CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHARLIE
I am, once again, in Yuri's apartment this morning while he is making me breakfast. These last few weeks seem to be going by really fast and I am not sure what we are. We haven't really talked about it since the whole “move in with me” argument.
“What are you thinking about?” he says as he places a plate full of pancakes, eggs and turkey bacon in front of me with that knowing smile I love to hate.
These last few days have been amazing, but I’ve been so confused. I hope the worry and confusion isn’t written all over my face.
I take a big bite of eggs to give myself a few seconds to put my thoughts together before saying, “It’s just, well, what are we? Are we a ‘we’?” His head tilts in a cute puppy-like question. “Are we a thing? I’m sorry my brain is really going into overdrive this morning.”
He sighs, “You don’t have to apologize Malyska .”
I suck in a breath determined to speak my mind, “I mean, the last few weeks have been amazing and I don't want us to not be a thing. It’s just. It’s nice having you around, and being there, and I really enjoy spending time with you. And honestly, I am terrified you’re going to disappear again and I don’t think I can handle that.” I rush it all out in one breath trying to gulp down enough air after that emotional word-purge-meets-panic-attack at the thought of him leaving again.
“Hey, hey,” he says softly. He walks over to me, grabs my hands which causes me to stand up from the table. Bringing his hands to my face, he forces me to look him in the eyes and my hands fall to his waist. “I am never leaving you again. Ever. Unless you ask me too, and even then I don't think I could.”
I take in another gulp of air and try to smile as he rubs his thumbs in a comforting rhythm over my cheeks. “You are it for me, Malyshka . You’ve been it for me ever since you stood your ground and claimed me as yours on that school bus. Charlie, I’m yours.” he whispers and places a gentle loving kiss on my forehead.
I nod slowly as one tear slides down my cheek. He wipes it away as I try to regain my bearings.
“Now why don’t you eat breakfast and get ready for work? Unless you want to take the day off?” he throws out suggestively.
I sigh and roll my eyes, though the not-so-subtle hint of just staying home with him all day is tempting, “No, you’re right. I just got in my head I guess. The pancakes look good. They’re my favorite.” I smile softly and sit back down at the table.
“Oh, I know. I have to butter you up somehow with all the insults you’ve been throwing at your body guards.” He says as he pulls a chair up next to me and places his own plate of food down.
“Hey, it’s not my fault that the spearmint twins aren’t any fun and don’t enjoy following me around.” Honestly, I wouldn’t enjoy following me around all day either, so I can’t really blame them. “They don’t have to be there, you know? You could reassign them to, I don’t know, anyone but me.”
“You know I can’t do that,” he signs.
“I know you believe that,” I say right as my phone pings to let me know I got a text.
“Saved by the text message.” He grumbles
Dominic: Hey!! Guess who’s home and ready to partyyyyyy?
Holding back a laugh and shaking my head, I frantically text him back.
Charlie: Shut up! When did you get back?
I look up at Yuri as I wait for Dom to answer and I can’t tell if he looks curious or angry. Maybe both. It’s like he’s in the middle of taking a bite of eggs and chose not to. I’m about to ask him what was up when my phone pings with Dominic’s response.
Dominic: A couple days ago. Had to get unpacked ‘n rest. Ya know, get back into U.S time! The 7 hour difference is a real bitch. lol
Charlie: Oh, so I am the last to know huh?
I giggle knowing full well he would have texted me sooner if he wanted, but I get why he waited. I glance up at Yuri and he looks so mad. He’s cutting up his pancakes like they’ve done something wrong to him. I’m confused, but then I realize he can read my text messages from where he sits and probably doesn’t understand who Dom is to me.
“That’s Dominic, a friend from college, who just messaged me. He’s back in town after spending the summer with family overseas.” I explain jovially, but the tension on Yuri’s face is getting stiffer by the second. “Why are you looking at me like that? He’s just a friend from school. Why do you look like I kicked your puppy?” I ask as I angle my body away from him a little.
“I - I don’t look like that!” he stammers angrily. “We were just having a conversation over here and all of a sudden you’re texting some random guy I don’t know. How do you expect me to react? Especially after you just wanted to define our relationship.”
Is he seriously getting jealous over someone he doesn’t even know before getting an explanation?
“Wait, a second,” I say, turning around to face him again, “Don’t you know who he is? I mean you followed me around for how long? You had to have seen him and know who he was.”
“He’s back in town? Are you going to hang out with him?” he snaps right as my phone alerts me to a new message. I roll my eyes and check my phone, not dignifying that ridiculousness with an answer.
Dominic: Not last, never last C.C! Are you busy this weekend though? I would love to catch up and see how the new job is going and check out the apartment.
“Seriously Charlie? Are we not going to talk about the other man in your life?” he starts to raise his voice.
“What do you want from me? I have a friend, one friend, who just happens to be a guy, and you go all caveman! What the hell?” I huff.
“I am just trying to protect you and keep you safe!”
“Don’t raise your voice at me like I’m some petulant child! I am an adult, not a child. I don't need you or your henchmen to babysit me twenty-four-seven. I can have a friend over to catch up without you breathing down my neck. I have been doing it for years! I will see my friend. I don’t need to ask your permission to do so.” I get up to leave his apartment and the spearmint twins are hot on my heels as I violently text Dom back.
Charlie: I sure am. I will send you my address. How does Saturday sound? I’ll have pizza hot and ready when you get here.
I am so over this over protective caveman bullshit. He needs to figure his shit out and stop treating me like I’m some kind of fragile thing he has to coddle and protect. I am steaming mad as I storm out of his apartment building and go to work.
My phone pings another message but it’s from Yuri. I am not in the mood to talk to him right now, so I put my phone on silent. He’ll be lucky if I respond to him at all the rest of the day.