by Cole Lepley
Chapter 33
Three’s Company
Oliver - Now
This has literally been the longest week of my life.
I haven’t spoken to Charlie since her confession at the Roost, and I’m not sure what I’d say to her if I did. For her to think I was a shitty boyfriend is one thing, but a bad father? That shit hurt.
Obviously, I’m known for being an asshole. I never deny it, but it’s something I’ve been working on. Like real soul-searching type of shit. I think a lot of my arrogance stems from my inability to feel good about something when I do get it. It’s always an empty victory because I never quite feel good enough.
It would be easy to blame my own father. Sure, he has his faults, but I know he loves me. There was a time when I wasn’t sure I could say that. When everything seemed so unattainable. The biggest being his faith in me.
I fucked up a lot. I know that, but I wasn’t always trying to. Sometimes the pressure would just build and build, until my lungs started to burn. Each breath I took was harder than the last and I had to fight really hard against the hopelessness and doubt. With that said: if anyone ever asked me about it, I’d deny it to the bitter end.
There’s no strength in weakness, only failure.
Succumbing to the only weakness I’ve ever known is what’s causing me to fail right now. No matter what I try to do, it will never make up for something I didn’t even know I’d done. It’s like a punch to the gut, followed directly by a kick to the balls. There’s no time to remember how to breathe because the crushing pain is so intense you don’t even care.
What’s equally tormenting is the fact that Elliot’s still angry with me. Sure, I feel bad for Hunter, but he brought that shit on himself. He showed that he doesn’t trust her. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but I know trust is a very important part of any relationship. I think they can fix it with some good old-fashioned communication, but that’s not happening anytime soon.
I’m surprised to see her doing laundry when I get home from the cross country meet. I think it was bullshit to schedule a meet the morning after Fall Festival, but what do I know. I just had a team full of hung-over girls puke and whine through an entire event. No big deal.
Truth be told, I’ve started drinking already. I got a bottle at the liquor store on the way over and cracked it open as soon as I hit the driveway. I set it down on the end table in the living room when I see Elliot’s ponytail start to escape down the hallway. It triggers a very vivid memory of me—once again—acting like an asshole. Nothing new, but I can’t stand my sister being mad at me. It’s unnatural.
I chase her into the kitchen. “Elle, wait,” I call to her.
She stops in her tracks but doesn’t turn around to face me. “I have a lot of shit to do, Ollie.”
“Can that shit wait?” I gently place my hand on her shoulder. “I need to talk to you.”
She whips her ponytail around as she turns to look at me. Her eyes narrow. “You can tell Hunter I’m not talking to you about it either. I need time to think.”
My brows furrow and I pull my hand back. “Whoa. Is it that serious?”
Elliot shifts the laundry basket she’s holding to the opposite hip and shrugs. “If I allow him to act like this now, it’s only going to get worse. He can’t walk around assaulting every guy that looks at me for the rest of our lives.” She laughs once. “And if it’s because he doesn’t trust me, then we have a bigger problem.”
I lean back on the counter and cross my arms. “So, why not have an actual conversation about it? Making him sit around and guess won’t solve anything. He’s a total mess right now.”
She visibly flinches. “Seriously?” she asks, setting the basket down on the table.
I nod and she bites her lip, clearly upset he’s so upset. I reach out and nudge her arm. “It’s not your fault. You have a damn good reason to be mad and honestly I’d be pissed if you weren’t.”
Her brow arches. “Really? I find that hard to believe.”
I shake my head and put one of my hands over my heart. “No, Elle. What we did was total bullshit and I’m sorry if I made you feel bad about it, too.” I let out a heavy sigh, the emotions of the past few weeks taking a toll on me. “I just know how guys think. All either one of us was trying to do was protect you from harm. It had nothing to do with not trusting you.”
“He doesn’t need to act like that, though.”
“True,” I say, flashing her a coy smile. “But you need to talk to him. He’s seriously lost without you, Elle.”
She appears deep in thought for a moment, her brow creasing. I think I may have gotten through to her until the back door opens and Hunter comes strolling in. Elliot stiffens as he walks into the kitchen. His face is tense, clearly nervous as he comes to a stop beside me.
He looks to me and then back to her. “I honestly didn’t know you were going to be here.” His eyes harden and he laughs once. “But since you don’t fucking talk to me it was kinda hard for me to know.”
Elliot’s eyes narrow and it’s clear she’s equally ready to throw down. When they fight, it’s hard to watch. Both of them are so fucking stubborn it’s almost impossible to believe they stay together at all.
But I think that’s the beauty of it. They have this unending passion that makes them act so fiercely one way or the other.
“I’m not ready to talk to you yet,” she snaps at him, interrupting my thoughts. “I explained that to you very calmly the last time you asked me when I answered my fucking phone.”
Hunter doesn’t miss a beat. “I called you at least ten times before you finally answered.”
“Jesus, Hunter. Stalker much?” I chime in. He levels a glare at me and I grin. “Dude, let her breathe.”
“Stay out of it, Ollie,” he growls.
I motion to Elliot, who’s chosen not to respond. “She’s my fucking sister. I’ll be in whatever I need to be.” I put my finger to his chest as a warning. “You need to chill.”
His nostrils flare. “You’re one to talk about staying chill.”
“Well, I think I have a good fucking reason not to be.” I cock my head at him. “Don’t ya think?”
“I’m not saying you don’t, but you have no right to tell me to be calm when I’m getting my heart fucking ripped out, too.”
Elliot makes a strangled noise and we both turn to look at her. “What are you talking about?” She focuses on me. “Did something happen with Charlie? I thought it was going good.”
Hunter laughs. “That’s what you’re upset about?”
“Of course I’m upset you’re upset. How could I not be?”
“You seem perfectly fine to me.”
I’m starting to get a headache. All I wanted was to get drunk with my friends and stay away from all the relationship drama that’s been surrounding us lately. Not be stuck in the middle of my best friend and my sister’s epic blowout.
Taking a calming breath, I’m about to step in when the back door once again flies open. Footsteps echo through the foyer until Judah’s lopsided grin comes into view. I smirk at him and Hunter growls.
“What the fuck is he doing here?”
“I invited him,” I say casually.
Hunter leans into me and I could swear that for a second he considers punching me. Anger flashes in his eyes. “Why?”
I grip his shoulder, looking him dead in the eye. “Because I need my second wingman. This was about me, remember?”
Hunter blows out a forceful breath through his nose, nodding. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m being a dick.”
Judah strolls into the kitchen sporting a backward hat, hoodie, and worn jeans. Typical. He gives me a pat on the back and nods to Hunter before stepping forward and hugging Elliot. I put my hand on Hunter’s arm just in case he tries to lunge, and he shoots me an irritated look.
“I’m not that fucking stupid,” he whispers harshly.
I wink at him because it’s obvious he is, but I don’t say anything. J
udah turns back to us, completely oblivious to all of the tension in the room. “You guys ready?”
“Where are you going?” Elliot asks, her eyebrows furrowing. “And all together? That’s weird.”
“It’s not weird,” I say before anyone else can respond. I motion to Hunter and Judah who exchange awkward glances. “I need both of them. Obviously they have some experience dealing with fucked up relationships.”
Elliot scoffs. “I’m taking that personally, considering I’ve dated both of them.”
Her use of the past tense causes two very different reactions. Judah’s eyes widen and Hunter’s face turns so red he looks like he’s about to explode.
“Did you guys break up?” Judah asks.
Hunter laughs darkly. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you.”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t.”
Hunter rolls his eyes. “Still pretending to be the nice guy, I see.”
“I am nice,” Judah growls back at him.
The irritation on Elliot’s face is starting to spread to mine. I put my fingers to my mouth and whistle loudly. Everyone stops arguing and turns my way.
“I’m done with this shit, okay?” I level a heavy look at both of them. “I spent the past year dealing with all of the drama you had in your relationships, and all I’m asking for is one night. Just one where I can try to get myself straight, and it would be nice if my two closest friends could fucking help me out with that.”
Judah immediately looks remorseful and the anger from Hunter’s face subsides. He blows out a long breath.
“I’m sorry, man.”
“Yeah, dude,” Judah says, patting my shoulder. “We’re here for you.”
Elliot throws her hands up in frustration. “I still have no idea what’s going on.”
“You don’t need to,” I say and then toss my truck keys to Judah. He looks confused for a moment—not a surprise—but I sigh anyway. “You’re driving.”
He nods and starts to walk toward the back door. Hunter hesitates beside me, his eyes locked on Elliot.
“We didn’t break up, did we?” he asks, his voice subdued.
Elliot’s eyes fill with tears and she shakes her head. “No, we didn’t break up.”
I can tell he wants to go to her, so I give him a shove toward the door. He glares back at me.
“Get moving,” I say, still shooing him in front of me. “You can talk to her later.”
After one last longing glance back at her, he stumbles forward and mutters something under his breath. It makes me smile.
That smile fades quickly though, when I walk out to my driveway. Charlie’s coming up the sidewalk and when our eyes meet, my stomach drops. She has the same worried expression as the other night, and I’m not ready to deal with whatever she plans on telling me next.
It’s the last thing I need right now. What I need is alcohol—a fucking lot of it, and I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.
Chapter 34
One More Night
Charlotte - Now
My heart is beating so fast I’m afraid it will fly right out my chest. Ollie’s swaggering toward his truck like it’s just another lazy Saturday. He doesn’t appear to be distressed in any way. He’s accompanied by not only Hunter, but also by another rather tall muscular guy. He looks vaguely familiar.
They both look at me and then back to Ollie. They look nervous, and something doesn’t feel right.
I stop a few feet away from him and he keeps walking toward the passenger side door. Obviously he’s planning on getting shit-faced instead of actually talking about his feelings. Typical.
I huff a frustrated sigh. “Oliver, don’t walk away from me.”
He laughs under his breath and then turns to me, smirking. “Well, I’m sorry darlin’. I have plans with my friends today. I guess I should have cleared it with you first since you’re so transparent with me.”
Instantly, I want to get angry. Fire claws in my chest and I want to scream at him. But I don’t. Instead I take a breath.
“If you’re angry, that’s fine. You have every right to feel some kind of way about it.”
His smirk morphs straight into a scowl and his eyes darken.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He walks toward me as he speaks. “There is absolutely no excuse for what you did.” He stops within reach of me, but holds back. “I don’t care how terrible you thought I was, or how much you think it hurt—I fucking promise you it doesn’t feel as bad as this.”
“I never wanted that.” I take a hesitant step and reach for his hand. He lets me hold it, but his arm is tense. “I promise you. No matter how bad you hurt me, I never wished the same for you.”
He doesn’t answer. He keeps staring over my head, refusing to look at me.
“Ollie, just talk to me. Please.”
He takes in a sharp breath through his nose, his eyes still swirling with anger. “I don’t think we should talk right now. I know how I’m feeling, and I don’t want to say some shit I can’t take back.”
Unexpected tears prick the corners of my eyes and I struggle to hold them in. He’s never been this angry with me before and it strikes me hard. I hate the tortured look on his face and the disgust in his tone.
“Okay,” I say with a small nod. “I’ll talk to you later.”
I pull my hand back and run it through my hair, turning away from him. Hunter and the other guy have discreetly walked up the driveway back toward the house, so at least our audience is gone.
I don’t even take a full step before he tugs my arm and spins me back into his chest. I hug him hard, wrapping my arms around his waist and wishing that we weren’t fighting right now. That he wasn’t spending the night away from me because he can’t stand to look at me.
I almost start to cry again but then his lips press against my temple. He pulls my head back with his hands and kisses my lips once. “I love you. That doesn’t change just because I’m mad.” He takes an unsteady breath before pulling his hands down. “I need a minute, okay? You had five years, I think you can give me one more night.”
My throat gets clogged, so I just nod.
He gives me one last look before turning around and walking confidently back to his truck. There’s no sign of hesitation in his step as he throws his arm up, motioning to his friends as he walks.
“Tick tock, motherfuckers. Let’s go!”
The tall guy moves quickly to the driver’s side, while Hunter glares at Ollie before getting in the back of the cab. Ollie doesn’t look at me again. They start pulling down the driveway before I even think about walking back to my house.
My heart is still beating too fast, and for the first time I’m scared that he won’t talk to me. For so long I avoided him at all costs because it was too painful to face, and now the thought of being away from him terrifies me.
“Charlie.”
I turn my head to the sweet voice behind me. Elliot smiles at me from the door to the garage. “I have wine.”
There are few things in life you don’t have to question. Drinking wine in the middle of the afternoon is one of them.
“I’m in,” I say, making my way up the driveway toward her.
She holds the door for me, and I follow her down the hallway into the kitchen. It’s been so long since I’ve been inside their house, I forgot how overwhelming it feels. Most of the ceilings on the lower floor are vaulted with large, distressed beams. All of the windows framing the walls bring in light to contrast the rich, dark wood. It looks more like the resort than and actual home. A stone archway leads into the kitchen where several bottles are already lined up on the massive granite island.
Elliot grabs a corkscrew from the drawer and shoves it into the top of one of the bottles. Her face scrunches up as she twists. “I’m sorry you have to deal with my brother’s shit. I meant to send my condolences earlier.”
I laugh, taking a seat on one of the barstools across from her. “It’s okay. I’m used to hi
m.”
She eyes me carefully for a moment. She pulls the cork from the bottle with a grunt, her nostrils flaring as she inhales deeply. “I love that smell.” She nods to me. “You like red?”
“I’ll drink any wine.”
She winks at me and my stomach clenches. Her features are so much like his. The way she laughs, her mannerisms, those exotic hazel eyes—she’s definitely the female version of Oliver.
Mischief lights up her face before she turns and grabs two glasses from the cabinet. “I stole this five-thousand-dollar bottle of Merlot from my parents’ wine cellar after Hunter and I got into our fight.” She proceeds to pour two rather full glasses while I try to pick my chin off the floor. Five thousand dollars?
She hands me a glass, grinning. “I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to see what five grand tastes like. I think it will make me feel better.” She raises her glass and I follow suit, my hand shaking slightly. “Fuck boys and their stupid, underdeveloped brains that cause them to do dumb shit and fuck everything up because they were too stupid to realize how perfect it was.”
I’m at a loss. Her toast was—well, it was specific. “Um…”
Elliot clinks her glass with mine and takes a very large drink. I decide not to waste about thirteen-hundred dollars’ worth and take a small sip. I work hard to keep my face neutral, but the bitter taste makes it very difficult. This wine tastes like shit.
“It’s good,” I say, swallowing gently.
Elliot takes another large gulp and sets her glass down on the counter. “It tastes like shit, but it will get you drunk as fuck.”
My eyes widen and I sputter a laugh. “Honestly, it’s weird seeing you this way. The last time I knew you, you were fourteen.” I wave my hand toward her. “And now you’re what, nineteen?”
