Rianna’s husky voice slides over me, sending a shiver I wish I could shake off.
"No. Just lying in bed with Char."
"You got plans for today? I'm bored."
I go over mine and Charlie's schedule in my head. "Not that I know of. What do you have in mind?"
I could swear she mutters 'you,' but I shove the thought aside, scolding myself for even entertaining it.
Guilt twists inside me, its reason just out of reach.
"What?" I ask.
"I don't know. I just want to hang out. Everyone else is busy, and I'm freaking tired of being lonely," she whines.
"Poor baby," I tease.
"I truly am," she giggles.
I steal a glance at the bedroom door before sinking into the couch. 'You’re a mess, Ri.'
"Duh. You already know this, babe."
I clear my throat at her pet name and shift about until I can get comfortable. "Woman. Tell me what you want to do."
"David is having a party tonight. Are you going?" she asks sweetly.
I grimace and rub the back of my neck. "Now that you mention it, I think Charlie has plans for us to go."
"Sweet. I was invited too. So, why don't we just hang out around town until time, and then we can go together?"
"I don't know, Ri. Charlie already said something about wanting to go."
"And you will be, Kea. You can meet her there. I'm sure she won't mind. We both know she's going with Amelia, anyway. Right?"
"Yeah. She said she was going," I admit.
"See? So, it's okay. You don't want to be the third wheel again, do you?" she wheedles.
She’s not wrong. Lately, I’m always the extra in Charlie and Amelia’s world, starved for time that’s just me and my girl.
"You see, Kea. She's already slowly pushing you out. Childhood sweethearts never last, Keaton. She's already drifting from you. I saw her and Alek together. They seem to be getting pretty cozy."
They are. And David, too. It feels like everyone wants my girl. Does she want them back? Maybe Rianna’s right—maybe childhood sweethearts are just a high school myth. Charlie and I keep drifting, orbiting other people, barely finding each other outside work and school.
We had sex...two days ago?
How did I not realize it's been that long?
Normally, we come together every day. Sometimes more than once.
It’s more proof for Rianna’s theory, and I hate how much sense it makes.
I press my palm to my chest, trying to knead away the ache that’s taken up residence there.
"What do you say, handsome? You up for spending the day with your best friend?" she purrs.
Goosebumps prickle along my arms, a tingle racing through me. 'Yeah,' I murmur. 'I need time to think, and you always know how to give me that.'
