Page 40 of Mann Hunt
“Nothing.”
Charlie got quiet and stopped moving, one remaining nacho chip suspended between his thumb and forefinger.
“Did your mother die of a heart attack?” Charlie asked.
“No. She was coming to pick me up from school and she was going to drive us away to start over again someplace else. Any place else. She must have fallen asleep…trying to get to me.”
“What were you running away from?”
“My father.”
There were tears in Declan’s eyes. He cleared his throat. “I think I’ve had enough. Don’t forget to Uber home, okay?”
“Sure… Do you want some company?”
Declan looked at him and smiled. “I’m fine.” He stared at Charlie for a moment. “I don’t deserve you, Charlie Watts.”
“Declan?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll still be around tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” he said before leaning down and giving Charlie a kiss on the head.
Declan paid the bill at the bar and dropped his car keys in Mickey’s hand.
“Be good to yourself tonight, Dec,” he said as Declan left the bar.
The conversation earlier in the night had left him feeling unsettled and upset. Declan sat on a park bench, pulled out his phone and texted Luke.
After five minutes, there was no response. Declan considered his options. He wasn’t ready to go home yet. He got up and walked. At the street corner, he instinctively turned right. His feet carried him along a familiar route, a path that ended at the doors to The Greek.
Chapter Thirteen
Charlie sat in the Black Bean Eatery across from Carrie. It was the place where they’d cried over bad dates, where Charlie had come out and where Carrie had made her decision about an unexpected pregnancy.
Charlie was still a bit drunk. He’d given up trying to keep up with Declan after the first few drinks.
Carrie looked at Charlie and said, “Well, I think you should tell him how you feel, then quit.”
“What wouldyouknow?”
“What Iknowis you have done nothing but talk about the guy for the last two hours.”
“But I think he kinda needs me.” Charlie’s phone went off. He checked the screen. “Oh my God. It’s him! What should I do?”
The phone continued to ring.
“Charlie, if you aren’t going to answer, I will,” Carrie blurted out.
“Okay, okay,” he said. Charlie took a deep breath and took the call. “Hello,” he said, hesitantly.
“May I speak to Charlie, please?”
“Uh, speaking.”
“Hey, Charlie. My name’s Mateo. I’m calling for Declan. He asked me to call you.” The voice was gentle, with a slight Hispanic accent.
