Just like I do with our friendship.
I’m done being underappreciated.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Levi
The soft click of the door closing behind Charlie almost guts me. Dropping my chin down to my chest, I squeeze my eyes shut. Slowly, I take a few deep breaths in through my nose then out through my mouth in an attempt to center myself.
It’s a waste of time.
My blood is boiling in anger, swirling with guilt, and racing through my veins in an attempt to get me out of this room. To chase her. To make her understand.
But I know it won’t do me any good. She needs time to process the screwed up situation I put her in. If I have any hope of her forgiving me for this, then I have to give her space. Even if it kills me. As I rub my hand down my face with more force than necessary, I hear the soft squeak of hinges and turn to see the culprit. Conner’s face is stone cold. He closes the door behind him then slowly stalks closer. It’s as if he’d been waiting for Charlie to escape before confronting me. Like he planned this. My anger finally boils over, shoving every other emotion aside before replacing it with absolute rage.
“What the hell did you say to her?” I grit out. My fists clench at my sides.
“I told her the truth,” he replies just as coldly.
“You twisted the truth.”
He shrugs. “I told her my side of the story.”
“And raked me over the coals with it.”
Scoffing, he says, “You pimped out your best friend to get a job, Levi. Learn to take some freaking responsibility for once in your life.”
Storming toward him, my arm already cocked, I swing back and nail him in the face. Conner loses his balance and stumbles back. His eyes are wide open in shock as he glares at me while clutching his already-swelling cheekbone.
“What the fuck, Levi?”
I shake my hand out at my side, a deep throb breaking out across my knuckles. The feeling reminds me of when I was younger and used to get in fights as a kid. Sometimes it was because of stupid shit that didn’t even matter. And sometimes it was because I was trying to protect Charlie from assholes. Assholes like the guy in front of me.
“Want to know something, Conner? I remember the day Charlie told me that you’d moved when we were younger. She was relieved that you weren’t going to be around anymore, especially after the shit you put her through. I remember being bummed I didn’t get to put you in your place before you disappeared.” Shaking my head, I laugh dryly before calling him out on his lies. “You told her I pimped her out? That’s bullshit, man. You approached me, remember? You offered to drop out of the competition for the final position if I could set you both up. This is on you—”
“Bullshit,” he spews before puffing his chest out and stepping closer, practically begging me to deck him in the face a second time. “You need to grow a pair and admit you screwed up with Charlie more than I ever could. We both know I’m not that dipshit little kid anymore. I liked her, man. We both know that even if you won’t admit it out loud. You knew I wanted her, and you practically stole her out from under me. Don’t blame me for this shitstorm. You got yourself there all on your own.”
“The only part that’s on me is the fact that I agreed to your stupid idea in the first place. You wanna talk about taking responsibility for your actions, man? Maybe start by admitting to yourself that you were never cut out for Montague Enterprises in the first place—”
“And maybe you should admit that you would’ve never gotten in without my dad’s connections. Be out of my apartment within the week. I don’t want to see your face ever again. Understand me?”
“That won’t be
a problem.”
By the time I reach the door and enter the main area, I’m numb.
And I welcome the feeling with open arms.
I just need to get through tonight and hope that Charlie forgives me and gives us another chance.
Chapter Thirty
Charlie
A few days after my epic meltdown, I leave Get Baked with one destination in mind––Forever Grey. I need a good run. I need to clear my head. I need to get my ex-best friend out of it so I can think clearly. Think logically. Think. Period. Because right now, I’m running on pure emotion, and it sucks. I feel gutted. I feel betrayed. I feel sick.
I feel the overwhelming need for a break. And so I’m going to get it the only way I know how. By sweating it out. If only I’d brought my baseball bat.