Page 84 of Brace and Chase

I cave as soon as we walk through the front door, though.

“What’s going on?” I ask, panic clear in my voice even though I try to hide it.

Charlie starts to pace, dumping his duffel carelessly—something I’ve never seen him do—and he even grabs his hair and pulls.

Why is he so distressed?

“Who is Max?”

The question hits me like another puck to the back.

My anxiety starts to take over. How does he know that name? Who did he talk to?

“What?” is all I can manage.

“I was fucking worried about you, going out of my damn mind when you got taken to the hospital, and I was packing your shit when you got a text.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Or in. Definitely not air.

This can’t be good for my lungs.

“He said he loves you,” Charlie snaps and that finally wakes me the fuck up. I realize what Charlie thinks this is, and I can’t help the disgusted wince.

“Sweetheart,” I start, the strain in my voice audible. “I have never kissed, or been kissed, or done any other shit with another man. Only you. I didn’t even know I could find men attractive untilyou,” I emphasize.

He waits for more, but tonight, and maybe every other night for the rest of my life, I’m not ready for this conversation. I’m not ready to feel any more pain.

“That’s it?” he demands.

“Do you believe me?” I throw back, desperate for him to tell me yes.

He stares at me for a long moment, trying to find a lie on my face maybe—he won’t since I’m telling him the fucking truth.

“Yes, I believe you,” he says, resigned. “But I don’t understand.”

“I can’t explain tonight, sweetheart.” My words are like pleas. I’m begging him to drop it.

“Whoever Max is,” he says at last. “They want to know if you’re okay, and they want you to know they love you.” He walks over and grabs my hand, slaps my phone into it, then he walks away. Up the stairs. Alone.

I stand there for a long time, not knowing what I’m supposed to do now.

This morning I woke up feeling like a million bucks. Charlie was warm in my arms and we had a day full of hockey ahead of us. What could be better?

Now it seems like everything has flipped upside down and I...

Won’t let go.

I dump my duffel right next to Charlie’s and march up the stairs.

If he tells me this is making him doubt how damn good we are as... two people who are attracted to each other?—

Jesus, I sound stupid as fuck.

We haven’t even talked about what this really is. There have been no feelings shared.

Therearefeelings on my side, a lot of fucking feelings. But with the closed door of his bedroom in front of me—mocking me—I have to think hard about what I want here.

Where is this going?

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