Bad Boy Complex

Chapter 4

Charlotte POV:

Out of nowhere, Ryan threw his fist at the wall; I heard the drywall crunch under the blow. Alice stood up in shock, "Ryan!" She breathed shakily. I felt sick, like I might pass out. What the hell just happened? Why was he so pissy all the time?

I stood quickly, 'I-I'm gonna go." I grabbed my bags, tripped over myself as he stood there, glowering, small drops of blood on his knuckles, by the hole he had just made in the wall. 

"It's about fucking time." Ryan growled. 

I whipped around, finding in myself a new person, someone who always stood up for herself. "Ryan." I took a deep breath, carefully measuring my tone, Alice looking as if she'd have to stop two arctic wolves from fighting, as tiny chipmunk. "Shut up. I don't know what the hell your problem is with me, but I am here for Alice not you." I felt my anger rising to a new level. "You are the worst person I have yet to meet, you arrogant, egotistical-" I stopped, shaking my head. "You don't even deserve my anger. Only to be ignored."

I slung my purse a little close to me, saying a quiet goodnight to Alice, who still looked as if she was waiting for a UFC fight to happen.  Ryan glared until I left, I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head.

Ryan POV:

As soon as she agreed to that date with him I felt sick to my stomach and so furious. I wanted to hit someone; something. Why, though? I hated her. She was annoying, and clearly felt she could out-do me at my own game. At that thought I became even more infuriated. I was better than her. 

I began to walk away from my sister and Charlotte. I needed to get the hell out of this house. 

"Wait, Ryan. One more thing," I stopped and turned to Charlotte's voice; I should have just kept walking. "Thanks for the little push though. Always helps when it comes from a person you really want to show up." She winked at me, giving me a huge satisfied grin.

Before I knew it my fist was in the wall and bleeding. "Ryan!" My sister spoke my name quietly in horror, and Charlotte's face had gone pale, her smile had quickly turned into a stupefied stare. I knew my expression probably had not changed. Still stone cold. Thanks to my no good father for that. 

Charlotte stood packing her things and announcing she would leave. "It's about fucking time." I glared at her. Wow, Ryan, way to make it worse. I winced inwardly at how much of a prick I was, even unintentionally, but I stood my ground. If there's one thing I never would do, it was back down.

Suddenly, Charlotte looked different. Like I hadn't ever seen her. She looked at me threateningly.  "Shut up. I don't know what the hell your problem is with me, but I am here for Alice not you." She stepped toward me angrily, throwing her bag over her shoulder and flinching slightly when it smacked her side. She never broke eye contact. "You are the worst person I have yet to meet, you are arrogant,  and egotistical-" She stopped, realization dawning her well framed face. "You don't even deserve my anger. Only to be ignored." That stung. I don't know why, but it did. 

She said goodbye to Alice and left, not even giving me a second glance, I watched her go, feeling a little bad, and surprised that I felt bad. I felt bad that I scared them both. Maybe I needed to reign in my anger just  a little. Whenever Charlotte was around, I always seemed to be more angry than normal. 

Alice came over and dragged me to the kitchen to wrap up my hand as I protested and pulled away. "You're going to scare her off for good if you keep being such an asshole!" She screamed at me so I would listen. I immediately shut up and did as I was told.

"She is like mom, you know. She acts a lot like mom did. Kind heart, free spirit, but will kick your ass if you make her."She laughed a small nostalgic laugh. Alice focused intently on bandaging my hand, I listened to her talk, for once in my life. She finished up and looked at me cocking her head to the side. "That's why you hate her. That's why you hate all women, except me usually. But her? That's why you hate her the most. She reminds you of mom; and you're still mad at mom for leaving us, even though she died, and she couldn't control it. No one could." Alice sighed, tears in her eyes. I hugged her for a moment, tears forming, and pushed her away as I walked to the garage. 

"You can't push everyone away forever." She called after me," And you're welcome."

I slammed the door behind me.

I didn't want to think about whether or not she was right, even though she probably was. Stop thinking about it, Ryan. Who cares? Charlotte Marx would never want someone like you. You are damaged goods. Stop fucking think about Charlotte Marx, anyways!

My bike flew through the streets of Waco, most likely too fast, but I didn't care. I wanted to escape this, all of it. Who I was and who I wanted to be, those two people would never collide because I was too damn stubborn to ever let it happen.

I felt my bike vibrate as I sped up anger rising to the surface again.

**The next day at the rodeo**

Nicks POV:

Wow she is even more gorgeous than the other day, if that's possible. I could see her coming my way, a friend, and a man I didn't recognize in tow. 

" Dude, you're staring hard. Ease up, you look like a bit of a creep." Brody, my closest friend, slapped the back of my head as he passed behind me preparing for his own set of rides. 

I laughed deeply, feeling the smile hit my eyes. I shook my head, and walked toward her, reminding myself to keep my cool. 

"Hey, you." I smiled down at her. I knew I had a good foot of height on her, but it didn't matter to me.

"Well, I'm glad to see you came to me this time since my eyes fail to yield to any form of obstacle." She laughed, and it was the best sound. It was like when it storms and the sun comes out and the birds begin to sing again; like the world is okay. Like she is sunshine.

"You look perfect, by the way," I noted her ripped jeans, boots, and white strappy tank top. Her hair fell in curls over her shoulders, keeping the sun from burning them until it went down. 

"Uh- Hi!" Charlotte's friend cut in, and I immediately felt bad. It's like my whole world stopped turning when I was with her, even for just a few moments. "I'm Alice, Charlotte's best friend," She gave me a quick glare that went unnoticed by anyone else, but I was aware that she was protective of Charlotte. "-And this is my brother Ryan!" She thrust her hand forward, while Ryan pointedly crossed his arms in front of his chest protectively. 

"Great to meet you, Alice. I actually have a friend running around here somewhere for you." I winked at her and she shared a giggle with Charlotte. It was adorable to watch Charlotte and her friend together. It made me happy. How could this be, I barley knew her? 

"I'm going to go find Brody now, Alice's date. He's here somewhere. I'll meet you over by the food stands in just a few minutes, and we can all grab a seat." 

"Sounds great!" Charlotte gave me an award winning smile and linked arms with Alice as they slowly glided away from me. I sauntered off to find Brody, noticing Ryan hanging back behind the girls, and how angry and almost jealous he seemed.