I think about her and wonder what she's doing. I miss her. I miss having her in my room, in my house, and in my life. I replay the scene in her room and how scared she was at seeing her brother attack me. I get his anger and I understand the lashing out part. I said what I needed to say and now I'm going to wait for her.
Touching my unshaven face and looking at the empty bottle of whiskey, I aimlessly play Call of Duty on my PS4. I scream at the TV and shoot the motherfuckers, earning points for my team. The creation of games is quite mesmerizing. I can sit here for hours on end, forget about the shit going on in my life, and release my anger out on strangers without actually using physical violence. It's therapeutic.
Since the fight last week we haven't talked and I have no idea what the fuck's going on with her. As much as it's killing me not to see her, touch her, be with her . . . I need to give her space.
I know Will is also respecting her wishes and giving her space because he knows they're supposed to stick together, just like I'm supposed to be with Charlotte. But shit happens and now I'm sitting here in the living room, with an empty bottle of whiskey, my game, and memories of sweet, beautiful, Charlotte.
The doorbell rings and I'm up out of my seat to open the door. It's Charlotte. She's come back to me.
When I open the door, it's definitely not who I want to see.
"What? Here to kill me. Go ahead."
"Stop being a pussy," Will says and pushes me inside. He closes the door and I'm ready to fight. I've learned a few moves from COD.
"She's gone," I glare at him. "It's your fucking fault."
"Mine? Please enlighten me." Will paces my living room and sits down, fumbling with the controller in his hand.
"You could have anyone. Why her?"
"Because she makes everything better. She's my person. I love her, man. We've been in love with each other since she was sixteen and I never acted on it. We made a promise to each other when she turned eighteen that I would wait for her."
"But you fucked around with other chicks."
"No," I tell him. "I didn't do that until after you pushed her to be with Shawn and she listened to you because hurting you was something she could never do. She chose your happiness over her own. She's been miserable and you allowed that to happen."
Will doesn't say anything and stays still.
"I respected you and her, so I walked away. She was all I could see and all I wanted. We did this. We were miserable, so that you could be happy. How fucked up, huh?" Will nods. "And now I can't be with her because your stubborn ass won't accept that I'm good for her. I'm your best friend, man. You know me. You know I'd never let anything happen to her and that I wouldn't hurt her."
"I don't know."
"The fuck you don't know," I growl. "I treat Charlotte the way she deserves to be treated. I worship her. I cherish her. I fucking love her, but you're too fucked up in the head to see that your own God damn sister is happy or that your fucking best friend is happy."
"I saw the way you treated Andrea. I don't want that for her," Will screams back.
"Do not compare Andrea to Charlotte! Think about it, Will. You knew I used Andrea and didn't want anything with her. With Charlotte I want the world. Every day when we were together I felt alive. I fucking felt happy."
"Yeah, I got that. You're my best friend, man. I turned to you and trusted you."
"And you still can. I love her. I respected you when she was younger. She's not someone I'll throw out or treat badly," I explain. He stares at the floor, his shoulders tense, and when his eyes meet mine, I can see the hurt.
"How the fuck is this happening? How long? I mean did you fucking touch her when she was younger because I swear I'll kill you right here."
"No. I didn't touch her. When she left I lost a piece of myself. I missed her, but then I realized she wasn't coming back to town. Until she did. She's changed my life."
He shakes his head. "Does she love you?"
"Yeah, man, she does. She's loved me since we were younger too. We tried to stay away. I tried so hard, but I couldn't. I don't want to lose you or her. I want you to accept this."
"She's all I have left."
"I know," I say. "I know and I'll respect her until the day I die."
His fists clench and I'm fucking scared he's going to kill me. I had to tell him everything and how I feel about her. His head raises and he looks at me.
"Do you believe me?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Then can you not scare the shit out of me?" I laugh. "I mean, my body is pretty bruised right now."
"Don't push me, Harding. I will kick your ass again."
We laugh and I sit down on the couch, turn on the game, and we sit in my living room playing COD like before.
"How is she?"
Will shrugs. "She moved out for a little bit and she's staying with someone from work. She," he clears his throat, "she's upset. My baby sister only wants to be happy and I stood in the way. I told her how disappointed I am with her."
"She'll be okay. Give her time."
"Yeah," Will says. "Yeah. I miss her and I want her to know how sorry I am."
"I know Charlotte. She wanted this to be kept a secret so you wouldn't be hurt. She loves you, man."
"I get it," Will nods. "Just don't hurt her, okay?"
"I won't."
Setting up what I need to, I pull out my phone and see Charlotte's message letting me know she's here.
Going inside I meet her by the front door and lead her upstairs so she can change into what I bought her.
"What's going on?"
"Just change into what I have for you on the bed and then meet me in the kitchen."
"Oh, okay," she eyes me with suspicion, but doesn't ask me anything more. Watching her go inside I hear her gasp and make my way downstairs to change into my black tux and get her corsage ready. Taking in one breath and letting it out I hear the door open and walk to the bottom of the stairs. The princess pink prom dress is fitted around her middle and flows out like a ball gown.
"Wow," I whisper as I watch her walk down the stairs. Meeting me at the bottom I take her hand and raise it to my lips. "Hi."
"Hi. What is all of this?"
"You'll see." Sliding the pink and white calla lily corsage on her wrist I hook her arm through mine and walk outside. Her eyes go wide as she looks around and sees our friends in their tuxes and gowns waiting for her.
"What?"
"It's your prom night."
"But you already gave me one."
"Yeah, but this one is better because we have your friends, and Will's here."
"What?" She looks at me and back to Will. "He knows?" I nod my head. Charlotte pulls away from me and walks over to her brother. "Thank you," I hear her say and they hug. It's the moment we've waited for and now it's here.
Jane hits the play button on the iPod and a slow song plays. Charlotte turns around and smiles.
Luke Bryan's song To the Moon and Back fills the outside air. I hold my arm out and she walks to me, taking my hand into hers. Spinning her around and pulling her to my body, we sway to the music.
"You're here."
"I'm here, sweet girl. I'm never leaving you."
"I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry I left you and I'm just sorry."
"Shh, it's okay. I know you needed space and I had faith in us. I need you, Charlotte, like I need the air I breathe."
"I'm never leaving you, Troy. I'm yours, always and forever."
Forever.
Forever.
Forever.
I kiss her freely and she melts into my arms. I don't care who's around us. There's no more reason to hide or keep our relationship a secret. We're free to love each other and be together.
The night goes on, we're spending time together with our friends and Will. Everyone seems to have a great time until Will and Aubree, another manager at Exhale, talk. I'm not sure what's going on and I see the tension in his shoulders. Not wanting to bother him I look to Carter and he sees what I see.
"What's going on?"
"Do you remember when we went to Miami?" I nod. "Remember that one girl Will met, slept with, and then she left?"
"Oh fuck. That's her isn't it?" Carter nods and I look over at Charlotte. She eyes me with confusion and I'm not sure what to think or do.
Jane and Charlotte walk over to us and we watch what's going on before our eyes.
"So how does Aubree know Will?" Charlotte asks. I explain the story to her and then see her eyes go wide.
"Oh no," she says.
"What?" I'm so confused right now.
"Just no. Never mind. No."
"Do you want to fill me in?"
"I can't. Not yet."
After they talk, Will comes over to us and grabs a drink. He doesn't say anything, he just starts chugging a beer. Walking to a lounge chair he slumps down and puts his bottle down.
"You okay?" I ask.