Chapter Five #2
“OK. Let’s get you a snack.” Maddie glanced at the phone in her hand. “Looks like your sister is still asleep.”
Donnie stood. “How many kids do you have?”
“Two. Rosy is just over a year.”
“Motherhood looks good on you.”
Maddie smiled. “Thank you. Do you have time to come in for a drink?”
“I’d love to.”
He sat at the kitchen island while Maddie settled Andrew with a snack in front of the TV then checked on Rosy. When she returned, she opened the fridge and handed him a beer, getting herself a soda.
“I heard you got married. Who’s the lucky man? Anyone I know?” Donnie asked.
“Dave. And no, you don’t know him. He works in construction, and I love the bones of him.” Her mouth spreading into a wild smile.
“I’m happy for you.”
“What about you? No girl back in....San Diego, is it?”
“Coronado. And no, no girl. When I joined the Navy, a relationship wasn’t really a priority. Plus, the deployments were long. Can be tough.”
“And now?” Maddie sat down across from him, keeping an eye on Andrew.
Donnie sipped his beer. “Guess I haven’t met the right one.”
“What happened, Donnie? Why did you leave?” she asked quietly.
He stared at his beer. “It seemed like the only option. It hurt too much being here. Everything reminded me of him.” A small part of the truth.
“We were all hurting. But we didn't run away. We stayed and helped each other through it.”
He raised his eyes to meet hers. “You don’t understand. I couldn't stay and face everyone, ...” He stopped himself before saying too much.
“Why?” Maddie frowned at him.
“It doesn’t matter now. I can't change my decision.”
Maddie shook her head. “You told Charlie you liked her. Told her you wanted to date her. Made out with her. Then her brother, your best friend is killed, and you take off. I don’t understand how you could do that to her.”
Donnie sighed. What could he say? He wasn’t going to share he blamed himself for Nate’s death. It still made his heart ache every time he thought about it.
“There’s something you’re not telling me.” She looked at him quizzically. The woman was far too insightful.
“I just wish I’d handled things differently that night.”
“Like not kissed Charlie?”
He didn’t answer. He would never regret kissing Charlie but if he hadn’t? If he had left? Nate might still be alive.
Maddie took a sip from her soda can. “So, what are you going to do about Charlie?”
“I meant what I said. I want to talk to her and try to explain. But she obviously doesn’t want to. I can’t force her. Maybe it’s best I just leave.”
“So, you’re giving up after one attempt? I thought you Navy boys never quit?”
“Maddie. She’s gone. I’m heading back to Coronado in a couple of days. I don’t know when I will have more free time.”
“Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me.”
“If she was here today, I would have spoken to her. I have no idea where she is and I’m sure she’s busy with wedding plans.”
“I wouldn't count on it.”
Maddie mumbled the comment, but Donnie heard it.
“She’s marrying Simon Radwell, right? That kind of surprised me, but I guess we all grew up.”
Now Maddie averted her gaze, staring at her soda can.
“Maddie?”
She looked at him but didn’t speak.
“Tell me about Simon. I know he’s in the family real estate business.”
“Yeah, he is. Will be taking over the company from his dad soon. He’s loaded. You know that. I just...”
“Just what?” Why had his chest gone tight? Foreboding ran through his veins.
“I just never saw the two of them together either. We both know what he was like in high school. The parties, the girls, the drugs. Let’s be honest, Charlie wasn't his type. But they started dating and he treated her well. She was happy. Lately, I get the impression things aren't so good.”
Donnie’s radar was on full alert. “Aren’t so good how?”
Maddie bit her lip.
“Maddie? Is Charlie in trouble?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
He waited, sensing she was choosing her words.
“Charlie came here because she was upset. It’s not my place to tell you details about her life, but I want her to have what I have with Dave. I don't think she has that.”
“Did you tell her that?”
“Yes. I’m not sure she’s open to really hearing it. She thinks me and Dave are a rarity and not everyone gets to have that kind of love.”
Jesus. Charlie deserved a man who would cherish and worship her. Like he would have. If Nate hadn’t died.
Maddie was still talking. “She keeps saying that she’s lucky to have him. He’s the first guy, well, other than you, that showed interest.”
“Seriously? She’s fucking gorgeous. Shit, sorry.” He lowered his voice, glancing at Andrew.
“It’s OK, he’s engrossed in the TV.”
“Any man would be lucky to have her in his life. If Simon can't see that, he doesn't deserve her.”
“I agree. Things were hard for her after...” She waved her hand. “It took a long time to move past it all, and I don’t like seeing her being hurt again.”
Donnie frowned. “He hurts her. How? Her feelings?”
Maddie scoffed. “I think he hurts everyone’s feelings. He’s full of self-importance. Thinks he’s better than everyone. That much hasn't changed.”
“You really don’t like him, huh?” he said with a small smile.
“I don’t. Which is hard because I love Charlie and I will support her always, but I don’t trust him.”
“I hurt her feelings, too.”
“Yes, you did. While I hate what you did, it was a terrible time, and we were all kids. Doesn’t mean I forgive you. Charlie was devastated.”
His heart squeezed. Now he was finally facing how bad he’d made Charlie feel, he hated himself.
“I get that you’re worried, Maddie, but Charlie is a grown woman. All you can do is be there for her like you always have been. You’re a good friend. Charlie is lucky to have you.”
“I’ve tried talking to her, but I’m not getting through. Look, I’m telling you because Nate loved you as much as he loved Charlie. You looked out for her in high school and I’m sure Nate would want you to now. Don’t you think?”
Fuck, the guilt kept piling on.
“Charlie told me how you and Nate became friends because he stood up for you when you used to get bullied by those ignorant assholes who didn't like the color of your skin.”
Donnie swallowed. Yeah, he’d taken his fair share of taunts in elementary school.
He’d heard all the names. During a particularly bad name calling incident in the playground, Nate had stood up to Johnny Bateman, the ringleader at the grand old age of seven.
Nate had shouted at him, then pushed him hard enough that he’d fallen, scraped his knee, and started crying.
They'd all been called to the principal's office and parents had been called. Even though they explained about the name calling, Nate had gotten detention. The school sticking to their policy for no hitting. Technically, he hadn't hit Johnny, but the principal had said he was lucky that he wasn't getting suspended. Nate had taken his punishment, and when Donnie asked him why he’d done it, he’d shrugged, saying he hadn’t liked what Johnny was saying. They were best friends from that day forward. By the time he entered high school, he was just shy of six feet and had filled out. The taunts stopped. Charlie hadn’t been so lucky.
“We were all there for Charlie when she was getting bullied in school, we all supported her. Nate’s gone. She’s not listening to me so that leaves you.” Maddie raised her eyebrows at him.
“I don’t think she’ll listen to anything I say.”
“You wanted to talk to her. So go talk to her. I know where she is. Yes, she’s going to be mad at me for sharing, but right now I don’t care.”
“What do you want me to do? Go knock on her door and start giving her advice about her love life? I’m sure that would go down well. That’s if she even opens the door.”
“I’m her best friend, Donnie. Trust me when I say, she might be mad at you, but you still have a place in her heart.”
Seriously? After what he’d done?
“The two of you have Nate as a bond. That means something. Someone needs to make her see she deserves better before—” She stopped abruptly.
The hair on the back of his neck stood up.
“Before what? What aren’t you telling me?” His protector instincts went on full alert.
Maddie stood, glancing toward Andrew who was still absorbed in the TV.
She turned back to Donnie. “Before things get worse.”
The tone of her voice made his heart race. “Has he physically hurt her?” The words came out like a growl.
When she didn't answer him, he had his answer. Every muscle in his body tensed.
“Where is she?”