We’re together, but not. I know Charlie is putting on a happy face for me, and I hate it. I hate that I can tell he’s miserable. Whenever I ask, he tells me he’s fine.
I hate that word.Fine.
He’s so notfine.
“The guys can run it without me.”
“I can stay home with you.”
“No.” Charlie shakes his head, now looking at me. “I want you to go.”
“Are you sure?” Comet brushes by me and hops onto the couch.
“I’m sure. Didn’t you say you needed to talk to Hunter anyway?”
“That can wait until later.”
“No. You go. Have fun.”
I hate the sadness clinging to Charlie. It’s a living, breathing thing that’s hanging between the two of us.
I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here with Charlie and convince him to talk to me. But I don’t think that’s going to happen tonight.
“Okay.”
Charlie grabs the remote and flips to another channel and settles back onto the couch.
“Tell the guys hi for me.” He doesn’t look at me.
“I’ll be home later.”
“See you then.”
I broke my best friend and I’m not quite sure how to fix him.
“Where’s Charlie tonight?”Hunter asks, dipping his paintbrush into theblue paint.
“He’s at home.”
“Why?” Ollie asks, not looking at me but focusing on his own snowman ornament. “He loves ornament night.”
I shrug. “He didn’t feel like coming out.”
Hunter sets his paintbrush down and pushes back into his seat. “What’d you do?”
“Excuse me?” I pierce him with a hard stare. “What didIdo? Why do you assume I did something?”
“Charlie’s not here on one of his favorite nights of the year. I’m only assuming you did something to make him stay home.”
“I told him I didn’t want to get married again.”
This draws Ollie’s attention. “Charlie knew that.”
“I—”
“I don’t think he really thought about it before they started hooking up,” Hunter interrupts.
“That.” I point at Hunter. “Charlie has always wanted to get married and I don’t.”
