Page 47 of Plentywood
“Wow! News travels fast,” he quipped. “Gramma rat me out?”
“Doesn’t matter who ratted your scheming ass out,” I said. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“And why is that my problem, Hunt?” he asked. “I’m single. Pretty-boy doc is single. And he asked for my help, so why shouldn’t I?”
“It’s your problem because you’re looking to get at me. You don’t want Ben, and you fucking know it,” I argued.
The phone was silent for a few seconds before Charlie cleared his throat. “Maybe what I want is for a man to see me assomeone they could be with, Hunt. A fresh start where I’m not judged on my past. Maybe a man could choose me for once.”
“You want to be with me, Skeet. You know it. I know it,” I stated.
He laughed. Not a laugh of joy or of fun. His laugh was tinged with anger. “Big fucking ego there, sheriff,” he hissed. “You don’t want me. I get that. I’ve tried and you’ve shot me down each and every time.”
“Good,” I stated. “Glad you understand.”
“Oh, trust me. I understand,” he agreed. “But what you don’t understand is that someone else might. And I have my sight set on the new doctor.”
“I’m telling you nicely to back off.”
“You’re not the only gay dude in the county, sheriff. I’m tired of waiting for you to see me as a good man. God knows I’ve tried, so fuck you, dude. I’m taking my shot with Ben.”
We remained silent, our breathing the only sound in each other’s ears. Like two alley cats, we’d paused to assess and reload. He’d been direct and had laid down his plans. At least he didn’t deny it. But the thought of Charlie with Ben was untenable to me. Yeah, maybe I was slow to figure my emotional shit out these days, but I hadn’t had an expressive reaction to another man in two years.
“And I’m taking mine,” I announced, suddenly letting my mind catch up with my cold, dead heart. A heart Ben had reawakened.
“Well, there you go, Hunt. May the best man win,” he jibed.
“You don’t want Ben and we both know it,” I added, trying one last argument to keep him out of my way.
“Maybe you’re right, but I’m done waiting for you, Hunt,” he stated. “I hoped you’d come around by now. Maybe give me a legit shot with you, but you won’t do it.”
“You thought I’d just turn to you because Mark died?” I asked. “Because he’s dead?”
“Because Mark died,” he agreed. “But you’re fucking stuck, Hunt. You’re stuck and you’re too fucking dumb to look right in your backyard for a good man.”
“So you’re gonna chase after Ben? Because I’m stuck and didn’t choose you?”
“Yep!” he exclaimed. “And the first shot is tomorrow when I have the doctor overnight in a hotel. And we both know how persuasive I can be, sheriff.”
My head felt like it would explode. I slammed my fist on the steering wheel and sensed my temples pulsing. I needed to beat the fuck out of something or someone. “Don’t touch him,” I muttered.
“Or what?” Charlie dared. “You gonna tell Gramma I was a bad boy? That shit ain’t gonna fly, asshole. My grandmother knows not to force me into a psych ward again. And if she fucking tries…” he didn’t finish his threat. “Doesn’t matter,” he defended. “You caused my breakdown, sheriff. You were the fucking cause! I’m through with you. So stay outta my way.”
My blood ran like boiling lava, but I needed to remain calm. “I know you’re getting better, Skeet. Just do me a favor and leave the doctor out of this,” I suggested, doing my best to calm the conversation down a few hundred degrees. “Ben doesn’t have our history. He doesn’t know the details. What you’re doing by involving him just isn’t fair.”
“But what you’re doing is?” he challenged. “Look, Hunt. I’ve changed. I’ve done the work and I’m better. I’m stronger now, too, but you’ll never see me that way. I deserve a chance, just like you do, and I’m taking mine.”
“He’s not me, Skeet,” I reminded him. “I’ve been supportive and kind to you, so just leave Ben out if this.”
“Can’t do that, sheriff. I’m taking a chance at love and that’s how it goes.”
He had me at a draw. Of course, I wanted Charlie to be well, to remain well, but he’d had a tough road when I ended our fuck-buddy arrangement. I’d been wrong to use him and he’d been wrong to go along in an attempt to be with me. We’d both used poor judgement when we got entangled six months after Mark’s untimely death.
In his own way, he’d thought we were a couple. He practically resided out at my place, doing his best to play house with me. I’d welcomed the company after six months of a lonely and miserable existence. I’d welcomed the sex, too. Charlie had a desire to be with me, and I had a desire to fuck my way out of my grief. Neither one of us came from an honest angle. Things went from bad toreally bad.
I decided to be the bigger person. “How about we both back off and work on our friendship, Skeet? We can do that. What do ya say?”
“You’ll give me a chance?” he asked. “You’ll see me as a man who can be a good partner to you?”
