Don't Love Me

Chapter 5

Ember

It had been two days since my encounter with Xavier. The conversation no longer angered me. However, I didn't know what to do. That's when I finally decided to tell Charlotte about it, as I retold the story, it made me livid.

"Can you believe the balls on this Jerk? To insult me and then turn around and give me his number? 'They always change their mind.' What is that?" I ask Charlotte as I continue to pace the living room. I had already explained the events from the night at the club for context. The whole time she was trying not to laugh. I could see it in her eyes. I was so infuriated. Where does he get off talking to me like a plaything?

"Go out with him," she says as if she didn't just hear the story, I just meticulously spelled out for her. Before I can refuse, she continues, "Look I know you don't do the whole 'love' thing but look at this as a chance to let off some steam. Do a friends with benefits thing? Be his plaything. Let him be yours."

I sigh and plop down on the couch next to her. She has a point I could let him be my plaything. Make him fall in love and break his heart. No. That's too cruel. I can't even tell her what I'm thinking before I hear the sound of a cell line ringing. I look up at her and she has my phone pressed to her ear with the napkin in her hand. She shoots up off the couch and out of my reach before I can rip the phone from her hand.

"Hello? No this is her friend, Charlotte. She would love to go out with you. When? Well, what's a good time for you? Perfect! I'll make sure she's ready," and she hangs up. I give her a look of betrayal and throw my head back with a groan. What had she just done?

"One night. Give it one night. See how things go. What's the worst that could happen?" she asks, giving me her best 'just do it' look.

"One night. And its not a date. I'm only going to see if I can even bare to be around him. If it goes decently, then maybe I will bring to his attention some casual sex. I really wouldn't mind letting off some steam and he's not bad looking either," I say finally giving in. As I go over it in my head, I realize how crazy I sound. I can tell my face is giving it away, because Charlotte chuckles and take my hand shoving me into the bathroom.

"Good. Now shower. I have to have you ready in two hours," closing the door I can hear her footsteps walking away. My insecurities getting the best of me, I reach for the handle and lock the door.

Two hours later, and I feel like my nerves are on fire. Charlotte was pulling me every which way by my hair, my arms, and even my legs. I felt like I couldn't breathe in half of the dresses she put me in.

"Why do I have to be dressed so nice for something that isn't even a date?" I asked pulling at the fabric.

"You think this is nice? No, everything that I put you in previously was nice. This is simple," she told me. Judging by the look on her face, my lack in fashion sense disturbed her. I guess I could see what she was talking about. She had put me in a baby blue pant suit with a matching lace shirt underneath. Though the top was lace, the pattern was so intricate that it covered me in a way that made me comfortable enough to leave the apartment in it. She had also put me in a pair of white peep toe pumps.

Charlotte had put enough hair products in my hair to make it appears as though I had just swam a mile and back into the ocean, giving me the beach waves look and making the natural highlights in my hair stand out. I couldn't understand why she was putting so much effort into me for something that wasn't even a big deal. It made me wonder what she had under her sleeve so I asked her, " Why are you pimping me out? It's not anything special. Just going to see if maybe I can make some kind of deal."

Charlotte scoffs, rolling her eyes as she goes to finish my eyeliner, "You realize that you have to look extremely hot in order for someone to want to fuck you right? I'm just giving him a reason to seal the deal. You're depressing when you're lonesome."

"I am not lonesome! By the way, you no not have to look sexy to get sex. Me and Jason did it multiple times when I looked like a sack of potatoes."

She rolls her eyes at me again, putting away the makeup signaling that she was finished. She finally handed me a mirror and I couldn't believe what I was looking at. Ever since the accident, I had a small, almost unnoticeable scar, on my top lip and Charlotte made it disappear. My eyes were bright, the different colors fighting to shine more than the others. My lashes elongated. Lips plump. This woman was a miracle worker with a makeup kit.

Just as I was about to compliment her for her work there was a knock on the door. The moment was gone for me. I wasn't ready to face the egotistical man I was about to spend the rest of my night with. Even though a part of me was upset about leaving the sanctuary of Charlotte's house for the night, a part of me was excited. I had only seen small parts of the city since I had been here. Charlotte was usually too busy to take me out and I didn't trust touring it on my own. Having someone show me around a little, no matter how reluctant I was, was making my heart palpitate.

I turned back to the mirror to give myself on last glance over as my giddy best friend skipped to the door with an excited shriek. I heard the door open and Charlotte welcome him in.

"Yeah, she's ready. Let me go get her," she said, appearing next to me seconds later. "He's so hot! Why didn't you say he was that hot? If I had known that I would've gladly taken your place."

I rolled my eyes at her, "He's not that hot. Besides, you have Taylor. Now, which purse should I take with me."

She hands me a white clutch with the name Coach on the side. Explaining that it goes with the shoes and really makes the outfit pop. Following her into the living room, I have my eyes down trying to make sure I have everything in the bag.

"Alright, I think I have everything I need. Are we ready to leave?" flipping my hair out of my face, I finally look up. He's leaned up against one of the pillars in the room, eyes racking over me. I take this chance to give me a once over. Hair perfectly groomed and out of his face. Eyes piercing blue. He's wearing a navy blue button up, just the top button undone. The sleeves are rolled up, a paisley pattern peeking out from the inside of the material. Muscles not going unnoticed under his shirt. Black slacks fitting his legs almost too perfectly. He stands in a pair of dark blue suede dress shoes. As I draw my gaze back up, I notice that his eyes are staring back into mine. It almost makes my breathe catch. Almost.

"I'm ready if you are, Ember."

"Let's go, then," I say as I brush past the arm that he has held out for me. Grabbing my keys, I can hear Charlotte whispering to him to 'make sure I eat.' I roll my eyes and we leave so that the night can officially start. Walking outside, I can spot his car from a mile away. It's the nicest one on the whole block. It was an Audi R8, sleek black in color with black rims. The windows tinted an undeniably illegal darkness. Xavier opens the door for me, and I slip in. Admiring that the interior is just as nice as the exterior. Dark grey seat adorns the inside. What isn't grey is a dark, matte black. It was a hell of a car.

Xavier climbs into the driver's seat, "What do you think?"

"It's a nice car. I won'tdeny that. I prefer muscle over import, though," he scoffs at my comment, and Ilet a satisfied smile fall onto my lips. That's when I knew, even if I didn'tenjoy his company, I was going to enjoy my night.