I think you are the one pushing him away
Charlotte’s POV
The clink of cutlery on porcelain was the only sound between us until Mum finally spoke.
"Who was the man that dropped you off last night?" I blinked, holding my spoon just above my bowl. Not this again.
"Just a friend," I said, trying to sound casual as I sipped the lukewarm coffee in front of me. It tasted bitter now, and not just because it had gone cold. What I really wanted was to forget last night ever happened, Luther showing up uninvited, Gavin storming off, the two of them exchanging tense looks like old rivals in a silent war. Gavin swore it was nothing, just him warning Luther to stay away. But I was not a fool. Men do not act like that over nothing. Especially not when Luther had looked at me like that.
"And this 'friend' of yours just happens to drive a brand-new Mercedes?" Mum asked, eyeing me with a look that made me grip the mug harder.
"Please, Mum," I muttered, already pushing my chair back. I needed to leave the table before I said something I would regret.
"This conversation is not over," she said sharply. But before I could fully escape, she added, “There’s something else we need to discuss.”
I groaned inside. “What now?”
“It’s about Luther.” That name made my stomach twist. I held my breath for a second.
“Wh-what about him?” I asked, but quickly pretended to cough to cover the crack in my voice.
“Stanley thinks you and Luther are not getting along.” I let out a silent breath. At least it was not what I feared.
“He is arrogant, Mum. He walks around like he owns everyone and everything. I doubt anyone truly likes him.” My words came out sharper than I meant, and her eyes narrowed.
“Watch your tone,” she warned. “Luther is a good man. I think you are the one pushing him away.”
I stared at her, stunned. “Seriously? You are blaming me for not bonding with your future brother-in-law? He treats me like I am some silly child.”
“If you do not like someone, fine. Just be respectful,” she said. “But try for my sake. When you and Luther fight, it makes things harder for Stanley and me. Luther is going to be part of this family soon.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. If she only knew what had already happened between us, what we were still trying to deny. Guilt burned under my skin, but so did something else. Something messier. Just as I was about to storm off, the doorbell rang. I frowned.
“Is Stanley coming over?”
“Who said it was him?” Mum asked, her voice light, as if she was keeping a secret. “Go answer the door while I grab my purse.” I dragged my feet to the hallway, confused and still annoyed. But when I opened the door, every emotion inside me tangled at once. Luther. He stood there, wearing a fitted black t-shirt that hugged his chest and showed off the tattoos running down his arms. Grey sweatpants hung low on his hips, and I hated how my eyes instantly drifted there.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. My voice was meant to be cold, but it came out soft, too soft. My heart had picked up its pace, and I could feel it thudding in my chest. Before he could reply, Mum’s cheerful voice rang out behind me.
“There you are, Luther! Thank you so much for coming on short notice.” He smiled at her with the kind of warmth I had never seen aimed at me. I almost wished I could wipe that smile away.
“It’s no trouble,” he replied smoothly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, honey,” Mum said, turning to me with a look that only deepened the frown on my face. I was left there standing in the doorway, caught between anger and something dangerously close to longing.
"What do you mean, Mum? Where are you going?" I spread my arms, shoulders raised, frustration bubbling in my voice as I stared at her. A flood of questions crowded my mind, but I tried my best to keep calm, especially with Luther standing right there.
"I’m spending the night at Stanley’s," she said casually, as though it was a perfectly normal decision. "I didn’t want you to feel awkward, so I thought it would be better if Luther stayed here instead."
With that, she walked straight past me, no warning, no discussion. Like this was all part of some plan I had been expected to agree to. I stood there, stunned, while she shook hands with him like he was some polite guest and not the man who had torn me up inside. Seconds later, they were both outside, stepping off the porch, and driving away.
"Guess it’s just you and me now," Luther said as he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. His voice carried a smug tone that grated against my skin. I could still not wrap my head around what had just happened. My mother, my own mother, had left me alone in the house with him without even asking.
"Lost for words, Charlotte?" he teased, stepping closer. His cologne reached me before he did, the familiar scent making it harder to think. His nearness stirred feelings I had buried deep, ones I did not want to feel tonight. I turned around quickly, pressing my lips together to keep from saying anything. I needed distance. I needed space.
"Say something," he said, his hand reaching out and catching my arm before I could walk away.
"Let go," I said sharply, eyes fixed on where his fingers circled my skin. That touch, it brought everything back. The way he had once made me feel special, desired… only to destroy it all. The image of him with that woman in his office still burned at the edge of my mind. No matter how hard I tried, I could not erase it.
"I’m sorry, Charlotte… but I can’t," he murmured, his grip still on me. That made me snap.
"You have no right to touch me," I shouted, glaring at him. My voice shook, but not from fear, from the rage building inside. His expression hardened, but then his lips curved in that cruel way I hated.
"Did my hands feel dirty when they were on your breasts? When I had my fingers deep inside you?" he said, voice low and biting.
"Shut up!" I shouted again. If he had not been holding my arm, I would have slapped my hands over my ears. I just wanted to run upstairs, anywhere away from him.
"Do not raise your voice at me, Charlotte. I am not one of your little college boys. Do not forget who…." I cut him off with a short laugh, rolling my eyes.
"You’ll what? Hit me? Like you hit Gavin?" I lifted my eyebrows, not bothering to hide my disgust. He stepped back then, jaw clenched.
"He disrespected you," he barked, his back nearly hitting the door.
"No. You disrespected me." My voice cracked, but I pushed through it. "You ruined my night because you could not stand the idea of me being happy without you."
"He called you his girl toy," he replied, locking eyes with mine. I blinked at him. A humourless chuckle escaped.
"You really think I am that gullible, don’t you?" I shook my head, the disbelief bitter on my tongue.
"You do not believe me?" he asked. I could hear it now, the shake in his voice.
"Of course not. You would rather lie than admit you were wrong." My voice was firm now, steady, but my hands trembled at my sides.
He ran a hand through his hair, stepping forward again. "Gavin just wants to use you. He’s after your body, Charlotte. That’s it."
"No, Luther. That is what you did. You treated me like something you could have when you were bored, and throw away when you were done. You want me to believe Gavin is like you, but he is not."
My throat tightened, but I kept my chin high. I had to stay strong, even when every part of me was begging to cry. I closed my eyes for a second. Just a second. I could feel the tears building behind my lids, threatening to fall. I hated that he still had this kind of power over me. That even after everything, part of me still wanted him. But that part was breaking. Slowly. Painfully. The plan Kate and I had put in place to make him jealous was working. Clearly, it had struck a nerve. But the truth? The more I pushed him away, the more my chest ached. Why did it hurt more to hurt him? Why did I still care?
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