Page 56 of From the Ashes

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I barked.

“Oh my fucking god,” he said shaking his head. “Oh my god.”

“Jesus, Tony. What?!”

“Your book,” he said, his voice low as he leaned across the table. “It’s fuckingtrue,isn’t it?”

My mouth fell open and there was nothing I could do to cover it up. Not when I finally realized the fatal mistake I’d made.

“Jesus, Phie! You didn’t write a romance novel, you wrote agoddamnautobiography!” I watched as more gears clicked into place in his head. “Does Charlie know?” He paused, his brows furrowing. “Hashe signed a contract saying he won’t sue you for using his likeness in the book?”

“No,” I forced myself to say. “He doesn’t know and there’s no contract.”

“This… This could be bad. I mean, it’s fucking adorable as shit, but it could be bad.”

“Why bad?”

“If that book is as accurate as I suspect, Charlie could sue the shit out of you. He could sue the publishing house. And I don’t think any judge is gonna believe that it’s just a coincidence.”

“Only the first third of the book is remotely accurate,” I scoffed. “The rest is all made up.”

“Obviously since you two aren’t together.” He pulled out his phone. “I need to call home office and have them draw up a contract. We need him to sign off on it immediately.” I grabbed the phone, pulling it out of Tony’s grasp. “H-Hey!”

“Tony,” I said, my voice low as I pointed a finger in his face. “I’m gonna say this only once. Donotget Charlie Miller involved with this. I fucking mean it. He’s not going to sue. He’s not even going to read the book. It’s not his thing.”

“We have to protect your career–”

“My career is fine. Charlie is not dangerous. I mean it. We have nothing to worry about.”

He eyed me suspiciously for a long moment before finally giving in. “Fine. I won’t call anyone. But you better be sure, Phie. Because if this blows up in my face and I lose out on these royalties, I’ll never forgive you.” His lips curling up at the edge gave him away. “But I might be moreunderstandingif you tell me about this Charlie.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I replied, slowly sliding his phone back to him. “Charlie and I are barely friends. A few days ago was the first time we’d spoken in six years.”

“And you’ve kissed this boy?”

“In high school.”

“Does he know you love him?”

My eyes went wide and my chest seized up. Knots twisted in my guts as a cold rush of fear washed over my body.

“W-What…” I stammered. “I don’t know w-what you’re t-talking about…”

“That’s what I thought,” Tony nodded, looking pleased with himself. “No wonder you don’t want to fuck me anymore.”

“I’m not in love with him!” I practically shouted.

“Phie,” he said softly, reaching across the table and taking my hand. “I read your book over two dozen times during edits with the publisher. I know it back to front. Hell, I could probably quote entire chapters at this point.” His eyes softened as he gazed at me, a genuine smile filling his face. “You love that boy with all your heart. I don’t know if you’re in denial or if you’re just trying to fool yourself, but this explains every question I’ve ever had about you. Like why you seem like you’re tryingso hardnot to be sad. And why such a handsome guy has remained single for so long.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but Tony just held up a hand to silence me.

“Is Charlie gay?”

I sighed, knowing I was never going to worm my way out of this one. “Yes.”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

“I haven’t seen in himsix years, Tony. What do you think?”

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