10. Charlie
10
I fiddle with the key as I try for the third time to get into my room at the Inn. Exhaustion and frustration bearing down on my shoulders. The day has been long, and all I want is a few minutes of peace. I’m weak and sleepy. My body is cold despite the Spring weather.
And my feet are on fire .
I never realized how flimsy my purple slippers were until I wore them out all day. Being a naturally fast walker, they kept folding and sliding off in every direction, causing me to scrape my bare feet on the concrete, and the rough carpet at the library.
That’s where I went after racing out of the lobby bar this morning—the library.
Thankfully, Em let me make up the hours I missed this week. I would have stayed regardless, doing wedding research or something. But this way, at least I was paid to be there.
The lock finally turns, and the doorknob loosens. “Yes,” I whisper, pushing it open and stepping into the dimly lit room.
I freeze at the threshold.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, looking irritable as ever, is my ex.
His strong jawline is extra tight and his piercing blue eyes are particularly icy this evening.
“Looks like I’ve hit the jackpot on how many times I can piss you off in one day.” I shut the door behind me.
“Something you forget to mention this morning?” Noah seethes.
“No,” I snap, setting my things down at my side.
He stands. “No? So you didn’t forget to tell me that you’re practically homeless?”
I am homeless.
“I didn’t forget, Noah. It’s none—”
“How could you not tell me? How could you not call me? You’re somewhat of an intelligent human being, how could you not say to yourself; hmm, this doesn’t sound right, I better call a lawyer to tell me my rights.”
“Are you on crack?” I shout.
“Are you?” he counters and it’s the first time I’ve heard him scream at me. At anyone.
“I’m not your problem. I’m nothing to you, Noah.”
“Stop it,” he mutters with an eye-roll, like I’m a child.
“I’ve got one foot out the door, and now you’re suddenly interested in helping me? How fucking convenient.” I limp over to the desk for support and slide my feet out of my slippers with a hiss.
Before I can blink, Noah’s at my side lifting me off the floor and sitting me on the wooden desk. He drops to my feet, inspecting, all too closely for my comfort. “Christ. What, did you run a marathon in these?”
I manage to wrestle one foot out of his hold and kick his chest with a loud cry. “Owe.”
Noah stands and hovers over me, reaching for the room phone. “Ethan, hey. It’s Noah. I’m in room four-ten, can you bring me a bucket of ice, towels and a first aid kit?” There’s a pause and Noah sighs. “Thanks.”
My heart sinks in despair. This is exactly why I didn’t want anyone to know. Least of all him. I swallow the lump in my throat. “I can handle myself. It’s not your—”
“Damn it, Charlie, this isn’t about us.” He runs a hand through his tousled hair, letting out a frustrated sigh. “This is about you always finding yourself in trouble and not asking for help.” He swallows and softens his tone, gazing at me with what feels like pity. “You don’t have to do this alone.”
Tears burn my eyes and I know it can’t be because I’m about to have an emotional breakdown. It has to be from the physical pain in my feet.
“I don't need your help, Noah.”
He shakes his head, stepping closer but maintaining a cautious distance. “I'm not giving you a choice. You're moving into my house. It's safe, and you won't have—”
I burst out laughing. “You’re delusional. Why would I do that?”
Why would you want me is the real question.
“I just told you why. Because I’m not giving you a choice.”
“That’s called kidnapping. Not helping.”
There’s a knock on the door. With a frustrated sigh, Noah breaks his gaze and pulls it open.
A wave of dizziness washes over me and I press a hand to my forehead, feeling burning heat.
I jerk when I feel myself nearly passing out.
Jesus, I must be tired.
“Here you go, Noah.” I hear someone say. “Um, if there’s anything else I can get Ms. Whitley, let me know.”
Noah’s response is muffled and I struggle to keep my eyes open.
Shutting the door, Noah drops to my feet again with the bucket of ice and a red box. I suck in a breath and jerk my feet back. “What are you doing?”
“Trust me. It’s not going to hurt as bad as you think.”
“Are you insane? You can’t even blow at them without it stinging right now.”
He wraps his fingers gently around my ankle and I stiffen, shutting my eyes. Something cold and wet touches my heel gently, moving around the swelling.
I wince and whimper.
“Breathe.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as he moves the ice cube clockwise over my foot. “Owe,” I whisper, gripping the table edge harder.
“That’s what you get for trying to pull one over on me this morning.”
I blow out another breath when he pulls the ice cube away, lifts my foot, and blows softly.
I open my eyes to find him watching me, and wince. “Are they atrocious?”
He smirks. “You might not want to look.”
He applies something to my foot that stings and I bite down a groan.
He lifts and blows a little harder. “How’s that?”
“A lawyer and a doctor? Man, I screwed up big time.”
Ignoring my unfiltered comment, he drops my foot and lifts the other, repeating the steps before wrapping them both in bandages.
He lifts me into his arms, and I melt into him involuntarily as he moves me to the bed.
His voice is muffled as my lids become heavy and I feel myself drift. “Keep your feet elevated…don’t go anywhere tomorrow. You need to stay off your feet.”
I shiver as chills run through me and blink to keep my eyes open. “Mmhmm.”
“I’ll ask for room service delivery for the morning.”
I give up the fight and turn into the pillow. “Can I get a full-size blueberry…”
“Charlie?”
I feel his hand on my forehead and think I hear my name again before I submit to the darkness.
“Charlie?”
My body feels cemented into the mattress. And I like it. I never want to get up.
“Charlie, sweetie. It’s time to wake up.”
“Hmm?” I blink my eyes open to the sweet familiar voice. My feet feel numb but the rest of me feels somewhat weightless. Nothing like the heaviness on my shoulders the last few days.
How long have I been asleep? A week?
My redheaded friend smiles down at me. Pepper’s hair glows in the sunlight coming through the windows. “Morning, sunshine.”
I groan and stretch. “Hey.” I push up to a sitting position and drag my feet with me. “When did you get back?”
She props my pillow up for me. “This morning. Chase and I stopped in for muffins and… Tessa told me you were here.” Her smile is bright. Too bright as she bats her lashes at me.
Yep. She’s pissed.
“I’m sorry.”
Pepper adjusts my covers and sits on the edge of the bed. “Are you? Are you really? Do you no longer consider me your best friend? Or a friend at all? Did I not prove to you last year that I would do anything for you?”
“Pepper,” I moan.
“I was willing to marry another man for you, Charlie. And you didn’t think to call me?”
I pout like I’m about to cry and she covers her mouth. “Sorry. I’m sorry. This isn’t about me. How are you?” She touches my forehead. “Cool as a cucumber.” She releases a breath.
I look down at my feet which are still tightly bandaged.
Pepper follows my gaze. “Are you in pain? You can take these again now.” Pepper lifts a bottle of aspirin off the nightstand.
“Again?”
“Noah said you took it a few hours ago so if you wake up in pain, you can take it again.”
“N-no, I didn’t take anything. But I’m not in pain. I feel pretty good. What time is it?”
“Well, he said you took it. It’s just after ten.”
“Sunday, right?”
She chuckles. “Yes. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah. My mouth feels dry though.”
“Well, your fever broke, so that’s good.” Pepper grabs the glass of water next to the aspirin. “Here, this will help. Sorry, I’m not good at this. Can I get you anything?”
“Just stop talking…so fast.”
She nods vigorously and mimes zipping her mouth.
“What happened? The last thing I remember is—” I look at the desk where Noah had me propped up and tending to my wounds.
“Noah?” She perks her curious brows.
“Yes.”
She smirks. “Chase and I found him here when we walked in this morning.” She points to the wooden desk chair.
“Here?”
“He told me to use these if you break a sweat again.” She lifts a few washcloths at the bottom of the bed. “He and Chase left a little while ago.”
I reach for the washcloths that feel slightly damp.
Oh God.
“Sounds like you’re fighting an infection and possible heat exhaustion."
“Yeah, I had it comin’.”
“Sooo… is something wrong with those cute purple boots of yours that you had to wear your slippers out all day? Which I threw away by the way.”
I sigh. “I went downstairs for a coffee. Noah walked in. I didn’t want him knowing I was staying here so…I walked out with them.”
“Well, that backfired.”
“Things usually do for me. Look, you can stay. But this is why I didn’t want to tell you. You take it upon yourself to help everyone else and this is your time. You’re getting married. You’re searching for your parents. You shouldn’t have to babysit me.”
She shrugs. “You had to babysit me when we first met.”
“A phone call I still regret taking,” I grumble.
“Ouch.”
“Promise me you won’t make a big deal out of this and try to solve my problems.”
“Sweetheart, if it were up to me, you’d be waking up in my cottage right now. But with the renovations, we can’t even stay there this week.”
“Good. You should use this as a sign to get away for a bit. A pre-wedding honeymoon.”
There’s a knock and before I can ask who it is, Pepper calls out. “Come in.”
Another quick knock and Ethan enters with a small tray. “Large iced coffee and full-size blueberry muffin.”
“For me?”
“For you. And if I can get you anything else, just dial one on that phone.”
“Thank you.”
Pepper waits until Ethan steps out. Then turns to me. “Why was Noah in your room again?”
“I don’t know. He was here when I got back from work, ranting about something.” I wave a hand like I don’t remember every word he said.
“What gives him the right to just barge into your room like he owns the place?”
I glare at her. “Because he does.”
“No, he doesn’t. He sold his share of the Inn to Aiden last winter.”
“What? Why?”
“How should I know?” She stands. “Anyway, as soon as the reno is done, Chase and I are going to host a get-together with his hockey friends and you’re coming. I think you and Landon would really hit it off.”
“I'm glad you've got my priorities straight." I laugh and it feels like the first time in a while.
“Someone has to. Look, you two have so much in common. You love to read and he…is really cute.”
I laugh.
“I’m kidding. He reads too.”
“Books?”
She scratches her head. “News articles…on his phone.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, I’m not looking to date now. I’m planning to move. Until I know where I’m going, I don’t think dating is a good idea.”
“Who said anything about dating ?” Pepper shouts just before the door to my room is pushed open.
Chase and Noah exchange glances before walking in.
“We’ll talk later,” Pepper whispers and stands. “Where've you boys been?”
Noah places a small white paper bag on the desk, and we lock eyes for a millisecond before he turns away. “We picked up some antibiotics.”
“And why do you look grumpy?” Pepper asks her fiancé.
Chase stands by the dresser with his arms folded. “I’m good. Was just looking forward to paying someone a visit—but someone already did and didn’t invite me to the party,” he grits.
Noah whacks him and moves to my bedside, tearing open the paper bag and removing the bottle. “Take one now. Another one before bed.”
I take the bottle to examine it. “Who prescribed these?”
“Pepper, we’re meeting with the contractors in twenty minutes.”
My friend jumps. “Oh, right.” She leans over to kiss my forehead. “Love you. I’ll call you soon.”
“Is someone going to tell me who prescribed these?”
Chase and Pepper step out but Noah doesn’t follow. Ignoring his presence, I shake a pill onto the palm of my hand and scrunch my nose.
“Don’t be a baby and just take it.”
“I can’t take these. They’re too big. I need to crush it first.”
“You’re kidding.”
“You know what, could you just leave?” I stammer.
He crosses to me. “Fine. Here.” He plucks the pill from me and squeezes hard before pouring the broken pieces into my hand.
Throwing my head back, I take the medicine, washing it down with a sip of water. "That tastes awful."
"Not if you take it whole," Noah mutters.
I groan and swing my legs over the bed, carefully placing them on the floor. Pain shoots through my body and I hold my breath to keep from screaming out.
I reach for the nightstand, but Noah catches me and lifts me off my feet.
“I need to wash up. I feel gross.”
Wordlessly, he carries me to the bathroom and steps inside with me.
He sets me over the vanity and turns the sink on before stepping back and waiting.
I don’t argue. Since I can’t stand for more than three seconds. I twist toward the sink and brush my teeth. Turning off the faucet, I stare at the counter across from me.
Noah follows my gaze. “Which one?”
“The green one with the purple cap.”
He lifts my cleanser and hands it over.
I wash and rinse my face and feel a towel pushed into my hands as I shut off the water.
“Is that it?”
“Now the white one.”
I squirt two pumps into my hand and apply the moisturizer.
“Anything else?”
I eye the toilet. “Just…one more thing.”
He considers it for a moment then crosses to me and sets his hands on my waist. “Your heels aren’t so bad. I’m going to put you down slowly and you’re going to put all the pressure on the back of your feet. Got it?”
I huff out a breath and nod.
He sets me down gently and hovers for a moment before stepping out. I move to the toilet slowly, do my business, and flush before dragging myself back to the sink to wash my hands.
Noah is at the door when I open it and carries me over to the bed.
“Noah. Enough.”
“You know if you weren’t so stubborn and had just told me you were staying here, you wouldn’t have this problem.”
“If you didn’t interrogate me and make me feel like I was doing something wrong, maybe I would have,” I shout.
He blinks and steps back. “You’re right.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I'm responsible.” He lifts my feet over the bed. “You’ve lost more than anyone should in less than a month and…I didn’t help.”
I frown. “Thank you.”
“Is it alright if I unwrap these to take a look? I talked to Dr. Morgan. He said as long as it looks like the swelling went down, you don’t need to go in.”
I nod and shift on the bed. “Who’s Doctor Morgan?”
“My doctor. I trust him with my life.” He settles on the edge of the bed and lifts one foot onto his lap.
“Is it true you sold your share of the Inn this past winter?”
He freezes midway but doesn’t look at me. Then starts unraveling again slowly. “Yes."
"Why?"
"Tell you what, when you start making things my business, I'll make mine yours.”
I read that loud and clear. But I'm curious. I liked that Noah had something other than his law to focus on. And the Inn was that for him. Especially since he quit photography after grad school and went into law full-time.
He glances up. “What, no snippy comment?”
“Noah, look at me. I’m in no position to be making any kind of demands. Especially on things that are clearly none of my business.”