Chapter Fifteen
Charlie liked Mackie. He had arrived with far too much Chinese food, claiming he wanted to ensure she had a choice.
Mackie was funny, cared about Donnie and it was obvious the two were very good friends.
At least she didn’t have to worry about Donnie not being cared for when she went home.
Home. Where exactly was that now? Pushing the thought from her mind, she got up and helped Mackie clear away the containers.
“There’s a lot of leftovers,” she said, balancing cartons as she walked toward the kitchen.
“They’ll get eaten, don't worry,” Mackie said over his shoulder.
She laughed, put the cartons down on the small island, and turned back to face Donnie.
Through dinner, Mackie had mostly kept the conversation going, talking more about their teammates, including the women in their lives.
It seemed like a very close group of people that loved and cared about each other.
Donnie had given the odd comment, but he had been fairly quiet.
As she stared at him now, the frown on his face made her heart ache. She hated seeing him like this.
Blind. What if it was permanent? How would he cope? She'd tried to say all the right things, keep him positive. In reality, she was petrified for him.
The shrill notes of a phone filled the small space.
“Oh, that’s me.” She took the phone from her purse, seeing Simon’s name. Shit. He wasn’t going to stop calling. She should speak to him before he went to Albany looking for her or something.
“You can take it in the bedroom if you want privacy,” Mackie said.
“Oh. Yes. Thank you.”
Mackie gestured to a door. She stepped inside what was, she presumed, the guest bedroom.
The walls were white and plain. A queen size bed took up almost the whole space.
There was built-in shelving that provided some storage and that was it.
Charlie sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to rumple the pale gray duvet as she answered the phone.
“Hi, Simon.”
“Charlotte. Finally. Why haven't you answered my calls?” His voice was tight.
“Because I have nothing to say to you, Simon. It’s over.”
“You don’t mean that. We had a fight. That’s all. We’re getting married.”
It sounded like an order, but she realized with a little sadness she didn't really care. “We’re not getting married, Simon. I need you to stop calling and texting me. I’ll make arrangements to come and get my things soon.”
“You can't be fucking serious. I’m coming to see you. We are not over.” His voice held panic.
“I’m away right now and I don't want to see you.”
“It’s the Navy boy, isn’t it?” he challenged. “Donnie. You fucking him now?”
Charlie flinched at his words. He was so angry.
“I knew that bastard wanted you. He’s nothing. A fucking military thug. I’m a goddamn millionaire. What the—”
“I’m hanging up now.” Charlie cut him off. “Stop calling me. When I’m back, I’ll get in touch and come get my things.”
Heart pounding, she ended the call. Simon was getting angrier with every call. What the hell was the matter with him? The sooner she got her things and cut him off completely, the better.
Standing, she took a deep breath. Charlie opened the door and stepped back into the small living space. Donnie and Mackie were in conversation but stopped.
“I guess I should get going. I need to get checked into a hotel.” It was getting late, and she had no idea where she was going to stay.
“Do you have a reservation?” Mackie asked.
“No. Was a spur of the moment decision. Any recommendations?”
“I can phone around for you, see what’s available, or...” Mackie stopped.
“Or what?” Donnie said, his voice low.
“I’m staying here, so you could stay at mine for the night if you like.”
“No.” The word was almost a growl from Donnie. Mackie gave Charlie an apologetic shrug.
“It’s OK. Thanks for the offer, Mackie, but I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“You can stay here tonight, and Mackie can stay in his own bed.” Donnie said, surprising them both.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude,” she said quietly, although she would love to stay here and be close to him.
“Bit late for that, don’t you think?” Donnie said dryly.
“I’m not apologizing for coming. I was worried. Your family are worried. As it turns out, we were right to be, considering you lied to all of us.”
“I didn’t lie. I just didn't tell the whole truth.”
“Whatever. If my being here is too much and you’d rather be grumpy alone, then I’ll go to a hotel and stop by tomorrow. I don't mind.” She moved to grab her purse.
“I do mind. Stay. Please. You’ve never been here before, and I’d rather you not be in a hotel all by yourself.” His voice was softer this time.
Charlie let out a laugh. “Donnie, I travel all over the world by myself. Staying in a hotel alone is no big deal.”
“Charlie. Stay. Please.” His voice was almost pleading. He really did want her to stay.
“OK. I’ll stay.”
“Well, I’m glad that’s sorted. The bed is clean, Charlie, I’ve been crashing on the sofa. If you guys are good, then I’ll—” Mackie’s phone pinged, and he glanced at it.
“Dex?” Donnie asked. Charlie looked at Mackie. Dex was the team leader, she recalled.
“Yeah. I got to report for 0900 tomorrow. Shit. I’ll call him, see if we can change the time. Your appointment is at ten, right?”
Donnie nodded.
“I can take you,” Charlie blurted. “I mean, I’ll need to borrow a car, but if it has GPS I’m sure I can find where we need to go.” She glanced between the two of them. “If that would help?” Maybe she was overstepping.
“Donnie? What do you think?” Mackie asked.
Donnie nodded again, his face tight. “Fine.”
This had to be hell for him, relying on other people to get him where he needed to go. She swallowed down the lump in her throat.
“That would be great, Charlie, thanks. I’ll make sure you have clearance to get on base. They’ll give you a temporary visitor pass,” Mackie said.
“Er, OK. Get on base?” She frowned at him.
“Westside is the base hospital. That’s where my appointment is. Where Dr. Sophie Summers works,” Donnie explained.
“Oh, right. Of course.” Guess she was going to the base then.
“OK. Charlie, his medication is on the counter. Two pills, three times a day. He’s due two in about an hour.”
“Fuck, Mackie, I’m not deaf. I can remind her when I need the pills.”
“Right.” Mackie said, but he still pointed to the bottle on the counter and Charlie nodded.
“Charlie, call me if you need anything. In fact, give me your phone.”
“What are you doing?” Donnie asked.
“I’m adding my number. Dex and Sam’s, too. Just in case.”
Charlie waited while he did just that.
“OK, I’ll leave you two to it. Charlie, lock up behind me.” He gestured to the door and Charlie followed him.
“Does he just sit in that same spot all day?” she asked quietly. It had been bothering her. Other than using the washroom, Donnie didn't move.
“Pretty much. Yeah. It's only been a few days at home. He’s adjusting. Hopefully Sophie has some better news tomorrow.”
“Shall I call you afterwards?”
“No. I’ll call. Or Dex will. Not sure how long I’ll be in this meeting.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. Not used to all this.”
Mackie smiled. “Don't worry about it. For the record, I think it’s really great that you came. He seems more relaxed today than he has been since it happened. You took his mind off it. If only for a little while.”
Charlie’s cheeks heated. “Really? I wasn’t sure. I mean we only just reconnected after not speaking in years.”
“I know. He told me. He was stoked you guys were talking again.”
“Yes, me, too.”
“Goodnight, Charlie. We’ll talk tomorrow. And if you need anything, or if he’s being too much of a pain, call me. Doesn’t matter what time. If for some reason you can’t reach me, call Dex or Sam. I’ll give them a heads up.”
“Got it. Thank you. I’m sorry I called you a guard dog earlier.”
Mackie grinned. “Now you know me better, I’m just a puppy at heart.”
She laughed as Mackie took off down the hallway.
Donnie still hadn't moved.
“Can I get you anything?” She felt a little awkward now it was just the two of them again. Tension filled the air that hadn't been there earlier.
“No. Thank you.”
“OK. I’m just going to change, if that’s alright?”
“Make yourself at home. I’d show you around but...” Bitterness filled his voice.
“I’ll be fine. It’s not that big a place,” she said brightly, trying to ease the mood. “Do you mind if I take a quick shower? It’s been a long day.”
“Go ahead. Clean towels are in the linen cupboard behind the door.”
“Thank you. Won't be long.”
Only when she was in the shower with the door firmly closed did she let the tears fall.
The shock she’d tried to keep locked down finally broke free.
No one deserved to go through what Donnie was going through.
She hated it was him. He was a Navy SEAL.
Strong. Brave, Tough. The man sitting out there was scared all to hell, and there was nothing she could do about it.
She couldn't fix it for him, couldn’t take his fear away.
All she could do was be there for him, if he would let her.
Twenty minutes later, in yoga pants and a T-shirt, her hair damp, she forced a smile on her face and walked back into the main room. Donnie still sat exactly where she’d left him. The sun had gone down and the room was almost dark.
“That was nice.” She switched on lamps and pulled down the blinds. “I’m going to make a tea. I remember you hate tea. Do you want something else?”
“A water, thanks. And may as well take the pills now.”
“Right.” She moved to the kitchen. “So, what time do we have to leave in the morning?’
“It might take a little time to get through the gate, so 9:15 should allow enough time.”
“And you have a car, I take it?” she asked. “Please don't tell me it’s a truck.”
“Not a fan of them?”
“I like them when someone else is driving. Trucks were not made for little people like me.” She brought the drinks to the sitting area and placed the pills in Donnie’s hand.
“It’s not a truck. It’s a Bronco.”
“Oh, right. Like an SUV.”
“Yes. What do you drive?”