Chapter 17
CHARLIE
We considered various venues, but decided early on that having it at my parents’ home, where they built their life together, would be the most romantic and practical. Mom’s receptionist, Shelly, keeps her at City Hall until we’re ready.
Harper arrives early to help Brad and me get everything set up. As we decorate with hearts, streamers, and balloons, she gives us looks, and I wonder what Brad told her. I’m arranging the food in the kitchen when she corners me.
“You did an amazing job. Your parents are going to love this.”
I don’t look at her. I’m not sure I want to see the pity in her eyes. “Thanks. Brad, um, helped.”
“He misses you.” The pity isn’t there. It’s more sadness tinged with guilt.
“I can’t do this right now, Harper.” I arrange the food from Mae’s. And then rearrange it.
“It’s my fault too.”
Some of my frustration fades. How long has she blamed herself for my life choices? “None of this is your fault.”
“I asked Brad to—”
“Keep an eye on me. I know. I heard, remember?”
“Not exactly. I asked him to help you find a man.”
I stare at her. What the hell? “I can find my own men, Harper.”
She snorts. “Obviously. But, Charlie, no one thinks of you as a kid… Okay, maybe your dad. We just don’t want you to move away again. Everyone in this town loves you.”
“Not everyone.” Definitely not Pete.
“Those guys are assholes.”
“I ruined the county fair.”
“That was five years ago. And people love that story.” She pushes the tray of artichoke hearts out of my reach. “I’ve never seen my brother so happy. I mean, before. Now he’s miserable.” She shakes her head. “Now you have me rambling. My point is you and Brad are good for each other.”
That answers the question of whether she knows. “You don’t think it’s weird? He’s twenty years older.”
“He was your high school wrestling coach, so yeah. I had to readjust my thinking a bit. But, Charlie, that’s a me problem. He’s happy with you. And you’re… I mean, you were happy with him. Give him another chance, okay?”
“I’ll think about it.” I just have to get through tonight.
Everything is nearly done by the time the first guests arrive. Brad pulls me aside. “You pulled it off, Charlie. This is amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
I smile. Praise from Brad is hard to resist. “Thanks. And thanks for your help. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
His hand reaches for my face, but he stops and squeezes my shoulder instead. After he walks away, I close my eyes. I miss him. His hand on my face. His body beside me in bed. His monster cock…but most of all, I miss his presence in my life.
We’re all set, and everyone is hidden when Mom and Dad come through the door, arguing with Mom’s assistant. “It’s our anniversary, Shelly. Let it go.” She switches on the lights.
“Surprise!”
Mom stares at us, her mouth open. She turns to Dad, and he shrugs.
“Happy anniversary, Mom. And Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Her shock melts away. And now there are tears. “Charlie. My baby boy.”
I laugh. “Not a baby, Mom. And I’m a man, not a boy.”
She nods. “I know. Sometimes that’s hard to remember.”
After the food, which Mom gushes over, and the cake and plenty of champagne, someone calls for toasts.
As I take the stage, which is just a small area in front of the television, my stomach churns. Why did I eat that second piece of cake? I’ve given lots of presentations and speeches, so public speaking shouldn’t be an issue anymore.
“Thank you for being here with me to celebrate my amazing parents.”
I glance around the room. The entire town isn’t here, but a good portion is. So many faces I recognize. How many were there the last time I addressed the town? Too many. Dani Rae gives me a little wave, and I swallow the bile in my throat. I’m not that same person. I can do this.
“Need any help, Charlie?” someone asks, and I don’t know who it is because another person follows that with, “Hope you didn’t drink any orange soda today.”
I take a deep breath. They’re kidding. I know that. And then Brad is there beside me. I shake my head at him. Does he think I can’t do this?
“Hold on, everyone—”
“Coach Rathborn to the rescue.”
Why did we invite all these people? I grab Brad’s arm, but he takes my hand, squeezes it, and quickly lets go.
“Listen up,” he says in his sexy coach voice, “I have something to say. And all of you are going to shut up and listen.”
When everyone falls silent, he scratches his beard.
“First of all, I am not up here to rescue Charlie. He certainly doesn’t need me to save him.
For the last few months, I’ve been lucky enough to be part of Homes for Hope.
Charlie has done an amazing job, and soon, all those rundown homes will be places for people to live.
And he organized this party practically by himself.
He’s more than capable of giving his own speech.
So, in a minute, I’m going to let him do that.
” He gives me a sheepish smile. “I really didn’t want to get into this today. Here. But fuck it.”
“Brad?” Oh God. What is he doing?
“Listen up. Charlie Smith doesn’t need anyone to keep him safe.” He glances at my dad. “Not anymore. He also doesn’t need someone to convince him to stay in this town. He can move whenever and wherever he wants.”
Mom stares at the floor. Guess I know where that came from.
“And he sure as hell doesn’t need me to help him find a guy. Any guy would be lucky to have Charlie.” His eyes meet mine. “Damn lucky. And that guy would be an idiot if he let others get in the way of that.”
I ignore the murmuring of the crowd and give him a cheeky smile. “Then maybe he shouldn’t.”
He stares at me for a second. “Really?”
Am I worried about what the town thinks? What my parents think? I am. But I can’t let that fear stop me. Stop us. “Really.”
Brad grins and turns to my parents. “Sorry, Chuck and Minni. I know this is your day. And this might not be the present you want. But it’s also Valentine’s Day.” He takes my hands. “I love you, Charlie. And I miss you so much. Please give me another chance?”
I nod, ignoring the tears in my eyes and the crowd’s reaction, including my parents. “I love you too.” And then his hands are on me. One in my hair and the other on my face as he kisses me.
“I fucking knew it,” Dani Rae says in a loud voice.
But I ignore her and kiss my boyfriend. Nothing and no one else matters.
Okay, that’s not really true, but we’ll get through it, no matter what. Cheers and whistles break us apart. Brad waves, and I lean against him.
Mom hugs Brad and me with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“You are? I was worried.”
She takes my hands. “Brad is a good man. And that’s what I want for you. Age doesn’t really matter. But most of all?” She leans in and whispers, “He’s always said he’s never leaving this town.”
I look over at Brad, but he’s frowning and watching my dad. “Go talk to him.”
He shakes his head. “We’ll work it out. Tonight is a celebration. And you need to finish your speech.”
Do I? But I get everyone’s attention again. It’s not difficult to talk about my parents and the love they share.
After my speech, people clap enthusiastically. And there’s not a single orange-soda comment. Dad waves his hand to quiet the crowd. “Minni is the one usually talking to you all. Unless your kid’s in trouble.” Everyone laughs. “But now it’s my turn.”
He takes my mom’s hands, his eyes full of affection.
“I love this woman with my whole heart. I’ve never regretted a moment of our life together.
And I look forward to thirty more years.
” He touches her face. “I love you, sweetheart. Happy anniversary.” My mom is crying as they kiss. I glance at Brad.
Relationship goals.
Dad wraps his arm around Mom. “I also want to thank our son, Chas—”
“Charlie,” I say, and then I wave my hand for him to continue.
“Thanks, Charlie, for arranging all this. And my— And Brad, for helping him. This was wonderful.” He clears his throat. “Excuse me.”
The crowd parts for Dad as he heads toward the kitchen. I squeeze Brad’s hand. “He’ll come around.”
He gives me a sad smile. “I hope so.”
The beautiful bench in the garden seems to help. Mom loves it, of course, and Dad smiles, so that’s something. We take lots of pictures.
I hate that my Dad’s upset. It was a shock. And terrible timing. But he’ll either accept it or he won’t. That’s his choice. I can’t live my life worrying about what others think. I’m an adult.
And for once, I actually believe it.