Page 24

"It's too fucking early," I grumbled as I shoved my face further into my pillow.

The large, red, glaring numbers on my alarm clock read 6:15 a.m. I was about to say fuck it and go back to sleep when Charlotte's oversized doe-eyes popped into my mind.

She was the one who wanted to get home as soon as possible.

If it were up to me, I'd roll up to my parent's house in time to eat dinner and drive right back to school.

But Charlotte said that the day leading up to Thanksgiving dinner was just as important.

Who am I to argue with her? So now I'm getting my ass out of bed at the crack of dawn to get her home as quickly as I can.

The events of last night rushed back to me as I stepped under the hot spray of my shower.

Fuck, I really messed up. I can't deny that I had been living in a fantasy where I had some kind of claim over Charlotte.

But last night, I let it get out of control.

The warmth of her thigh under my hand had overtaken my senses—and my logic.

Her soft curves fit in my hand perfectly, and it sent my mind into a spiral.

I wanted to explore every inch of her body.

It took all of my self-control not to pounce on her right there in the restaurant.

I'd been so worked up, I had even convinced myself that whatever was happening was mutual.

That maybe she was just as turned on as I was.

But then the fear in her eyes was like a punch to my gut.

I'd made her uncomfortable. Of course, I fucking had.

Charlotte was good and pure and innocent.

Even if she were attracted to me—which she wasn't—she probably was mortified that other people were around. I'm such a piece of shit.

I gripped my hair tightly as I rinsed the shampoo from it. I needed to remember who I was dealing with. Being selfish and sucking Charlotte into my shit was basically the worst thing I could do.

Half-an-hour later I pulled up in front of Charlotte's building and texted her that I was outside. When she stumbled out of the front door carrying a bag half her size I jumped out of my truck and jogged towards her.

"Morning, Sweetheart," I said as I grabbed her bag and threw it over my shoulder.

Instead of responding, Charlotte trudged off towards the truck grumbling under her breath.

She looked like she'd just rolled out of bed and left her dorm.

She was wearing my red hoodie again and grey sweatpants that were tight at the ankle.

The only bit of skin showing was her small feet peeking out of sandals.

She hid from the bright morning sun by pulling the hood up over her dark curls that were flying in every different direction.

The action put my last name on display across her back and pride swelled in my chest as I slipped back into the fantasy.

"Fucking adorable," I mumbled as I wiped my hand over my face and followed behind her.

After I settled back in my truck, I checked to see how Charlotte was doing.

She had curled up into a ball with her feet tucked up on the seat.

Her face rested on her hands as she blinked slowly.

I envied how comfy she could get anywhere from her small size.

I hated being in a vehicle and not behind the wheel.

It was torture to be squished every which way just to fit into a space not built for oversized people.

"Sweetheart, why are you so grumpy? You're the one who wanted to get up this early. I would have gladly slept a few more hours." Apparently that was not the right thing to say. Charlotte's eyes widened as her mouth opened and closed like a guppy like she couldn't decide what to say first.

Finally an incredulous scoff popped from the back of her throat as she glared at me, "I am not grumpy.

I just didn't get alot of sleep last night.

Besides you're one to talk." She whipped her head around to glare out the window and I sat there silently trying to figure out what the hell I was supposed to do.

I made the executive decision to get coffee before the drive. Angry Charlotte was honestly freaking me out. Her pinched eyebrows and protruding bottom lip were cute as fuck, but they didn't belong on her normally cheerful face.

These fancy coffee shops always confused me. I didn't know how to order mocha-frappe-venti bullshit with skim milk. Thankfully I'd saved Charlotte's coffee order in my phone a while ago so I just had to find the screenshot and show it to the guy behind the counter.

I silently passed the little monster in my passenger seat the iced coffee and waited to see if it would work like a magic potion and make Charlotte reappear. She wrapped her plump lips around the straw and sucked suspiciously as though I was trying to poison her or something.

Her eyes lit up as the caffeine reached her tongue and I breathed a sigh of relief when her eyebrows relaxed. Okay, now we can get this show on the road.

The drive started quietly. I had the radio set low to give us some background noise, but besides that, the only sounds were the soft sucking of Charlotte's straw.

I tried to relax and not stress anymore about what happened last night, and eventually, the blurring white stripes of the freeway calmed my mind.

I scrunched my nose as a sour chemically smell wafted over to me. I flicked my eyes to Charlotte and saw that she had a little burgundy bottle propped on her knee.

"What the fuck is that shit?" I grimaced.

She looked up at me with a raised eyebrow and held the bottle out for me to see. "It's nail polish? I didn't get a chance to do my nails last night and I want them to look nice for dinner."

"Get it out of my truck Charlotte, it fucking stinks."

Charlotte rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh, "I won't have time once we get to my parent's house! I still have to get ready for the day when we get there. Besides, I'll be done soon just crack your window."

I glared at the road as Charlotte ignored me completely and started painting that shit all over her fingernails.

My forearm rested on the center console as I flexed my hand a couple of times, releasing the tension.

I really needed to start putting my foot down every once in a while or I might as well get 'pussy-whipped' tattooed on my forehead.

A tickle on my pinky finger drew my attention down. "Seriously Sweetheart get that shit off my nail."

"What? I think it looks nice!" Charlotte giggled, clearly fucking proud of herself. "Careful," she added as I shook my hand away from her, hoping somehow the deep burgundy paint would fall off my nail. "It's wet you don't want it to smudge all over the truck."

I froze my hand midair like it was a grenade that could go off at any second.

"I don't know how, but I am going to get you back for this," I grumbled as I shot a glare over to her.

She just smiled widely and went back to painting her own nails without a care in the world.

At least she was back to being my normal cheerful Charlotte.

"Seriously fucking pussy whipped," I mumbled under my breath.

The rest of the trip passed more peacefully.

Charlotte put that chemical shit away and chatted my ear off for the rest of the drive.

I absentmindedly nodded along while she got excited about all of the traditions we'd be participating in soon, and everyone we'd get to see.

If anyone else talked for this long around me, I'd probably snap.

But Charlotte's voice was so soft and light, it was like listening to music.

My mom had texted me that she and Annie would already be at the Avery's house by the time we got to town so I drove straight there.

The second the truck was in park, Charlotte jumped out and bounced up to the front door.

I took my time grabbing her bag before I followed the sound of high-pitched screeching.

I entered the living room to find Charlotte wrapped up in an embrace between her mom and dad. She and her mom were both squealing excitedly as they caught up. My mom stood up from the couch and strode over to me quickly with her arms wide open.

"Hey baby," she said softly as she pulled me down to her height.

"Hey, Ma." I scrunched up my face as she insisted on kissing my cheek. "Where's dad?"

Mom's smile dropped for a moment before she recovered and said in a sugary voice, "Oh baby, he wanted to be here. But he had a business trip he couldn't miss. His boss has really been working him to the bone recently."

I straightened and didn't respond. There was nothing I could say except, 'Do you think I'm as fucking naive as Annie?' I didn't like being rude to my mom after everything I'd put her through so it was easier to stay silent.

Speaking of my sister, I looked around to find her—already having a pretty good idea where she'd be.

Sure enough, she was tucked into an armchair in the corner watching her iPad.

Annie had been an "oops" baby long after my parents had stopped trying to give me a sibling.

I'd been 15 when she was born and needless to say, my mom already had her hands full dealing with my attitude and my dad's bullshit.

"Hey, get off that fricken thing and say hi to your brother," I chastised as I waved my hand in front of her face.

Annie's chunky little cheeks spread into a huge grin as she dropped the iPad and stood up on the chair for me to grab her.

I picked her up easily and hugged her as she setted on my hip.

I felt bad that she was left to her own devices so often but it was hard when I was away at school all year then in training camps during Summer.

"Archie guess what!" Annie whispered in my ear, cupping her small hand in front of her mouth to block the sound.

"What..." I played along, keeping my voice low.

"Chicken butt!" She shrieked in my ear. I cringed away as she fell limp in arms while hysterics overtook her body.

"I see Kindergarten is teaching her loads of important stuff," I deadpanned to my mother. Annie had caught the attention of the Averys as well. Charlotte came over to say hi to Annie, who calmed down enough to greet her.

Annie stayed in my arms as she told Charlotte all about her school friends.

Her little fist gripped my shirt so she could lean down and talk expressively about all of her five-year-old antics.

I cracked a smile as Charlotte listened intently, nodding her head at the appropriate time and interjecting questions to show interest. Annie glowed under the light of Charlotte's attention, as I watched on.

Remembering we weren't alone I looked up to see our parents silently watching us as well.

Mrs. Avery and my mom both had secretive smiles as their eyes lit up with excitement.

Mr. Avery however, looked grim. His gaze was locked on Charlotte's back where my last name was sprawled.

What brought me pride a few hours ago now made my pulse quicken.

We made eye contact as his lips thinned but he stayed quiet.

"So, where is Ollie?" Charlotte chirped, completely unaware of our parents' attention.

"Got called into work this morning, he'll be back soon though. Do you guys want some lunch?" Mrs. Avery replied.

We were all ushered into the kitchen for sandwiches.

The aroma of turkey dinner already wafted around us as the counters were covered in mystery dishes.

I settled on a stool with Annie on my lap as Charlotte excused herself to go clean up.

I tried to focus on my sister to avoid the hungry stares of the two mothers who wanted to squeeze me for information.

Mr. Avery had gone back to his office to finish up some work and this was the perfect opportunity for the wolves to close in.

The front door crashed open and I was relieved knowing that only Oliver could enter a house that obnoxiously. Sure enough, a few seconds later heavy footsteps came running into the kitchen.

"Archer! Bro!" Ollie yelled as he clapped me on the back.

"How's it going man?" I replied genuinely happy to see my best friend again. He'd always been a brother to me, even when I'd treated him like shit. Guilt swirled in my stomach as I thought about the captivating girl upstairs. I hoped Oliver was okay about my new relationship with his little sister.

"So," he said as though he'd read my mind. "I hear you drove my sister here. Finally got her to stop hating you did ya?"

I rolled my eyes, internally relieved that he seemed chill. "She never hated me," I said ashamed of how pouty my voice sounded.

"Sure she didn't," Annie sassed as she hopped off my lap to go back to the living room. Oliver howled with laughter as I glared after my traitor of a sister.

"What's all the excitement?" Charlotte strode into the kitchen before catching sight of her brother, "Ollie!"

I watched the two siblings reunite. Pure joy bounced off of them as they hugged and talked a mile-a-minute at the same time. How the fuck did they hear each other?

Charlotte had changed into dark jeans that hugged her curves so perfectly I had to actively force myself to avert my eyes.

She swapped my hoodie for a beige sweater that sat low on her hips and cut under her collar bone.

I was relieved I wouldn't be fending off glares from her father anymore, but at least in my hoodie, I didn't have to peel my gaze away from her body.

"You didn't hate me growing up, right?" I asked quietly as she came over to sit next to me.

Amusement flashed in her eyes as she took in my worried state and Oliver's smug grin. "Awww," she patronized as she patted my shoulder. "Of course not!" An airy giggle burst from her lips as I shook my head.

Poking her in the ribs I goaded, "At least I don't laugh at my own jokes." Her giggling stopped as she swatted my hand away.

"Yeah... this is really gonna take some getting used to," Oliver mused. I looked up to see all three of them watching us like we had three heads.

A pretty blush spread across Charlotte's cheeks as she stepped away from me, offering her mother some help. Oliver took her seat so we could catch up. I had a moment as Oliver told me about his job where I realized for the first time I was actually enjoying a holiday.

My dad not being here removed so much pressure from my shoulders.

I didn't have to watch my back constantly, avoiding being cornered by him.

My mom was happier too, I could tell. She laughed freely with Mrs. Avery as the two cooked together.

Annie even pulled her nose off the iPad for a bit to spend time with us.

Charlotte stood at the counter in front of me chopping vegetables.

A curl had fallen in her face and she kept huffing breaths up to blow it away.

I chuckled as she let out an exasperated sigh when the curl fell right back into place.

She looked over at me at the sound. A soft smile played on her lips before she turned back to her job.

The rest of the day passed easily. Oliver and I snuck away to play video games for a while before Annie corralled us out for dinner.

Bright reds and oranges adorned the dining room as we made up our plates and sat down.

Mr. Avery sat at the head of the table and called for us all to hold hands for grace.

I placed both palms out for Charlotte and Oliver to grab. I was again mesmerized by how perfectly Charlotte's hand fit into mine. I barely heard the prayer before an echo of 'amen' told me it was time to let go. Before I could pull my hand back from Oliver his grip tightened as he flipped my hand.

"Arch..." his voice had an unreleased laugh in it, making me look up. "Are you wearing nail polish?"

I swung my head over to Charlotte as I cocked my jaw, waiting for her to take responsibility. Everyone at the table looked on amused as Oliver showed off my burgundy nail.

'I want pretty nails like Archer!" Annie jumped in her seat making the adults laugh.

"Charlotte," I warned.

She nodded, seeing the joke was over and shifted forward to speak. "Archer if I knew you liked nail polish I could have lent you some." The table erupted in another wave of laughter as I rolled my eyes and started eating.

"I'm ignoring all of you," I said between bites.

A few hours later we were all comatose in the living room. Three helpings of turkey plus multiple slices of pies weighed heavy at the bottom of my stomach. My eyes were almost drifting closed when Oliver spoke up.

"Archer, man let's go out. It's ladies' night at the pub."

"Dude, there is no way. I can't move," I grumbled.

Oliver hucked a pillow at me, smacking me right in the face.

"C'mon man! I barely get to see you, I need my wingman.

" I felt Charlotte stiffen next to me as she listened to our exchange.

I had been worried about this. All I wanted to do was relax and honestly, spend time with Charlotte.

But I didn't want to leave Oliver high and dry.

Any other time I was home, this would be an opportunity I'd jump on.

It also frustrated me that Oliver had to label me his wingman.

He always did that, acting like we went out and scooped up a bunch of girls.

In actuality, usually, our nights out were Oliver getting wasted while I sipped whiskey and ignored the majority of people who approached us.

It never bothered me before, but now guilt settled in my stomach.

"Okay fine, just for a bit though," I sighed as I tried to shake the feeling.

I was single, technically I could do anything I wanted.

But it didn't stop me from avoiding Charlotte's eyes as I stood to go get ready.

I didn't want to see what her gaze held.

Disappointment? Jealousy? Fuck, maybe she wouldn't even care.

Maybe a night out was exactly what I needed to get this girl out of my head.