“I know. Me too.” I say as we head to the waiting room. Roman is sitting in one of the chairs, his elbows on his knees as he leans forward. His fingers are intertwined as Charlie stands over him like a disappointed parent.
“The rest of the peanut gallery. Take a seat.” She tilts her head to the other chairs, and I know we’re in for it. Kairo plops down on the right side of Roman, and I take the left as I prepare myself for the bitching of a lifetime.
Charlie levels us with a glare that could kill grown men. She pinches the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes tightly. “Let me get this straight.” She flings an open hand at Roman. “You asked her if she was a fucking addict?”
He sighs, looking down at the floor. “I—”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Charlie laughs bitterly. “You don’t get to defend yourself. I don’t care what the reason is. You had no right to assume the worst about Rosalie. None of you do.”
The back of my neck heats with embarrassment. It wasn’t me who accused her, but I knew Roman was letting his temper get the best of him. The truth is, he wasterrified. I’ve only seen him this worked up a few times in my whole life, and it takes a lot to rattle him this way. Not knowing what was happening to Rosalie made him assume the worst, and he recognizes his mistake.
Roman rubs a hand over his eyes as if he can hide his shame. “I know. I shouldn’t have said that to her.”
“No,” Charlie bites. “You shouldn’t have. Do you have any idea what position she’s in right now? Have any of you considered what she’s going through?” When we stay quiet, she continues. “Let me put this into perspective for you. She’s scared. Her piece of shit father, who has been estranged from her for years, is selling her information to fans. He’s possibly been paying off her old security team in the hopes of someone harming her. She had to fire her old team, and who shows up on her doorstep? The three men who bullied her to the point of—” She cuts off mid-sentence, placing a hand over her mouth as if she’s choked up. She turns away quickly, shaking her head.
My heart plummets at the implication behind her missing statement. A cold shiver bites at my spine as I stare at the manager in shock.
“The point of what, Charlie?” Roman says slowly.
Kairo is just as stunned as I, though he shows it differently. He stands from his chair, tucking his hands behind his head as he paces. “I can’t hear this…”
“It’s nothing,” Charlie says resolutely as she slashes a hand out at us. “Just give her a fucking break. She doesn’t deserve this.”
Roman stands, towering over the manager as his face hardens. “What happened to Rosalie after high school?”
The manager blanches, “It isn’t my place to tell you that.You have a lot of nerve asking me.”
I can see the moment he snaps. His eyes get this intense look that I’ve only seen once. It was when he found out his dad had succumbed to his sickness. Roman’s expression is wild and lost, like he can’t piece together what his mind is conjuring. “Did she hurt herself? Is that why she needs therapy—”
Charlie whirls on him fast, hot, heavy tears streaking down her cheeks as she jabs a finger into his chest. “Don’t you dare! You have no idea what she’s been through, and I’m not telling you a damn thing! You three put her through so much shit that I thought I was going to lose my best friend…” She shakes her head, her face screwing up. “You’re a sorry mother fucker, and you deserve every bit of hell she gives you.”
Roman nods, swallowing back the emotion in his throat as we all soak in the weighted silence of the waiting room. It’s overwhelmingly quiet, and we can’t even defend ourselves because Charlie is right.
We fucked up.
In high school and now.
We need to rectify this. We have to do right by Rosalie.
The waiting room door opens, and we all look up as a short woman with bright red curls pushes a stroller into the room. She’s mousy, with delicate features and pastel clothing that gives her a soft look.
“Hey, baby,” Charlie greets before giving her a quick peck.
The redhead melts into Charlie’s embrace. “I got here as fast as I could. How’s Rose?”
“She’s stable and very angry.” The manager chuckles flatly.
The newcomer’s eyes gloss over us as she tilts her chin. “The three dumbass peas of a pod, I presume.”
Kairo gives her a half-hearted wave, and Roman smacks him upside the head.
Charlie nods tightly as she places her hand at the small of the redhead’s back. “This is my wife, Evelyn.”
“Hi,” We all greet quietly.
Evelyn gives her partner a raised eyebrow expression. “They seem docile enough.”
“Yeah, because they’re in trouble.”
