Page 27 of Faking it with my Off Limits Neighbor

“We’re going to see Charlie.”

“Troy, you can’t,” she say half laughing, still fighting my grip.

“Watch me,” I spit.

I know Charlie is home because her car is in the driveway. I hustle Milly in front of me, and we finally reach Charlie’s front door. I’m angry, and I have to temper how hard I knock on the door. I don’t want her thinking it’s the cops or something.

A few seconds later, we’re welcomed by a bewildered smile. Before Charlie has a chance to speak, I growl, “Milly has something to tell you. Can we come in?”

Charlie opens the door wider, now frowning as she gestures for us to enter. With a nod of thanks, I march Milly into Charlie’s kitchen. When I turn, I see that Charlie has entered the room behind us.

“Tell her what you just told me,” I say to Milly.

Milly looks worried, but I don’t care. I told her not to get involved with my private life when I arrived, especially where Charlie Woods was concerned. Grandma would only think Charlie and I were back together if someone told her, and it sure as heck wasn’t me.

“Tell her,” I press.

“What is going on?” Charlie says.

Milly takes a huge breath in and then blows it out. “Grandma thinks you and Troy are back together. She also thinks you’re coming to her birthday party,” she says in a rush.

“What?” Charlie blurts.

“That’s what I said,” I say.

“And why would she think that?” Charlie is now looking at Milly knowingly.

“I don’t know,” Milly says weakly.

“Oh, come on, Milly. I think all of us know the answer,” Charlie says.

“All right. Well, I might have mentioned to Mom how well you guys were getting along.”

“And Mom just jumped straight to assuming that we’re dating?!” I snap. “I find that very hard to believe.”

“Listen, it doesn’t matter,” Milly says, trying to squirm her way out of it. “Grandma thinks you’re together. Can’t you guys just pretend for one afternoon?”

“No,” Charlie and I say in unison.

Milly looks from me to Charlie and back again.

“You know she’s eighty years old, right? You know it’ll break her heart if she finds out it isn’t true? She always loved you, Charlie,” Milly says, now turning toward her best friend. “She might not be here this time next year, and —”

“Oh, come on, Milly,” I say, cutting her off.

“I’m serious,” Milly retorts. “She’s on medication for all sorts of stuff. We don’t know when she might leave us.”

I’m still completely adamant that I won’t be playing Milly’s game, but as I glance at Charlie, I can see her wavering. Then I think of her mom. While I want to throttle my little sister for being so manipulative, I can’t help but wonder if Charlie is thinking of how swiftly her mom died.

The cancer spread so quickly that she was dead four months after the diagnosis, leaving Charlie, a young girl of fourteen, to deal with losing one of her parents. The better one, as it happened.

“When is it?” Charlie asks. “The birthday party—when is it?”

“Saturday afternoon,” Milly says. “You don’t even have to stay long if you don’t want to, Charlie. You can make an excuse that you have to work or whatever.”

Charlie doesn’t speak for a long moment, and the silence in the room is deafening. I’m still livid, but I can see hope on Milly’s face. When we’re finished here, we’re going straight back to my house so I can yell at her in private.

“All right,” Charlie says eventually. “But I’m only staying for as long as I need to.”

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