Epilogue
Charlie
"Are you sure you don't want one Max? We'd be like ... the three amigos of dick piercings if you did." Andy paces with nervous energy around the waiting area of the tattoo and piercing shop.
"What about you Ben? Time for another one, yeah?"
"Yeah, no." Ben chuckles. "Once was enough. You go ahead though Andy. All the power to ya."
"You are all a bunch of whiny baby party poopers." Andy sticks his lip out in a mock pout, and we all laugh at him.
"Betcha can't say that 10 times fast," I joke.
Of course, Andy tries anyway. "Whiny baby party poopers. Whiny baby party poopers. Whiny baby party poopers ..."
"Well, what about you gorgeous? You wanna get something pierced?" Max rubs slow circles on my thigh.
"I have thought about getting my nipples pierced. But I'm nervous." Andy's party pooper chant changes to "Do it! Do it! Do it!"
"That would be so fucking hot," Ben mumbles, more to himself than anyone else.
"Andy? You're up!" The piercer appears in the waiting room holding a clipboard with Andy's consent form on it.
His excitement fades quickly, and you can tell he's nervous. "One of you has to come with me," he pleads.
Max shakes his head, and Ben says something like "not a chance." I start to get up to go in with him, but my phone starts ringing.
"Ben, would you please go in with him? You're the one with the experience and he's gonna need a hand to hold."
Ben sighs but agrees. "Only because you're the one asking darlin'."
Picking up the phone, I answer "Hello?"
"Sweetie! It's your mom! How are you doing?" The connection crackles. I pull my phone away from my face and see that I don't have much cell service in here.
"Mom hold on a sec, I can barely hear you."
I go to step outside and see the worried look on Max's face.
I gesture for him to come with me, and we both head to the outside of the shop together.
Under any other circumstances, it would seem silly that Max feels the need to come with me but considering it only took Ben leaving me alone for 30 seconds to get kidnapped, I get why they worry.
"Okay that's better. Hi mom, what's up?"
"Calling to check in on my favourite daughter of course!"
"I am your only daughter, mom." I have to remind her of this often.
"Yes, which makes you the easy favourite! Anyways, I'm actually calling because I have news."
It's not like my mom to call me when they are down south. Usually just texts and the occasional e-mail. So of course, I immediately start panicking thinking something happened to dad.
"I can feel your anxiety through the phone Charlie. Simmer down, everything is fine. I just wanted to let you know that dad and I are coming home early."
"What, why?" Who the hell would want to come back to Canada in the middle of winter when they could stay in sunny, warm Mexico?
"We miss you! It's been a long time since you've been in Twin Rivers for an extended period of time and I feel like we're missing out! Plus, I just hate the thought of you all alone up there honey. Mexico will still be here next year."
"You really don't have to do that for just me mom. I promise I'm fine. I've even made some new friends."
I glance over at Max. He quirks his eyebrow at me and mouths "friends?"
"Who are these friends Charlie?"
Before I can answer, I hear a shrill screech coming from inside the shop. Well, Andy's dick is pierced now.
"What the hell was that?" Mom presses and I have to cover my mouth from laughing. Max is doubled over, cackling.
"Nothing!" I say quickly. "How about you just tell me when yours and dads flight is getting in and I'll come pick you up from the airport?"
"Sure honey! It's next week I will text you the details."
"Okay great mom. Listen, I gotta go, okay? Enjoy the rest of your vacay and I will see you next week alright?"
"Okay sweetie. Love you so much!"
"Love you too," I say before hanging up the phone.
Max is looking at me with a huge grin on his face. "Sha'll we go check on him?"
A little while later, we're all driving home in Max's truck. Ben sits beside him and Andy is in the back with me, groaning in pain.
"Beeeeeeen. Why didn't you tell me it would hurt this much?"
"I literally did, idiot. I believe your response was 'no pain no gain.'"
"Chaaaarlieeeeee. You have to kiss it better." Andy leans his head on my shoulder and I play with his hair.
"No sex until it's healed Andrew. You know the rules." I kiss the top of his head and decide to add in a whisper, "Otherwise I totally would."
"What did your mom want Charlie?" Max interrupts from the front.
Oh right. My parents. Coming home. Haha, fuck. I have told my mom literally nothing about these guys. Or the fact that I am not even staying in their place anymore. Probably should have mentioned all that to her on the phone. Maybe I'll text mom later and at least warn her.
"Uhh yeah ... so my parents are coming home early next week. I am gonna tell them about you guys ... but I have not yet. Are ya'll up for meeting them?"
"Parents love me. Especially moms," Andy answers. "So I've got no problem meeting them."
"But aren't we just friends?" Max teases.
"Listen here Maximus, I will explain the situation to them. I got distracted by the high-pitched scream."
"It was NOT high-pitched!" Andy insists.
"Yes it was." Ben turns around to face us. "You blew my eardrum out dickhead."
"Regardless, yes I will make sure that they understand our ... situation." I still have no idea what we call this myself.
"I'm happy to meet your parents gorgeous, however you decide to introduce us. We'll follow your lead."
I blow out a breath at Max's words. "My mom is pretty cool.
Dad is maybe a little more traditional so there might be some friction there.
But I know ultimately that they just want to see me happy.
I think it will be fine." I will have to work harder at convincing myself of that, but no reason to worry the boys just yet.
"What about you, Ben? Do you wanna meet my parents? "
Ben sighs. "I won't lie ... I'm a little nervous firefly. But I hope you know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."
Well, I'm glad my guys are on board. Now how am I going to explain this to my parents?
Charlie and the Boys will be back!
Stay tuned for Part 2.