Shattered Hearts

Chapter 9

Liam
4 Years Ago
When I came downstairs for breakfast the next morning, I was surprised by what I found.
Charlotte was standing in the kitchen, leaning on the counter, sipping her coffee, staring over the rim at Charlie and Madelyn sitting at the table.
They were laughing, and Charlie had a hand on her thigh.
Well that was unexpected.
I got a cup of coffee, having a hard time taking my eyes off of Charlie and Madelyn, who had their backs to me.
Madelyn laughed at something he said, and I almost flinched.
But she wasn't my girlfriend.
She also wasn't pressed up against me, naked in the lake last night either.
I had to tell myself that if I was going to get through this. I had to forget any inch she'd ever given me. It didn't matter anymore. She could never be mine.
I walked over to the island with my coffee and leaned my elbows next to Charlotte's.
"What's that all about?" I asked, motioning towards the kitchen table.
Charlotte snorted and took a sip of coffee.
"They're dating now you dipshit."
I rolled my eyes, "Wasn't expecting her to warm up to it so quickly after her reaction."
She shrugged, "I told you she'd get over it."
She left me standing by the island to go sit with Charlie and Madelyn at the kitchen table. As I watched the three of them I realized that what happened last night didn't matter. Madelyn has made her choice. She was with Charlie now. For real.
And I had to get over it.
•••
Liam
Present Day
The next morning, when Madelyn and I descended the stairs together, Charlotte couldn't keep her mouth shut.
She wiggles her eyebrows at us from the kitchen, as we entered for breakfast.
"You two have a goodnight last night?" She teased.
I was going to tell her to fuck off, then I remembered we were suppose to be dating now. She knew it was fake, but Charlie, who was sitting at the table right now, didn't.
I passed Charlotte and headed for the coffee machine. I poured two mugs and as I passed the second one to Madelyn, I leaned towards Charlotte "Let's just say she had a visitor last night."
Charlotte snorted and Madelyn whacked my arm playfully, "Dick." She muttered, laughing softly as we both headed for the table.
I flashed her a grin as we sat down next to each other, and across from Charlie, "Touché."
She rolled her eyes again, and I saw Charlie's hand tense around the spoon he was holding.
He was uncomfortable.
I swear he still liked her. That he'd never gotten over her.
Welcome to the the fucking club bro.
Now he could live the torture I had to go through when he was with Madelyn. Get a taste of his own medicine.
He was not subtle about their relationship at all, and he really did like her a lot, but I always felt like it was partially to rub it in my face. Especially after that Christmas party.
So now that I had an opportunity for revenge, I was going to take it.