I sit there looking at my letters, tears still streaming down my face. I’m truly not enjoying that I’m a crier nowadays. But I guess it’s better than letting your life pass by as you don’t live. I debate tossing the notebook and just letting the emotions I bore be tossed away. But then I think about how much hurt I feel, and I do something brash. I print out the postage and grab an old amazon poly mailer. Once the label is tapped on the front, I walk it out to the mailbox and raise the flag for pick up.
There’s still probably about four hours before the mailman picks it up, so I can change my mind at any time. But I don’t. I think it’s about time that Mikael gets the reality check that he isn’t the only person in this fucked up pack with feelings.
Chapter thirty-nine
Twomoreawaygames,more time away from Charlotte. I knew this was going to be hard back when we started our relationship but damn. I wonder when Anders and I should mention that one specific part of our contract that includes her. I know that it’s too soon now. Everything is about healing and getting closer. Not that Mikael is helping at all. There’s always so much tension between the two of them. Anders and I have agreed to let them try to make it work before we meddle. The last thing I want to do is leave Mikael behind, but as much as I hate to say it, Charlotte comes first.
I feel like I’ve done a good job of being there for Charlotte and showing her how much I need her in my life. But I want to do more. Charlotte always said I needed more fun in my life, and now I feel like we’ve switched. Sometimes when we talk on the phone or I see her face, I can still see sadness written in her expression, and I just want to make her heart feel lighter.
Me:Are you free tomorrow at noon?
Charlotte:Hm… Let me check my schedule… Yup, I’m free.
Me:I’ll pick you up. Tell Hank he can come.
Charlotte:See you tomorrow at noon. <3
I have a big stupid grin on my face when she texts me back, and a part of me is eager to have her to myself. That’s when Anders walks into the room with the biggest pout on his face.
“You already asked her on a date tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” He nods, and I feel guilty as fuck, so I sigh. “You can join us.”
“You’re sure?” he asks, though I can tell he really wants to come. The season is brutal, and our free time is limited, so I would feel like an asshole for hoarding Charlotte to myself.
“Yeah, you can come too.”
He squeezes me by the neck and kisses the side of my head like I’m a child who did something he’s proud of. “Thanks, man.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just don’t be a cock block.”
He gasps and clutches his chest. “I would never. So where are we going?”
“Fall festival.”
Anders points at me and smirks. “Girls love fall festivals.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Looks like you’re trying to come for my spot as the Omega whisperer. Don’t think I don’t see you, Eli.” I roll my eyes and turn back to my laptop, making sure I plan the perfect date for tomorrow. Anders has been so much happier lately. Honestly, we all have. Mikael might be in denial again, but he isn’t drinking as much or doing reckless shit. I think he doesn’t even realize how much knowing Charlotte is safe has calmed his Alpha nature.
It pained me to smell anything that reminded me of Charlotte’s scent, but now it brings me the same comfort it used to. I need this to work so badly. Those months without her have made me realize just how much we’re destined to belong to each other. And I’ll be fucking damned if anything gets in the way of Charlotte being mine.
My palms are sweating, and it’s embarrassing as hell as I knock on Charlotte’s door. She opens the door, her blonde hair blown back by a light gust of wind. I barely have a moment to take in her smile. A smile that I haven’t seen in forever. It’s one of genuine excitement. I have to look away only because Hank’s huge fucking head is in my crotch.
“Hey, boy.” I pet his head and push him out of my crotch as he leaves a trail of slobber and sits next to Charlotte.
“Good boy, Hank.” She gives me a sheepish look and smiles when she sees Anders waving from the car because we couldn’t find parking. “Hank’s just excited to get out of the house.”
I nod and note that I think Charlotte is feeling the same way. She’s wearing a Foxes branded hoodie, and I can’t help but grin. That’s got to be a good sign.
“You sure you’re gonna be warm enough?” I ask her. It’s nice enough for early November, but I know how she can get.
“Yeah, I’ll be good,” she assures me by squeezing my forearm and giving me a smile. I’m so gone for this girl, and I hope that today is everything she needs.
“Alright, let’s head out.”
I take Hank’s leash in one hand and hers in the other as we walk to the car. I open the passenger door for her to get in, and she shakes her head at me. “Eli, you sit up front. No way will you be comfortable in the backseat.”
