Page 120 of Charming Like Us
Call me mature. An adult.
Still can’t believe they iced me out of the party, but at least they gave me the thief’s home address. Saved me time tracing it myself.
I drive a security SUV. Charlie is gazing out the window in the backseat, and Jack is messing with the air conditioner in the passenger seat. It’s a sauna in here.
I switch lanes, trying to shake off a paparazzi van on my ass. Glancing at Jack, I realize how strange it is to see him without a camera. He’s here for me. For Charlie.
Not forBorn into Fame.
Traipsing around New York for a stolen manuscript isn’t his job, but I can’t tell him togo home.I like Highland too much in my company, even more when clouds start shielding his sunshine. Because I just want to cheer him up somehow. Make him feel better. Take his mind off the negativity, and I can’t do that if we’re split apart.
Jack shuts off the A/C. “It must be broken. It’s only blowing heat.”
“You have Banks Moretti’s number?”
“Yeah.” He unpockets his cell.
“Will you text him and let him know it needs fixed?” Banks is the resident mechanic, and Akara has been trying to save money for the new firm wherever he can.
“Sure. How will he know which car?”
“SFO calls this one the Black Widow.”
He smiles while he types.
My phone lets out a ping. It’s already docked on the dashboard, but I can see a notification for a few missed texts from Farrow and Donnelly. I reach over and click into them, and I’m careful to keep my eyes on the road as I read quickly.
You and Highland. Cute. Didn’t expect it, but super happy for you, Oliveira. Don’t listen to the negativity. We’ve got your back.– Farrow
Get that ass! And fuck the haters. You’re fire. Jack is fire. Together, you’re a big ball of fire– Donnelly
I can’t help but smile at my friends’ reactions. Their steady, loyal friendship is the best I’ve ever had, and I’m glad they’re here for me.
I glance over as Jack says, “Kumusta ka?” He’s on the phone. After a couple minutes, he hangs up.
“Did you just sayhow are youin Tagalog?” I ask in shock.
“Yeah?” he says in slight surprise. “How’d you know?”
“Como está?” I say in Portuguese. “They sound a lot alike.”
We share a bigger smile, and Jack explains how many words in Tagalog sound or are derived from Spanish, and I know a lot of words are similar between Spanish and Portuguese.
When I’m a few minutes from the thieving bastard’s house, Jack asks, “What if Clifford Flannagan isn’t home? What’s the plan then?”
Charlie messes a hand through his hair. “Go to his work. He’s a gaffer at the theatre where Eliot performs.” He lets out an annoyed breath. “I cancelled my trip to Prague yesterday.”
I look at him through the rearview mirror. “I heard about that.” The temp did alert me that they no longer were headed to the airport.
Jack glances over his shoulder. “Any particular reason you stayed in New York?”
“My brothers.” Charlie slouches. “I had a feeling they were going to pull something.” He’d been hoping Maximoff and Jane would move to New York to deal with his brothers, but in the end, he told them to stay in Philly.
He knew he’d have to play babysitter. And he’s sticking around New York a lot more lately. I can only assume he’s feeling a greater responsibility to protect them and clean up after their mistakes.
Jack nods, rotating back in his seat. “Intuitive.”
“No, they’re just predictable.” Charlie flips his phone in his palm. “Speaking of predictability, I see my set-up had the intended effect.”
