“What’s going on?” Charlie asks, crossing her arms skeptically. She immediately takes the defense, and I only have myself to blame for that. The sooner I get this over with, the better.
“Charlie, I’m here to apologize.”
Her arms relax. “What? Why?”
“Because I was an asshole to you. A terrible boyfriend. I used you, didn’t treat you the way you deserved to be treated. I, uh…”
Fuck, this is hard.
Without looking her in the eye, I quickly mutter the worst part. “I cheated on you…twice.”
When I finally look up at her, she’s staring back in confusion. Brow furrowed and head tilted, she looks completely lost.
“Why are you doing this now?” she asks.
“Because…you’re getting married today, and before you do…I want everything between us to be forgiven, forgotten, and in the past.”
“Beau…” She says my name with a sigh, letting her crossed arms drop. “I’ve already forgiven you. I’m not mad…”
“But I never apologized.”
“Well, I appreciate it, but you didn’t have to do this—"
“Yes, I did,” I say with conviction. “I should have done it a year ago. Fuck, I never should have done any of that crap in the first place, but to be honest…if me being a dick to you…brought you two together, then I’m not mad about that.”
She gives me a confused squint.
“What I mean is…I’m sorry, but I’m glad…”
“You’re glad you were a terrible boyfriend?”
“No,” I stammer, “I’m glad you found him. I’m glad you’re marrying my dad, I guess. Fuck, this is weird.”
I let out an exasperated sigh, and a moment later, Charlie lets out a lighthearted laugh that turns into a heavy cackle. It softens the hard, uncomfortable exterior I was wearing when I walked into this conversation.
“This is weird, but I think it’s really sweet that you came here to say this to me. You’ve changed, Beau. I hope you find as much happiness as I have. I really do.”
“Thanks,” I reply, my mind instantly going to Maggie.
“And thanks for sticking up for Sophie that night at the ice cream shop. I’m sorry you got hurt, but I bet it felt good to shake that little asshole up first.”
I smile as I rub the new scar above my brow. “Yeah, it did.” It felt even better to get the punch I deserved, but I don’t tell her that part.
“You wanna stay for mimosas?” she asks with an awkward smile.
Shaking my head, I shove my hands back in my pockets. “Tempting, but no. I gotta get going. I’ll…uh, see you later.”
“See you later,” she replies with a wave.
I leave through the side gate instead of facing the swarm of women inside. Once I’m in my car, I let out the heavy breath I was holding. It almost feels like the first real deep breath I’ve taken in a long time. I feel free.
I get ready for the wedding at Maggie’s house to avoid my mother. She has nothing nice to say about today, and I’m tired of hearing about it. Standing in the kitchen, I scroll through my phone in my uncomfortable tux as I wait for Maggie to come down. We have to drive separately—again—but I don’t want to get there that much earlier than her.
When I hear her heels click against the stairs, I head toward the sound, staring down at my phone as I wander mindlessly through her house.
“I’m ready,” she announces, and I look up from my phone, frozen in place, gaping at her. She’s in a tight, black strapless gown. It hugs her hips and shows off the fullness of her tits. Instinctively, I lick my lips, biting the lower one as I think about peeling that dress off her later.