Hired Hottie - Kelsie Rae Page 0,4
and whoever’s planning on blowing you that night. I know that I shouldn’t be mad and that even though you technically asked me if I was cool with it before picking her up and I should’ve definitely said something before now, I’m still pissed. But it’s fine, okay? I’ll get over it. Just like I always do. And I’ll be waiting at your beck and call as soon as you’re finished getting your jollies off just like the guy in the theater. I’m going home. And I’m going to bed. Goodnight, Levi.”
I take a step away, searching for the damn Uber, but Levi follows me. I’m probably causing a scene. Hell, I can feel multiple sets of eyes on me right now as Levi and I fight it out on the corner of the street. But for once in my life, I don’t really care anymore. I just want to get out of here.
“Come on, Charlie. I didn’t mean it like that,” Levi says. “I didn’t know it bothered you so much. I’ll take Mandy home. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“It is a big deal,” I argue, growing more frustrated. “It’s a big deal because even if you take her home right now, the night is still ruined.”
“It doesn’t have to be—”
“Yes, it does. I’m pissed, and it doesn’t matter how much Ben & Jerry’s I consume for the night. I’ll still be pissed until—”
“Until you get some sleep.”
I sort of hate him a little for how well he knows me.
If I’m beyond frustrated, the only solution is to let me sleep it off. It’s like a reset button, and boy am I needing one right now.
I’m like a damn statue as he takes a hesitant step closer and throws his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. I refuse to melt or bask in his attention while he rubs his hand along my back.
“I’m sorry, Charlie. Seriously. I was an ass. I guess that sometimes I forget you’re a girl, and not just my wingman, ya know? Go to bed. I’ll talk with you later.” Releasing me, he steps back and motions to a black Toyota. “Just a hunch, but that guy’s been staring at us pretty hard. So, either he gets off on watching people fight, or he’s your ride.”
I’m so stunned from his offhanded comment about me being a dude that it takes me a second to get my muscles to operate from my frozen position.
Rocking back on my heels, I cross my arms. “What did you just say?”
“Uhh…that I think that car is your ride?”
“Before that,” I bite out.
He quirks his brow. “That I was an ass?”
“No. The part about you forgetting I’m a girl, and that you look at me like a wingman? That part.”
“What about it?”
The outrage that consumes me is palpable, and it takes everything inside of me not to call him a giant bastard who deserves to be neutered with a dull spoon.
Fisting my hands at my sides, I mutter, “Bye, Levi. Have fun next semester.”
I grab the door handle and swing it open. Once I’m seated, I slam the damn thing with more force than necessary, not giving a crap that I look like a pouting toddler, and he’ll probably tease me about it later.
“You Charlie?” the driver asks.
“Yup.” I grab my seat belt and buckle myself up, each movement jerkier than the last.
“Your boyfriend coming?”
I laugh maniacally then look out the window to see Levi heading inside before we’ve even left the curb. “He’s not my boyfriend. And nope. It’s just me.”
Pulling away from the curb, the driver turns up the music to drown out the awkward silence, and my head drops back to the leather seat.
Boyfriend? Ha. Not gonna happen.
If only I could get that message through to my stupid heart.
Chapter Two
Charlie
Saturday
Levi: Hey.
Monday
Levi: What’s up?
Monday Night
Levi: You there?
Ten minutes later
Levi: Stop running and answer your damn phone!
I laugh at that one because he really does know me too well. Still, it isn’t enough to make me respond.
Tuesday
Levi: Charlie. You always answer my texts within five minutes after I send them. What the hell is going on?
Wednesday
Levi: If you don’t respond to my text, I’m going to call the cops and submit a missing person report.
It’s the last text that finally gets my numb soul to cooperate. Mainly because I don’t want the police knocking down my dad’s door.
Me: I’m fine. Busy.
I hit send before I can talk myself out of it. The lie sucks, but I