13. Charlie
Charlie
Enzo
I'm going out with her this weekend.
I try hard not to scowl at the text that Enzo just sent in our group chat, I really do.
But how on earth is it fair that he gets to take Hannah out first when I've known her the longest?
Ever since she, her mom, and brother moved in with the Pearson family, just down the street from us.
Kieran and I hit it off right away, with little Hannah always trailing behind us since it was obvious her new step-sisters weren't her biggest fans.
Sure, she was only nine, and I was eleven, but I knew that she belonged with me somehow.
True scent match. Peaches and warm brown sugar so tempting and tantalizing to my senses I popped a boner while I was sniffing Enzo's hand.
Don't get me wrong, I fucking meant it when I said that even if she stayed a beta or presented an alpha, she'd be mine. But this just proves that I was right. We were always meant to be together. My mate.
And to think that if I hadn't seen that picture of Cady online with Hannah in the background, I never would have insisted on trading teams. Well, threatened to leave basketball altogether if my previous team, the Phoenix Coyotes, didn't endorse it.
That would have left them without a replacement for me.
There's nothing that I wouldn't do for Hannah though.
Even after I traded, I had no idea if she actually lived here. Maybe she was just visiting Cady for the ceremony. But having Cady's alpha be my tattoo artist on the same day they were having a party that Hannah was invited to?
Fucking kismet.
All because her mom married Paul Pearson, resident veterinarian of Laguna Falls.
At first, I just thought maybe I was supposed to be extra protective of her because she was my best friend's little sister.
Then, when I was fifteen, we found ourselves spending more time together.
Kieran had dragged us both down to the lake for the day, then ditched us when his new girlfriend came along.
Hannah and I talked on the beach for hours, and every time someone I knew from school came up to talk, I made it clear I was perfectly content hanging out with my best friend's little sister.
And I was. Hannah was smart and funny, and I had the most fun talking and laughing with her than I had in years.
I think that was the first time she looked at me with stars in her eyes.
Things had become more familiar with us after that.
When I got my drivers license, I picked her up and we went and got milkshakes.
Kieran was supposed to come with us, but then got detention after school.
We spent the afternoon in the car, dipping curly fries into our chocolate milkshakes, and I realized I was…
starting to have feelings for her. Or realized I already did have feelings.
She was too young for me though, barely a freshman and I was a junior.
Not to mention she was my best friend's sister.
So I had kept things friendly, even though I could see she felt the same way about me.
Then, the summer I turned seventeen, I came back from basketball camp, and it was like the puberty fairy had hit her with a drive-by hormone-bombing.
Where there had been awkward angles and knobby knees, there were now soft curves and shapely legs.
Everything she did was suddenly filled with grace and poise.
She carried herself with more confidence, like someone comfortable in their own skin.
The vultures descended.
Every male on campus suddenly realized what a catch she was, and Kieran and I did our best to squash the more lecherous advances, all in the name of brotherly protection, of course.
It wasn't anything else.
It couldn't be anything else.
I was in denial until she confronted me about it one day.
"Why do you guys keep scaring away guys that show any interest in me? I'm not a kid anymore Charlie, I can take care of myself!" Her pale cheeks are flushed pink, tears lining her eyes.
The school hallway is empty around us, deserted. I don't even know what she's doing here so late, but I'm glad I stumbled upon her and Joseph Kimble as I was leaving basketball practice. Little Joey is now in a corner somewhere, licking his wounds after I got a little handsy with him.
"He should have known better than to touch what doesn't belong to him," I growl, startling myself. Her eyes flash with anger.
"I belong to myself, Charlie Williams! And I wanted him to kiss me! You ruined it!"
Fuck yeah I ruined it. Came by and pulled little Joey off my girl by the back of his shirt before he could defile her pretty lips with his.
"You wanted him to kiss you?" I arch a brow at her, crossing my arms. "Do you even like him?"
Apparently I've said something unexpected, because she sputters. "What—I'm not—that's not the point, Charlie!"
"Then tell me, what is the point, mags?" I challenge, puffing up my chest a little.
I'm not an alpha, not yet. But I can feel the stirrings of a…
possessive beast starting to grow inside me.
The beast that I first became aware of when Hannah took a ring off my finger to play with—he liked that she wanted our things.
"You and Kieran scare off any guy who even looks at me twice, and here I am, a fifteen year old who's never even been kissed!
" Her cheeks are scarlet now, more likely out of embarrassment than anything else and she dejectedly slams her back against the lockers.
"He's cute, and nice, and he…he…he wanted me, Charlie! "
I roll my eyes. "Please, mags. Every guy in this school wants you. I'm sure I'll have to pull ten more guys off you before there's one who is actually worthy of kissing you."
Lies. Nobody is worthy of kissing you.
She sniffles, wiping her eyes. "That's not true."
"Oh yeah? You're funny, smart, kind to everyone—even those bitchy step-sisters of yours. You're beautiful—"
A sharp inhale of breath has me realizing that I tucked a strand of hair behind her as I was talking. Her lips are parted slightly, and she's looking up at me with those big, green eyes.
Like she can't quite believe I just called her beautiful.
Like it isn't the one thought that plays on repeat in my mind whenever I'm in the same vicinity as her.
My tone softens, my eyes darting between those emerald pools and her soft-looking lips. "Anyone would be an idiot to not want you, Hannah."
Her bottom lip gets trapped under her front teeth, but before I can pull it free, she's looking at me, her eyes hardened. "You don't."
And there it is. It's time to make a decision. Do I continue to let her think that I only see her as my best friend's little sister? That I don't imagine what her lips taste like every time I look at them?
Or do I tell her the truth?
My heart is pounding in my chest as I place one hand next to her head, bracing myself against the lockers, and arch a brow at her. "I don't?"
Her eyes widen in shock, and she looks unsure for a second, but she doesn't push me away, doesn't escape out from under my arm. I'm a good ten inches taller than her already, and I've not even presented yet. Then she finds her resolve once again, her tone steely.
"It's obvious you don't. You don't want me, but you don't want anyone else to have me either so I'm going to be stuck like this forever, a pathetic, kissless girl who can't even —"
I don't know what possesses me to do it.
What makes me stake my claim after denying myself the satisfaction of acting on my feelings for so long.
But her words are cut off as my free hand wraps around the back of her neck, tilting her face to meet mine.
She lets out a soft gasp when my mouth meet hers, and fuck, her lips are just as soft as I imagined. Softer, even.
She damn near melts under my touch, and my thumb gently brushes against her jaw as I move my lips against hers. It's not a dirty, filthy, kiss. It's not chaste either though.
It's…gentle. Sweet. Reverent.
Everything a first kiss should be.
Her eyes flutter as I pull away, but I don't move my hand, and my forehead rests against hers.
"Charlie…what…" she lets out a little huff of disbelief, "was that just so I stop trying to get my first kiss out of the way?"
My thumb strokes her jaw again, making her breath catch. "No, mags," I tell her, my voice calm. Level. The complete opposite of what I'm feeling on the inside. "That was because I want you. More than I've ever wanted anything or anyone in my entire life."
"Are you going to keep me, Golden Boy?" she asks, her tone bordering on teasing, but I can hear the undercurrent of worry in her voice. The worry that this is just a game to me. A passing fascination. That I'll somehow get her out of my system and move on to someone else.
Not fucking happening.
"For as long as you'll let me," I tell her truthfully. And before I can stop myself, I'm taking her mouth again, and this time, there's nothing gentle about it.
"Mr. Williams?" The man's voice sounds like he's tried getting my attention a few times and I shake my head, stuffing my phone back in my pocket, the knowledge of Enzo's text burning a hole in my brain.
I'm glad that Ben was able to set up a viewing so quickly, thankful that my name is good for something when it comes to getting Hannah back in my arms.
"Yes?" I blink, turning my attention to the realtor who had been showing me the fucking water feature in the back yard of the house Ben found listed for sale in Cady's neighborhood.
"Did you have any questions about the water feature?"
"What? No. I'll take it." I wave a hand, turning to look at the back of the house.
We walked through the downstairs to get here, and the layout is similar to the De Lucca Packs' home, but with a few additions.
Like a home movie theater. A little casita in the back that Hannah could use as a little studio so she can have her own mini-salon if she wants. A damn library.
"But, sir, you haven't even seen the upstairs yet—" Well, maybe that's his fault for showing me a fucking fountain instead of the upstairs of the home I want to buy.
"Does it have a nest?"
"Well, of course, but—"
"Does that nest have its own bathroom? How many bedrooms upstairs?"
"It does, and there are six bedrooms besides the nest—"
"Okay. Then I'll take it."
His mouth gapes open like a fish for a moment before he shakes his head. "Are you sure you—"
I sigh. "Listen. Robert, right?"
His mouth forms a thin line. "That's right."
"Rob. This house is going to be a courting present for my omega.
My true scent match. I understand that you want to make sure I'm serious before I put in an offer.
But I've looked at pictures online, and it's perfect.
I want to snatch this up before someone else comes along and ruins my chances of getting her back. Can you help me out, here?"
His entire demeanor changes, and he gives me a serious nod. "Of course, sir. I apologize. You'd like me to put in an offer?"
"Yes. Put in an offer for ten."
"Two million over the asking price? Smart man." He nods. "I'll call the owners now."
As Robert pulls out his phone and calls the sellers, I take a look at the back of the house.
The inside is empty, ready to move in, and I'll let the rest of the pack know they can bring their stuff over whenever they want.
It may seem a bit steep, dropping ten million dollars on a house I haven't seen the top floor of, but that amount isn't even a drop in the bucket compared to the wealth I've amassed over the last ten years.
An average of thirty five million per NBA season, with half put into investment portfolios and no omega to spoil? I'm ready to make up for lost time.
This backyard is perfect, too. Lush, green grass, a garden, a gazebo off in the corner…
I can just see our kids running around one day, playing tag or hide and seek while Hannah and I relax on a blanket in the grass, just like old times.
Austin seems like he'd be the type to be chasing the kids, and Enzo would be on Hannah's other side, reading a book.
Noah…I don't know what Noah would be doing.
Probably teaching them how to hack or something.
"They've accepted your offer," Robert's voice brings me out of my daydream, money signs in his eyes. Guy finally realized what a great commission he'll get from this sale.
"Great." I nod. "Send the paperwork over to my realtor and I'll sign it and send over payment as soon as it's ready." He shakes my hand and I walk through the downstairs, snapping pictures as I make my way back to the front door to send to the guys.
Me
New pack house. Should be able to move our shit in this weekend
Austin
Fancy digs. Not sure we can afford a place like that
Noah
Holy fuck, dude. That's way over our price limit
Me
Don't worry about it. It's taken care of
Enzo
You just…bought us a multi-million dollar house?
Sighing, I shut the front door behind me and head to my car. They obviously know that Hannah and I have a history, but I really think that having me in the pack is going to make it more difficult for them to court her. That doesn't mean I'm giving up though.
Me
Listen, I don't know why Hannah left me, but I have a feeling she doesn't know that I'm a part of this pack.
Pretty sure she didn't get close enough to scent me if I had to huff Enzo's hand like a freak.
She may become more…resistant once she realizes.
Look at this as my selfish attempt to make sure you guys don't try to kick me from the pack to make it easier to get her.
I know that her step-grandma, Nana, got sick. I know that she went to go take care of her. But what I don't know is why she left without even talking to me. There's a sneaking suspicion deep in my gut that it has something to do with her step-sisters.
Hannah and I were in love. Happy. Deliriously so.
My phone vibrates with a text in the group chat.
Noah
Fuck. Fine. But if you ruin our chances with her I'm hacking into your bank account. draining every penny and giving it to her. ??
Austin
I'm sure it'll all work out. Let's make Saturday moving day.
Enzo
Can't Saturday. Hannah just texted. We're going to go dinner that night
I'll bring my stuff Sunday.
But Charlie…we will not be keeping you a secret. We can try to give you a little bit of time to figure out how to tell her, but I won't lie to her.
Enzo has been nothing but polite but I really want to throat punch him right now. The only thing that keeps me calm is reminding myself that this is the first step. Enzo is the one she's spent the most time with, and he can smooth the path for all of us to sweep her off her feet.
Maybe, after Saturday, I'll finally have some answers.