Page 4 of Piggy

Charlotte

In the middle of the night, I gotta pee.

Half awake, I roll out of bed and drag my feet as I head to the bathroom. But even though I’m hazy, I’m smiling.

Because... Grayson.

That was so amazing. To feel a guy that close. The best moment of my life.

When I leave the bathroom, voices catch my attention.

It’s coming from Grayson’s room. I creep closer and press my ear to the door. Sounds like he’s talking to a woman. Where did a woman come from?

His deep voice carries, muffled, but definitely his. “Mmm, that’s it, you dirty girl. Turn around.”

The woman replies in a sultry voice, “You want to put it in my tight ass?”

Gross .

Then—

She moans .

“Fuck, yeah. That’s it, filthy girl. Put it in deep, stretch it.”

Eww. Eww. Eww.

And — freaking heartbreaking!

I sigh and frown.

There’s that damn jealousy I never wanted, and it hurts even worse than I expected. I hate it.

Abruptly, my heart pounds against my chest.

Now, I’m getting mad. Don’t get mad.

But I am.

A chill runs down my spine as the memory flashes of Grayson’s breath sweeping down my neck. It was so earth shaking. So special for me.

I can’t help it. My hands ball into fists, and I curse God through clenched teeth. “Almost a perfect day and you ruined it by making me pee in the middle of the night.”

Dang it! Now I feel worse because I’m blaming God for this. For getting my hopes up. I should just be grateful for having a guy’s attention for one minute.

I smack my own forehead and choke back tears.

You’re such an idiot, Charlotte. You don’t deserve him. That other, clearly more experienced woman does.

I don’t know why I can’t control myself, but I want to see what type of woman is deserving. Carefully, I turn the knob and peek through the small crack.

Grayson is sitting in the bed, back rested against the headboard. It’s dark, the only light from a laptop. I can see his sculpted face and bare chest, but nothing else, the rest of him blocked by shadows and the computer screen. His mouth is parted as he stares at the laptop.

And I hear it. The friction . His arm is moving, stroking.

He’s masturbating!

And wow... the pleasure rising in his face is so dang sexy. His breath shallow, eyebrows pitched.

The woman’s voice is sharper now with the door cracked. “Mmm, you like this Grayson? You wanna fuck me like this, don’t you, baby?”

He sucks in a sharp breath and nods slowly.

I wish it was me he looks at that way — with those lust-filled eyes.

“What in the fuck?” belts out Brax, who is suddenly standing behind me!

Holy—

I spin around. “Uh.”

From Grayson’s room, the sound of a laptop snapping shut makes me flinch. The whoosh of air chills my legs as he swings open his door.

I have Brax glaring down at me, and the overwhelming presence of Grayson burning my backside.

“Dude, Piggy was fuckin’ spying on you,” Brax says.

I cringe as I look over my shoulder, finding Grayson with a sheet wrapped around his waist. But I can’t stand to look into those intense hazel eyes for one more second.

I sulk. I have no excuse, so all I can muster is: “Sorry, Grayson. ”

Brax bellows with laughter. “Fuckin’ Piggy is a Peepin’ Tom! Better start locking your door, man!”

Grayson laughs hard, too. “Your sister is down bad. Watching me beat off.” He pushes on my shoulder and I stumble away from them.

Like I expect, they don’t stop.

Brax doubles over, laughing louder. “Piggy loves Grayson!”

“I do not!”

“Peepin’ Piggy,” taunts Grayson.

I run to my room. “I hate you both!”

“She’s squealing!” yells Brax.

“Ugh!” I groan and slam my door shut.

I already know it. Now, I have a new nickname.

Damn it, Charlotte!

I’m twenty-one years old and I’m in a loop. Nothing changes. Go to work, come home, clean up, and get bullied.

I don’t want Brax to lose Mom’s house, but he has a lot of friends. Maybe he can be responsible long enough to find a second roommate. And take care of Atticus. He’s Brax’s little brother, too.

Having an autistic brother isn’t easy, but I’m sure Brax can learn how to care for him. If only I was awarded guardianship instead of Brax.

Either way, I just need to make changes this year.

But I don’t know how to change my life. Therefore, I do the only thing I can.

I pray .

“Dear God, please. Please change my life. I want to live somewhere quieter. I want a boyfriend. I want to fall in love. And I want to be happy. Somehow... please, I’ll do anything. Just get me out of this house! Amen.”

The week drags , and by Friday, I coach myself to deal with another obnoxious night of partying.

Work passes by too fast. I don’t want to go home.

Everyone knows. I’m officially Peepin’ Piggy .

Grayson and Brax rub it in every chance they get, telling everyone to ‘lock their doors, close their curtains, watch out for Perverted Peepin’ Piggy!’

I sigh.

The door chimes just as I start closing up the shop for the day.

I recognize the customer immediately.

Alex. A tall, skinny guy, shaggy brown hair, acne, baggy skater clothes, and a big time pothead I remember from high school. His eyes are always half closed from smoking so much — like now.

“Oh!” He chuckles. “It’s Charlotte Young. Haven’t seen you for years.”

“Three years,” I reply, trying not to stare at his bloodshot eyes .

“Cool. I moved to Texas after graduation, but just got back. Checking out who’s hiring around here.” He gives me a huge smile.

Oh, yeah ... He probably smoked right before he came in here.

But I furrow my brow, and for a moment, I wonder... is he smiling at me ?

Grayson’s words slam back: “Some loser will fuck you... get experience... sex is not a big deal.”

Alex is kind of a burn out... not a mess like me, though. He’s actually really cute. And he’s not a virgin, either. He definitely slept around. Probably more since. He’ll know how to put a condom on.

Quickly, I stand straighter and use my fingers to brush back any flyaway strands that may have slipped from my bun.

This isn’t quite what I want. He’s no Noah, but I’m no Allie.

I’m getting ahead of myself again.

But maybe this is the change I’ve been hoping for! God answered my prayers!

I smile shyly. “Um, I—”

Gosh, I don’t know how to do this.

I try again.

“We’re not hiring... but do you want to come to a party tonight? At my house? It’s not my party. It’s Brax’s, but—”

“Sure.”

Sure? Is this a date? I’m hitting on him, but I don’t think he knows. He’s too high .

“What color are your eyes? Blue?” he says.

“Um, they’re brown.”

“Right on. They’re pretty,” he rebounds. “Well, I’ll see you tonight, cutie .”

Pretty! Cutie!

Save me now.

The door chimes as he leaves.

I don’t know what the hell that was or what this means, but I think it’s good. I know it. Yep! God finally answered my prayers.

“Alex and Charlotte,” I whisper to myself. I’m sure my cheeks are bright pink.

Oh my goodness! I have a date.

I do a little dance.