Page 26 of Piggy

Charlotte

My body trembles, my voice cracking as I say to Grayson, “Meghan? You raped her ?”

He sighs heavily and mutters, “Fuck.”

I blink, then whisper to myself, “That poor woman.”

“Charlotte,” he says with determination. “I’m the same guy you fell in love with.” He reaches for my hand, his muscled forearm a reminder of all the nights it wrapped around me. I would float my fingers along those smooth veins and muscles as I fell asleep, feeling loved and safe.

Now, I tense as his palm covers my hand... but a flutter stirs in my stomach anyway.

Dang it. This is so hard. I try to shove down the butterflies because I may not like Meghan, but she’s still a human being!

Just then, the dash lights up as Grayson’s phone rings.

Oh my gosh! Meghan.

He groans and reaches to decline the call, but I am faster .

I need to hear. I need to know this side of Grayson. It will only help because deep down in my heart... I know I should walk away from him. I need a push.

Her voice fills the car, her throat tight and careful, much like a battered woman.

“Grayson? You... you there?”

My heart cracks . She’s calling him. Calling her attacker. Such a confused girl.

Just like me.

His head drops forward, pressing his forehead against the steering wheel.

“What do you want?” he grumbles, annoyed.

So uncaring!

“Are... are you gonna come home?” she squeaks, then sniffles.

He side-glances, his beautiful eyes searching mine. For what, I am unsure, but I keep my expression flat, hiding the gloom and chaos swirling inside.

The silence must rattle Meghan because her voice turns rushed and desperate.

“Grayson. She’s pathetic. Fucking her is charity work. Loving her? That’s just stupid. You know that.”

Well, that’s kinda mean.

His eyes flick to mine, but she continues before he can respond.

“Think about it. She’s trash, baby. White trash. Too immature. Just a wet hole. That’s all she has to offer you. ”

Hey now! That’s harsh.

I am about to yell to defend myself, but she bites first.

“You’re a lion, and she’s a pig. Too dumb to know she’s already bleeding. You know she can’t handle you like I can.”

Rude!

My mouth hangs open, stunned as insecurity blankets me.

I peek at Grayson, feeling as inadequate and ugly as Meghan just said I am.

He squints at me, studying. He slams the mute on the display. “Charlotte. Is she right? You know my past now. I scare you, don’t I? You want out, already.”

“Grayson?” Meghan says, confused by the silence.

I stammer as my heart races faster. I just can’t form words.

“That’s what I thought,” he mumbles and looks away. He unmutes the line and says, “Meghan, she’s not the problem. I’m done with Tampa.”

“Done with Tampa?” she repeats, incredulous. “Or done with me?”

“Both.”

“Grayson, please...” But the sweetness curdles fast. Like a viper, she strikes, her spit hitting the mic. “Grayson! If you don’t come home right now , I swear to God I’ll kill myself! Is that what you want?”

Whoa.

He slumps and sighs, like her threat is meaningless, then grumbles, “Your dad should have pulled out. ”

I gasp at his cruel comment, horrified . But Meghan... she is unstoppable.

Like a light switch, her whole vibe changes yet again, her voice syrupy and kind. “Baby, don’t say that. You wuv me. I need you, and you need me.”

He closes his eyes, exhausted and maybe even bored.

“I’ll do anything,” she coos.

“No.”

“We’ll fix it, babe. Like we always do.” A pause. “This is all about that stupid fucking Charlotte, isn’t it? You downgraded so hard it’s embarrassing. Is this a kink thing now? Screwing fat midgets for fun? How can you like that?”

As if he knows her words just stabbed my fragile ego, his palm clutches my thigh, and his thumb moves in soothing strokes, calming me. He looks at me once more, his eyes boring into my soul. While keeping his gaze fixed, he replies to Meghan.

“Charlotte’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever touched, and if you say one more goddamn nasty word about her, I’ll never talk to you again.”

That makes her unwind . She screams:

“If you don’t come back, I swear it! I’ll call the cops. Tell them you broke the restraining order. Tell them you’ve been stalking me. Say bye-bye Grayson. You’re going back to prison! ”

My jaw hangs open. Their ‘bond’? It’s not love. It’s a war zone. If this is the connection he spoke of, it seems to be pure hate.

“Then do it .” His voice is a blade now.

Meghan shrieks. “Damn it, Grayson. I’ll overdose! I will! Then you can visit two graves!”

And then—

She cries. Just like that . Loud, wet, wailing sobs. I can’t tell, but it sounds real. But maybe it is fake... either way, I am shocked.

And the worst part?

Grayson... he softens upon hearing her cry!

His coldness fades, his hand moves off my thigh, his expression frustrated as he grips the steering wheel.

He doesn’t speak. Just peeks over at me for a moment. Sizing me up. Searching for something. But his eyes almost seem... apologetic.

Oh, no!

My heart races. Wait, wait, wait! Is he about to give in?

He draws in a deep breath.

He is! He’s about to cave.

A reel plays, fast, sharp and aching with memory:

The first time he touched me on the couch, not with hunger, but with care, like I was fragile and deserved tenderness.

When he taught me how to kiss, direct yet patient, calming my nerves.

How gentle he was the first time we made love, trying to make it less painful, touching me like I had value, like I was his whole world at that moment.

He brought me lunch every day, even when he pretended it wasn’t a big deal. God, he always knew exactly what I needed before I did. He even held me every night, his arms wrapped tight, lips buried in my wild hair, whispering things I felt .

Though I begged, he hid his past, not out of shame... but because he wanted to be the hero I imagined. The one who could protect me from the world... maybe even from himself.

I see why now.

I’m drunk and overwhelmed, but God, I love him, despite his dark past.

His eyes veer from mine.

“Meghan,” he says, like a man accepting his grim fate. “I’ll—”

“Hell, no!” I yip loudly, my voice shreiking through the car. “Grayson isn’t yours anymore!”

Silence.

A loaded beat.