Page 34 of Whatever Happens

Charlotte emerges in the doorway, dishtowel in hand. “Hey there, lover boy. Nice to see you without your face buried in some girl’s pussy.”

“Nice, Char, real nice.” Despite the irritation in my voice, I smile as I make my way to her open arms and accept the comfort her hug brings me. This is exactly what I need.

“So, to what do I owe this visit?”

Char is my sounding board—always has been and always will be. I’m just not sure how much I want to tell her. Or how much I want to get into.

“I just needed to get out of that house. Away from Lexie.”

“Who’s Lexie? She the girl in your scandalous little video?”

“Lexie Masterson, and yes.” I probably shouldn’t have divulged that, for Lexie’s sake, but there’s no denying it, not to Char at least. She’d never believe me. Char knows me too well. Who am I kidding? My whole family does. One day and they can see right through my shit and into the place in my heart Lexie was burrowing into.

“Masterson? As in related to Coach Masterson?”

I nod and hang my head.

“Holy shit, little brother, you are in trouble. What were you thinking?”

“That I had no idea she was his daughter. She wasn’t exactly forthcoming with that information. Come on, Char, I’m not that stupid.”

“Really? Because you brought her here. That wasn’t a great move.”

“Coach didn’t exactly give me much of a choice.”

Confusion masks Char’s face.

“He sent me here to rehab my arm and punish me for the damn video. And Lexie…” I shake my head. “He made Lexie my new therapist.”

“So, he has no idea you two…”

“No.” I shake my head. “Which means he has no idea just how much he’s really punishing me.”

“Well, at least the two of you will have some alone time without the press of Coach Masterson hovering over you.”

“Lexie and I are over.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I mean it, Char. She lied to me. She…”

She made life better, made me care about her and then ripped the rug out from under me.

“She made a mistake. Know anyone else who has done that?”

“Where’s Luke?”

Even with everything going on, I can’t help but smile at the thought of my nephew. He’s the best kid in the world, and I miss him like crazy. It’s been too long since I’ve been home. Way too long since I’ve spent some time with him.

“He should be back any minute. Want to join us for dinner?”

“Where did he go?”

“With his father.”

“As much as I would love to run into your ex, I think my arm has taken all the damage it can this week.”

Char’s ex, Luke’s father, is a complete asshole. The minute we found out Luke was going to permanently be in a wheelchair, he bolted. From what Char’s told me he’s “trying,” but I’m not exactly in a forgiving mood, so trying or not, if I see him… I’ll kill him.

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