59. Chapter 59
Charlotte
*Puck Sluts Group Chat*
Charlotte - With the guys away, what's everyone doing tonight?
Hannah - Well I’m the designated dog sitter so I currently have a house full of dogs.
Hannah - Did you want to come over? You could bring Bella with you?
Alyssa - I can come and pick you guys up?
Kayla - I’ll come and hang too. I’ll bring Remy.
Alyssa - Are you sure you can leave the vigil of Louis’ dick that long?
Charlotte - Eww what?
Kayla - I’ll explain when I see ya.
Charlotte - Okaayyy?
Hannah - Oh boy. Do I need wine for this story?
Kayla - Always Mama S. Always
Alyssa – Right, I’m leaving now, pack an overnight bag.
Charlotte - Will do!
Once I’m finished in the bathroom and dressed, I pad into the kitchen where Bella is nudging her food bowl. It’s then I see her sweater. It’s a navy turtleneck with a gold B in the middle. It’s reminiscent of the sweater on my Harry Potter bear.
It looks vaguely familiar, and that’s when I notice there’s a bouquet of pink dahlias and a photo of me and Bella on the kitchen island. Looking closer at the photo, Bella’s in her sweater and I’m sniffing one of my favorite flowers.
Age 21
They say turning 21 is an important milestone in your life; you can legally drink and you can vote.
I’m spending mine with Jake in my room at an apartment we’re sharing for our senior year.
It’s so nice to be out of the dorms, and I get to share with my favorite person in the world. Don’t tell Wren I said that.
My parents couldn’t make it, which has bummed me out, but I get it. They called me this morning to wish me a happy birthday, but it’s not the same as having them here.
Jake barrels into my bedroom with an iced coffee in one hand and a cupcake in the other, and starts to sing to me. He’s done this every year since I moved to San Diego, and as much as he can’t sing for shit, I do enjoy the fuss he makes.
“Are you ready for your day of fun, Lotts?” he says as he puts my coffee and cake on the side.
“Day of fun? What are we doing? I didn’t realize we had plans.” I thought we were going to stay in all day and hang. Apparently not.
“Yup, we’re going out. Get caffeinated and then we’re off.” With that, he saunters out of my room in those jeans that mold perfectly to his ass and thighs.
We’re in Jake’s truck, driving to God knows where. He’s vibrating with excitement, so I’m intrigued as to what we’re doing.
“Are you going to give me a clue?” I ask hopefully.
The side of his face twitches. “Nope, you’ll see when we get there. Be patient.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I’m looking out the window for clues as to our destination when we pull into a parking lot for the animal shelter. I’ve been volunteering here every so often, and I love all the animals here, but I do have a favorite.
She’s the tiniest Italian greyhound puppy I have ever seen, and her fur is the most unusual beige color. Me and her are kindred spirits, and she gets so excited every time she sees me. I’m surprised no one has snapped her up yet, she’s only a baby.
When we walk into the reception, I hear, "Surprise" being shouted at me as my mom and dad rush to greet me. I’m so taken aback I instantly start crying. I can’t believe they’re here.
We walk through the kennels together and I tell them about all the amazing animals here and their stories. And then we get to my favorite girl. She’s so excited to see me, her tail is thumping away when I notice the sign that states “Adopted.”
It’s bittersweet. I’m so happy for her, she’s getting a forever home, but I’m sure going to miss her.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my mom says. “Do you like your present?”
“W-what?” It’s then that I look closer at the adoption paperwork hanging in front of the kennel—it has my name on it.
“Oh my god. She’s mine? I get to take her home?” I sniffle.
“Are you happy?” Mom says, eyes shining and clinging onto my dad.
“This is the best day of my life! Thank you so much!” I can feel the tears welling up. “She’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”
Jake wraps an arm around me. “What are you going to name her?”
I look into the puppy’s soulful eyes and make my decision. “Bella, I’m going to call her Bella.” She seems to like that and gives me big kisses all over my face.
“It’s time to give you one of my presents,” Jake says as he pulls a package out of his bag.
I tear into the packaging, and it’s not what I was expecting.
Inside the box is a small, knitted sweater—just like the one on my beloved Harry Potter bear—but with the letter B on it.
How did he remember what I would call a dog if I ever got one?
I am speechless, staring at the sweater, and I realize I haven’t said a word in a really long time. “How did you know what I’d name her?”
“I know you, Lottie. Plus, you mentioned it a while back and I committed it to memory.” He taps his head with his finger.
“How did you arrange all of this? It was a complete surprise to me”
“Ah, a magician never reveals his secrets.”
“It’s beautiful, Jake, I love it so much”
“My mom made it for you. She said it’s probably as close as she will ever get to a baby, so she was happy to knit it.” He laughs awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“This is one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received, and I know Bella will love it. Shall I try it on her for size? Although, it may be something she grows into.”
“Go for it.”
I go and get Bella and push the sweater over her head. It’s definitely too big at the moment, but I can tell in a few months or so it’ll fit perfectly. “Here, how does she look?”
“She looks like a child trying on her mom’s clothes, I’m sure it’ll fit in a few months. Can we go and see my mom soon? She would love to see Bella in her sweater?”
Barking drags me out of my memory. Alyssa’s here. I quickly pick Bella up and grab a flower, sending a selfie to Jake.
Charlotte - I can’t believe it still fits!
Charlotte - Heading to your mom’s to chill with the girls, will probably stay there
He won’t see it for a while as I know he’s at the arena now, but it’ll be a nice surprise when he does.
I pack my Harry Potter teddy in my bag, alongside my toiletries and one of Jake’s shirts to sleep in. I never thought I’d be this girl, but I need to smell him to sleep better and stave off the nightmares that haunt me.
I quickly grab some bits for Bella, and by the time I’m finished, Alyssa has let herself in.
“Hey! I’m just finishing packing up.” Bella goes straight to her, jumping up for a fuss.
“Hey, girl, I’ve missed you! Aunty Lyss may or may not have a pup cup in the car with your name on it.” Bella’s tail is swishing so fast you can’t even see it anymore, it’s just a blur.
“Ok, I’m ready to go.” I’m clutching my bag and keys, and Alyssa takes Bella’s lead.
“Don’t you need your crutches?”
I shake my head at her with a smile. Although I have a small limp, I’m walking unaided these days, and I’m doing pretty well. My PT sessions have nearly come to an end and it’s time to get back to some normality. Don’t even talk to me about therapy. It’s just not working for me.
“That’s amazing, babe. In that case, let's go.”
Before we get in the car, Alyssa gives Bella her pup cup and lets her do her business before the hour’s drive to Hannah’s.
Once we’re all situated in the car, she hands me a pink drink from Starbucks.
Normally, I’m a coffee girlie, but as it’s early evening, a pink drink will do me just fine.
I take a sip, letting the taste of strawberry, acai, and coconut flood my senses—I even let out a little moan of pleasure.
“So, how's things with your mystery man?” I ask as she pulls onto the freeway. I can only see her side profile, but I do spy her lips curling up in a smile.
“It’s going great.” That’s all I get.
“Tell me about him, what’s he like?” I push; she’s so secretive about this guy.
“I would, but I don’t want to ruin things.” Hmm, it’s gotta be someone on the team.
Arriving at Hannah’s always feels like home. As we open the front door, we’re greeted by the guys' dogs, and it’s clear full chaos mode has been activated.
“Charlie!” Hannah comes rushing over and wraps me in her arms. I love her hugs, they feel just like my mom’s used to—warm and comforting, an instant hit of serotonin.
The dogs are all sniffing around me as I bend down to give them pets.
Hannah looks after Theo’s, Codey’s, and sometimes Louis and Kayla's dogs when they’re away for games.
Alyssa unclips Bella’s lead and all the dogs run off together, ready to continue the mayhem.
Kayla’s in the kitchen, still sporting the black wig and black lipstick. Guess that piercing hasn’t healed yet.
“What’re we drinking?” Alyssa says as she rounds the island.
“Well Mama S said she needed some wine, so I went to the store and picked up a whole bunch of different ones. Who fancies wine tasting?” Kayla shimmies as she holds up a different wine in each hand.
“As soon as I heard you were coming over, honey, I knew there would be alcohol involved, so I went ahead and made these. Don’t worry, Charlie, there's a vegetarian one for you.” Hannah pulls charcuterie boards from the fridge.
My mouth is watering at the spread she has put on in such a short space of time.
Mine is filled with crackers, cheese, olives, hummus, and little carrot sticks.
And the best part? I don’t have to share it with anyone else.
I take a bite of the hummus on a carrot stick and let out a groan. “God, Hannah, this is divine. Did you make that yourself?” I ask, pointing to the dip.
She waves her hand like it’s no big deal. “Oh, it was nothing, just some chickpeas and other bits.”
“Honestly, it’s incredible. I need the recipe,” I say as I take another bite.
Whilst Kayla pours out the first wine for us to try, I decide to tell them about what happened earlier.
“So, I unlocked another memory today,” I start. Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at me.
“That’s amazing, sweetheart, what was it?” Hannah asks.
I tell them all about Bella’s Harry Potter sweater and going to the shelter on my birthday.
Hannah’s hands are clasped in front of her chest. “I remember knitting that sweater, I’m so glad it still fits her,” she gushes. Reaching into my pocket, I show Hannah the photo of Bella in her outfit this morning.
Alyssa chimes in, “That was actually really clever of my brother to think to do that. I wonder if he’ll do that every away game to see if you can recover anything else?”
And then, Kayla being Kayla, and obviously not being able to help herself, asks, “So, have you fucked yet?”
“Jesus Christ, Kayla. I can guarantee at least two people in this room do not want to know that.” Alyssa drags her hand down her face, exasperated.
“Oh, come on. Mama S knows all about the birds and the bees, and she is under no illusions that her precious boy isn’t having sex.” Kayla gives Hannah a knowing look, which she returns.
“You haven’t told us anything since your trip to see our favorite slutty, moustache-wearing singer.”
“Well, to respect his mom and sister, all I will say is that Jake is very respectful and we’re having a wonderful time together.” There, that’s a diplomatic answer.
“Yep, they fucked. You can text me about it later.” Kayla winks at me.
Palm to my forehead, I shake my head. Why is she like this?
My phone dings a little while later after the game has finished. They won 3–0, so I know the boys will be riding the high.
Jake - Did it help you remember anything?
Charlotte - Yes!
Charlotte - I remembered my 21st birthday when I got Bella and your mom knitted that sweater.
Jake - You have no idea how happy it makes me baby that you’re remembering things.
Charlotte - Slowly but surely, they’re coming back
Charlotte - Congrats on the win
Jake - Thanks baby, I’ll call you when I get back to the hotel?
Charlotte - I can’t wait