“Still want to go get that drink?” I ask, nodding toward the car.
He squeezes his lips together and nods. “Hell yeah.”
I’m ready to climb into my car and leave. What I’m not ready for is my son taking the three steps to close the distance between us and pull me into an abrupt hug. I wish I could memorize it, and fuck, I try. It’s been so long since he really wrapped his arms around me that I wish time would stop for a moment and let me savor this.
All too soon, he’s pulling away. “All right, let’s go.” Then he climbs into the passenger seat, leaving me stunned.
Beau has a long way to go, and we may never see eye to eye on the club or my relationship with Charlotte, but he’s still my son and I’m not going to let him walk away that easily.
RULE #38: SOMETIMES, THERE ARE NO WORDS NEEDED.
Charlie
When I walk inside, my sister and mom are sitting on the couch. There are red blotches around Sophie’s nose and cheeks, a telltale sign that she’s been crying.
“Oh, Soph, I’m sorry,” I say, dropping onto the sofa next to her. It’s only 1:00 p.m. and already today has been exhausting. There’s still so much to process. Some creep told my dad about me at the club. My mom and dad both know about Emerson and the club and me being auctioned off—insert mortification. And the crème de la crème of the day had to be Emerson Grant proclaiming his love for me in front of everyone. Kind of hard to care about the other stuff when that plays over and over in my mind.
“It’s okay,” my sister mumbles as she rests her head against my shoulder. “I hope you’re not mad that I called Emerson.”
I lift my head and stare at her in surprise. “Mad? No, of course not. You did the right thing.”
“Did you see him slam Dad against the wall?” she asks, hiding her smile as she pinches her lips between her fingers.
Mom and I both laugh. “That was pretty cool,” Mom says.
“I’m sorry for not telling you…” I add, mostly to Mom, since Sophie sort of figured it out on her own. And I guess this might be a conversation more suitable in private, but I like the idea that we don’t keep secrets from each other. At least not anymore.
My mom rubs my knee as she says, “It’s okay, honey. It’s not like I couldn’t tell how old he was. I had my suspicions, but I trust you, Charlie. You’re a strong, smart girl, and I know you can take care of yourself.”
The emotion in my throat stings as I force myself to swallow and not cry. “Thanks, Mom.”
Then, she ruffles my sister’s hair. “And neither of you have to see him or face him until you’re ready. I’m sorry he scared you.”
“It’s okay,” Sophie mumbles.
“Is anyone else in the mood for PJs and movies? I think we need a lazy Saturday.”
“You’re the only one still in PJs,” Sophie says with a laugh.
“So go put yours on. I’m gonna cue up some comfort Disney on the TV and Mom will make the snacks.”
“Sounds good,” Mom replies, jumping up and heading to the kitchen.
Grabbing the blankets from the basket, I curl up next to my sister with my mom on the opposite side, and we escape reality for the next few hours, singing along to our favorite princess movies and trying to forget about today and all of its drama. As much as I want to just shower and go straight to Emerson’s, I need to just be with my family for a while. I need to know they’re okay.
About halfway through the second movie, there’s a knock at the front door. I peer back to see Beau’s shaggy brown hair through the curtains. I let out a heavy sigh. If he’s here to give me shit or talk about this any more, I’m really not in the mood.
“I’ll talk to him,” I say, standing with a sigh.
“Don’t take his shit,” my sister says with a bright smile, and my mother’s jaw falls open.
“Sophie! Watch your mouth.”
I’m still smiling as I open the door. Beau is staring at his feet before lifting his head to look at me.
“Hey,” I greet him, which he then replies with his own lazy, “Hey.”
Stepping onto the front porch, I close the door behind me. But he doesn’t talk right away, and I can tell he’s uncomfortable. If he wants to hate me or be mad at me, I’m willing to let go of our past and our friendship, but if Emerson and I are going to give this a try, I need Beau on my side.
“I’m sorry,” he says so quickly I almost don’t catch it.