“So there is something going on with you two?” Landon asks, his gaze burning into mine.
“Something has happened, yes. Not that it’s any of your business,” I pointedly tell him. “Do I like her? Yes. How could I not? But I’m not going to hurt her or push her into something she doesn’t want.”
“Does she return those feelings?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’ve not broached them with her. But I also won’t keep you updated if she ever does. It’s hers to share. She’s a grown woman.”
“I know that.”
“Do you? Because all I saw today was you guys trying to control the situation. I understand you all being wary about her spending time with another guy after what Scott did. But I’m not him.”
“I know you’re not,” he tells me, looking defeated. “But you are also not the person she’s looking for. She wants a marriage, children. She doesn’t want a casual hook up. She’ll get hurt and I’m not going to stand back and watch that. Not again.”
That doesn’t come off as a shock. “You don’t know what I want, but I can guarantee I’ll never hurt her,” I point out. “I’m sorry if you’re upset over it. I know it’s coming from a good place. But you need to give her some control back. Right now, she feels like she’s letting you all down, and I might not know what happened today, but I’ve got a sinking feeling she did something to try and make it up to you guys.”
He glances away and I feel like shit for pointing it out to him. He’s a good mate, one of the best, which is why I offered him partnership at the gym.
“She means a lot to us,” he croaks out.
“I know she does. Which is why I understand why you are all protective of her and each other.”
“Even if it is unjustified,” Nora points out.
“I’m being a prick, aren’t I?” he asks.
I chuckle. “A little, but it’s all coming from a good place and not a toxic one.” I give him a minute before I broach the subject I really want to talk to him about. “What happened? Is she doing okay?”
“I thought you could see for yourself?” he tells me, but his tone is light-hearted.
I grunt. “I didn’t want to disturb her in case she’s resting.”
“She is. Aunt Kayla put her to bed not long after you left.”
“What happened? I didn’t even think she had her car back yet.”
“She hasn’t. She went to go chase up a lead they had on Scott and on the way back, someone ran them off the road.”
I sit forward, and my hands curl into fists. “What the fuck? Why did she go alone?”
“She was with her friends from Tease.”
Nora’s nose scrunches up. “Isn’t that a strip club?”
“Yeah,” I reply absently. “She liked hanging out there to get content for a book she was writing.”
“I really need to meet her,” she murmurs.
I glance to Landon. “Did they catch the person who ran her off the road?”
He grits his teeth, glancing away. “No. They fucking didn’t,” he admits, before glancing at his watch. “Look, I need to go. If you want to know the rest it’s Charlotte’s story to tell. Not mine. Her dad managed to get her old phone back from the police and replace it since the screen was smashed to fuck.”
Nora’s phone goes off and she looks down, reading the message. “Dad’s here,” she announces before turning to me. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“See you later.”
“I’ll be going too,” Landon declares, grabbing some files off his desk.
I wait for them to both leave before pulling out my phone.
DREW: How are you doing?
I sit back, waiting for a reply. When I see the three dots, my body tenses, hoping it will be her who replies.
Charlotte: I’m okay. Just a little sore. I feel like I’ve got the world’s worst hangover. Who is this?
My lips twitch. Only Charlotte could reply to a message and have a conversation when she isn’t sure who the sender is. I think about playing her up, but until I know for sure she’s mentally okay, I don’t want to cause her any unnecessary stress.
Drew: It’s Drew, and apparently I’m taking you to Disneyland.
Charlotte: * Insert groan * I’m so sorry. I would blame it all on the drugs, but I think it’s my inner consciousness wanting to go to Disneyland and be a princess.
I chuckle at her response. I’m not sure what to say, whether to pry or not, so instead of asking what I really want, I decide to keep it light.
Drew: Landon said your dad had to get you a new phone?
Charlotte: Yeah. I’m going to need to replace the vibrator too. It was a mess. It got lodged into the seat and door and bent and cracked in places.
Shaking my head, I can’t keep the laughter at bay.
Drew: What was you doing with a vibrator?
Charlotte: It was in my bag and I threw it to one of the girls to hold during the car chase. It ended up as collateral damage. It was my favourite colour too. I’m kind of gutted it never got used.
Drew: That doesn’t explain why you had it in your bag.
Charlotte: I was using it for a friend.
I choke on air at her reply. What the heck? A friend. Before I can reply, she messages me back.
Charlotte: Not because she wanted me to. I mean, she did. I try samples for her and review them. She doesn’t watch.
Charlotte: I don’t record it either.
Charlotte: I think I’m still high.
Drew: Are you alone?
Charlotte: Is this a sexting message because I’m going to tell you upfront, I’m not good at it. I end up going into technicalities, like shower sex. Did you know it’s not as easy as people think it is? Me and Harriet tried.
Charlotte: Not actual sex.
Charlotte: It was just to demonstrate. The other girls were there too.
Charlotte: I’m going to shut up now.
Laughter spills out of me as the three dots at the bottom disappear.
Drew: I meant alone at home. Now.
Charlotte: My mum’s downstairs sleeping. Everyone else left so I could get some rest.
Drew: Fancy some company?
Charlotte: I don’t think I’ll be able to make it downstairs to open the door and Mum is moody when she gets woken up.
Drew: Open your bedroom window. Won’t be long.
*** *** ***
My fingers brush against the rough bark as I climb the tree outside Charlotte’s window. I texted her a minute ago to say I was outside so hopefully she receives it and I don’t scare her. Heaving myself up onto the branch that ends just below her window, I rap my knuckles against the glass before pushing it open.
I dangle off the windowsill, spotting her on her bed. “I bet it’s a pain keeping that tree trimmed. Why not cut it down?”
“I like it,” she whispers, as I ungracefully climb through her window. I get up, straightening out my clothes.
There is a lot of pink as I take in her room. And glitter. Yet oddly enough, it still seems modern. Glancing back at her tucked into bed, she looks lost. My eyes widen at the size for such a small person. It’s a little bigger than a king.
I notice the blush rising on her cheeks when I pull my attention away from the bed. She looks so fragile and unsure and I can’t help but admire her beauty.