Charlotte Austin Novels & Stories

“I wasted my time with Whitney. When I should have been with Charlotte” “It's all in the past now. I have Charlotte now and what we have is completely different from what I had with Whitney. She did not just jump into loving me like Whitney did. She loves her baby Kelcie and I love her too. She kissed me back, so I know she loves me too”, I told myself, as I closed my eyes to sleep.

Still, Charlie wasn't going to remain in Aurous Hill for long, as Tanya's next stop was in three days. After resting for a couple of days, he had to depart again. Luketown was less than 200 miles away from Aurous Hill, which was quite close. Since there were no direct flights between the cities, he decided to drive. Jacob's first car—the BMW 530—had stayed unused for a while, so Charlie packed a few sets of clothes before leaving. As Claire saw her off, she reminded him repeatedly to drive safe, and he nodded repeatedly as he drove out of Thompson First.

He stood close to her, so fucking close that her shoulder bumped into his as they walked, but she didn’t pull away. She. Didn’t. Pull. Away. They look comfortable together, like they had spent a lot of time together before. I watched as his eyes traveled over her body each time she turned away from him to fuck with her stupid little camera, and I wanted nothing more than to bash his head in. Then I saw the amusement on her face as she turned. She was enjoying this. Charlotte knew I was here, and she was trying to make me jealous. She was toying with me. Why else would she have gotten a job here?

I replied with a small smile. Charlotte stumbled toward me, still giggling, her hair falling into her face. “He’s mine,” she slurred, gripping my arm possessively. “My baby. Go away…” She pushed Emma back. Her friends laughed awkwardly. “Isn’t he so handsome? He sings like an angel. Do you know he’s a priest?—not like an ordained priest, but he’s really angelic,” Charlotte slurred proudly. I swallowed tightly, knowing her friends were probably wondering what that meant.

Green. So familiar... ... follow him, then return to me. "Um, this is Michael... my husband... Mom..." Charlotte whispers the final word and Mitch shudders a breath. "Come in," she says. "You'd better come inside." She motions across to me. "Your friend too." I stride across, hand offered. "James Alexanders. I'm a family friend. And I am delighted to meet you at last." *****

***** Michael walks with a swing in his step and a smile on his face. .... You've got it bad, my Friend.... .... not that I blame you.... We don't have long to wait; the train is on time and after the usual huddle of people exiting, Charlotte steps out. She looks fresh and beautiful; simply dressed in jeans and tee-shirt, her long red hair tied back in a pony-tail. For a moment, looking the other way, she doesn't see us, then turning about, her face lights up. Ah… but that's a lovely smile....

He took it, staring at it, then nodded to me. “Go ahead. Talk to my manager,” Rosa called after me as I hurried out of the store. “I can find another job. But can you find another woman who’s willing to put up with you after she’s gone? Because I’m pretty sure Charlotte was the last dumb bitch on that list.” I didn’t deign to give her a second glance. The street outside was busy enough that I couldn’t immediately spot Charlotte. I turned around a few times, seeking her out amongst the after-dinner crowd. Finally, I spotted a flash of baby blue fabric and a hibiscus flower tucked in familiar hair strands.

“You must be Raina then. It’s nice to meet you.” “Charlotte here takes care of all the kids' needs and supplies.” explained Xander. “It’s nice to meet you too.” “Why don’t we step into my office and I can make you a list of everything we need?” I thought about just staying out here and waiting but Xander placed his hand on my lower back again and led me into Charlotte’s office. It was small but decorated tastefully. I could see pictures of Charlotte with a man I assumed was her mate and two young children. They made a beautiful family.

she asks quietly. A pause. ⸻ Long enough. ⸻ “This wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” he mutters. ⸻ Charlotte closes the laptop. ⸻ Not because she’s done watching. But because she doesn’t need more. ⸻ They’re breaking. ⸻ Exactly as planned. ⸻ The next morning, Charlotte stands outside a glass building in the heart of the city. Tall. Sharp. Commanding. ⸻ She steps inside.