Chapter 4 Your Business, not mine

†CHARLOTTE†

" You do not mean that, no you do not fucking mean that!"

Lyra stares at me like I've just told her the world is ending.

I busy myself with the coffee machine, filling a cup and handing it to the waiting customer with a smile. It's a little difficult to explain that my best friend has just thrown me out of our apartment for the woman he dumped me for—or that the man who saved me last night is Tobias Knight.

"Let me get this straight." Lyra grabs my arm the moment the customer leaves. "Jeffrey chased you out because of Ava, and Tobias Knight saved you last night?"

I glance around the café before clamping a hand over her mouth.

"Keep your voice down! And don't say his name."

She peels my hand away with a sigh. "What are you going to do now?" Lyra asks. "What about Jeffrey's parents? Can't you call them?"

I've thought about it. Aunt May and Uncle Jerald have already done so much for me. They're the reason Jeffrey and I have an apartment in the first place, and I can't bring myself to ask them for more.

I don't want to be another problem they have to solve.

"They're probably busy," I say, reaching for another cup.

Lyra gives me a look that tells me she doesn't believe me, but thankfully, she lets it go.

"Fine. What about the internships? Have they responded yet?"

Jeffrey. Of course I applied to his team. Where else would I have gone when I was still stupid enough to believe being close to him might make him love me?

I blink at the sting behind my eyes. No. Not today. He's taken enough from me.

Just as I'm about to respond, my phone dings. I want to ignore it at first—it's probably Jeffrey apologising for the hundredth time—but then I sigh. Maybe I can take a look. Just one peek.

You'll regret this, the voice in my head warns, and I know she's right, so I reluctantly turn my phone back off.

But what if he wants to say something important? What if something happened to him?

A shiver crawls down my spine. I retrieve my phone and check the text.

I hear her groan at the back of my head, but I ignore her.

"Congratulations, Charlotte Hunter.

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted for the internship position with the Black Wolves hockey team..."

The message reads. My lips part, but no words come out. Another message pops up a second later, and it's for the C.W. Vultures.

I got the internship.

Not just one.

But two.

But I never applied for the Black Wolves internship.

"What's wrong? You look very pale. Char, Char!" Lyra presses my shoulder, tapping me gently.

Does it have anything to do with Tobias saving me last night?

Did he do this to get under my skin?

Lyra snatches my phone, and when she reads the text, she screams. "Oh my God! You got the Black Wolves internship! I freaking knew you would!"

"Yeah, I'm just as surprised as you are. Wait... How did you know I would get the internship?"

"Uhh..." She drawls and busies herself with taking a customer's order, as if she didn't just upend my entire life.

I don't let her finish. I apologise to the customer and borrow her for a moment in the kitchen.

"Lyra..." I call, crossing my arms over my chest and eyeing her with a glare.

"Okay." She sighs. "I'm sorry. I know you didn't want to apply, but I didn't mean anything bad by it. I just wanted you to have a life outside Jeffrey. I knew he would go back to Ava, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you. I didn't want to upset you, so I applied behind your back. Please forgive me."

She finishes with her eyes on the ground, on her fingers—anywhere but me.

God! I want to strangle her right now, but she's right. I do need a life outside Jeffrey.

But I don't need that life to be within Tobias's orbit. He's Jeffrey's literal rival. He probably hates me.

But he saved your life. Doesn't that count for something? another voice says softly, it's the same one from last night. The one that said "mate”

"Yeah, he saved my life, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to kill me. Hell, he's probably planning it right now."

• I mean this can be a good opportunity for you, away from that toxic asshole* the sarcastic voice continues.

You're both being dramatic!

"I'm being realistic and 'both'? What do you mean by both?"

"Please don't be upset with me..." She takes my hand in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze, pulling me out of my thoughts."I promise I'll never do it again." She crosses her heart. "I swear on my life."

"I'm partially upset," I say, and her face falls slightly. "But I understand why you did it."

Her eyes brighten instantly. "Really?"

"Yes, really. But don't do it again. I would prefer you tell me before making such a life-changing decision."

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

She salutes, and then my phone rings. It's a familiar number from one of the emails, so I answer.

"Hello, is this Miss Charlotte Hunter?" a mature feminine voice asks from the other end.

"Yes, that's me," I reply slowly.

Lyra leans closer, wrapping her hands around my arm. Her nails dig into my skin in anticipation.

"I'm calling regarding your internship with our team. We've received a large number of applications and accepted several interns, so we're trying to finalise everything before the first game of the season. We'd like to arrange a meeting as soon as possible. May I know what time today would be suitable for you?"

"Today? Uh, I..."

Lyra taps my arm with an encouraging nod.

"Yes, I'll be there now."

"Great. I'll be expecting you."

The call ends, and Lyra squeals, jumping to her feet. Then she suddenly stops.

"You need to leave now."

She yanks my apron off and pushes me through the kitchen and out the back door before I can protest.

"But I have the afternoon shift. I can't just—"

"Leave that to me. Don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

She nods, giving me another nudge. "Go. Don't be late."

Warmth unfurls behind my ribs. What am I truly going to do without this girl?

"Tell me all about it when you get back, and don't fall for some hotshot hockey captain." She adds the last part with a wink.

I roll my eyes, the smile still lingering on my lips. "That's if he doesn't kill me first."

"Stop being so dramatic, and go! Good luck, pookie!"

With that, I turn and run back home, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Maybe this'll be a new adventure.

Maybe this is the universe's way of redirecting me. One I desperately need.

My phone rings again, and I answer without checking the screen.

"I'll be on my way."

"Did you get the internship? I just asked Coach, and he said you did."

Jeffrey.

Of course he's already heard.

"Which one?" I ask.

There's a pause. "The C.W. Vultures, Char. The one I arranged for you. And what do you mean by 'which one'? I thought you wanted to work for my team."

I did.

When I wanted to be close to him.

"I got another offer too," I say slowly, measuring my words.

I'm not scared.

He's my best friend.

The one I was in love with.

"Another offer?" he asks. I hear a slight tinge of rage in his voice.

"The Black Wolves."

Silence.

I glance at the acceptance message still open on my phone, wondering why my stomach suddenly feels so tight.

"Well, you should accept the Vultures' offer," he says calmly. "I already spoke to Coach. Everything's arranged."

I stop walking.

"Arranged? What do you mean, arranged?"

"Obviously, Char. I went out of my way to get you that position. You know how competitive these internships are."

For a moment, I can't find the words.

He's not asking what I want. He isn't even curious about the other offer.

He's telling me what to do.

And the worst part?

For years, I'd have done exactly what he wanted.

"Firstly, this should be the first and last time you make such decisions without my consent. And secondly, I would rather take the Black Wolves' offer than accept an offer that was bought for me."

"Don't you dare join the Black Wolves, Char. You know how things are between us."

I chuckle, the sound almost dark and unfamiliar.

"That's your business, not mine."

I end the call before he can say anything else and run back home.