Chapter 7
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From the passengerseat in Derek’s Hellcat, Charlie stared past him and out the driver’s window. Her nerves were in high gear as she stared at the house she’d practically grown up in. The brown, craftsman-style house looked the same, yet different.
Kind of like me.
The last time she was here, her entire world had changed. She couldn’t help but wonder whether or not that would happen again.
“What are you thinkin’?” Derek’s deep voice tore through her thoughts.
She bit her lip. “Nothing important.”
“If you’re thinkin’ it, it’s important.”
An unfamiliar warmth spread through Charlie’s chest. She couldn’t even remember the last time anyone cared what she thought.
“You’ll probably think it’s silly, but I’m...nervous.”
“You have the right to your feelings. Doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Including me.”
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she held them back. It seemed all she did lately was cry.
“Do they know?”
Understanding what she was asking, Derek took her hand in his. “Only that you’re separated from your husband, and you needed to get away for a few days. But it wouldn’t matter if they did. Those two people in there still care about you very much.”
Charlie cared about them, too. Mr. and Mrs. West had been more like parents to her than her own ever were. The last thing she wanted was to have them take pity on her.
Pushing her fears aside, she sat up a little straighter and ran her fingers through her hair.
“How do I look.”
Derek’s eyes darkened slightly, and his voice lowered. “You look perfect.”
Her heart thumped a bit harder. “Thanks.” She smiled shyly.
Charlie had spent a little extra time on her makeup, doing her best to cover the bruises on her chin and temple. She’d also left her hair down, hoping it would hide those and the cut near her eyebrow.
Knowing Derek’s mom, the woman would still figure things out. Marcia West was one of the kindest, sweetest women she’d ever known. She also seemed to always know what was going on, even without having to be told.
It made it hard for Derek and his brother to get away with much when they were younger. Of course, that didn’t stop them from trying.
“We’d better get in there before Mom comes lookin’ for us.”
Charlie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay.”
The scent of fried chicken and other delicious aromas hit her nose as they made their way up the brick path. Almost protectively, Derek kept one hand resting against her lower back the entire time.
Having paired a silky white blouse with her dark jeans, she could feel the heat radiating from his palm against her skin. Every step caused it to shift back and forth slightly, sending an unfamiliar tingling deep inside Charlie’s belly.
Though she knew his touch was innocent, the sensation it caused was one she hadn’t felt in years.
Not bothering to knock, Derek opened the screen door and stepped aside, giving her room to walk past.
