His Last Love [BxB] COMPLETED

Part IV

He shouldn't have gone to another party. Not with how the last one went. But Charlie had never been good at saying no to his friends.

"Come on, I want to go out," Lily complained. She tugged on his arm. "And you're the only guy I know who wouldn't roofie me when I go to the bathroom."

"Is that why you stay friends with me?"

"That and you're very smart."

Charlie smiled. "You're the worst."

Lily looked at him with wide, pleading eyes.

"Fine, I'll go, but you can't abandon me when we get there."

"Never!"

She took off with a group of people from her art class thirty minutes after they got to the party. Charlie watched her go with a sinking sense of panic. The last time he was left alone at a party he let things get out of hand.

Someone was watching him. Charlie walked towards the kitchen to get a can of beer and the eyes followed him. As discreet as possible, Charlie glanced to the side, searching for him.

There. It wasn't Leonardo. Charlie ignored the pang of disappointment when he made eye contact with a tall, skinny guy who looked eerily familiar.

Before Charlie could look away and pretend he didn't notice, the guy smiled. The name formed on Charlie's lips. Liam Harlow.

The guy mouthed Charlie's name back at him. Charlie nodded, feeling shy. Liam made his way over to Charlie, walking like tall people do, a stiffness of the hips and swaying of the shoulders.

"It's been a long time man," Liam said. He clapped Charlie's back.

"Where do you go now?" Charlie asked. There was no way Liam went to Harvard or MIT.

"Gap year. I was traveling Europe. My dad wanted me to become more worldly. But he's living in Tennessee so I don't really think he can talk."

Charlie had forgotten how charming Liam could be. He was the type of guy that made you feel good when you talked to him, like he really enjoyed your presence. It used to work, but with the beer and the memories of the last party, it just made Charlie uneasy.

"Look, I should probably find my friend. I promised I would watch out for her." Charlie craned his neck over the crowds of partygoers. He couldn't see Lily's red curls anywhere.

"Her? That's interesting."

Charlie's stomach dropped, and the noise of the party blurred like he had cotton stuffed in his ears.

"Why is it―why is that interesting?"

"Oh, I just thought you were into guys."

"What? How―where did you hear that?" Charlie felt hot and cold at the same time.

"Leonardo." Liam was smiling, and there was something off about his eyes. Charlie realized it was resentment.

"That asshole."

"I agree." Liam laid a hand on his arm. "And I know the perfect way to get back at him."

Charlie shrugged him off, looking around. "I'm not gay."

"Of course not," Liam said, grinning.

"Stop it. I'm not." Charlie shuffled away, praying that Lily showed up and rescued him.

"Let's go back to my hotel. We'll just mess around. Have some fun." Liam grabbed his arm. Charlie tried to yank his arm away but Liam's grip was surprisingly strong.

"Let. Go."

"Aw don't be like this, Charlie." Liam's smile tightened and his eyes narrowed. "It'll be fun."

"No. I'm not―" Charlie finally got his arm loose "―gay. Don't talk to me again."

Lily appeared out of a moving throng of people and Charlie took the opportunity to shout her name. She saw him and her face brightened.

"Charlie! Sorry, I must've lost you. Who's this?" She looked at Liam.

"I'm Liam, nice to meet you." He shook her hand. Charlie's stomach turned.

"We actually need to go. Don't we, Lily?"

"Well," Lily started, but when she caught Charlie's expression, "yes. I have an early start and Charlie's gonna help me get back to our dorms. It was nice meeting you Liam."

With an awkward wave Charlie walked away, slowing down to let Lily catch up with him.

"What was that all about?" Lily asked, worriedly glancing at Charlie as they walked towards the subway.

"Leonardo told him. About what happened. And he tried to take me home with him." Charlie shuddered, either from the cold or the memory of Liam's long fingers clasped on his arm, he couldn't tell.

"Wait, they know each other? How did he know it was you?"

"He went to Hilltop High too."

Lily shook her head. "What are the odds that all three of you went to the same high school. He doesn't go to MIT does he?"

"No. Gap year."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know. The last thing I want to do is confront Leonardo."

They reached the subway station. Charlie let Lily think. He liked how thoughtful she was when giving advice.

"If Leonardo told Liam about you, then he cares more than you think. Maybe you should wait. You never know, he might just come to you."