"People love making stuff up," I say. "You know what campus is like. Why would Asher be in a closet with me?"
"I swear they consume gossip more than they do food." She snorts. "True." She shakes her head. "I didn't believe it, but youknow-" she pauses. "Maybe I misheard it but if not, should warn you there's a rumour going around."
"What's one more to add to my resume?" I retort softly.
Charlotte smiles slightly back.
"Those guys today were idiots. Don't let their words get to you, okay?"
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.
We skate for a few more minute, the silence stretching between us.
I’m lying to her. Doing the one thing to her that I hate most in the world, yet I can’t seem to make myself tell her the truth. Don’t want to see how I’ve hurt her – or hear her tell me to cut it off with her brother.
I’m being selfish. I know that.
Maybe I’m more like my father than I want to admit.
The sudden realisation has me skating to a stop and charlotte looks to me, mouth opening, probably to ask if I’m okay.
I speak before she can. "I'm a bit tired, I might head home?"
Charlotte stops, her eyes flickering over me. "Are you okay?"
I nod, "Yeah, I'm just tired. Today it has taken it out of me."
But she studies me for half a second too long.
"Okay, can you text me when you get home? I'm going to stay a little longer."
I nod, pulling her into a quick hug before I move for the stand to remove my skates and grab my bag, making my exit.
• • •
I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling like it might help me sleep but I keep replaying the almost kiss.
The way Asher looked at me.
The way my body leaned toward him without permission.
My fingers drift to my lips.
They tingle, almost like I can still feel a pair of lips against them. Asher's lips.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force myself to sleep.
And suddenly I'm back on that bench.
His hand on my jaw.
His breath mingling with mine.
What would have happened if Charlie hadn't called my name?
The thought alone sends heat low in my stomach.
My hand slides down absentmindedly. Over my collarbone. Down my ribs.
