Mr Spencer(78)

I close my eyes in disgust. I was warned. Many times, I was warned, but like a moth to a flame, I had to have him anyway.

Do they make gentle love, or does he fuck her hard? I get a vision of him naked again. And her… she’s beautiful. I bet she’s even more beautiful naked.

I clench my jaw so hard, my teeth ache.

My fury begins to pump, and I angrily swipe the tears away again. How dare he do this to me? How dare he throw me to the side as soon as she comes to town?

He made me feel so special, and then to lie to my face… oh, this is a different type of betrayal than I’ve ever felt before. This one hurts.

I roll over and punch the pillow hard, and that’s when I hear the door downstairs. Huh?

I sit up to listen.

I hear keys hit the side table, and I glance at the clock. It’s 10:10 p.m.

He’s here.

I quickly wipe my eyes and lie back down, pretending to be asleep. My heart is beating so hard, I lie in the silence and I screw up into my pillows.

Stop it, stop it, stop it. Don’t let him see you weak.

I lie with my back to the door on my side. When he walks in, I can feel his presence.

He stands still and watches me for a moment.

Does he feel guilty? I hope so. More tears fill my eyes.

“I’m home, angel,” he whispers as he sits beside me on the bed. He leans down and kisses my cheek.

Unable to help it, I turn to him and his face falls. My eyes are red and swollen. I’ve been in tears since I found the key was gone.

“You’ve been crying.” He frowns. “What’s wrong?”

I stay silent because I don’t know what to say. I mean, what is there to say? What can I possibly say that will make this better?

“Charlotte?” he whispers as he flicks the lamp on to see my face. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“You tell me.”

He frowns. “What does that mean?”

My eyes hold his. “Do you have something to tell me, Spencer?”

“Like what?”

My traitorous tears fill my eyes again. Damn these weeping bitches.

“Charlotte, why are you crying?” he demands.

I shake my head and roll away from him. I can’t even look him in the eye.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” he snaps.

I clench my jaw. “Get out.

“What?”

“You heard me. Go back to Sheridan.”

“What the hell?” He stands, daring to look completely outraged. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Angry blood rages through my body like a rapid river. Does he think I’m fucking stupid? I roll back onto my back as contempt fills me.

“Did you come back to the apartment today, Spencer?” I ask him calmly.

His eyes narrow, and he swallows a lump in his throat. “Yeah, I did, actually.”

I smirk. “Did you imagine my face again when you were fucking her tonight?”

His eyes widen and he shakes his head, connecting the dots. “I didn’t… I don’t… it’s not what you think.”

“Get out,” I say coldly.

“It’s not like that.”

“Get the fuck out!” I cry as I lose all control. The stupid tears break free again, stealing my bravery act. I wipe them away with my forearm.

“She… she came to me last week,” he stammers. “She wanted to see me. I said no.”

I stare at him.

“Someone came into my office just after she left, and I shoved the key in my pocket to hide it from them. After that, I forgot all about it.”

I feel my back molars nearly crack from me clenching my jaw so hard.

“I remembered it this morning on my way to work.” He runs his hands through his hair. “I panicked, Charlotte. I didn’t want you to find it and think the wrong thing.”

I roll my eyes in disgust. Likely story.

“I came back here today, got it, and I threw it in the bin.”

I fly out of bed like a madwoman. “Of course you did.” I storm to the door. “Right after you fucked her.”

“Charlotte, I promise you, I haven’t been with Sheridan.”

I stare at him through my tears.

“I was at a work dinner. I have clients who have flown in from China.”

“Why didn’t you tell me she came to you?” I cry.

“Because she doesn’t fucking matter to me!” he yells back.

My face screws up in tears. “Do you love her?” I sob.

“No, I fucking love you.” He shakes his head. “And I have no idea how that’s even possible. I’ve known you for five fucking minutes.”

I stare at him, lost for words.

“People who love each other don’t tell lies, Spencer.”

I turn away and storm downstairs. I can’t be near him right now. I have no idea what to believe.

“What about you?” he calls from the top step. “You haven’t told me one fucking lie since we’ve been together?”

I turn to him sharply. “Never! I have not lied to you once. Not once.”

“Bull-fucking-shit.” He charges down the stairs and grabs my arm, dragging me out of the front door and into the corridor near the elevator. “Look in the bin.”