Charlotte & the Seven Frat Brothers

24

"Charlotte, can we talk?" He enters the room, rubbing his chin with his index finger. "What was that all about?"

"Nothing," Chase's eyes sweep across my body, lingering on my legs. "I was just headed back to the party."

"That didn't seem like nothing." He stands in front of me and wraps his arms around my waist. "I'm sorry you had to see that. She is drunk so I put her to bed. Nothing was going to happen between her and me, honestly. The second and third floors are off-limits at these parties. The guys didn't want her in their room because they are trying to have a girl stay over tonight—not so much of Austin, but you know his situation."

"Chase really... it's fine. I'm going back downstairs so you can make as much noise as you would like to." I step out of his grasp. He lets out a shaky breath and stares at me. "What?"

"You don't believe me. You can go check for yourself. She is knocked out cold and I was hoping I can crash into your room once the party is over." He can't be serious. Him sleeping in here with me?

"It doesn't matter if I believe you or not. We aren't together and no you can't sleep with me. I mean in the same bed as me." I force out a laugh.

"You're giving me mixed signals here. One minute you are letting me taste your sweet cherry lips and the next you are putting up the Great Wall of China. Why? That does something to me, I might not show it but it bothers me a lot. I don't know if you are playing the John Tucker game with me or not."

"The what game?"

He rubs his fingers through his hair. "Have you seen the movie John Tucker Must Die?" I nod. "Well, some girls on campus find it funny to John Tucker me, and the guys. For example, Jamie Cullen, sophomore year, was everything I thought I was looking for in a girl. She was perfect and I was really considering marrying the girl after college." He takes a seat at the edge of the bed. "I did everything for this girl, took her places I have never taken anyone. Spent every waking chance with her and she played me during an away game..."

I heard something about that too. I wasn't heavy into the gossip scene, but I did know something happened while the football and half of the campus went to Florida State. Jamie transferred schools during the winter break and Chase's interest in banging and leaving girls was at an all-time high.

"...I didn't see it coming you know? I thought she really liked me—or even loved me, but it was her friends who put her up to it. If she cared for me like she said she did, why didn't she just come clean about the whole situation? I was one hundred percent faithful to her." His voice cracks.

"Please don't cry." I'm standing in front of him so awkwardly. Like I don't know what to do, should I hug him or just pat his shoulder? This is all new to me. No guy has ever cried in front of me—well no guy besides my cousin Matt when he got a 97 in robotics class, he was so devastated it was so annoying to be around him for those two weeks. I go with the latter and pat his shoulder. "It will be ok. Just please don't cry." I guess in a sense the guys and I are alike when it comes to crying. I just will never voice how uncomfortable it makes me feel.

He grabs my hand bringing it to his lips. "Are you John Tuckering me?" The vulnerability is in his eyes and I want to tell him the truth. I like him, maybe even love him, but I'm betraying him and the guys. "Charlotte?" He takes his time kissing the pads of each finger.

"No." I watch as he pulls me in between his legs, his free hand caresses my bare leg.

"Then why aren't you letting me in?" His hand slides up, disappearing under the shirt.

"Chase?" I can feel the ache between my legs grow at a rapid pace. He lets go of my hand and lifts up my shirt dress. He kisses my stomach to my hips over and over again.