The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor) novel Chapter 2

“Space, huh? You needed to focus on basketball?” Charlie reacted with sarcasm. “Wait, don’t tell me you just met this girl today? Because we just broke up the other night!”

Following Charlie’s arrival, The Nook & Brew Café fell silent. She caught the look of horror on her best friends’ faces—Ashley and Sofia.

Luke’s hold on Regina loosened. He looked down before meeting Charlie’s gaze and admitted, “I’m sorry, Charlie. I could not tell you. I… I did not want to break your heart.”

Charlie scoffed. She felt tears brimming in her eyes, but she held it. Instead, she allowed her anger to take over. “You could have just said so and not leave me wondering what I did wrong!”

“I deserve the truth, Luke. I have been good to you for the past two years.” She pointed at him, adding, “You know it!” Then Charlie eyed Luke’s friends, including their girlfriends. She added, “And they all know it!”

“And you two!” Charlie called Ashley and Sofia’s attention. “It’s obvious that you knew, but you chose to lie to me? How long have you known?”

Charlie returned her attention to Luke, adding, “How long has Luke been bringing his new girl into your group gatherings?”

She had not attended the Wall Street Warriors gatherings lately because she was studying for the exams. She never expected to have missed so much in just a few days!

At that point, Charlie felt a tear slipped silently down her cheek. Never mind Luke’s betrayal, but her so-called best friends? What kind of friends would lie to her face?

“Charlie, we are sorry,” Ashley said. “We did not want to hurt you.”

“Clearly, your loyalty is to this fucking basketball team!” Charlie reacted. She rarely cursed, but now, she couldn’t help it. “You both hurt me now more than Luke ever did! Some friends you turn out to be.”

“Charlie -” Sofia tried to hold her, but Charlie moved back.

“Don’t touch me!” Charlie said through gritted teeth.

“Charlie, I’m sorry,” this time, Luke approached, further angering Charlie.

“Especially you!” Charlie shouted. “You’re the last person I want comfort from!”

She raised her hands and said, “I don’t deserve this. I’m done with this.”

Charlie turned on her heel and walked away. Instead of returning home to their apartment, she stayed in a hotel five blocks from the school.

She spent a good two hours crying.

She felt like a fool!

[Charlie, we are sorry. We did not mean to hurt you.] A message popped up on her phone, and it came from Ashley. She and Sofia had called many times, but Charlie refused to answer.

[Charlie, Luke asked us not to tell you.] Sofia texted next. [Where are you? Can we talk?]

Reading Sofia’s text, Charlie mused. ‘If that was the case, then Luke’s relationship with Regina had been going on for a while now.’

Charlie remembered the previous days when she was busy preparing for the preliminary exams. There were times when Luke failed to respond to her texts. According to him, he was also often practicing, but was he really? Or was he spending time with Regina?

“Who the hell is Regina, anyway?” Charlie muttered.

Luke and Charlie were in their fourth year in college. He joined the basketball team as a freshman while simultaneously pursuing her. Luke was a natural talent, and quickly rose to fame. As a result, Charlie also found herself in the spotlight—after all, the star player had his eyes on her. Once they officially became a couple, no one dared to openly flirt with Luke. They were widely regarded as the golden couple in the College of Business.

Truth be told, Charlie was just as beautiful. She had thick, long, wavy blond hair. She had green eyes and a slender frame. She supposed the only difference between her and that ‘Regina’ was the way they dressed. Also, from what Charlie had seen, Regina liked makeup.