Chasing Love: Chapter 31

Nine Years Ago

Last night I had a dream, the kind of dream that when you woke up, you closed your eyes and tried to fall back into that blissful sleep praying that somehow the dream would continue.

Charlotte was beside me wearing nothing but a sheet around her naked body. Her head rested on my shoulders as we sat for what felt like hours. My hands were positioned above the piano keys, but they were still. Faintly, I could hear a piano playing in the background. It was beautiful, and as much as I tried to move my hands to mirror the playing, they remained frozen.

I realized when I woke up the next morning that it was my subconscious telling me to play again. Between work and studying, I never had time to sit and play anymore, so here I was in my parents’ living room attempting to play the piano. As a child, I had also learned to play the guitar, but playing the piano had come naturally.

As I found the right keys, my fingers moved to the rhythm in my head. Sensing I was being watched, I stopped, surprised to see Charlotte standing at the door.

“Please don’t stop, Alex.” She smiled.

I motioned for her to sit next to me on the piano stool. She reluctantly did so but with a space between us. I ached for her to lean her head on my shoulder just like in my dream, but with Adriana home, I forced myself to ignore every voice which screamed in my head to reach out and touch her.

“I didn’t know you played. Actually, I wasn’t sure why your parents had a piano at all because Adriana doesn’t have a musical bone in her body.”

“I used to play,” I told her. “It’s been a while.”

“Will you play that song for me again? I love that song.”

“You knew what song it was?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course, I do. It’s ‘Right Here Waiting for You.’ Eighties music is my jam.”

I started to play the notes again. Closing my eyes, I couldn’t help but sing along, remembering each line of the song, and because she was right beside me, I wanted to sing the words to her that I couldn’t say out loud.

As the chorus began, Charlotte started to sing along with me. Her voice was amazing, so angelic and perfectly fitting for the song. I continued on, both of us in harmony and singing the entire song to each other.

When the song ended, I tried my best not to look her way, but it was impossible. Almost shyly, she continued to stare at the keys. Her cheeks were flushed, and I wanted to place the palm of my hand on her face and feel the heat of her skin, knowing she was feeling it because of me. But the risk was too high with everyone inside the house.

“Alex, your voice is amazing, and you play the piano…” she trailed off and paused for a few seconds then continued, “Why did you choose to study medicine?”

“I play guitar, too.” I smirked, knocking her shoulder.

“Anything else, Mr. Musical Prodigy?”

“Does the triangle count?” I joked. “No, but I always wanted a drum kit. Mom and Dad refused, saying drums lead to rock ‘n’ roll which leads to drug addiction. Besides, Charlotte, look who’s talking. Your voice is just… wow.”

“Maybe we should run off together and become a dynamic singing duo like Sonny and Cher.” She bowed her head, laughing

“‘They say we’re young and we don’t know,’” I started to sing, trying not to laugh.

She placed her hand on my shoulder as we laughed together until we heard a noise behind us. Both of us turned around. Samantha was standing under the arch. Fuck. I didn’t know how long she was standing there for, but I wasn’t doing anything wrong aside from loving the girl who sat beside me.

“Hi, Charlie. It’s good to see you’ve managed to get Alex playing the piano again,” she said, with a slow, steady gait.

“Not me, Sam. I just heard him. You’ve got yourself one talented man here,” Charlotte responded while sliding off the piano stool.

Raising her chin, she crossed her arms with a knowing grin. “I do, don’t I?”

“Well, I’m off. Nice jamming with you, Alex. Adriana is dragging me to a party across town. Apparently, she has someone she wants me to meet.”

What the fuck?

Was that supposed to make me feel better?

Calm the fuck down, Alex.

Charlotte just said that so Samantha wouldn’t be suspicious. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt me on purpose, especially with another guy.

“Oh, that’s right. That friend of Elijah’s with the tattoo of a skull on his neck.” Samantha chuckles.

“That’s the one. Sounds just like the man my daddy wants to kill. Anyway, have fun, guys.” She waved, avoiding my eyes and leaving us alone.

Samantha sat beside me on the piano. She reached out for my hand and toyed with my wedding band. I pretended not to notice and attempted to play a tune with just my right hand.

“A pretty girl, that one. Don’t you think?”

Back the fuck up.

Samantha is asking me if I think Charlotte is pretty?

I was one-hundred percent sure this was woman code for testing the waters.

Tread very carefully.

“She’s okay, I guess. She’s Adriana’s best friend. Have you met my sister?”

She moved closer to me on the piano, wrapping her arms around my torso. “Alex, take me home and fuck me the way you used to fuck me every night before we moved here.”

“I didn’t fuck you every night, Sammy. You confusing me with someone else?”

“Should I be asking the same thing?”

There was a pause and pauses reflected guilt.

“Samantha, I work fourteen-hour shifts and still have to study. I’m not only mentally but physically exhausted at the end of a long day.”

“Well, how about now?”

Confused, I looked at her as she climbed onto my lap.

“Sammy, this is my parents’ house—”

“Everyone’s left for the night, Alex. It’s just you and me. I’m your wife. Fuck me, please,” she begged.

I didn’t know what to do at that point. If I gave in to her, would that shut her up? I closed my eyes as she unbuckled my belt. Maybe I could do this? Surely, Charlotte would understand that I’d have to do this to keep up the charade. If Samantha had no reason for concern, then Charlotte and I could continue seeing each other. Yes, this was exactly what I needed to do.

I felt my hands moving involuntarily to her tits, squeezing them while trying my best to ignore the enormous amount of guilt I felt right now. She began grinding herself against my cock, moaning into my ear a high-pitched moan she made when she was aroused. My hands found their way to her ass until I moved them into her panties. She was fucking soaked.

“That’s it, baby. I know you miss me,” she whispered in my ear.

She pulled her skirt up, ready to sit on my cock when we heard a commotion at the door.

“Oh my God!” Adriana shrieked.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

I pushed Samantha off me like I was caught red-handed doing something wrong.

“Sorry, guys, I didn’t think… oh my eyes! Where’s the fucking bleach?” she complained, shaking her head.

“Sorry, Adriana, we thought everyone had left.”

“I left my phone inside. This is hilarious! Charlie would’ve pissed herself laughing at this. Okay, guess I’ll leave you to it. Bye.”

She waved as she walked out of the room. Fuck, she was going to tell Charlotte. Poor Charlotte, hearing this and then having to meet that tattoo guy. I needed to do something and fast, ignoring the bile rising in my throat.

“I forgot to ask Adriana something.” I rushed out, desperate to find them.

Samantha wrapped her arms around my neck. “So just call her, Alex. Let’s get back to where we left off.”

I yanked her off me, without another word, and ran outside as fast as I could.

The car was already reversing down the driveway, and all I saw was Adriana laughing.

And beside her, a very heartbroken Charlotte staring right back at me.