Page 87 of No Fear

“Was going to order in. Want to come join us?” Donnie offered. It might be nice to let Charlie get to know some of his friends. Mackie would be a good start.

“Sure. I can pick something up. Any requests?”

“Not pizza. How about some Chinese? Charlie?”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll eat pretty much anything.”

Mackie chuckled. “Alright, I’ll go grab a selection and be over shortly.”

“Thanks, man.”

“You bet.”

Chapter Fifteen

Charlie liked Mackie. He had arrived with far too much Chinese food, claiming he wanted to ensure she had a choice. Mackie was funny, cared about Donnie and it was obvious the two were very good friends. At least she didn’t have to worry about Donnie not being cared for when she went home. Home. Where exactly was that now? Pushing the thought from her mind, she got up and helped Mackie clear away the containers.

“There’s a lot of leftovers,” she said, balancing cartons as she walked toward the kitchen.

“They’ll get eaten, don't worry,” Mackie said over his shoulder.

She laughed, put the cartons down on the small island, and turned back to face Donnie.

Through dinner, Mackie had mostly kept the conversation going, talking more about their teammates, including the women in their lives. It seemed like a very close group of people that loved and cared about each other. Donnie had given the odd comment, but he had been fairly quiet. As she stared at him now, the frown on his face made her heart ache. She hated seeing him like this.

Blind. What if it was permanent? How would he cope? She'd tried to say all the right things, keep him positive. In reality, she was petrified for him.

The shrill notes of a phone filled the small space.

“Oh, that’s me.” She took the phone from her purse, seeing Simon’s name. Shit. He wasn’t going to stop calling. She should speak to him before he went to Albany looking for her or something.

“You can take it in the bedroom if you want privacy,” Mackie said.

“Oh. Yes. Thank you.”

Mackie gestured to a door. She stepped inside what was, she presumed, the guest bedroom. The walls were white and plain. A queen size bed took up almost the whole space. There was built-in shelving that provided some storage and that was it. Charlie sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to rumple the pale gray duvet as she answered the phone.

“Hi, Simon.”

“Charlotte. Finally. Why haven't you answered my calls?” His voice was tight.

“Because I have nothing to say to you, Simon. It’s over.”

“You don’t mean that. We had a fight. That’s all. We’re getting married.”

It sounded like an order, but she realized with a little sadness she didn't really care. “We’re not getting married, Simon. I need you to stop calling and texting me. I’ll make arrangements to come and get my things soon.”

“You can't be fucking serious. I’m coming to see you. We are not over.” His voice held panic.

“I’m away right now and I don't want to see you.”

“It’s the Navy boy, isn’t it?” he challenged. “Donnie. You fucking him now?”

Charlie flinched at his words. He was so angry.

“I knew that bastard wanted you. He’s nothing. A fucking military thug. I’m a goddamn millionaire. What the—”

“I’m hanging up now.” Charlie cut him off. “Stop calling me. When I’m back, I’ll get in touch and come get my things.”