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And of course that’s the exact moment that Charlie would show up unannounced Because that’s the kind of luck I have

By her wide eyes and hanging jaw, I can tell that Charlie is both surprised and hurt

And I can’t blame her

In one quicknot to shove her too hard as I push her off--and I stand, straightening out e in my pants is noticeable Dammit! That wasn’t fro on a basiconit--and only it--a few nights ago

This is exactly why I should never have sex in ely calm "Sorry, I should have knocked I ca well"

Not feeling well Bullshit

Neither a, exactly?" Stupid question

"Female issues" Her eyes avert to the floor and I knoithout a doubt that she’s lying But what can I say, except, "Sure, okay I’ll drive you back to my place"

"No That’s okay" She threw that one back fast She begins to turn andonto her forearh to keep her there "That wasn’t what it looked like, Charlie I pro out of my reach, she turns on her heels and briskly walks out I hear the heavy exit door slam shut a moment later

And that’s when I explode "What the fk was that?" I spin around and settle a deadly glare on China, who has the decency to keep her eyes on the ground as she bites her lip "What lass fro back the last mouthful, those few seconds of e inout of my hand and toward a far wall before I realize that I threw it It detonates into countless shards

I’ve never lost ht, I can’t help it I look like a more polished but equally sli, and then I finally ain

And my heart sinks

There she is, backed into a corner behind ht as she cowers All color from her face has vanished The China orks the crowd like she’s got puppet strings affixed to their backs is gone, replaced with a pitiful young girl whose father used to screaht before he raped her

My hand flies over my mouth as I realize what I’ve done

Shit

"Christ" I start to rush over but when she shrinks farther, I slowto hurt you" I approach her with extreh that I can wrap ainst rows I smooth her sleek black hair back withmy shirt

"I’m sorry," she offers between sobs, her voice so pitiful, so weak, so childlike "I’ve only ever wanted to et back into therapy She was doing so well Then she started focusing on beating her learning disorder and she let the therapy part slip She shouldn’t have I shouldn’t have let that happen China still needs professional help And lots of it

When she quiets but stays pressed against entle a voice as possible, "What ht you understood"

There’s a long pause, during which she reaches up to wipe away so clueless has never suited her

"I just thought you needed it"

I heave a sigh and curse irl uys with cash to burn Hell, she’s got erection radar