Charlotte (Marked Heart #2)

by M. Sembera

Walking back to his truck, Auggie mentally questioned 'Anything else?' wondering what was next. His mom's words were like a double blade that twisted inside his heart. Not only did it hurt like hell to hear what she said about Charlotte, he knew he was just as bad as everyone else because that was exactly the way he felt about her before he knew her.

  "Auggie!" Penny called out, running up to his truck.

  Stopping before he opened the door, he waited for her to meet him before saying, "Now's not a good time, Pen."

  "Maybe she just got scared, hang in there, I know..." she started before he stopped her, saying, "It was me."

  Scowling, she questioned, "Why?"

  "I had to let her go," he replied.

  Giving him a hard shove, Penny griped, "What is wrong with you?"

  "It was going to end anyway."

  Furious with him, she informed, "She was gonna stay."

  A new level of regret burned inside him as he clenched his teeth.

  Penny had tears in her eyes as she berated, "You're such a selfish hard hearted bastard."

  Looking down at the ground, Auggie nodded, confirming, "I know, Pen."

  As Penny stormed back to their mom's house, Auggie opened the door and climbed into his truck.

  ~

  Amila walked into Charlotte's room with a plate of eggs, bacon and toast. Setting Charlotte's breakfast on her nightstand, Amila sat down on the side of her bed and patted her arm.

  "Do you feel like talking, honey?" Amila asked with a sweet smile.

  Shrugging, Charlotte replied, "What's there to say? It's over."

  Giving her another smile, Amila shared, "Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around your secret guy being Auggie. Not to mention, this is the first time I've ever seen a relationship outed and over, all in the same night."

  "I don't know what made me think it would work out," Charlotte thought aloud.

  With a concerned expression, Amila said, "It sure seems like he went through a lot of trouble to break it off with you. I doubt anyone is going to let this go for a while."

  "Do you think it's possible to love someone because of how they are and at the same time wish they weren't the way they are?"

  Amila made a face, asking, "Pardon?"

  Charlotte stared at her for a moment before deciding to catch Amila up to speed.

  After Amila swore whatever was said stayed between them, Charlotte shared what William had asked of her, how absolutely ridiculous Auggie was the first few times she went to his house, the day at the peacock farm and how everything changed the night he kissed her.

  Amila gave a heavy sigh as she admitted, "You're right, Auggie is different...then I thought he was."

  Nodding, Charlotte replied, "He said he had to let me go because of William."

  Amila gave her a strange look, asking, "Because of his dead brother?"

  "Because I was with him."

  "Why didn't you tell him what happened?"

  Shrugging, she replied, "At first, I thought about telling him... Then, I guess I wanted it not to matter. He said that wasn't what he wanted to happen, but he was doing what was right."

  "Do you think he feels like he's being a bad brother?"

  "Yea, I do. The worst thing about it is, I could see how hard it was for him to say those things. But he did it anyway."

  Appearing to be in deep thought, Amila scooted farther onto the bed.

  Charlotte noticed the apprehensive look on her face as she hesitantly opened her mouth.

  "I was married before Emerson." Interested, Charlotte sat up and waited for her to continue, "I cheated on him with Emerson. It was only once and I felt terrible. Romero wasn't perfect, but he was my husband and I betrayed him. To this day, I'm sorry for that."

  Shocked, to say the least, Charlotte questioned, "So y'all got divorced and you married Emerson?"

  Shaking her head, Amila replied, "No, we worked through it."

  "Wait, I'm confused," Charlotte replied.

  As if she was trying to keep a terrible memory at bay, Amila blinked a few tears away, replying, "He died."

  Charlotte thought, 'Dang, do Emerson and Amila have any stories where people survived' as she continued to listen.

  "Several months later, The Society held a birthday party for Ren. She left early and a few of the ladies were being a bit tacky, so I decided to go outside to get some air. Emerson walked up, apologized for what happened and gave me a ride home."

  "And y'all lived happily ever after."

  Amila smiled as she shared the moral to her little story, "A lot of things, serious things were happening but in the process, I fell in love with him. He was all the things I really wanted and never bothered to look for in a man. But Emerson didn't see it that way. He felt because he had made some poor decisions he wasn't worthy of me. See, it didn't have anything to do with me. It was how he felt about himself."

  "I understand what you're saying."

  Nodding, Amila said, "Good. Because although it took a little time, you see he got over himself and here we are."

  Charlotte nodded back before saying, "I'm so happy it worked out with you and Emerson but I'm leaving for Spain Friday, so if Augustus ever gets over himself, I won't be here waiting to find out."

  "You're leaving Friday?" Amila blurted.

  Wishing she was a better person, Charlotte replied, "I'm sorry. I can't stay."

  Amila appeared sad but understanding as she reached her arms around Charlotte, hugging her tight.

  35

  Brothers

  Wednesday was a blur of hurt feelings and mixed emotions for Charlotte. Lola refused to believe Charlotte leaving wasn't meant to personally hurt her, Jenna wouldn't look at her and Silvia was extra snotty. On the upside, her sisters seemed to be forging a tight bond over their opinion of her. Emerson didn't say much to her, but she was pretty sure he was more disappointed in finding out about her and Auggie than the fact that she was leaving. Even though Amila had tears in her eyes every time she looked at her, she never said anything to make her feel bad for leaving.

  As happy as she could be, considering every single thing she did made her heart hurt, Thursday meant she was one day closer to leaving this town, including Auggie, behind her. Penny was sitting on her bed as she folded clothes and placed them in her suitcases. Charlotte was really going to miss her.

  "Maybe you can come visit me?" Charlotte offered.

  "Maybe you could stay and then I won't have to leave the country to see you," Penny retorted.

  Rolling her eyes, Charlotte replied, "Please stop, I feel bad enough."

  Laying Auggie's plaid shirt from her wall in her suitcase, Charlotte blinked back tears.

  "Does he know I'm leaving?" she asked.

  Penny's voice sounded gloomy as she answered, "Yea, I told him."

  Charlotte tried to make light of things as she forced a laugh, asking, "Did he say good riddance."

  "Do you really wanna know?"

  Charlotte was close to breaking down again at the thought that he really might have as she nodded at Penny, needing to know.

  With a distressed expression Penny informed, "He told me to get out of his house."

  "Is he going to be okay?"

  With a heavy sigh, Penny replied, "No, but I'll be here to look after him."

  Shaking her head, Charlotte griped, "Why should I feel bad? He's the one that did this."

  "Same reason you're still wearing the bracelet he gave you. You're in love with him."

  "This is so ridiculous. I should be mad. I should hate him. I shouldn't care at all," Charlotte spouted before sitting down on the bed next to Penny, admitting, "All I can think about is how much I already miss him."

  Placing her arm around Charlotte, Penny said, "I know he misses you too. He's just a stubborn ass and when he gets something in his head... Let's just say I've yet to meet anyone able to knock some sense into him."

  Charlotte rested her head on Penny's shoulder. It did make her feel better to know he was hu
rting too.

  ~

  A steady Thursday night crowd poured into the bar, giving Auggie plenty of distraction from his thoughts. Some of the fuss of his bringing Charlotte had died down, but that didn't change the fact that it hurt to be there. Braden and Penny had done a pretty good job of keeping everyone away from him over the week. When Ren and Jackson came in, Ren just shook her head at him, which was worse than if she had told him off. It didn't matter though because whether he was home or at the bar, Charlotte was all he thought about. And now she was leaving early, he'd never forgive himself for hurting her.

  There was a slight lull in orders allowing Auggie to step back and regroup for a moment when Penny made her way behind the bar.

  "I need to talk to you," Penny stressed with a serious expression on her face.

  "Not now, Pen," he replied, already knowing what the subject would be.

  Placing her hand on her hip, she asked, "When then?"

  "Never."

  Appearing fed up with him, she lowered her voice, saying, "She's packing."

  Auggie forced a shrug as he said, "Makes sense if she's leaving."

  "She was crying too."

  Penny's words struck him and he was pretty sure that's what being struck by lightening felt like. There was a sudden jolt to his heart, his muscles tensed and he couldn't move away from the pain.

  "Why would you tell me that?"

  "Because..." Penny started to say before stopping at the same time the music in the bar abruptly stopped.

  Auggie noticed Braden just standing on stage looking down at the crowd. Ailin and Brooks were looking at each other as if they weren't really sure what was happening.

  As Penny gave Auggie a questioning look, he suggested, "You should go see what the problem is."

  Nodding, Penny headed in that direction.

  It was hard for Auggie to see what was happening at the front of the stage with the crowd that was gathered around it, so he watched Braden. His brother appeared confused and was noticeably breathing hard. Auggie thought maybe he needed a little break until his cellphone vibrated with a text from Penny.

  P: Lily's here with Keven.

  Watching his brother carefully, he texted her back.

  A: Stay right there, I'm going to call Jacks.

  Braden slowly walked up to the microphone continuing to stare down. The entire bar was silent. Auggie moved from behind the bar, to call Jackson.

  "Hello?" Jackson answered.

  "You need to get up here."

  Auggie kept his focus on his brother as he lifted his guitar and started to play, hearing Jackson ask, "What's wrong?"

  "Lily brought Keven up here and..."

  "Where is he?"

  "Braden's playing, I think they're right at the front."

  "Try to keep things calm, I'm on my way."

  Auggie hollered for Lou to take over the bar as he moved closer to keep an eye on things.

  Braden looked like he was fixing to lose it as he started to sing, 'I Don't Love You' by My Chemical Romance. Brooks and Ailin slowly started to keep time with him, both still appearing confused and a little worried now too. Auggie couldn't see Lily and Keven but had a pretty good idea from Braden's direct glare, where they were. It was clear the song was for Lily. Keven was dangerous and Auggie doubted he was there to enjoy the show, but as long as Braden was on stage he could keep an eye on him and wait for Jackson.

  It was hard for Auggie to stand by and watch his brother unravel on stage. Listening to the lyrics as Braden sang them in anguish to Lily.

  When you go would you even turn to say, I don't love you like I did yesterday.

  A guitar solo that sounded like it came from every part of Braden's soul rang out through the bar before he took the strap from around his shoulder, dropped his guitar and held onto the microphone with both hands whispering.

  When you go...would you have the guts to say...I don't love you...like I loved you... yesterday.

  It damn near tore Auggie's heart out when all the music stopped and he saw his brother break on stage, shouting the end of the song at her.

  Say! Ah! Say! I don't love you! Like I loved you yesterday!

  The bar was silent as everyone stared at his brother.

  All of the sudden, Braden was yanked off of the stage.

  Pushing his way through the crowd that was tightly gathering to get a better look at what was happening, Auggie heard Penny shout, "Get off my brother!"

  Shoving people out of the way to get to Braden, Auggie caught sight of Penny sliding across the floor before making it close enough to see her leap onto Keven's back and wrap her arms tight around his neck as he punched Braden in the face over and over.

  "Move Pen!" Auggie shouted, rushing up behind them and pulling her off, so she didn't get hit by accident.

  As Auggie swung and hit Keven in the side of the head, he heard Penny yelling, "If he kills my brother you're next!"

  Without letting go of Braden, Keven reached around and nailed Auggie right in the eye. Dazed for a moment, he glanced around and saw Lily holding her mouth with blood pouring through her fingers as Penny shoved her down and grabbed hold of Keven's arm. Auggie grabbed his other arm thinking between the two of them Braden would have a chance to get away.

  Brooks appeared out of nowhere right in between Keven and Braden and punched Keven in the face. Keven let go of Braden, shook Penny off, elbowed Brooks right above his eye and punched Auggie hard enough to send him flying back. Auggie pulled himself up and grabbed Braden's guitar off of the stage. Brooks leaped over and pulled Penny back as she attempted to stop Keven from hitting Braden again.

  Auggie looked up at Ailin frozen on stage and tried to shake off the ringing in his ears. Brooks wrapped Penny in his arms, moving her further out of the way as Auggie turned and swung Braden's guitar, hitting Keven in the back with it as hard as he could. 'Well hell' Auggie thought as Keven let go of Braden, stood up straight and turned to him.

  A stern voice shouted, "Hey!" causing Keven to focus in that direction.

  By the time Auggie realized Jackson had finally made it, Keven was lying on his back with blood rushing out of his nose and Jackson had his foot firmly planted in his chest.

  They all stared as Jackson stated, "You don't wanna do that," when Keven tried to lift his head.

  Keven let out a loud groan before he was out cold.

  Breathing heavy, Auggie slid to the ground trying to let his adrenaline level out. Glancing around as he surveyed the damage. Ren had cleared everyone back before tending to Braden. He was pretty beat up but coherent and seemed like he was going to be okay. Lily was sitting in a chair crying and still holding her mouth as Auggie thought 'That's what your ass gets'. Brooks had a nice size knot forming across his eyebrow and would be fine unless he didn't get his hands off of his sister, soon. Penny looked a mess but he couldn't see any visible marks on her. And of course Ailin was alright, he'd never left the stage.

  The police arrived shortly after the fight had ended. They questioned everyone and arrested Keven. When the bar closed for the night, Penny, Braden and Auggie retold everything that took place during the fight and gave Jackson the respect he rightly deserved by ending it.

  Luckily Jackson didn't give a lecture, he just said he was glad they were alright and told them to clean up the bar. Once he and Ren left, Ailin wasn't far behind. Auggie assured Penny and Brooks they could go ahead and take off, that he and Braden could handle the rest of the cleanup. They left, at the same time, in separate cars.

  Auggie swept up the last bit of broken glass while Braden sat holding a cold beer against the side of his face. Turning around to see who was at the front doors when they heard a knock, Auggie shook his head at his brother as he watched him get up and unlock the door for Lily. Unable to watch his brother make the same mistake, again, Auggie turned his back to them, dumping the glass from the dust pan in the trash.

  Auggie heard Braden lock the doors before informing, "She said Keven hasn't seen the j
udge but the officer's assured her, with his record and being on probation, he's going away for around ten years."

  Nodding, Auggie replied, "Good."

  Braden sat back down, saying, "Can you believe she asked me to come over."

  "Do you need to go?"

  With a loud sigh, Braden shook his head, replying, "I may be slow but I do learn."

  Propping the broom up against the table, Auggie pulled a chair up and sat down.

  "You alright?"

  Braden shrugged, saying, "Everything hurts."

  Nodding at him, Auggie scowled, asking, "You're not gonna cry now are ya?"

  Shoving his brother a little, Braden laughed, "And get my ass beat twice in one night? No thanks."

  Shaking his head with a laugh, Auggie questioned, "Seriously, you alright?"

  "Yea, how about you?"

  Shrugging, Auggie answered, "No better, no worse."

  "So now that you've had a steady girl, you going back to your old ways or you gonna do the girlfriend thing?"

  "Neither," he replied before sharing, "She was it for me."

  Braden nodded, swearing, "You know, I'm starting to think we're frickin' cursed. You, me and Penny."

  "Ah, I think we're all just dumbasses," Auggie replied before teasing, "You for sure."

  They laughed together for a little bit before Braden gave his brother a serious expression.

  "Thanks for having my back tonight."

  Crossing his arms, Auggie said, "We're brothers."

  Nodding, Braden informed, "And thanks for being a good big brother. You're always looking out for us. I know we give you hell for it but this whole family would fall apart without you."

  Clearing his throat, Auggie, griped, "Come on man."

  "It's true. Mom was always too upset to deal and Dad was always here at the bar, you're the one we've always looked to." Auggie stared at him as Braden continued, "Every time Will got real sick, when Penny needed help with homework, you took Ailin's side when mom found out he was dating Sophia and hell, I can't remember a time when you weren't there for me."

  Auggie gave a heavy sigh, assuring, "Well brother, it's 'cause I love y'all."

  Braden smiled wide at Auggie as he stood up and patted him on the back.