Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
CHARLIE
Raja and I share a small office in the community center, and I think they usually don’t mind. Right now? They hate it. How can I tell?
“I hate this, Chas,” they say for the millionth time today. “I need my own office.”
“Sorry,” I mumble, scribbling on the paper in front of me so hard it makes holes.
Raja grabs it out of my hands. “This isn’t preschool. Now we have to print this again.”
“No one uses paper anymore.”
“Just…” They take a deep breath and blow it out—dramatically, if you ask me. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“Really?”
“It’s a one-time deal.”
Truth is, I don’t have anyone else to talk to. “No one treats me like an adult.”
“I do. Except on days like today. For obvious reasons.”
That makes me laugh. “Fair.” I push my hair back, but that only reminds me of Brad. I drop my hand. “My dad and mom mostly. They asked Brad to take care of me.”
“And you don’t want Brad to take care of you?” They tilt their head.
“No, I…I don’t need anyone to take care of me.” I shake my head. “You don’t get it. I’ve been treated like a kid most of my adult life, and I’m tired of it.”
They sigh. “I get it, Chas.” They catch my gaze. “I’ve seen the video from the fair. Those girls toppled like dominos.”
We both laugh because they really did. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Are you more upset at your parents for asking? Or at Brad for agreeing?”
I shrug. “Not sure.”
“Really? Because you’re still talking to your parents and ignoring Brad completely.”
“No—”
“He stopped by three times yesterday. And called twice. I finally had to ask him to quit.”
Oh . I shrug. “I thought he was my friend.”
“I’m not an expert. But it makes sense. You trusted Brad.” They pat my arm. “It just hurts more because you’re in love with him.”
My eyes dart to theirs. “No. I’m not. Couldn’t be.” They raise both brows.
Shit. I am.
“What do I do?”
Their mouth twitches. “You’re the adult.”
“Raja…”
“You’re killing yourself trying to get this party together. And it’s only three days away. An adult doesn’t do everything by themselves, Chas. An adult asks for help when they need it. And boy, do you need it.”
I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry. “Thanks, Raja,” I say, standing.
They step back. “No. No hugging.”
“Company rule?”
“Hell no, Raja rule. Go call your man.”
He’s not mine. Not yet. But I call him, and he picks up on the first ring.
“Charlie? I mean, Chas? Thank God. I’m so sorry?—”
“Stop. I—” Wow. This is harder than I thought it would be. “I can’t get Mom and Dad’s thing done before Friday by myself. I need your help.”
“Yes. Of course. Just tell me what to do.”
I try not to break down. Hearing his voice—I miss him so much. “I can’t handle more than that right now, okay?”
“Whatever you need.”
The next few days fly by as Brad and I work together to finalize preparations for a spectacular surprise 30 th Anniversary party-slash-Valentine’s Day party. We considered various venues but decided 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 I get everything set up. As we decorate, 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.”
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. Anger. Guilt.
“I can’t do this right now, Harper.”
“It’s my fault too.”
What? “How is any of this 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.”
“Those guys are assholes.”
“I ruined the county fair.”
“That was five years ago. And people love that story.”
“You don’t think it’s weird I’m…was dating your brother? He’s twenty years older.”
“I did. At first. Like you said, it’s hard remembering you’re an adult. But 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. “This is amazing, Charlie. I’m so proud of you.”
I smile. “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.
Everything is 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 cake and cookies and plenty of champagne, someone calls for toasts.
I take the stage, which is just the small area in front of the television. “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 are. So many faces I recognize. How many were there the last time I addressed the town? Too many. But 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 swallow. 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 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. And 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. “He doesn’t need anyone 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 he’d 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 and grins. He turns to my parents. “Sorry, Chuck. 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 the other on my face as he kisses me. And nothing and no one else matters.
Okay, that’s not really true, but we’ll get through it, no matter what. Mom hugs me and Brad 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.”
The beautiful bench in the garden seems to help. Mom loves it, of course, and Dad sits, and we all take pictures.
My dad will come around. I hate that this upsets him, but I’m an adult now.
And for once, I actually believe it.