But I am.
Hannah suddenly lunges forward and hugs him, arms flung around his neck as if she’s known him forever. Brodie goes still, only for a second, then he lifts his hands to hug her back, careful and gentle.
‘You give very good hugs, Hannah.’
‘I know!’
I’m not crying. I swear I’m not.
Hannah’s never shy with people who feel safe. She turns to me and grins from ear to ear. ‘You’ve got little love-hearts in your eyes, Charlie.’
My face goes up in flames. ‘Jesus, Button! Boundaries.’ I throw her a warning look, but she just lifts her chin, smug as hell.
She’s a Harrington, all right.
Brodie’s full-on grinning now, too, like he’s won something without even trying.
Hannah pulls back, beaming likehe granted her three wishes. ‘Thank you. You’re tall.’
‘Aye. I know.’ He chuckles.
‘And scruffy,’ Hannah declares. ‘You should comb your hair.’
Brodie shrugs. ‘That’s accurate, too.’
Priya’s watching the whole thing with a smile. She checks her watch. ‘Oh, shoot. Time to get her backstage.’
I give her a quick smile. ‘Alright, superstar. Let’s go.’
Hannah grabs my hand. ‘You’re coming with me.’
‘Of course, Button.’ I glance at Brodie. ‘You’ll…find a seat?’
He nods, his gaze never leaving mine. ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
I make myself turn away, guiding Hannah through the bustle of kids and costumes, trying not to stumble under the tilt of it all. I risk a glance back once, one second, and he’s still standing there. Looking.
I barely remember the performance. It’s a blur of stage lights and harmonies. Hannah did it. She nailed most of the notes, remembered nearly every word, and owned that stage with her sparkling cowboy hat, radiating joy. She gave it everything, added a little shoulder shimmy during the chorus, pointed straight at the crowd. A little pop star in full command. She worked sohard for this. And the audience went mad. Cheering, clapping. I believe I heard Brodie’s voice above the rest. But that might have been my imagination.
Now I’m waiting in the foyer, feet aching from standing, still thrumming with nerves and awe. Priya took Hannah to grab a snack from the canteen before they headed home and I back to my Airbnb – because I’m neither ready nor willing to sleep under the same roof as my father. So I’m left here with my thoughts.
And thoughts are a dangerous thing.
I keep replaying it in my head. Brodie showing up, his face when he handed Hannah the hat. He skipped a game and came to London. Not to win me back. Not to prove a point. Just… because he loves me.
He loves me.
Air staggers in slow and ragged. It’s too much. But it’s not shock anymore. It’s something heavier. The start of a decision I’m not sure I’m ready to make.
I sense him before I see him. His presence fills the space and wraps around me. I turn, and there he is.
‘Charlie. Can we talk?’
I don’t know if I’m ready to hear this. But of course, I say, ‘Okay.’
‘This is…tough.’
‘I know,’ I whisper. ‘It really is.’
