Charlie

by Davis, Siobhan

  I whirl around, anger blazing in my eyes. “You are too fucking late, Charlie. I don’t want to hear your pathetic excuses. You tossed me away without even talking about your concerns, and you think I’ll waltz back into your arms because you’ve realized you were a complete fucktard and you’ve decided you want me back?”

  I’m aware I’m talking way too loud, and that people are listening, but I have zero fucks to give anymore. “That is not how this works.” I shove at his chest. “Stay the hell away from me. As far as I’m concerned, you are dead to me. Go cozy up to your new redheaded girlfriend instead. Maybe, she’ll buy your bullshit because I’m not.”

  I storm out of the building, wishing today hadn’t been the day my Volvo decided not to start. Because it’s lashing rain outside, and I’m quaking all over as the aftermath of the adrenaline rush leaves me unsteady on my feet. I walk in the pouring rain to the bus stop, ruing the day I ever stepped foot in that building, wishing I had never laid eyes on Charlie Barron.

  I climb on the bus, soaked to my skin with hair plastered to my face, and I wish I could click my fingers and be at home in my jammies, snuggled up with Dad in front of the fire, watching one of his historical documentaries.

  I’m halfway home when my cell pings. I pick up, and I’m instantly alarmed as Mrs. Griffin’s sobs trickle down the line.

  “What’s happened? Is Dad okay?”

  “I’m so sorry, sweetie. Your dad collapsed. He’s having trouble breathing. I called an ambulance, and they’ll be here any minute.”

  The world blurs, my stomach churns, and I clutch the handrail in front of me, gripping the metal as tight as I can, needing something to ground me in time and place because I’m floundering. A silent scream builds and builds inside me, and I hop up, pressing the bell, pushing past people in my haste to get to the top. I drop my cell, and Mrs. Griffin’s voice can be heard calling me. I pick it up with trembling fingers as the driver stops the bus and I get out. I press my cell to my ear, and my voice is as hollow as my heart as I speak. “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

  I pull the Uber app up on my cell and book a car to take me there.

  Then, I sit down on a bench and pray like I’ve never prayed before.

  CHAPTER 18

  Charlie

  I purposely sit in a different seat when I return to the table after visiting the bathroom, because I have officially reached the limits of my patience reserves and I cannot bear another second in Corrinna Smith’s company.

  For an educated woman, she sure is dumb as fuck, continuing to paw at me and blatantly flirt when I have made it clear, over and over, that I am not interested nor will I ever be interested.

  I make a mental note to ask Arthur if there is protocol in place for firing the chief human relations officer because I want that poisonous bitch gone from my business.

  After Demi’s cryptic comment earlier, I went straight to Margaret Ann to get the lowdown.

  Margaret is the ultimate professional, and she’s not one to spread gossip, but she has her ear to the ground in the office, and if I ever need to know something, I always go to her. It helps that she’s known me since I was a little boy and she trusts me.

  Demi mentioned a redhead, and it didn’t take much to connect the dots. I asked Margaret point-blank if there was gossip about me and Corrinna and she spewed without hesitation.

  That gold-digging bitch spread the word around the office that she was my date tonight, knowing it would get back to Demi and sabotage any chances of us reuniting.

  It’s my fault because when she suggested I bring her as my official date, earlier in the week, I told her the only woman I would consider bringing anywhere as my date was Demi because she was the love of my life and I was going to try to patch things up with her.

  I thought she would take the hint and take a hike, but I should’ve known she would turn nasty.

  Now, everything I planned is ruined because Demi won’t even give me the time of day let alone allow me to whisk her away for the weekend.

  I know I fucked up big-time.

  That I needed to make a grand gesture to try to make up for it.

  And I instantly knew what I wanted to do. Because Demi is the one. There is zero hesitation in my mind, and I need her to see I’m serious about our future and that I won’t ever push her away again.

  I’ve spent all week putting plans in place. Groveling to her dad and her best friend. Laying my heart on the line as I begged them to help me, finally winning their support when I showed them the pretty gold-colored diamond engagement ring I’ve bought her and told them of my plans to whisk her away to Cape Neddick by private jet and propose to her on Nubble Light, Maine’s most famous lighthouse, which also happens to be the very place where her parents got engaged.

  Henry mentioned that during one of our talks, and I filed it away for future reference. I’ve booked a gorgeous property, close to the lighthouse, for the entire weekend because I want to make our engagement a memory to cherish forever.

  But that’s shot to hell now, thanks to that spiteful bitch.

  My phone pings in my pocket, and I pull it out, ignoring the fake hurt looks Corrinna is throwing my way from across the table. I’ve no doubt she’ll be over here as soon as she can extricate herself from her current conversation, but I’m not planning on sticking around.

  These management events bore the shit out of me, and I’ve more urgent places I need to be. If I could’ve gotten out of it, I would’ve been groveling at Demi’s door hours ago, but I couldn’t, so I swore I would stay until dinner was over and then make my excuses.

  I frown as I spot the numerous missed calls from Abby, Drew, and Kai. I’d turned my phone off while we were having dinner, and now, I’m sorry I did, because something is clearly wrong.

  Fear causes goose bumps to sprout on my arms as I accept Abby’s call now, jumping up, narrowly avoiding bumping into the waitress distributing dessert to the table. “What’s wrong?” I ask before she can speak.

  “I’m at the hospital. It’s Demi’s dad. He’s had a heart attack, and it’s not looking good.”

  “I’m on my way.” I hang up, hustling toward where Arthur sits. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Henry Alexander is in the hospital. Demi needs me.”

  “Go. And keep me updated.”

  I feel Corinna’s eyes on me as I race out of the restaurant.

  I pace the sidewalk as I wait for my driver to emerge from the underground parking lot.

  I sit with my face in my hands in the back seat of my car, praying I get there in time.

  I bump into people as I run through the hospital doors, pushing my way into the elevator, ignoring the filthy looks, because all I care about is being there for Demi.

  Kai is in the corridor when I emerge from the elevator. “Any news?” I ask.

  “All we know is he’s had a coronary and he’s in surgery now.”

  “How is she?”

  “Barely holding it together.”

  “Take me to her.”

  “This way,” Kai says, lifting one shoulder. “I don’t know how she’ll react to your presence, but it’s good you’re here.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” We stop outside the door to the waiting room. I clamp my hand on his shoulder. “I just want to say thanks. I think I’d still have my head stuck up my ass if it wasn’t for our conversation.”

  “I know you would have.” He smirks, punching me in the upper arm. “Like I said, I totally understand. I tried to shield Abby from it too until I realized she was safest with me. You know how the elite work. It doesn’t matter that you pushed Demi away to protect her. They could find out about her in a heartbeat and still use her against you. The safest way of ensuring she’s safe is keeping her close.”

  “The thought of anything happening to her kills me, Kai. I would burn the world down if anyone hurt her. Mom and Lil too.”

  I’m so glad my family is
back home where they belong. Where I can keep an eye on them and keep them safe. Mom and I still have some way to go, but when she told me she’s forgiven me, I broke down and sobbed like a baby. I know it’s going to be all right, and now, I just need to win back the girl I love.

  Demi is the only girl who matters.

  She’s the only girl I want for now and always.

  “We won’t let anything happen to them,” he reassures me, and I’m glad I let my stubborn pride go and mended shit with my friends, because with the stuff coming down the line, we need to stick together as a united team.

  The elite ball was a real eye-opener. The new president said all the right things, but everything we suspected is coming to fruition. The reorganizing committee is just a PR exercise to make it look like he’s committed to change when he’s most definitely not.

  We’ve all been summoned to the newly constructed Parkhurst—now housed in some sprawling private facility in Virginia—for some final initiation tasks in two months. Abby and Vanessa have been summoned too, which is cause for concern, along with Harley and Joaquin. The mothers haven’t been included, but we’ve no doubt plans are afoot there too.

  So, yeah, shit is getting real. And I need to ensure my loved ones are safe before it all kicks off.

  “You ready, man?” Kai asks, curling his hand around the door handle.

  “As I ever will be.”

  We step into the small waiting room, mostly occupied with people here for Henry. Xena is here with her boyfriends. Drew is chatting quietly with Shandra while Olivia and Sylvia are talking with Margaret Ann.

  Abby jumps up when she sees me. “I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers. “She’s distraught.”

  “I can see that,” I say, my eyes glued to Demi’s trembling shoulders. She’s seated in the far corner with Mrs. Griffin. Demi is hunched over with her head in her hands, her dark hair falling around her face like a curtain. Mrs. Griffin has her arm wrapped tight around her shoulders, whispering words of comfort, no doubt.

  “I know you had big plans this weekend, Charlie, but she doesn’t need to hear any of that right now.”

  I gawk at her. “I am not a complete imbecile.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” Xavier says, entering the room from behind, carrying a tray with coffees. Hunt slips in behind him with another tray, and they start distributing them.

  “Rick is in the air,” Kai says, hauling Abby into his arms. “Hopefully, he can talk to some of the doctors and find out what’s going on.”

  I take a coffee from Hunt, nodding gratefully, as I extricate myself from the conversation and walk to Demi.

  Mrs. Griffin lifts her head up, smiling softly when she sees me. She knows about my plans because I’ve already paid her handsomely to stay with Henry this weekend.

  “I’m going to take a little trip to the bathroom,” she says, giving Demi’s shoulders one last squeeze.

  I sit down on Demi’s other side as she lifts her head. She watches Mrs. Griffin walk off before she slowly turns to face me. Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen, her face puffy and red from crying. “Hey.” I hand her the coffee, and she curls her fingers around it while staring straight through me. “How are you holding up?”

  She stares numbly at me. “Why are you here?” she asks, her voice devoid of emotion.

  “I came the instant I found out because I want to be here for you.”

  “Why?” She hugs the coffee cup to her chest.

  I smother my nerves because this isn’t about me. “Because I love you. And I love your dad. And there is nowhere else I want to be but right here holding your hand and cradling you in my arms, reminding you that you are not alone, because you have me. You have always had me.”

  Her lower lips wobbles, and silent tears roll down her face. Gently, I pry the cup from her hands and set it aside. I open my arms. “Come here.”

  I expect her to hesitate or to refuse, but she falls against me, collapsing in a river of tears.

  Quietly, our friends exit the room, giving us some privacy. In the other corner, a young child is asleep in his father’s lap. The man nods, and I smile at him as I wrap my arms tighter around Demi.

  “I’m so scared, Charlie.” She sniffles, clutching my shirt as she sobs into my chest.

  “I know, baby.” I press a kiss to her hair. “We just have to pray he comes through this.”

  She looks at me through blurry eyes. “I don’t want him to die,” she sobs, “but I feel so selfish for thinking that since he has little quality of life.”

  “I heard the treatment wasn’t working, and I’ve seen how weak he’s become.”

  “What? How?” Her tears dry up.

  “I’ve been visiting him every week. I made him promise not to tell you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I care about him, and I wanted to know if the treatment was working.” I brush hair back off her face. “I was sorry to hear it wasn’t.”

  “I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. We tell each other everything.”

  I clear my throat. “I wanted him to understand why I pushed you away. I’ve been talking to him about the elite. Sharing my concerns and fears. Letting him know I love you with my whole heart but I’m terrified about dragging you into this world. And he’s been talking to me, helping me work things out, speaking about your mom, and my dad, and I guess we’ve been getting to know each other a bit better.”

  It was a combination of Kai’s and Henry’s advice that convinced me to fight for love. Knowing Demi’s dad supports me was a game changer. I laid it all on the line. He’s worried about her, there’s no doubt about that, but he believes in my ability to protect her and keep her safe, and he told me he could die in peace knowing his little girl was going to be looked after.

  “What about Corrinna?” she asks, swiping at the moisture under her eyes.

  “She lied in a deliberate attempt to thwart my plans. I stupidly told her I was planning on winning you back.” I kiss the end of her nose. “I’m sorry if that hurt you but I can assure you I have zero interest in that woman. The only woman I care about, the only woman I love, is you.”

  She flings her arms around my neck, hugging me tight. “I love you too,” she whispers. “I love you so much, and I’ve been in so much pain.”

  “I know, baby.” I dot kisses all over her face. “It’s killed me too. Can you ever forgive me?”

  “I already have,” she says, her eyes welling up again.

  I blink a few times, amazed at her generosity and her ability to forgive so easily. “I don’t deserve that, but thank you.”

  “I was so mad earlier,” she says. “And I meant every word of what I said, but these past few hours I’ve been sitting here, thinking about how unpredictable life is, how short our time is with our loved ones, and I don’t want to waste precious time arguing with you.” She palms my cheek. “We still have stuff to discuss, and you are going to grovel.” She pins me with a stern expression. “But all that matters is, we love each other.”

  “And we can’t live without one another,” I add, rubbing my nose against hers.

  “And we’re in this together no matter what the future holds,” she says.

  “Together,” I agree.

  Her smile is sad, but as we hold one another, I know we will get through the tough times, because I will hold her up at times when she needs it, and she will be my strength when I need to lean on her.

  I hold her flush to my body as I press my lips to her mouth, pouring all my love into my kiss, letting her feel my commitment and my determination, so she knows, without a shadow of doubt, that she will never shoulder any burden alone again.

  CHAPTER 19

  Demi

  “I got you some more stuff from your house,” Charlie says, entering Dad’s private room in the hospital and dropping a duffel bag on the tile floor at my feet.

  “Thank you.” I rub his arm as he leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

  “Any change?” he
asks, sinking into the seat beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

  I shake my head, unable to form the words. These past four days have been extremely difficult, and I doubt I’d be holding it together if it weren’t for Charlie. He’s my rock, and I’m glad he’s here. He only leaves to grab food or pick up more clothes for me from my house, and I know he’d sleep here too if the nurses didn’t throw him out every night and if he didn’t have a family at home waiting for him. Charlie’s only just reconnected with his mom and sister, and I don’t want to come between them—no matter how often he tells me they understand.

  “Has the doctor been around yet?” He holds me tight, planting a kiss in my hair.

  “He should be here any minute now.” I’ve come to dread the daily doctor’s visits because the news is never good. Dad had a massive heart attack, depriving his brain of oxygen, and he’s been in a coma ever since. Deep down, I know what it means, but I can’t face it. Not until I’m forced to. I squeeze Dad’s hand, needing the comfort of his warm skin against mine even though I know it’s only an illusion. Dad’s body is failing, and there’s no coming back from this. “And I think today’s the day.” Where he tells me there’s no point keeping him on life support any longer.

  “I’m here, babe. Whatever he says, we’ll face it together.” He kisses my cheek, and his eyes shine with compassion. “I might have to step out for a little while this afternoon to take a con call,” he adds. We’ve both taken time off work, but Charlie is the president, so he still needs to take calls and check emails, and he works on and off from this room with an iPad in his lap. “I couldn’t get out of it, but otherwise, I’m stuck to your side.”

  “I appreciate everything you’ve done.” I gently cup his face. “I can only do this because you’re with me.”

  He kisses the tip of my nose. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, babe. You are one of the strongest people I know. But I’m glad I’m here with you, and I’m going nowhere.”