Page 28

Charlie

I t's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and I’m doing everything to not have a panic attack. My classes were canceled, and Shane is in his only class for the day. I’ve been pacing outside of his class for thirty minutes, not able to sit still. He wanted me to stay at home with Ryder, but I grabbed his hand and refused to let go.

I rake my fingers through my messy hair and tug on the ends. I check the time on my phone for the millionth time. Twelve twenty-seven. Shit. I have about thirty minutes before Benji pulls up to my townhouse to pick me up. We weren’t supposed to leave until five, but I guess some of his old high school friends are coming home early and he wants to hang out with them. And since he has the only car here, I have to ride with him.

I startle at the feel of hands on my shoulders. I jerk my head up and sigh when I see light blue eyes looking down at me.

“You ready?” Shane asks as he threads his fingers through mine and starts walking to the door.

“So. I was thinking we stop by Duci Pizza, say hi to Elio and Lorenzo, grab a few pizzas, and have an early dinner with the guys before you go. How’s that sound?”

He walks up to the passenger side door of his truck and opens the door. I chew on my bottom lip, looking everywhere but at him.

“What’s wrong?” He pulls my lip free and tilts my chin up with his finger.

I swallow a few times before I’m able to speak. “I have to leave. Benji said he’s going to pick me up at one,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.”

He scrunches his brows. “I thought we had until five?”

I shrug, pulling my lip back into my mouth.

“Do you have to ride with Benji? I don’t mind driving you. I enjoy road trips,” he says with a crooked smile.

I wish I didn’t have to go at all. But I can’t let Shane see the monstrosity I grew up in or all the housekeepers and butlers. Plus, he’d have to come in and greet my father and I don’t want Shane anywhere near him.

I clear my throat. “Thanks, but it’s okay. I don’t want you to waste the rest of your day on the highway.” I bite the inside of my cheek as I look up at him. “Benji wants to get home to meet up with some friends. I’m sure he told our father that we’re leaving earlier so I’d be expected to arrive home along with him. Sorry.”

“What did I tell you about the S word? No more, okay? This isn’t your fault, so you don’t have to apologize.” He checks the time on his phone and then looks back at me. “You have about fifteen minutes. Hop in and I’ll drive you over so you can pack real quick.”

I try to smile in thanks, but it feels fake, so I drop it as I climb into his truck.

The short drive is quiet with soft rock music playing. When he pulls into a spot in front of my building and turns the truck off, I grab his arm before he can climb out.

“I don’t need to pack. I have plenty of clothes there. Can we wait here instead?”

He leans over the center console and drops a quick kiss on my lips. “We can do whatever you want beautiful.” He kisses me again before sitting back in his seat. “What time is the event tomorrow? I want to make sure I don’t miss those selfies you’re going to send of you in a sleek black suit, looking sexy as hell.” He pumps his eyebrows with a sly smile.

I shake my head at him and let out a soft snort. “I have no control over what I’ll be wearing and I don’t remember agreeing to send selfies.” I’ve never even taken a selfie. “And it starts at six, so I’ll have to be ready by five.”

“Oh, you are definitely taking a few selfies for me. I love you dressed in my clothes, but I need to see you in a suit for…research purposes.” His smile grows as he winks at me.

I smile back, fighting to roll my eyes. “I’ll try.”

He pulls my hand towards him at the same time he leans over, meeting me in the middle over the console again.

“That’s all I ask.” He smashes his lips to mine for a deep kiss.

Teeth clank together as our tongues explore each other’s mouths. I let out a soft moan when my dick hardens, and I rub against the side of the console. Shane bites my lower lip and pulls, releasing another, louder moan from me.

“I’m going to come if we don’t stop,” I pant against his lips.

He rests his forehead against mine with his eyes closed, trying to catch his breath. “Do we have time for me to take care of it for you?”

I shake my head keeping our foreheads together. “Benji is-”

A loud smack against my window scares me, making me jump back. My heart skyrockets when I see a pissed-off Benji glaring at Shane. His arms are crossed over his broad chest and his nostrils are flared.

I look back at Shane and see him staring daggers at my brother. The tension coming off him is palpable.

I reach for the door handle and push the door open when Shane grabs my arm. I glance over at him and see that his features have softened a little.

“If you need me, call. I don’t care what time it is. I’ll always answer.” He squeezes my arm. “Are you okay if I kiss you with him looking?”

I shake my head subtly, terrified of what Benji might do if he saw that. Shane nods and pulls his hand back.

“I love you, Charlie. Text me when you get there.” He smiles softly as I push the door open.

Closing it behind me, I keep my head down as I walk around Benji and get in his car. When he doesn’t get in, I look over at him talking to Shane who’s stepped out of his truck. Their voices are muffled as Benji starts pointing at Shane aggressively, but Shane looks unbothered. Shane shrugs then I hear Benji say, “Fuck you,” as he turns and gets in his car, slamming the door. He backs out of the spot quickly, tires squealing as he shifts into drive and speeds away from Shane.

I look in the side mirror and see Shane standing at the back of his truck watching us leave.

Benji doesn’t say anything on the two-hour drive. Not that I’d be able to hear him over the loud rap music he has blasting through the speakers.

We speed through our hometown of Gold Ridge Valley as my heart rate picks up. Passing our old high school brings sudden flashbacks of being bullied in the bathrooms, making my breath hitch.

I close my eyes and force myself to take deep breaths, calming myself. I visualize the path through town from memory as Benji slows to turn onto the road that leads to our house. I keep my eyes closed as he goes around each bend in the road, coming to a stop in front of the gates.

I slowly open my eyes and stare at the massive A that’s in the middle of the metal gate. My father had it made out of gold so everyone who came here knew he was made of money, not that the mansion beyond the gate was lacking in the ‘I'm arrogantly rich and I like to shove it in people's faces’ department.

Benji hits a button on the dashboard, opening the gates. As soon as there's enough room to clear his side mirrors, he speeds up the hill and comes to a screeching halt as he parks in his designated spot in the open garage. My heart is in my throat as I slowly release the door handle one finger at a time.

I see Benji turn towards me out of the corner of my eye.

"I'm not going to say anything to Dad about you and Shane." I nod, looking down at my lap. "But that's only because it'll put him in a bad mood, and I don't want to deal with it for the next two days." He leans closer. "But just know that Shane has a big mouth. And I wouldn't be surprised if Dad finds out without me saying anything." He leans in even closer, lips right next to my ear. "He's already on Dad’s radar. It's only a matter of time before he gets Shane alone." An icy chill runs down my spine as I watch Benji climb from the car.

He's going to disappear like the others!

With shaking legs, I force my body to get out of the car and into the safety of my room. I go in the side door that the housekeepers use and climb up the back stairs to the third floor. I quietly open the door and make sure no one is in the hall before quickly making my way into my room and locking my door.

My room is exactly how I left it. Clothes all over the floor, drawers half open, bed a mess of blankets, and empty bottles under my bed. I guess my mother told the cleaning crew not to clean in here.

Pushing off the door, I toe off my shoes and climb onto my bed, throwing the blankets over my head. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I send a text to Shane letting him know that I’m here.

Blue: Try to have a good time baby. Remember what I said about calling me whenever you need me. I’ll be here.

Blue: Oh and I still expect a selfie or two tomorrow ;)

I put my phone away and curl up in a ball. The exhaustion from only sleeping three hours last night hits me, making it impossible to open my eyes after I blink. I shove a pillow behind me then scoot back so it’s between me and the wall, making it feel like Shane is behind me. I sigh as I settle into the mattress and give in to sleep.

“Mr. Charles, dinner will be served in fifteen minutes and your presence is required.”

I groan as I rub sleep from my eyes.

Another knock comes on my door. “Mr. Charles? Are you in there?”

I pull the blankets off my head and yell out, “I’ll be down in a minute Jeffrey.”

“Please don’t be late, Charlie,” he whispers through my door.

I’m not sure if I was meant to hear him but I know Father will blame him for not getting me to where I need to be on time.

I roll out of bed and stretch. I look down and freeze. I can’t believe I forgot to take off Shane’s hoodie. What if Father had seen it? I quickly take it off and ball it up, shoving it under my pillows.

With my heart beating in my ears, I grab a solid black hoodie from my closet and pull it over my head as I open my door, stopping when I see Benji leaning against the wall. He pushes off as I close my door and slowly walk past him.

“He’s not happy with you,” he says as he walks down the stairs next to me.

“When’s he ever happy with me,” I mumble to myself making Benji laugh.

He slaps me on the back as we hit the landing and turn towards the dining room.

“Maybe if you put some effort into your life, he wouldn’t have to push you so much to do better. It’s really not that hard Charlie.”

Easy for him to say when he’s good at everything he does.

I let him walk in first so I can duck behind him as we walk to our seats. The table is obnoxiously large for four people. We sit on one side with our mother across from us and our father at the head of the table.

Servers come out with our plates. I pick at the top of the mashed potatoes as I watch red juice flow from the round piece of meat. I lose my appetite the second it touches the potatoes. I set my fork down and reach for my glass of wine. I hate wine but it looks like this is the only part of dinner I’ll be able to hold down without gagging. I take a small sip of the dry red wine, wincing at the flavor. I wash it down with a sip of water as my father clears his throat.

“Where were you earlier, Charles? I expected to have both of my sons greet me when they arrived, not just one.” He cuts into his red filet, and I do my best to hold back any reaction.

“I took a nap. I didn’t sleep that well last night.” I reach for my wine again, taking a big gulp.

“That’s unacceptable, Charles. I am to be respected in this house, by everyone.” His stern voice makes my shoulders rise to my ears. “Look at me when I’m speaking to you!” He raises his voice.

I turn my head but look over his shoulder as he keeps talking.

“Tomorrow is a very important day for me and you will not ruin it by being disrespectful. I trust you have a female date for tomorrow’s event?”

My eyes snap to his. Date? Since when do I need a date to go to Thanksgiving dinner?

Benji chuckles next to me. I look at him, confused.

“I have a limo being sent to pick up my date. She’ll be here right at six,” Benji comments. He glances over his shoulder at me with a smirk before going back to his food.

“Very good Benjamin. Charles?”

I look back at him, lost for words. I shake my head and then look at my mother when she releases an irritated huff.

“Honestly, Charles. Can’t you do anything on your own?” She picks up her phone and types something quickly. Less than thirty seconds later, a stiff smile crosses her botoxed face. “All done. Ashley will be here at six. She’s a model so expect to show her off and introduce her to everyone.”

The blood drains from my face as I look down at my plate, feeling sick.

Why did she have to pick Ashley? She hates me.

They talk around me as I stare at the blood on my plate for so long that it starts to blur.

“Are you finished Mr. Charles?”

I blink rapidly and slowly nod my head. I watch one of the servers take my plate as the silence in the room hits my ears. I glance over at the table and see that everyone is gone.

They just…left me here.

I shouldn’t be surprised at this point but sometimes I wish someone would see me in this house.

The server comes back and starts to take the wine glass, but I reach for it first. I down the rest and choke as I swallow the sharp, bitter liquid. I grab the water glass and chug the rest, swishing it around before swallowing.

Returning to my room, I pull out my phone, seeing that it’s almost seven. I toss it on my bed and look around my room. I don’t remember why I left it in such disarray, but I suddenly can’t stand the mess. I turn on my rock mix on Spotify and get to cleaning.

Two hours later my room is spotless and smells fresh. I jump in the shower to clean off all the sweat. Grabbing my phone, I use the back stairs to leave the house. I walk past the small houses that the housekeepers live in and down the hill to a clearing with soft grass. I lay back and look up at the star-lit sky.

I trace the different shapes as I tell them how nervous I am about tomorrow, how much I wish I was more like Benji, and how I wish I was in Shane’s arms.

My phone pings in my pocket and I smile when I see who it’s from.

Blue: My bed is so cold without you in it. I know I’m the main heat source, but your cool body makes sleeping so much better.

I smile as I take a picture of the stars and send it to him.

Blue: Wow! You can see way more out there than I’ve ever seen here.

Me: I’m in the far corner of the property where there are no lights. It’s my favorite spot here.

Blue: That’s awesome that you have that spot. I know how much you like your star gazing time :)

I look back up at the stars imagining a house where I can sit outside every night and not have to worry about getting cold. I look back at my phone after it buzzes.

Blue: How long have you been outside? It’s fifty degrees and if I know you the way I think I do, you didn’t grab a blanket and you’re in thin pants. Am I right?

Me: How do you add an eyeroll emoji?

Me: I’ve only been out here for like thirty minutes. I’m fine.

Blue: Nope. That’s too long. I’m not there to warm you up. Go back inside.

Me: When did you get so bossy?

Huffing a short laugh, I roll onto my stomach and push to my feet. When I get to my dark room, I lock my door and then climb into bed, shivering at the coolness of the sheets as it goes through my thin pants.

Blue: I’m not bossy. I’m protective of what’s mine. kissing face emoji

Blue: Are you back inside?

Me: Yes. I’m in bed now.

He doesn’t respond but then my phone starts ringing with a video call. I hit answer and his gorgeous smiling face appears.

“Hey, beautiful.” He’s shirtless laying in his bed.

“Hi.”

“Do you have a lamp you can turn on so I can see you more clearly?”

I tap the base of the lamp spreading warm yellow light over me.

“That’s better. Now I can see my sexy man.” He grins as my cheeks heat.

“Did you get all of the food ready for tomorrow like you wanted to?”

“I did. Though I had to send Ryder to the store to get more cheese for the cheese ball because he thought it was a ‘cooking snack’ and ate half of it while I was busy at the stove. You should have seen his face after he got back almost three hours later! He didn’t realize a shit ton of people wait until the day before Thanksgiving to get food. He was so pissed! But it made me laugh so it was worth it.”

I chuckle. “Well, hopefully he’s learned his lesson and won’t eat the food before it’s ready to be served.”

“Ha. Fat chance of that happening. That man will eat anything that’s in front of him without realizing what he’s doing.”

I laugh with him because I’ve seen Ryder do just that then ask what happened to all the food.

Shane lets out a big yawn, rubbing his hand up and down his six-pack. I follow the movement and lick my lips when he rests his hand on his hip. He must see what I’m looking at because he moves his phone back so I can see him lazily trace above the waistband of his dark boxer briefs with his fingertips.

“Whatcha thinking about baby?” That deep husky voice I love has blood rushing to my dick.

I lick my lips again as I follow his hand as he covers his hard length. Mine gives a jolt in my pants when he squeezes himself.

“Look what you did, beautiful. Just you looking at me like that has gotten me hard as a brick.” He strokes himself slowly over his boxer briefs. “Want me to take them off?”

I nod quickly, making him chuckle.

“How about you take off your clothes too, so we’ll be naked together.”

I lean my phone against a stack of books on my end table and take ofmy clothes. When I’m naked, I look back at my phone to see Shane stroking his thick cock with a lazy smile. He’s moved his phone so I’m able to see him from head to mid-thigh.

“You look so fucking sexy baby. Do you have lube or lotion?” His deep voice sends chills over my body.

I grab the small bottle of lotion I keep in the drawer and hold it up for him to see.

“Perfect. Put some in your hands and get that beautiful dick nice and slick.” He does the same but with lube. “That’s it. Now I want you to imagine it’s me stroking you. Squeeze on the way up then twist your hand around the crown.”

I close my eyes and do what he says. I start slow but after the second pass over my sensitive head, I can’t stop my hand as it moves faster.

“Look at me, baby.” When I do, I see him pumping his hips into his fist. The head of his cock is dark red with precum dripping out. “I want you to look at me when you cum. Use both hands and do that twisting move.”

I overlap my hands and twist back and forth as I pump up into my fist.

“Oh fuck,” I moan. “It feels so good.”

“Faster baby.”

I throw my head back and dig my heels into the mattress.

“I’m going to cum. Oh shit. Shane. Fuck.” I don’t even know what words are coming out of my mouth as tingling shoot up my legs and lands in my groin.

“Open your eyes beautiful. I want them on me when you cum.”

I turn my head and open my eyes as cum covers my lower stomach.

“Fuuucckkk,” I moan, my eyes rolling to the back of my head.

“Fuck, baby. That’s so fucking hot. I’m going to come.”

He strokes quickly until cum shoots out and lands on his muscular stomach. Stroking a few more times until nothing else comes out, he leans back panting.

“That was perfect. And now I’m ready to pass out,” he yawns.

Laying back against my pillows, I watch as he uses his boxer briefs to clean up his mess then pulls the blankets over his chest.

His eyes are half open as he rolls to his side.

“I love you, Charlie.” He lets out another yawn but doesn’t open his eyes this time and his phone tilts as his hand relaxes.

I watch him sleep for a little bit with a small smile on my lips.

When the cum on my stomach starts to dry and becomes itchy, I force myself to get up. I take my phone with me as I wash off the dried cum in my bathroom then climb back into bed.

He hasn’t moved as I lay down and listen to his soft breathing until it’s too hard to keep my eyes open.

“Good night, Superstar.”