Transaction

Silence

We stood in silence for a bit. Devon shifted on his feet slightly, a sign that he was nervous. Anger and jealousy tore through me. It was in the contract that I couldn't see anyone else, but it never said anything about him. So maybe I should have seen this coming. He didn't make eye contact with me. Finally, fueled by fury, I asked, "Does she have a kissable face too?"

"Listen, Aiden-"

"No. Answer me- do you have sex with her?"

"Not anymore."

"When did you stop?"

"It's complicated."

I rolled my eyes. He snapped at that. "Why do you even care? We're not boyfriends."

"You're right," I said begrudgingly. "This is transactional."

"Unless you don't want it to be. If you can admit you've fallen for me."

I chuckled. "I did not fall for you."

"Sure."

More time in silence passed. He sighed. "She's my ex. I broke up with her the day I met you."

I was shocked. "As a coincidence or because of me?"

"Both, I guess. We were already teetering on the edge. When I saw you, she instantly became nothing more than a pain in my side. When I saw you, a million fantasies played in my mind. And it became my sole purpose to make you fall in love with me. It's like I knew you already."

I looked down. "I'm here for money, not for love."

He looked slightly hurt, but covered it with a smile. "Okay."

I grabbed my stuff and got up to leave. Before I could, he grabbed my wrist. I turned back to face him. "Why did you run away when Meera got here?" He asked.

"I don't need everyone knowing about us."

He didn't seem to like that answer either.

I took the bus home. When I arrived, everyone was in the living room. Ozzy was playing with Luna and Charlie was reading to Jasper. When he saw me, Charlie handed the book to Jasper and got up. He looked mad. He dragged me outside. Once we were out the door, he faced me and crossed his arms. He was already taller than me by an inch, and he was looking down at me.

"I called Danielle," he said calmly, "to ask when you'd be home, since you didn't pick up. She told me you weren't working."

I nodded. He just stared at me.

"Are you doing drugs?" He asked.

"No."

"Are you going out with friends?"

"No."

"Is it that man, Devon?"

I had the option to lie, but it didn't seem right. "Yes."

"Are you a prostitute?"

"Kinda. He's... paying me. But he's also nice and respectful."

"Do you need me to drop out of school so you can stop? I can help provide for the family."

"No, Charlie. Remember the goal."

"'Each kid has a better life than the one before,' right?"

"Exactly."

He just stared at me. He shook his head slowly and went inside. He seemed utterly disappointed in me, and it hit harder than a slap in the face. I loved my siblings, and Charlie was no exception. He was the best brother in the world, and I had made him upset. It crushed me. The cold air started to hit me, causing me to shiver. I followed him in.