“It’s nothing.” Chuck tries to sneak away, but Minni grabs his arm.
“Tell me what’s going on right now.”
“Fine.” He shoots me a glare like this is my fault. “I asked Brad to keep an eye on Charlie. Keep him safe if anyone tries to mess with him.”
Instead of yelling at him like we both expect, her face falls. “I’m no better. I asked Brad to put in a good word for the town. So he’d stay.”
Chuck laughs and shakes his head.
The door opens, and Harper enters right as Chuck says, “I can’t believe we both asked Brad to take care of Charlie.”
“Guilty,” Harper says. “That makes three of us.”
Maybe now I can convince them that Charlie can take care of himself. Except the strangled gasp tells me it’s too late. Charlie stands behind Harper, his eyes filled with angry tears. He gives me a hurt look and takes off.
I try to get past the others in the room, but they’re all telling me it’s okay. Charlie will be fine. I finally break free and catch him at the door. “Wait, let me explain.”
Charlie swings around and raises his chin. “No explanation needed. You did a great job of taking care of me. Keeping me safe at work. Taking me to the hospital. And—everything after.”
My heart breaks. “Charlie, please.”
He shakes his head. “Seriously, great job, Coach. You’ve gone above and beyond.”
“That’s not… I wasn’t… I can explain. But not here.” Not without telling everyone we’re together. Were together. I guess that will be Charlie’s decision.
“It’s fine, Brad. You’re relieved of duty. You’ve done enough.”
I want to beg him to listen, but instead, I go for practical. “But what about thething?It’s a lot of work,” I remind him. His eyes tell me he can’t handle this. Not right now. “I just want to help.”
“All I need you to do,” he says in a flat voice, “is to stop helping.”
15
CHARLIE
Tuesday, February 10th
The next coupleof days are torture. The tiles were positive for asbestos, so the project is on hold until the asbestos is removed and the house is deemed safe.
At the office, I’ve been focused on going over the revised plan and making sure everything else is in order. My worry is that if I don’t get this right, I’ll be replaced. Raja hasn’t said as much, but my brain hates me.
The only good thing, I guess, is that I’m not around Brad every day, and I can’t be tempted to listen to him.
It doesn’t matter. I don’t really expect my parents to treat me like an adult. But Brad… He didn’t have to go along with it.
Late at night, during weak moments, I let myself think about him. The way he looked at me. His deep laugh. And I swear, I’m going to cut my hair because every time a strand falls in my face, I can feel his fingers sweeping it away. The longing for him cripples me, and I have to fight the urge to call him.
Don’t shit where you eat. My dad’s crass words taunt me. How am I in this position again? But it’s not the same.
And to top it off, I’m trying to plan this anniversary party all alone. Which is why I’m at my parents’ house, trying to get decorating ideas.
“I’m sorry, Charlie. We made a mess of things.”
“It’s fine.”
Mom’s repotting her plants. Stress-gardening is a thing. Even in the winter. Especially in the winter, according to my mom.
“You’re not very good at lying.” She spreads newspapers over the kitchen floor and places her supplies off to the side. “Your dad said you’re not speaking to Brad.” There’s a question there, but I’m not exactly sure what it is.
