Chapter 10
The front doorclosed and Charlie let out a vocal sigh. “Okay, wow. You’re dating a biker.”
“I’m not dating a biker.”
“He kissed you goodbye.”
“That doesn’t mean we’re dating.”
“He’s willing to suffer through an evening of blue bloods in multi-thousand-dollar tuxedos just to spend time with you. That’s dating.”
“Charlie—”
“He stayed the night.”
“On the couch.”
“The whole night…just to make sure you were okay.”
“That’s not—you would’ve stayed the night, too,” I pointed out.
“I should’ve stayed the night,” she said quietly. “I should’ve insisted.”
“Honestly, I really didn’t want you to,” I admitted.
“Why not? I’m your best friend.”
“I don’t like asking for help and I—I fell apart when Bones drove me home. It was embarrassing and weird…I was vulnerable, and I didn’t want you to see that.”
“That’s stupid. That’s literally what best friends are for.”
“Yeah. I guess so,” I said.
“The moment I got to the bar with Savage, I had second thoughts about not being there for you. I started calling and texting and you didn’t answer.”
“My phone was on silent,” I admitted. “And I fell asleep watching a movie. I didn’t even wake up when he carried me to my bed.”
“I should’ve come over.”
“There was nothing for you to do.”
“I could’ve just been here for you.” She frowned. “I’m sorry, by the way. What you said the other day—about me not finishing things. You were right. And I didn’t like that you were right. Maybe I was punishing you for the truth. Which is stupid. You always have my back and you’re my biggest cheerleader.”
“Sometimes we don’t like the truth, even if it comes from the person we love most in this world.”
“You love me most?”
I smiled. “Sisters. In all ways but blood.”
She swallowed and I knew she was trying to keep her emotions in check. “So…how are you?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “It’s surreal. What happened yesterday. I haven’t had much time to think about it because I passed so out early last night. Just kind of checked out, you know?”
“Yeah.”
“And when I woke up, he was still here. He occupied my physical space as well as my brain space. I kind of appreciated it, actually.” I pointed to her empty plate. “Another waffle?”
She shook her head. I ladled in the last of the mix into the hot waffle iron and closed it. “Okay, I told you everything that happened with Bones. Now I wanna know what happened with you and Savage.”
“Well, he took me to a bar and we had a drink. After I spoke to Bones, I was still feeling shitty about not being there for you…so Savage made me feel not-so-shitty.”
I blinked. “You had sex with him?”
She nodded. “Of course I had sex with him. Acrobatic, yoga-inspired, brain-melting sex.”
“How very nice for you,” I quipped.
Charlie grinned. “You should try it.”
“What? Sex with Savage?”
“Not Savage. Bones. Sex with Bones. Pretty sure he’s amenable to that idea.”
“Yeah, I know he is.” I snorted.
“You’re not going to do that thing, are you?”
“What thing?”
“That thing of waiting for feelings to develop before sleeping with him? It didn’t work so well the last time you did that. Tyler was a terrible lay.”
“It’s because he was repressed,” I stated. “And dare I say, frigid.”
“It’s because he’s a WASP. WASPs are frigid.”
“You’re a WASP,” I said with a laugh.
“Exception, not the rule,” she retorted.
“You don’t think I’m frigid, do you?”
“I’ve never had sex with you, so I don’t know.”
“Charlie,” I pleaded.
“Even if you are, which I’m not saying you are, but even if you are, based on that goodbye kiss, I don’t think Bones will let you be frigid much longer.”
I pictured myself in bed with Bones. Our limbs tangled, our bodies slick with sweat, his lips between my legs…
“Frigid my ass,” Charlie said with a laugh. “You’re thinking about Bones naked, aren’t you?”
“Yep.” I sighed. “So, taking him to Mom’s charity gala…thoughts on that?”
“Is he going to wear his biker garb or a tux?”
“Tux.”
“Hmm. I think it’ll be a night to remember. That’s what I think.”
“Also, what were you and Waverly talking about yesterday? Why did you say you were going to call her?”
“Oh. She flips furniture. Pretty cool stuff actually. She also said she’s interested in dollhouse restoration. I didn’t even know that was a thing. Apparently, there’s money there.”
“I had no idea.”
“I have that dollhouse from my grandmother. I was thinking Waverly could do something with it. The wallpaper is yellow, the paint is chipping. I don’t know. I thought Waverly might be able to restore it.”
I paused. “Doesn’t your mom love that dollhouse?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re thinking of having it restored for her?”
“Don’t think too much about this,” she said.
“Okay.” I hid my smile as I removed the waffle from the iron. “I hope Willa’s all right. Yesterday was…yeah. Hard to even process.”
“Savage called her when we were out together. Just to check in. He’s a good dude.”
“A good dude,” I repeated.
“And good in bed.” She smirked. “So, tell me the truth…”
“About?”
“Bones. Did he love Pride Prejudice?”
Charlie and I hung out for the rest of the day. We vegged on the couch, watched movies, and every now and again I looked at my phone.
“Call him,” Charlie said, not taking her eyes off the TV as she dug into a bowl of popcorn.
“Call who?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
“I don’t have a reason to call him.”
“Even better. You like him. The first step is admitting it.”
“Did you stay out all night with Savage?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“You didn’t invite him back to the pool house?”
“Nope. Now stop redirecting the conversation. If you’re not gonna call Bones, at least text him.”
“And say what?” I asked.
“Thank him for staying over.”
“I already thanked him.”
With a sigh, she muted the TV and then held out her hand. “Phone.”
“No.” I held my cell to my chest in a protective gesture.
“Hayden, give me your phone so I can text something dirty to him, or you text him yourself and thank him. Ten bucks says his reply is instant.”
“He’s not gonna reply right away. He’s busy. He’s a guy.”
“First of all, Bones is a man. Second of all, when a man really likes you, it doesn’t matter how busy he is. He’ll reply. He won’t make you wait. You’ll know where you stand with him.”
“That’s what has me worried,” I muttered.
But I unlocked my phone, found his contact, and sent him a text.
Me
Thanks for staying the night with me
My phone chimed not ten seconds later.
Bad to the Bones
Thanks for the waffle. You still set on me wearing a tux?
Me
A tux is a must.
Bad to the Bones
Where the hell do I get one
Me
I know a guy. You free tomorrow afternoon?
Bad to the Bones
I could be free tomorrow afternoon…
Me
1pm
Bad to the Bones
Fine
Me
Text me your address. I’ll pick you up
Bad to the Bones
Why don’t you give me the name and address of the place and I’ll meet you there?
Me
When you’re in my world we play by my rules. Address.
Bad to the Bones
That’s how it’s gonna be, huh?
Me
Yup.
Bad to the Bones
Okay. But turnabout is fair play…sure you’re ready for that?
I didn’t reply to him for the rest of the night.
“Hayden, wake up!”
I opened my eyes, my heart in my throat. I didn’t remember falling asleep on the couch, but apparently I had. Now Charlie was staring at me with fear in her eyes.
While I gulped air into my lungs, I sat up. The lamps on the end tables were aglow, but the main light of the living room had been turned off.
“Nightmare?” I guessed.
She nodded. “Not like your other ones, though.”
“Oh.” I ran a hand across my face. “What time is it?”
Charlie picked up her cell phone off the coffee table and looked at it. “Three fifteen.”
I swallowed, my tongue heavy and dry. “When did I fall asleep?”
“Two movies ago.”
“I need water,” I said, throwing my legs off the couch.
“I’ll get it for you.”
“Okay.”
She got up and headed toward the kitchen.
“How are you still awake?” I asked.
“Unlike you, I survive off caffeine and spite. No crashing for me.”
I fell silent and Charlie returned with a glass of water and held it out to me.
“Thanks.” I took it and gulped the entire thing in a few swallows.
“So, what were you dreaming about?”
“He pulled the trigger,” I said quietly. “And then I floated out of my body, so I was staring down at the scene. And I watched him run away with my purse while my brain was splattered all over the cement.”
She blinked.
“Wishing you hadn’t asked?”
“Kinda.” She took a seat next to me. “But I’m definitely glad I stayed tonight. You shouldn’t be alone for a while.”
“You can’t stay with me all the time,” I pointed out. “What about tomorrow or the next night? Or the night after that?”
“You told me I could move in. Remember?”
“I remember.”
“But I don’t think I want to move in now that you’re dating a biker. Because I know I’m not gonna wanna hear you guys going at like primates in the jungle.”
I snorted out a laugh, causing Charlie to crack a grin. “I knew that would get you to laugh.” Her smile dimmed. “Maybe you need to see a shrink.”
“Maybe.”
“You won’t, will you?”
“I won’t,” I agreed.
“Why not?”
“Why won’t you see a shrink to talk about your issues?” I threw back at her.
“Okay, fair.” She cocked her head to the side. “Think you can go back to sleep?”
“Not any time soon.”
“Want to watch another movie?”
“No.”
“Want me help you pick out an outfit for tomorrow, so you look effortlessly amazing but not like you’re trying to look hot for Bones?”
“Absolutely.”