THE CHASE - Connor x OC (I Am Sequel)

Chapter 33

You guys are going to hate me for this chapter.

Sorry in advance,

Andrea

~

"Charlotte. Are you ready to go?" Ethan asked, picking up his car keys. He went to hand them to me.

"Feel free to drive," I answered, still shaken up. You don't exactly get over a realization like this. I felt like crying. I felt like breaking down. I knew that was ridiculous though.

"You've been off. Are you sure you're alright?"

I sighed in response, and Ethan simply shrugged. We walked out the backdoor to his car, where I sat in the passenger seat.

"I'm surprised Connor and Hank didn't come back to the precinct," Ethan remarked.

"Can we not talk about them? Actually, let's not talk about anything," I answered, hitting the radio. Ethan hit it to turn it off.

"You definitely seem odd," he remarked. I sighed deeply again.

"Does it matter? I'm tired," I explained. I crossed my arms and practically folded into myself.

"I'm a behavioral analyst. Do you really think I can't tell?"

"Oh, I've noticed that you're pretty shit with that actually," I answered. Ethan chuckled.

"Well, you're actually a pretty great detective. I don't give you enough credit. This is a hard case, and even though I'm not sure why, you're pushing it until you're absolutely sure you've cracked it," Ethan smiled.

"Thanks," I shrugged. Ethan looked at me for a second, giving me a once over from top to bottom. It felt so much more evaluative than flirty I couldn't even be mad. It was more like he was trying to detect what exactly was wrong rather than my appearance. If one thing was clear: I don't feel like Ethan is trying to get in my pants.

For that matter, I can't be bothered to care anymore. What even is caring? What is all of this?

Okay, well, I'm obviously not Kant when it comes to philosophy but I do know that nothing feels real anymore. This whole world feels fabricated by Kamski.

As we pulled up to the apartments, I pointed to the back parking lot.

"Connor has the electronic key card. I'll have to use the spare key, which only works for the back door. Head over there," I sighed.

We pulled up into the empty parking lot and I shuffled through my pockets absolutely positive I had the key in one of these somewhere.

"You know whatever's wrong, you can tell me? I'll listen, and you can trust me," Ethan said, suddenly, just as I finally pulled the bronze key out of my pants pocket. I could hear the soft pattern of rain beginning, and the distant soft crack of thunder.

"Yeah, I do," I sighed, and couldn't help smiling a bit. For the first time, it felt like I could trust Ethan. He's the only one I can trust right now...

I went to open the car door when Ethan grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him. The rain got louder, pattering on the roof of the car, and there was a flash of lighting.

Ethan smirked. Our faces were close, noses nearly touching.

"You can trust me, Charlotte," he whispered.

I'm broken, and I'm alone. My husband...fake husband...is mad at me. I'm without my best friend. I'm without everything...

Fuck it.

As Ethan leaned in, I accepted it, instead of fighting it. His lips were suddenly on mine, and I let go of the door handle.

I don't care what he tastes like (but it's not chocolate), and I don't care what he smells like (it's definitely not snow). I don't care about how soft or hard the kiss is (but it's definitely not soft or gentle), and I don't care how he feels (but it's definitely not like passion).

All I know is the mutual desire between us was strong. Mine was founded in a place of this pain, and his...well, I don't know where. He was pulling off my shirt, and unclipping my bra while I played with his buttons and belt.

Soon enough, the driver's seat was leaning all the way back, and I was on top. My hands were pushed against the sun roof as Ethan aggressively pushed himself into me. Our hot breath and the cold rain managed to fog up the windows, and soon enough, my face was pressed up against the glass as we both felt the ecstasy consume us.

I climbed off of him, and sat in the passengers seat. I searched for all of my clothes, finding them all thrown about the car while Ethan caught his breath.

I found the bronze key neatly tucked away in the cup holder, and left the car, fixing my hair in the pouring rain.

I didn't even wave as I walked in through the back door of the building.