Page 77 of Charlie Takes a Chance

Bryce’s eyes widen as he looks over Charlie’s head and meets my eyes for the first time. He’s been so distracted by Darlene cutting in that he didn’t even really notice me.

Charlie takes a deliberate step back, leaning against my chest. I feel her body relax, and all I want to do is scoop her up and carry her out of here. It’s not right that this guy gets to wave her insecurities in front of her or use them against her.

“You had your chance,” I mutter as I step in between Charlie and him.

“And who are you? Charlie, have you been cheating on me?” His angry voice cracks as it raises an octave.

“You broke up with me,” Charlie grinds out.“We’re not together.”

“If you knew Charlie at all, you would know that isn’t even a possibility. You were too stupid to realize what was in front of you. You don’t get to come in here andharass her,” I say in a serious tone.

Bryce glares at me for a moment before he leans around me to look at Charlie just before he calls her a horrible name.

Out loud.The man has a death wish.

The room goes deathly silent. Someone even turns down the speakers blaring country music.

I look Bryce dead in the eye as I say, “Well, we both know that’s not true.”

Right before I send a punch straight at him.

Crack.

The sound of my fist connecting with his face echoes throughout the room.

Bryce crumples to the ground, and Charlie latches onto the back of my shirt. “Max!” She’s almost gurgling.

I glance over my shoulder to find she’s trying to hide a laugh.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she says. But she’s smiling at me, so I don’t believe her.

A nasally voice is yelling at me, and I turn around to look at Bryce on the floor. “I’m going to send you to jail! You hit me!”

He trails off on a long string of curses, and a voice pipes up behind me. “I saw you run into that post right there.”

I half turn to see Zane standing next to me with a lazy grin. He’s holding on to Bliss’s arm as if holding her back from landing another punch on Bryce.

Henry steps closer to our circle. “I saw the same thing.”

“Me too!” Darlene pipes up.

Bryce climbs to his feet, holding his nose. “I can’t believe you people! You won’t get away with this!”

“And you won’t get away with harassment. I’ll be getting a restraining order on you if you try to cause anyone here a problem. Do I make myself clear?” Charlie enunciates each word as she steps toward Bryce.

Bryce’s eyes widen as he sees the fire in her eyes. He doesn’t say anything, just turns to leave, storming through the crowd, holding a hand to his face still.

Charlie turns to me, grabbing my hand and inspecting my knuckles. “Wow, you didn’t even crack the skin.” She presses a quick kiss to the back of my hand. “I guess those ranch calluses are coming in handy,” she says with a smirk.

The room shifts as someone turns the music up, and people return to their conversations. I'm pretty sure my punching Charlie’s ex-boyfriend will be a topic of conversation for a long while yet.

“You stood up for me. Without question. Why?” She looks up at me with wide eyes, waiting for an answer.

So I tell her the truth. The thought that’s been burning in my mind for the last few days. The thing that’s been growing ever since I found Charlie in my house, stirring soup and singing Christmas songs. “I love you.”

Her jaw drops open and then slowly closes. She clutches my hand as she says, “Max, you can’t say that yet.”

“I just did.”

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