offering. “ Ohh , come to Mama.”

“It’s a double shot. I noticed you were struggling to keep your eyes open,” he says, with a hint of concern in his tone, and my chest tightens.

“Thank you.” The sweet liquid of a vanilla cinnamon latte hits my taste buds, and I side-eye Noah. “How do you know my usual coffee order?”

He holds the door for me while we exit the coffee shop into the warm Florida air. “Lucky guess.”

It’s the first conversation we’ve had in person since I asked him to fuck me.

I cringe, my sweet beverage turning bitter.

Is this latte a friend zone elixir?

Is he concerned I’ll ask him again?

Is he thinking about that night too?

Tugging my phone out, I check the time, which gives me an escape route from this awkward situation.

“My stats class starts in five,” I say, gesturing behind me with my thumb.

“Good thing I rescued you from the coffee line,” he says, pleased with himself.

I take another long sip of the warm liquid because without the caffeine boost, there’s no point in attending. “Yeah, the probability of me picking coffee over punctuality today would’ve been certain.”

“I’d argue the ends justify the beans,” he says, walking past me. “Come on.”

I huff a laugh, rushing after him. “Where to?”

“I’m walking you to class,” he says as I catch up.

So much for escaping. “Won’t you be late to yours?”

“No?” His brows pull together. “I was out for a run. I don’t have class on Fridays.”

My eyes roam over him: tight, dry wick shirt sticking to his muscular chest. Athletic shorts. Running shoes. No backpack.

“Oh.” Guess we’re doing this. “Lucky you.”

“Perks of it being my last semester,” he says, reminding me of his impending graduation and the three-year age gap between us. What the hell was I thinking asking this man to fuck me? Of course he wasn’t interested.

I tip my head back, and the sun hits my face like it’s attempting to melt away the humiliation. Memories from last week’s beach getaway flash in my mind. “I would much rather be walking in the sand than into stats.”

Noah chuckles. “You’re not the only one feeling that way. The guys and I are heading to the beach tomorrow. Wanna join?”

This awkwardness is killing me, but I’m going to have to get over it sooner or later, so I find myself saying, “Sure.”

“Awesome. I’ll pick you up at ten?” He halts on the sidewalk.

“Pick me up?” I ask, stumbling to a stop, and he grabs my arm, steadying me.

“Yeah.” His gaze drops to his searing hold, and he releases, stepping away. I clear my throat, finding my balance and my breath. “Or were you planning to walk since you don’t have a car anymore?”

Right. He’s just being nice.

“I’ll get a ride from the girls,” I assure him. “I’m sure they’ll want to come too.”

Their presence is mandatory. I need back-up from saying something fucking stupid again.

“They can meet us there.” He shuffles backwards, ignoring my offer of an out.

“Or I can meet you there,” I push, fighting a smile.

“See you at ten!” He shoots me a wink, then spins around and jogs away.

My eyes follow him till he rounds the corner of the building and disappears, my cheeks as warm as this latte in my hands.

Maybe he really is Riemann’s quarterback… because I definitely can’t figure him out.