Page 17 of Fast Break

Seventeen

Palmer

"Is something going on with you andCharlie?"Jewel whispers in my ear.

I choke on the Dr. Pepper I'd just sipped. I'd switched to soda after the giant punch cocktail had the room spinning. Now I have only a pleasant buzz going, but Jewel's question almost sobers me completely.

"Why do you ask?"I say, hoping I sound nonchalant and not panicked. Fatchance, but I can hope.

"Because he hasn't stopped looking at you all night."She gestures with the plastic sword that came in the cocktail between me andCharlie, who is two tables away."And I know you noticed because you've been looking over there almost the whole time."

I take another sip of Dr. Pepper to buy myself time."If I'm staring at him, it's because he's hot. I mean, look at him, right? But I doubt he's staring at me. He's probably checking out the women at thebarbehind me."I wave in that general direction.

Jewel narrows her eyes."Uh-huh, I see. So nothing going on."

"That's right. We're only friends."

"Well, I never had a friend who looked at me like he wanted to take me to a dark corner and devour me. But I'm from a little town in Pennsylvania, so maybe it's a city thing. Like those peppermint sticks stuck in lemon wedges."

"Those are so good,"I say, suddenly wanting one. I'd never heard of those untilBrennanand I visited the traditional Flower Mart downtown a couple of years ago. If I remember thistomorrow, I'll add lemons and peppermint sticks to my shopping list.

"If you say so,"Jewel snorts. She turns her face toward me and hides her mouth."Don't look now, but your hot friend is heading this way."

I'm about to protest, but thenCharlieappears at the table. Myteammatesgreet him with a synchronized chorus of"Hi,Charlie!", drawingattentionto us.

"Hello, ladies. Having a good time?"heasks. He makes small talk with everyone at the table, and I begin to relax, since it no longer seems obvious he came over just for me. But then, he turns his dimples on me.

"Hey,Palmer. Can I speak to you for a minute, in private?"He nods toward a door leading to the back hallway of thebar, which leads to the bathrooms and the back alley.

"Um, sure."I hop off my stool and grasp the table for balance.

The buzz is still rolling strong through me.

Charlieputs his hand under my elbow to steady me andholdsonto it as he guides me to the back.

Once wepushthrough the swinging door and turn the corner, we're out of sight of the mainbararea.

"What did you want to–oomph–"

I'm cut short byCharlie'smouth onmine.

He backs me against the wall and claims my lips in a passionate, punishingkiss.

Once the initial shock wears off, I melt into it, wrapping my hands around his head as he plunders my mouth.

Soft sighs are met withdeepgrunts. In my heels, we're about the same height.

He puts a hand under my thigh and hooks my leg over one of hiships, perfectly aligning us.

I moan when his hard steel makes contact with my bare heat.

His hand glides up my thigh to my bareass, then follows a path in my crease.

"Fuck,"he murmurs against my mouth."Are you bare?"

"Surprise."My giggle morphs into a low gasp when the tip of his finger presses against my rear entrance. He chuckles lightly at my shock.

"Tease me, I tease you,"he growls. He rubs against me, holding his finger in place between my cheeks. I wheeze, my breath catching partly from nerves, partly from arousal."Don't worry, we aren't here yet."

He applies a little more pressure, then removes his hand and smacks my buttocks."But we'll get there someday."

I whimper, desperate need blazing from my core outward.

I crush my lips against his, stroking and sucking histongue, taking what I want.

His other hand reaches under my skirt and skims across my slit.

Before I can encourage him to go farther, we hear footsteps and untangle ourselves in time for the door to swing inward.

Charlieturns his back so his tented pants aren't visible, resting an arm against the wall to block most of my body from sight.

"Oh, sorry,"a woman's voice sings out, followed by a snicker. I peer overCharlie'sshoulder to seeMeiandLibertywalking into the restroom.Libertyhas a strange look on her face when she catches my eye, but she quickly glances away.

"It wasMeiandLiberty."I groan, dropping my face into my hands."We look so obvious."

"Is it really that big a deal?"Charliehuffs.

I look up at his scowling face, though he looks morehurtthan angry."I guess not. I just didn't want anyone to know we were hooking up."

A muscle tics inCharlie'scheek."Are you embarrassed?"

"God, no,"I insist."If anything, it'd be the opposite. I'm notexactlyyour type."

He runs his hands through his hair and huffs."My type,"he mutters.

His eyes roam over my features. Does he see what I see, the moon face and apple-round cheeks? Pale, blotchy skin made worse when I was embarrassed? The unusual eyes, the nose slightly too wide, and the mouth that always felt too large?

"I wish you'd believe how beautiful you are. I want people to know we're together because I feel sofuckinglucky."His voice hitches and he clears his throat."Coco, I need to tell you–"

The door to the women's restroom bangs open, making us both jump.Charlielets go of my cheek asLibertystomps away, followed a minute later byMei, whogivesus a wink and a sly smile.Charliedrops his head on a sigh."Sorry. I should go and let you finish the night with your friends."

"Charlie, don't go,"I put a hand on hischest."I feel lucky to be with you, too."

Hegivesme a half-smile andkissesmequickon the lips."Havefuntonightand we'll talktomorrow, 'k?"

Myshouldersslump, but I agree and heholdsmy hand for another moment before exiting out the alleyway door.

I use the restroom to put myself back together–smooth my hair down, fix my smearedlipgloss.

Then I rejoin myteammates, ignoring their loaded questions and changing the subject until they finally move on to different topics.

I can't focus, though, my mind drifting back toCharlie.

I wish you'd believe how beautiful you are. I want people to know we're together because I feel sofuckinglucky.

Did he really mean that? It's been more than two weeks since we made our arrangement, and I could think of a million ways he's made me feel special.

More than that, he's made me feel treasured, something no one—not my parents, not my previous boyfriends—has ever done.

But is this why he's so popular with women? Is this how he is with all of them?

I try to stay longer, but my thoughts won't stop straying toCharlie. I want to be with him. So I say my goodbyes and head out the door, debating whether I should warn him I'm on my way or simplyshowup and hope he lets me in.

I'm barely out the door whenLibertycalls out to me."Palmer, wait up."

I stop and wait for her, clocking her appearance.

Her ruby locks, normally sleek and shiny, are a frizzy halo around her head.

Her hazel-brown eyes are glassy, her lipstick smeared in one corner, and her cheeks have an alcohol flush to them.

She walks unsteadily in her Steve Madden wedges.

She is the picture of drunken regrets, and I feel sorry for her.

"Hey,Liberty. Do you need a lift somewhere?"Iholdup my phone."I can call a Lyft."

She dismisses me with a shaky wave of her hand."Mei's taking me home. I wanted to tell you something."

"Okay."I shift on my feet, waiting for what I have a sneaking suspicion is going to be something aboutCharlie. I'm proven right.

"He'llbreakyour heart,"she says."He's so good-looking. So charming. Says all the right things. But he'll never settle down."

I look around, but thankfully, it doesn't seem like anyone inside is payingattentionto us. The last thing I want is a public argument with a drunken colleague."Look,Liberty. I appreciate the warning, but it's not necessary.Charlieand I are friends?—"

"Did he tell you how lucky he is to be with you? How he wishes you knew how beautiful and special you are?"Her lips curl in an ugly snarl."He did. I can tell by your face. And you fell for it."

I refuse to admit anything to her, especially not that she's right. My heart drops to my feet. It shouldn't matter. He's not myboyfriendand he never will be. In fact, I'm happyLibertytells me this because now it's easier to quash any growing feelings.

"Thankyou,"I say, clearing my throat."I appreciate the heads up. But it's unnecessary, truly. Have a good night,Liberty."

I move down the block, checking once over my shoulder to ensure she went back inside.

Around the corner, I lean against a building and blow out a breath.

Myplanto surpriseCharlieat his place isn't a no-brainer any longer.

I take out my phone and call up the rideshare app, dithering between following through or calling it and going home.

Does whatLibertysaid change anything? So what if he uses the same lines; makes sense why he would switch women as often as he switches socks if he's got a standard repertoire he uses.

My finger hovers over the icon for the rideshare app. Come on,Palmer. Make a decision. Go home or go toCharlie?

I tap the screen and pocket my phone.