Runaway

Crossed the line

~~~Sorry this chapter is bleh. I am not happy with it, but I'm tired of looking at it and rewriting. The argument, her reaction is all for a reason...I hope you can see that...maybe even have an idea of her back story. Much love. 🖤~~~

The next few days went by and Charlotte avoided the Shelby's at all costs. Alfie was right. She wasn't ready to tell them anything...especially what happened between her and Noah. She was also starting to care for them whether she wanted to admit it or not and she didn't want them to get hurt because of her life. Charlotte was wearing sunglasses and a black coat as she walked down the streets of Birmingham. She got on her porch and sighed once she saw Tommy sitting on the swing.
          "You've been avoiding me." He said.
          "No, I'm just busy."
          "I know they aren't letting you work with your face like that." He said.
          "Yours doesn't look much better."
Charlotte shifted the weight on her leg because she still had stitches from the bullet wound in her thigh.
          "You should sit down. "
          "I'll stand."
          "Why are you so stubborn?" He asked.
          "Why do you ask so many questions?"
He scoffed as he stood up.
          "Every time I think I get passed this mean front you put out...you go and run your mouth and prove me wrong."
          "Do you want me to say sorry for being the way that I am?" She asked.
          "I know you're not actually like this."
          "You don't know anything about me." She yelled.
"Yeah, and I'm done trying to learn." He said as he looked her up and down.
"Whatever, Tommy. I don't even know why we are arguing." She said as she walked towards the door.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
          "You avoid me for days after what happened to us. Do you really not remember anything that was said?"
          "No." She said knowing that was a lie.
Tommy was furious. He was so used to getting what he wants with girls and she was just so difficult. He also didn't understand why she was this way. Charlotte pushed people away before she could hurt them because no one ever taught her how to love.
          "We almost kissed and you're just going to pretend it didn't happen?" He yelled.
          "Pretty much."
He let her go and nodded. Alfie opened the door after he heard all the yelling. Tommy walked to the steps, but turned and got in her face.
          "You can't avoid me here, sweetheart. You don't want to run into me, then leave. This is my city."
She gave a small laugh. Alfie knew she was at her point.
          "Do you want me to leave because I remind you of Grace?" She said as she got closer to him.
          "Charlie." Alfie said trying to stop her.
Tommy clenched his jaw as they stood toe to toe never breaking eye contact.
          "And who made you the way you are? Your daddy? An abusive boyfriend?"
          "Tommy." Alfie warned.
          "You don't trust men, so what is it? Did they hit that pretty little face of yours when you disobeyed? Did they touch you when you said no?"
Charlotte snapped. The things he said triggered her. She punched him in the face.
          "Fuck you." She screamed.
He stepped back and smiled as the blood ran out of his nose.
          "It's funny. You didn't say anything and I figured out your whole life story." He smirked.
She started to go after him, but Alfie grabbed her. Charlotte struggled in his arms.
          "Go home, Tommy." Alfie yelled.
          "Gladly." He said and walked away.
Charlotte got out of Alfie's grip and stormed inside. She ran to the bathroom and immediately got sick. Alfie walked in and watched his best friend suffer for what hand she was dealt in life. She stood up and brushed her teeth as her whole body shook. He looked in her eyes and knew she was gone. He lightly touched her shoulder and she jumped.
          "Charlie...it's me."
She looked at him and her legs became weak. Alfie grabbed her as he sat down in the bathroom floor. He held her as her body shook and she just stared at the wall. Charlotte eventually fell asleep in his arms. The only arms she felt safe in. He carried her and put her in his big bed. He made sure she slept for a few hours and then he left because there was something he had to do. Alfie stormed into the betting den.
          "Where is he?" He yelled.
Arthur, John, and Polly came out of their offices.
          "Tommy, I know you're here." He yelled again.
Alfie kicked in Tommy's locked door to give everyone a nice view of him fucking Lizzie on his desk. He walked over to Tommy as he was still over Lizzie. Alfie punched Tommy right in the face and Lizzie screamed. John and Arthur started to go after Alfie, but Tommy stopped them.
          "What the bloody hell?" Polly yelled.
Alfie pointed at Tommy.
          "You know what that was for."
Everyone looked at Tommy, who remained silent.
          "You ever say anything like that to her again and I will fucking kill you with my bare hands." Alfie yelled.
Tommy didn't know her story, but he did regret saying that. He knew he stepped over the line. Alfie walked out as Ada walked in. She came to the door and saw her naked brother with a naked Lizzie. She also saw his second bloody nose of the day.
          "What the fuck did you do to her?" Ada yelled.
          "Can you shut the door?" Tommy asked.
Ada scoffed and walked away. Alfie walked back home and Charlotte was sitting at the table with a bottle of whiskey that was almost empty. He walked over and finished the rest of the bottle in one sip as he sat down. Charlotte got up and handed him another bottle.
          "Drink. You're behind."
He looked at her and took another long drink. Getting drunk together was something they always used to do. They were good together sober, but they were better drunk. She noticed his red fist and grabbed it.
          "If you didn't break his nose....I sure as hell did." He laughed.
          "You're the only one that's ever had my back."
          "Always."
She kissed his forehead and then got him ice. All jokes aside, they really did love and care for each other as friends. The fact that they could have sex was a plus. She handed him the ice and he tripped her, so she fell on his lap.
          "Smooth." She said.
          "I've always been smooth."
She nearly spit out her drink from laughing.
          "You were not smooth when we were teenagers. I didn't know your name for weeks because every time you tried to talk to me you stuttered, blushed, and ran away."
          "And look at me now. Rich as fuck with a model sitting in my lap."
They both too long sips from their bottles. Alfie was staring at Charlotte.
          "What, Alfie?"
          "He'll break your heart."
          "He won't get the chance." She said.
He made a face because he didn't believe it.
          "Are you okay, Charlie?"
          "Mhm."
Their faces were almost touching as the tension grew.
          "Let's fuck in every room of this house." He whispered.
Charlotte took off her shirt and looked at him.
          "Where should we start?"