That Emerald Vow (The Crimson Creed #2)

2. Chapter Two

“ T hat looks amazing on you!” my best friend, Lily, says from behind me, looking in the mirror to make sure she’s ready for drinks tonight with her ex-best friend/boyfriend, Adrian, and what’s-his-name.

I met Lily freshman year of undergrad, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Well, except in distance. I moved to her hometown for my master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner two years ago, after we both graduated. Thankfully, we were only a two hour drive from each other. Which was helpful, considering our night time activities.

I wink at her. “Thank you.” Swatting her hands that won’t stop fidgeting with her dress, I look at her through the reflection. “Would you stop fussing? You look amazing, Lils.”

“I’m just a little nervous about tonight,” she admits. Lily moved back after graduating from her MSW program less than two months ago. Not too long after, she bumped into her childhood best friend—later turned high school boyfriend. Aka, the one who got away.

“No kidding,” I say, laughing as I turn around and rub her arm. “Safety in numbers, babes.”

She puts her hand over mine. “Thank you again for doing this with me. Ade and I are moving in the right direction. But it makes it a bit easier to hang out with our closest friends.” They both had a lot going on emotionally when they broke up and parted ways their senior year, as a result of trauma Lily suffered through and Adrian losing his father . . . The same man who happened to be Lily’s assailant. He doesn’t know what his father did to her, making things very complicated.

I don’t do complicated. I do quick and easy. No strings attached, ever.

“Speaking of friends, what’s his name again?” I ask, curious.

“Damon. We weren’t super close in high school, but he was a cool guy. A bit grungy and too-cool-for-school vibes.” She goes to grab her purse hanging from the desk chair in her room.

“Sexy grungy like a rock star? Or pothead grungy?” My eyebrows raise with intrigue. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid, and as much as I love my toys, it’s not the same as a man’s touch.

Lily laughs. “I haven’t seen him in five years, but I would say sexy grungy.” She pauses before adding, “Though, he did have a rough childhood from the few things Ade told me back then.”

I open my mouth to ask more, but she cuts me off, saying, “And that’s all I know about that.”

“Well as long as he’s hot. Mama needs some fresh blood to play with,” I say, looping my arm into hers as we walk towards the front door.

“Since when does Charlie Thatcher struggle in the dating department?” she asks, eyeing me. Since visiting my mother last Christmas. But Lily doesn’t know about that visit because I didn’t want to worry her. She knows basically everything else that went down with my family. Even though she’s my best friend, I try to shield her from some of the bad shit that happens. It’s out of our control, and there’s no point wasting our breath.

My childhood was far from perfect , but it taught me one thing: words can cut as deep as any physical weapon can—if not more. Oftentimes more. And my mother’s words slice me down to my core.

“What man could ever want you? You’re just a disgusting little whore like the women your father spends time with.”

I roll my eyes at Lily and laugh even though my insides feel like there are pins stabbing me everywhere. “Struggle? Psh. Just bored with the recent selection is all.”

She scrunches her nose at me but seemingly decides to drop it. “Hmm. Okay.”

I’m right behind Lily as I usher her through the club doors. “Come on. We’re late.”

Lily looks down at her watch before saying, “Calm down. Your crazy is showing. We’re having drinks with Adrian and his best friend, not dinner with the Queen.”

I pinch her arm before responding. “You’re crazy. And you know I hate being late.” It was ingrained from a young age that you should never be late, and being on time might as well be late.

I burst through the front doors, terrified of what my mother will do. “Mother, I am so sorry. I just need two minutes to change and I’ll be ready,” I say, running up the stairs to my room.

Ten seconds after entering my room, my mother appears at the door—putting on her pearl earrings. “I’ve told you time and time again that being late is unacceptable in this house.”

While I shove my arms through the dress, I say, “It’s not my fault. There was traffic because someone got run over at—”

“Insolent girl. I don’t want your excuses. You can stay home.” She seethes at me before turning to leave .

I trip over my bag as I try to catch up to her. “Mom—” She turns to glare at me. “Mother, I am sorry. It won’t happen again. Please, may I still come? I’m almost ready,” I say, my throat in pain from tears that threaten to spill over.

She steps closer to me and strokes my hair, making me warm at the maternal touch. “My daughter, don’t you fret,” she says, smiling. “No one is going to miss you anyway.”

I immediately step back, flinching at the cruel words. “Moth—”

“Vivian, we must leave now,” my father says, walking towards us as he puts his coat on.

My mother’s whole demeanor changes as she pouts at him. “Yes, dear. Unfortunately, Charlotte isn’t feeling well, so she will miss this one,” she says as she turns to glare at me, daring me to disagree.

“We are not late. It’s ten thirty on the dot. They’re probably not even here yet,” Lily says, but quickly purses her lips as her eyes go to the bar.

Following her gaze, I see Adrian sitting there, smiling at us. I recognize him from Lily’s old childhood photos. “You were saying?” I smirk at her.

“Shut up. We are still on time,” she whispers at me as we make our way to him.

He leans over to kiss her on the cheek before whispering something in her ear that makes her blush. I smile at the little exchange. I’m happy to see Lily doing well and giving love another chance—a real chance.

“Thank you,” she says, a bit breathless. “Charlie, I’d like you to meet Adrian. Adrian, Charlie.”

Adrian reaches out his hand to shake mine as he leans into Lily for a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

I furrow my eyebrows as I take him in. “We’ll see about that,” I say, making Adrian turn to look at Lily. I take the opportunity to look at Lily with a smirk on my face before winking at her .

When he turns back, I tell him, “Lily is important to me, and she deserves nothing but the best. And the best is what she’ll get.”

“Then you and I will get along perfectly because I wholeheartedly agree,” Adrian responds with a smirk on his face as he puts his arm around her and pulls her in. “I can appreciate you making sure she is well taken care of.”

Willing to accept his answer, I smile at him before asking, “So, where is this best friend of yours?” when I realize he isn’t here yet.

“He was finishing up something important at work. He should be here soon,” he says as the hostess approaches and takes us to our booth in the back.

Our server arrives and quickly takes our drink order. I watch her go from table to table as the lounge continues to get packed. The DJ is already filling the dance floor with his hypnotic house beats. This place is definitely a vibe, and I am so excited to have a night to relax, but first I must interrogate the man who’s after my best friend’s heart.

“Y’all work awfully late for an auto shop,” I say with an arch of my brow. I remember Lily mentioning how late and how often he works. And considering our not-so-legal extracurriculars—you can never be too careful. Not that I expect Adrian to be moonlighting as a vigilante serial killer like my best friend and I are. But I do want to make sure he’s legit and has time for Lily.

“Well, we’re lucky enough to be pretty busy between the two shops. Sometimes it’s easier to work on the vehicles outside of business hours. Open hours can be a bit hectic with all the walk-ins and other day-to-day things that need to get done,” he says proudly. “Plus, the quick turnaround time helped me open my second business. Damon has been such a strong support and partner.”

I nod my head in understanding, as that makes a lot of sense. “That’s nice to hear. I know opening a second place can be crazy to juggle, especially at first. My dad owns three bakeries throughout the city. I remember we used to hardly see him whenever he transitioned to the opening of a new place,” I say, and I can’t help the corners of my mouth turning down at memories of my childhood.

“Yeah, there definitely is that transition period, which was tough. I try to get away when I can, especially to enjoy my night with some great people.” He winks at us. “Damon helps make everything go smoothly. I wouldn’t be half as successful without his help.”

“Soooo, Adrian . . . What are your intentions with my girl?” I ask, almost making Lily spit out her drink as her cheeks turn crimson.

“Charlie!”

Adrian laughs as he gently wraps his hand around Lily’s and squeezes. “I have many intentions. But as you said, Lily deserves the best of the best. And I won’t be rushing her into anything before she’s ready.” They lock eyes and stare longingly at each other.

I want that.

I internally shake the thought away. I don’t do commitment; it never works out and only leads to more heartbreak.

“Hey, ladies! Adrian!” I hear a man call out, pulling me out of my head. He’s wearing black ripped jeans and a t-shirt paired with a leather jacket I would die to add to my growing collection. Something about his presence instantly makes my whole body erupt in this feeling I can’t explain. His medium-length hair makes him look both sexy and boyish in the best way. I can’t help but imagine running my hands through it. What the fuck kind of thought was that? I quickly realize I need to get laid ASAP if I’m starting to have those kinds of intrusive thoughts.

Our waitress happens to be walking past, so he calls her over and orders a draft beer.

“Sorry for the delay. I ran into some issues right as work was ending.” He looks to Adrian, who opens his mouth to say something but quickly shuts it as Damon continues. “But it was all dealt with. Everything’s good now. I needed to stop by the house to shower though . . . I got a little dirty,” Damon explains.

Adrian looks at Damon with a frown but quickly replaces it with a smile. “Thanks. Damon, you remember Lily. And this,” he says, gesturing to me, “is Charlie, her best friend, who will eat you alive, so behave!”

Eat him alive . . . That sounds about right.

Damon’s eyes are suddenly boring into me like he didn’t really notice me before. Once his eyes connect with mine, something sparks between us, and we both have the same shit-eating grin on our faces.

This is going to be fun.