Unenthused, her father let uncomfortable silence linger for a few seconds.
“The photographer has been waiting long enough, Charlize,” her father said. He turned and walked back in the house.
“Guess he don’t like a nigga,” Demi said.
Charlie hollered. Charlie absolutely hated to visit her father. Stassi ’s mom had never been the friendliest. Since her mother’s death, her father acted like she was a burden. The only person in her family who had treated her well was Stassi. The “step” had never meant much in stepsisters. They were closer than bloodcould have made them. Demi exited the car, wearing Charlie like she was a second skin. Ass in his hands, her arms around his neck. He carried Charlie like her feet didn’t work. Spoiled. Charlize Woods was spoiled by a man named Demi Sky and she loved it.
When they got to the front door, he placed her on her feet.
“Thank you for staying, Demi,” she said. She pushed open the door.
“Finally! We can begin! Leave it to Charlie to make a day that’s not about her, about her,” Yvonne, her wicked stepmother, said.
“Nice to see you too,” Charlie replied. “Yvonne, this is Demi.”
“And this is a family event,” Yvonne responded.
“If he leaves, I’m right behind him,” Charlie said.
“You’ve shown up with worse, I suppose,” Yvonne focused on Demi. “Welcome. Might as well make yourself at home.”
Demi simply nodded. If he used words, shit would get ugly so he didn’t speak.
Yvonne held out her hand for them to walk ahead of her. When she placed a hand on Demi’s shoulder to guide him, his entire soul left his body.
“Don’t touch him,” Charlie said. She offered no explanation afterward and Yvonne jerked her neck back, offended. Charlie grabbed Demi’s hand and led him through the house.
When they entered the kitchen, Stassi frowned. “Charlie! Hey! What is... I’m surprised you brought a date. You know how Mommy and Daddy are,” Stassi paused. “Hi, Demi.” It was a dry greeting.
Another nod. Demi didn’t seem to be speaking at all today. Demi stared at Stassi for a beat, and in the time it took her to blink, an unspoken threat had been made. She didn’t know what it was, but the look in Demi’s eyes told her she didn’t want to find out.
“And they’re going to be that way regardless of who I show up with so...” Charlie shrugged.
“Well, let’s get you together so we can get these pictures over with,” Stassi said. “There is a makeup artist upstairs.”
Charlie nodded and turned to Demi.
“You don’t have to stay,” Charlie said.
“Go handle your business, Bird, I’m right here,” he said.
“It’ll give me a chance to see who you brought into my house.” Her father interjected, entering the kitchen from the hallway.
“Daddy...” Charlie’s tone was pleading, desperate almost, and Demi didn’t like it.
“Bird...” Demi said, eyes boring into hers. He hated that she looked like she wanted to cry. She feared what her father might say. What he might reveal. How he might offend. Her name on his lips seemed to freeze her. “We’re good.”
His confirmation told her that nothing could happen in this kitchen that would make him leave. She nodded and retreated, leaving Demi to fight the war downstairs.
Stassi led the way to the guestroom that was being used for hair and makeup for family pictures. It was always an event. The annual celebration of her father’s marriage. Yvonne made such a production about it. Charlie had missed six years. It was a joyous occasion for everyone else. For her, it represented the day she had lost her dad. He hadn’t been the same since and it was the date that should have been engraved on her mother’s headstone because the day her father got married was the day her mom’s heart broke.
“Hi, everyone, this is Charlie. We’ll be all set after she’s done,” Stassi said to the team waiting in the room.
“Hi, sorry I’m late,” Charlie said as she sat in the chair.
Stassi sat on the bed behind her as Charlie closed her eyes so the team could start on her face.
“You and Demi. That’s serious?” Stassi asked.
