Page 202 of Charlie

"Easily in the top four," Lach says, grabbing a handful of grapes from the platter.

"Top four?" Jack asks, eyebrow cocked, a warning in his eyes.

"First time with Cam, first time with Charlie, first time all together, and then tonight."

"I need to hear about how you and Cam first got together," I say, snatching a grape from his fingers.

"That's a story for another time," Lach's chuckle turns to all-out laughter when he sees the panic in Cam's eyes.

"Don't you dare," Cam warns.

"Not fair!" I protest, looking between them.

"All you need is some good tequila, Carebear. It works like—" he stops short when a piece of cheese smacks him square in the forehead. The look of shock on his face has us cracking up, but the laughter quickly turns to a chorus of yawns when I can't hold mine back. I'm exhausted.

"Come on," Lach says, standing up. "Time for bed."

"Charlie, time to wake up," Cam whispers, caressing my cheek with the back of his finger. I squint up at him, smiling sleepily, stretching my arms above my head and pointing my toes. Then reality crashes down on me like a thousand gallons of cold water. It's court day. "Lach made breakfast. We'll eat first, drive back into town, get you changed, and head to the trial."

I sit up, scrubbing my hands over my face. I want to disappear.

"Don't overthink it, Charlie."

I huff out an incredulous laugh, adrenaline already coursing through my system.

"Hey," he puts a finger under my chin, tilting my face to his. "This is your day to get what he owes you for the past five years. The overtime hours, the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into that business. This is your time to shine, Charlie."

I know he's right, but fuck if I don't still feel guilty about it. The guys feed and caffeinate me, and then we're in the car, headed toward my worst nightmare. Lach plugs my phone into the aux, blasting my favorite playlist the whole way back.

"Lorna told me your lawyer is the best in the state," Jack says, helping me with the buttons on my shirt. "Just sit back and let her work her magic, Sassenach."

"Don't say anything unless she tells you to," Lach reminds me, helping me into my blazer. "If Rob tries to antagonize you, ignore him." I shiver as he pulls my hair free and turns me around. "It'll be over before you know it, and you'll never have to see that bastard again."

I nearly hyperventilate in the car on the way to the courthouse. The only thing keeping me sane is the gentle, rhythmic sweep of Cam's thumb over the back of my hand. I suck in a deep breath as Lach pulls to the curb and jumps out to open my door.

"This is the first day of the rest of your life, Charlie. Take it by the fucking balls." He squeezes my shoulders, holding back from kissing me like we had agreed upon. I face the courthouse and stiffen my spine. I can fucking do this.

My heels click on the concrete as I walk toward the stairs. I look back at the guys once, knowing they'll follow once I'm inside. They're so goddamn gorgeous in their suits. They'll stick out like a sore thumb, but I can't find it in me to care anymore. They're mine. I should be able to scream it from the rooftops if I want to. Why do I give a shit what anyone thinks?

The metal banister is cold against my fingers as I climb the stairs. The thrum of my heartbeat in my ears counts down my steps until I'm sliding into the seat next to my lawyer. After emailing back and forth with her for months, I want to hug her, but I'm not sure if that's appropriate, so I just sit in my chair and smile at her like an idiot.

"Breathe, Charlotte. We have this, no question."

I bite my lip and nod, taking several deep breaths, praying she's right. I can feel the guys' presence the second they enter the room, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up with awareness. They slide in behind me, a silent, solid wall of support.

"Lauren, this is Jack, Lach, and Cam," I introduce her reluctantly, directly responding to her raised eyebrows and narrowed gaze. I hate feeling like I'm in trouble. She twists in her seat, looking between them.

"I don't want to hear a single word from any of you until we're outside the courthouse. Understand?"

"Nice to meet you, too, Lauren," Lach murmurs, winking, then pretending to lock his lips and throw away the key. The door on the far side of the room bangs open a second later, startling all of us.

"Let me talk to her!" Rob shouts, trying to break free from a man that must be his lawyer.

"No. Sit down." The man pushes Rob into his seat, straightening his suit jacket. "Stay."

"I'm not a fucking dog," Rob mutters darkly, his gaze swinging around the room wildly.

"Then stop acting like one." His lawyer sits next to him, blocking his view of our table.

---