CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE #2
Ray was grinning. Seth looked mildly amused in that quiet way of his. Pierce’s eyes found Charley immediately, like she was his compass.
He crossed the kitchen in three steps and kissed her good morning, soft and warm, his hands bracketing her waist like he needed to touch her to confirm she was real.
Charley melted a little. “Hi,” she murmured against his mouth.
Pierce pulled back just enough to look at her face. “How are you feeling? Did you sleep okay?”
“I feel a lot better,” she admitted, and it was true. “And I slept really well.”
Pierce’s mouth curved. “Yeah?”
Charley glanced sideways at Jessica and Alyvia, who were both trying not to look like they were listening. “Maybe because of the company I had.”
Pierce’s grin turned slow and dangerous. He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “You’re welcome in my bed anytime, sweetheart.”
Heat raced up Charley’s neck so fast she almost dropped her pastry. She shot him a look. “Pierce.”
He chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
Seth, meanwhile, reached for the pastry box. He picked up an apple pastry, took one bite, and his eyes closed briefly as if he’d been transported. “These are good.”
Charley’s brain yanked itself out of lustful orbit. “Alyvia brought them,” she announced.
Seth attempted a smile in Alyvia’s direction. “Thank you.”
Alyvia tucked her hair behind her ear, cheeks still faintly pink. “You’re welcome.”
There was a tiny pause as if something was unspoken between those two. Charley didn’t miss it, and neither did Jessica, judging by the way her mouth twitched like she was about to say something inappropriate.
Seth took another bite and, in a tone that sounded like he was trying very hard to be casual, said, “Good choice.”
Alyvia blinked. “The… pastry?”
Seth’s mouth twitched. “Yeah.”
Charley bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Poor Alyvia.
Pierce poured coffee into a mug and handed it to Charley without asking, like he already knew. The normalcy of it hit her in a strange, tender way. She wrapped her fingers around the warm ceramic and let it settle her.
He then leaned his hip against the counter. “I called the hospital,” he said, and just like that, the mood shifted, and Charley felt her stomach clench.
“And?”
Pierce’s expression softened as he looked at her. “It’s good news. The doctors were surprised, considering the shape he was in yesterday. He’s still critical, and they’re being careful, but they were encouraged by how he made it through the night. Many of his levels are up.”
Critical still wasn’t ideal. But after everything Calvin had survived in the last twenty-four hours, it felt like the first real breath of hope she’d had since the shooting.
“Can I see him yet?”
Pierce smiled. “The doctors said you could.” He let that sit just long enough to make her pulse jump before adding, “But only for thirty minutes.”
Relief burst through her so fast she didn’t even try to play it cool. Charley launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him without caring that he was all sweaty. “Thank you!”
A laugh rumbled out of him as he caught her easily, his hands settling at her waist. She pulled back just enough to kiss him, quick and grateful and full of all the relief she couldn’t put into words.
When she drew back, Pierce’s grin turned downright smug. “Damn, sweetheart. If that’s how you reward good news, I may start making stuff up just to get kissed again.”
Charley laughed.
“Well, on that note,” Jessica said. “Ray and I are going to head out. We have to pick the girls up from their friend's house.”
Charley walked over and hugged Jessica. “Thank you for everything,” she whispered.
“Of course,” Jessica replied. “Remember, we’re family now.”
Charley smiled and hugged Ray, thanking him too. He also promised to call with any updates on the case.
Alyvia checked her watch and picked up her purse. “I have to hit the grocery store,” she said. “And I should probably stop by the found to make sure everything is in order.” She looked at Charley. “If you need me, just call, okay.”
Charley squeezed her hand and then hugged her. “Thank you.”
As Alyvia walked toward the door, Charley noticed Seth.
He was standing near the hallway, leaning against the wall like he’d just happened to be there. But his eyes followed Alyvia as she moved, and the look on his face wasn’t blank or bored.
Alyvia glanced back once, as if she felt it, then quickly looked away and left with a hurried, “Bye!”
The door clicked shut.
Seth stood there for a beat longer, then cleared his throat like he’d been caught doing something he didn’t have permission to do.
“I’m gonna shower,” he muttered, then disappeared down the hall toward his room.
Charley watched him go, then turned slowly toward Pierce.
Pierce was already watching her, brows lifted like he could see the question forming in her head. “Don’t,” he warned, amused.
Charley ignored him. “So,” she said casually, “what type of guy is Seth?”
Pierce’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Is he single?” Charley added, leaning into it.
Pierce stared at her for a long beat, then deadpanned, “Charley… are you asking for yourself?”
Charley burst out laughing and smacked his arm lightly. “No!”
Pierce’s grin spread. “Uh-huh.”
“I’m asking for Alyvia,” Charley said, lowering her voice even though Seth was gone. “Did you see him watching her? And her face in the kitchen?” She lifted her brows. “Something’s there.”
Pierce’s amusement softened a little. “Seth’s a good guy,” he said. “One of the best. He’s loyal and respectful. And stubborn as hell. And no, he isn’t seeing anyone.”
“But…?” Charley prompted.
Pierce exhaled. “But he’s got baggage,” he admitted, and Charley heard the carefulness in his voice. “Same as Cole and Zane. They all have got some demons they are working out.”
Charley’s mind flashed back to the cookout—the way Pierce had mentioned Seth and the others like it was a wound he didn’t like touching. “PTSD,” she murmured.
Pierce nodded once. “Yeah.”
Charley stared toward the hallway where Alyvia had left, thinking. “I think Alyvia has a past, too,” she said quietly.
Pierce’s brows pulled together. “Why do you say that?”
Charley shrugged, but her instinct felt solid.
“Because every time I ask about her family or past relationships, she dodges. Changes the subject. Turns the attention back on me.” Charley’s mouth tightened.
“That’s not just being private. That’s someone who’s learned how to keep parts of themselves locked up. ”
Pierce studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Could be.”
Charley sighed. “So what do I do? Because if Seth is dealing with all that, and Alyvia is too—”
Pierce stepped closer and touched her cheek lightly, a gentle but grounding gesture. “You let it play out,” he said. “You don’t force it. You don’t push. People open up when they’re ready.”
Charley huffed softly. “So basically you’re saying that I have to be patient.”
Pierce chuckled. “Yeah.”
Charley narrowed her eyes. “I hate that answer.”
Pierce laughed again and then kissed her forehead. “I know.”
She leaned into him for a second, relishing in the comfort of his presence.
Charley found herself smiling again, grateful for the little pocket of joy amid everything else. They would head to the hospital soon, and reality would be waiting for them there, but at least now they would be walking in with hope.