Game On || C.L.16

3.9

Warning: This chapter deals with sexual assault. If you do not feel comfortable with reading a detailed description you can read until '***' and skip to where the text is no longer written in cursive.

Amelie's POV

I sigh deeply, unsure of what to do with the situation in front of me. I know very well that somewhere within the next hour, Charles will knock on my door. Having arrived here after the Saudi Grand Prix. Yet I find myself sitting in my living room with his younger brother. The one that apparently got a flight earlier, so he could talk to me.

Does he even know Charles is on his way here? I'd assume not, but his timing seems to suggest otherwise.

"So are you going to explain what exactly you're doing here?" I ask Arthur, handing him a bottle of water while uncapping my own bottle and taking a sip.

"Do I really have to do that now?" He asks, slightly agitated that I'm aiming for the goal immediately.

"Yes, you kind of have to. Your brother, my boyfriend, is about to walk through those doors somewhere in the next hour. I would like to have some sort of explanation for him as to what you're doing in my living room." I point out, Arthur's face falling.

"Don't call him that please?"

"What? Your brother? I mean he is your brother Arthur."

"No the other thing."

"You've got to be kidding me, right?" I sigh standing up and putting my hands on my sides. "Charles and I are dating, hence why I call him my boyfriend. The grudge you're holding to either one of us is not going to change that."

"I was hoping I could change it somehow." Arthur sighs, and I realise very well what could come. Charles having told me about the revelations that Arthur had during the dinner Charles wanted to make up at. I just raise my eyebrows at him, signaling for him to continue. Arthur takes a very deep breath, before releasing the three words I had been dreading since he walked through my door about half an hour ago. "I love you."

"No you don't." I sigh deeply. "You don't love me."

"I'm in love with you, Lie. I still am. How many times do I have to tell you that?" Desperation lacing his voice.

"No you're in love with the idea of me, or us or whatever!" I yell, losing my temper. "I don't love you in that way anymore Arthur."

"But-"

"No buts, I could love you like a friend. But nothing more." I try to find the right words, knowing I am hurting him all over again. "Arthur what we had is over. And yes I understand it must hurt to see me with Charles. But please, please respect our decision. Respect my decision."

"Okay." He sighs deeply, tears pricking in his eyes as I watch one escape his eyes. "Could I at least just get a hug." He whispers, my heart shattering at how sad his voice sounds.

"Arthur, would you please do one thing for me?" I whisper softly once he's calmed down. He looks up at me, waiting for me to continue. "Could you please be civil to Charles? I definitely don't want to throw you out right now, but he's here in about 10 minutes."

"I will. I miss him actually. But seeing him with you hurts me a lot. Could you please just keep the affection to a minimum. Then I will try and be civil." He explains and I just nod.

"Thank you." I whisper, unlocking my phone to see that Charles is actually on his way to my apartment.

As soon as I hear the doorbell, I jump up from the couch where Arthur and I had been conversing. It still felt off, but somehow I couldn't help but feel like we'd be okay somehow. All three of us. Even if Charles doesn't know it yet.