Unresolved

the guilt behind pleasure

Chapter 16

The utter shock in Charlie's face would have you thinking he'd never expected this outcome, or those words to ever leave his friend's mouth.

For however long he'd known him, Ross had always been a chill dude- even when it came to topics of girls.

Actually, he'd single handily helped him land one for the night.

He realized this was different, considering their history, but a friendship was a friendship, and right now? It didn't seem to be one.

There was no reason he should be getting threatened, or even talked at. Honestly, he didn't even need to do this in the first place- talk to Ross before he came onto Laura, but he did it out of respect, expecting that he'd want to know.

But he seemed if not overprotective, crazy for her- he couldn't tell which was worse.

All in all, if was weird- and he didn't like it one bit.

"Did you just threaten me mate?" his hands at his hips "Over a girl?"

Ross furrows his eyebrows at that "A girl is too simple of a description and I certainly wouldn't associate it with Laura."

He was standing his ground.

"Ah, I see." Charlie nodded "Excuse me then, for even thinking for a second you were just friends. I should've realized you've clearly got a thing."

His tone was sarcastic.

Ross is silent "You should realize that what we have is genuinely none of your business. Laura's currently in a relationship, and even if she weren't- dating her while the show was going on would mess shit up."

Charlie smirks at that "You're a fucking serial co-star dater."

"Exactly. It's coming from experience." Ross crossed his arms "Didn't you have a girlfriend as well, and your kid?"

"Single as of now." Charlie responds "My kid is also none of your business."

"Fair enough." Ross nods "But I suggest you keep your eyeballs and hands to yourself. She's naïve when it comes to shit like that, but I'm not. If you need to do a scene with her- it's strictly professional, understood?"

Charlie could only blink, before furrowing his brows "You've got issues pal. Are you in love with her or something?"

Those words did dig into his heart, through the mask he portrayed, because for once in his life he was being honest and saying no when he should've said yes.. for her.

But he realized he was selfish, and his honest selfishness, was being translated to that feeling of love.

He'd already accepted his hypocrisy.

"Understood?" Ross repeated, now roughly.

Charlie didn't respond, but he did look away from him- seemingly accepting his order for now.

Ross didn't spare another word, walking away from Charlie, who was left to wonder, what in the fucking denial was going on.

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