Chapter 1 The Reason

†CHARLOTTE†

"Are you ready?" he asks, his steady eyes on mine, but they do nothing to calm my racing heart.

I'm not ready.

I'm not ready to kiss my best friend.

I've been in love with my best friend for as long as I can remember. Since the very day Mum and Dad died and he held me in his comforting arms, whispering those soft words into my ears, I knew. I knew I loved him, and now I'm about to kiss him, but I don't think I can.

Not because I don't want to.

But because he's merely doing it to get his ex-girlfriend's attention.

It's been three months since they broke up, and for those three months, Jeffrey has been an emotional wreck. I've been with him through it all, doing everything and anything just so he'll see me. That was until last night, when he begged me to kiss him and pretend to be his girlfriend to make her jealous.

I know, it's dumb. I shouldn't have accepted it.

But I couldn't leave him that way. When he looked me in the eyes and told me that I was the only one he could do this with because I'm the only one he trusts, I couldn't bring myself to say no.

And I would rather he kissed me than kiss someone else.

So now, we're here. At the pre-season party on a Friday night, trying to get his ex's attention.

"Char... Are you alright?" he asks again, tugging me close and looking down at me with concern.

I nod with an assuring smile. "I'm fine, just lost in thought."

His lips tilt into a smirk. "You're not reconsidering, are you?"

"No, no, just nervous. You know I've never kissed anyone before." My gaze falls to my fingers, examining them and anything that isn't Jeffrey's eyes.

He digs his finger under my chin, tilting it up so I'll meet his gaze.

"Don't worry, I'll make it worth it," he says with that familiar smirk that makes heat climb up my cheeks.

Thankfully, everywhere is dark, so he can't see my face.

He wraps his hand around mine and leads me inside the house. The muffled sound of music becomes clearer as he pushes the door open.

Neon lights welcome us, the space filled to the brim with students and athletes, their bodies swaying to the sensual beat of the music. As we enter, Jeffrey's friends approach us, dabbing him up. He releases me, subtly shaking their hands with a smile, then comes back to me.

One of them—Sammy—looks at me.

"Oh, Charlie! You came. I thought you were allergic to fun." He smirks, and I roll my eyes.

"I'm not allergic. I just have better things to do than watch grown men make questionable decisions under neon lights and it's Charlotte not Charlie."

He chuckles and hands Jeffrey and me a drink before clearing his throat.

"Still as feisty as ever.” He remarks and I laugh, shaking his extended hand. “ So... are you here as a chaperone or...?"

Before he can finish that sentence, Jeffrey's hands find the small of my waist, pulling me close enough to breathe in his intoxicating scent.

"She's here as my girlfriend," he says with a smile, and I swear my heart skips a beat.

Holy shit.

Jeffrey Callahan just called me his girlfriend!

“He's still in love with Ava, though.” That voice in my head reminds, but I ignore her. She's never positive anyway.

"Shit! You finally asked her out?" Sammy asks, then turns to me. "Finally! I thought he'd never notice!"

"Never notice what?"

"That Charlotte..."

Before shit hits the fan, I tug Jeffrey away to a half-curved chair at the left end of the bar.

We sit, and he turns to me, his face etched with confusion.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing," I laugh it off. "You know Sam, always saying shit when he's drunk."

He hums clearly not believing me then says “okay."

He leans back, chugging down his drink as his eyes roam across the room. The silence between us is deafening. I want to say something, anything, but the words don't leave my mouth.

What am I even going to say?

Hey, bestie! I know you don't feel the same way, but I like you, and I want us to be together! So how about we ditch this plan and get together for real huh?

Yeah, that would get me a one way ticket to heartbreak and probably ruin our friendship.

So instead of saying anything, I just down my drink, relishing the burning sensation it leaves as it runs down my throat.

In perfect precision, Jeffrey's hands find my waist, pulling me onto his lap.

Startled, I throw my hands around his shoulders, my plastic cup slipping from my fingers.

But that's the least of my problems.

I'm on Jeffrey's lap!

I'M ON JEFFREY'S LAP!

"Don't be awkward, okay?" he says, and I nod without thinking.

He leans close, and air clogs in my throat. His breath smells of citrus, alcohol, and everything I've ever fucking dreamed of.

Jesus Christ!

He brushes his lips against mine, the motion sending sparks soaring down my spine. Then he kisses me, and I kiss him back, praying that I'm not doing anything stupid or embarrassing.

I close my eyes, savouring his taste, relishing this very moment just as I have in every dream. His lips are soft, tender even, and I match his pace, giving him all the emotions I've bottled up over the years.

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind us doesn't stop me, but it does stop him as he pulls away, leaving me breathless.

He leans back smugly. His eyes aren't on me; but his hands are everywhere, I should I trace his line of sight, and my fantasy rips to shreds.

Ava Chen

She's looking right at me with such rage that I swear she'd kill me if she got the chance. Her arms are crossed over her exposed tummy. Her skirt sits high on her waist, and her gorgeous blonde hair is styled in a ponytail.

"What do we have here?" she says, her gaze flicking back to Jeffrey.

"Did you enjoy the show?" he replies, his eyes barely ever leaving her.

To others, he's merely having a conversation with her, but I see him. I see the way his eyes swiftly roam over her body. I see the way his fingers twitch at his sides.

He wants to touch her.

Not me.

Never me.

"Okay, look. I don't care what you two are doing right now, but what I do know is that you're just doing this to make me jealous, and it worked. I want you back."

Something flickers in Jeffrey's eyes, but it's gone as soon as it comes.

"Okay, so now you want me?" He chuckles, the humourless sound making me shiver. "I begged you, Ava. Multiple freaking times. And now you want me back? You think I'm just a toy you can use however you like?"

"I was just upset."

"You've given me that reason twice, Ava. I'm not stupid enough to fall for it a third time."

He looks away, but I don't miss the sadness in his eyes.

She grits her teeth, gripping my wrist and yanking me off him.

"You know why I used the same reason every fucking time? Because I knew that if I told you the actual reason, you would never let it go."

"And what reason is that?"

They're both shouting now. The music has stopped playing, and all eyes are on us.

"Um, guys, I think you both need to—"

"Shut it, boyfriend snatcher!"

“ Please calm down, Char,” They both say simultaneously.

I expect him to shun her.

Tell her not to speak to me like that.

But he says nothing, only offering me a sad glance. One I've seen too many times to know that he's trying to apologise but can't bring himself to say it out loud.

"She's the reason why we broke up!"

Gasps ripple through the crowd.

But that doesn't faze me. What does is the weight of the words she's just said.

I'm the reason?