Things a Man Oughta Know - Lainey Wilson

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CHARLIE

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I swirl the straw of my margarita, not paying attention to the boy leaning over the table, talking to my friends. "Does that sound fine with you, Charlie?" He asks, making me look him in the eye. He was incredibly handsome as he was the starting pitcher of Auburn's baseball team. His dirty blonde hair peeked out from under his hat, and his smile, God, his smile. He made me want to smile when he showed off his perfect, straight, white teeth. But no one had made me smile in the past few months; every smile I had shown was fake.

I realize they're still waiting for my answer, so I shrug, "Sure." I have no clue what I agree to when I agree with him, except his blue eyes made me agree with anything he said. They were captivating, which is probably why he is here now.

I down the rest of my drink and set it on the table, taking a deep breath as the man stared at me. He raises his eyebrows, "You want another one?"

I nod and smile at him, "Can you get me a whiskey sour?" He nods, grabbing the empty glass before me, "Thank you, Mason." Once he's out of earshot, I whisper in Julia's ear, "What did I agree to?"

Julia laughs, shaking her head, and Willow must have overheard since she started laughing as well. "He said he was going to Wyatt's place for a little then he'd come over." Mason and I had been hooking up for the past few months. We'd met here at this same bar, sitting in the same booth, and ever since, he had been the one man to pleasure me the best he could. We both agreed to no strings attached because there was no way I was in any shape to be in another relationship right now. It was perfect, as it was still baseball season, so he couldn't commit, though he committed to seeing me at least three times a week.

"You still worry me sometimes," Willow says, looking concerned. Of course I do. I still worry about myself whenever I kick Mason out of my bed after he fucked me or how I downed an entire bottle of wine by myself a few weeks ago. Yes, I had been drinking a lot more, but it was the only way I didn't suffocate my mind with thoughts about him.

"I know," I mutter as Mason sets my new drink before me, sliding into the seat beside me. "Thank you," I say, pressing the glass to my lips and taking a long sip. He kisses my cheek and says goodbye, making me wonder if he has feelings for me. For being friends with benefits, he sure does like showing me off in public.

"I'm gonna miss you guys so much," Willow pouts, reaching across the table for mine and Julia's hands. We graduated from Auburn University yesterday, and I have taken a job in Georgia. I begged my parents to let me have one last night with my best friends before I moved home, so they were out doing something with my brother downtown, who was devastated that he didn't get to go to Colt's farm.

My brother cried when I told him Colt wouldn't longer give him a riding lesson. My entire family was devastated when I told them he moved to Wyoming. My mother wanted me to go after him, but there was no point. He wouldn't have left if he loved me more. As he said, it was an easy decision for him—the best for him to heal.

We kept in touch after he left for a while. He called me, and I got to meet Buck over the phone, who was just as gorgeous as Colt, but he was married, unfortunately. For the next few months, we began talking to each other less as we got more busy with our lives and the time difference. Eventually, it turned to silence, and I decided I was better off not talking to him anymore when he took days to respond. That's when I met Mason, and we started whatever we were doing.

There was no reason to stay in Auburn, except for Brooke, who was due with her baby anytime soon. I asked Knox about Colt every time I saw him, but as time passed, it was the same thing; I asked about him less. Now, no one dares to bring up Colt Dutton unless they want me to drink an entire bottle of wine, which I feel like doing now.

The reason I like Mason was because he was straight to the point. We'd talk for a few minutes, which was more of him talking; we had sex, then he went home, and I went to sleep. I hated his hands over my body, but it was the only thing keeping me alive at this point, and everyone knew it.

My friends couldn't do anything but take me to the bar and drink. I can never hang out with Brooke without her bringing him up, so I stay away from her, which I regret most of the time now that I'm moving home. I stopped barrel racing. I didn't want to be around horses because they reminded me of him. I can't even think without thinking about him. He's engraved in my brain. It's so fucking pathetic that I am still in love with that damned cowboy, though if anyone asked, I'd deny it till my grave.

The three of us downed the rest of our drinks before heading back to the apartment, arms linked around each other as we walked down the street. It was weird becoming adjusted to the fact we weren't a group of four anymore but a trio. Of course, we still include Brooke in everything, but she doesn't come and party with us anymore. She stays with Knox every night, only coming to the apartment to see us or to pick one of us up for class.

I immediately change into pajamas when we arrive home, uncomfortable in jeans and my crop top. I take my makeup off and wait for Mason to arrive, as the drinks had made me horny.

I hardly ever kissed him. We fucked in positions where we didn't have to stare at each other. I think it was just me who wanted that, though. I would kiss his neck anywhere other than his lips. Kissing on the lips creates attachments, I told myself.

When we first began hooking up, I would almost moan Colt's name, which was embarrassing. I always think it's him fucking me and not Mason. Maybe that's why I chose a man who looked similar to him. He didn't carry the connection Colt and I had.

I lay on the couch, waiting for the knock on the door. When it comes, I softly smile at him and let him inside. We both go to my room and immediately begin to take each other's clothes off. He kisses me, knowing it would be my last time seeing him.

He lowers me onto the bed when we are naked, flipping me over with my legs touching the ground so he could fuck me standing up.

When he finishes, I ask, "Do you want to stay the night?"

He smiles, "I'd love to. Are you gonna miss me or something? Is that why you want me to stay?"

I roll my eyes, my naked body pressed against his as my fingers walk up his chest, "I just figured we could do it a few more times before I left."

"Charlie's gonna miss me," he sang to himself.

I push him slightly, a smile forming on my lips, "don't push it. I still can throw you out onto the street at any time."

He smiles, pulling me close, leaving a kiss behind my ear on my tattoo, just like Colt used to do.