Incinerate

Dad grimaces. “Dammit, I knew I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Don’t tell him—or her for that matter—that I told you. But I guess he told her that first morning when he went to get coffee so we could have some time together.”

My heart sinks, realizing what that means. He must’ve just come from telling Olivia that, and then he got shell-shocked when he saw me with Drew. Putting it all together, I begin to realize how Knox could’ve been so confused. I told him I loved him. Then he did what he always does—he anticipated my needs by giving me alone time with my Dad. And I rewarded him by kissing Drew like I didn’t care who saw. It was completely harmless, but for the first time, I’m really seeing it through Knox’s perspective. While I wish he’d have talked to me about it, I can suddenly see why he was so upset.

“Charlie?” Dad says, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear me?”

“Yeah, Dad. I heard you. And yes, I love him. I love him more than I ever thought possible.”

“Then don’t let him go.”

Nodding, I lean and give him a hug. “Thanks, Dad. For what it’s worth, I’m glad you have Olivia.”

“I’m happy for you, too. I guess this was the year for the Davenports.”

Smiling, I pull away, knowing I need to make this right. “Yeah, Dad, I guess it was,” I tell him as I get up to leave the room.

He squeezes my shoulder. “Going to get your man?”

I grin at him. “You better believe it.”

I head down to my bedroom and pack up everything I brought to Dad’s the night of our fallout. I pray that I can find something in Lucy’s closet because I’m completely out of fresh clothes, having not been able to bring myself to go back to Knox’s. Pulling out my phone, I make a quick call and Lucy picks up on the first ring.

“Please tell me you’re calling to say you’re on your way over. I swear, I have nothing to wear.”

“I’m getting ready to leave, and I’m going to need to raid your closet. I hope you have something that will cover my ass since I tower over you.” I’m only four inches taller than her five-foot-four frame, but let’s face it. Lucy’s wardrobe, excluding her teaching one, leaves little to the imagination. “Do you think you can do me a favor?”

“Sure, what’s up?” she asks. I know she’s going to be surprised at my question. She knows the gist of what happened between me and Knox. Strangely, she tried to make me see his side of things, a vast difference from when she wanted me to throw all of Drew’s crap outside our place.

“Can you get Kale to make sure Knox is there tonight?” I have no idea what I’m going to do when I see him. I just know I need to do something.

“I can try. Kale mentioned he hasn’t left the house except to go to work and to the gym. Want him to mention you’ll be there?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Just tell him to do whatever it takes to get him there, okay?” I request, knowing I sound desperate, but I can’t help it.

“Okay, okay, he’ll do it. Now get your ass over here and help me find something to wear.”

After hanging up the phone, I grab my stuff and say my goodbyes to Olivia and Dad, feeling more rejuvenated than I have all week. I don’t care what Knox says. I don’t care how long I have to wait. Because I will. I’d rather be with him while he’s working out his shit than be without him, and I’m kicking myself that it took me so long to figure it out.

Chapter 38

Charlie

“CHARLIE, JESUS, calm down. Your leg’s shaking the entire table,” Lucy complains, but I can’t help it. We’ve been at the bar for over an hour and I still haven’t seen him. The only thing that’s making me feel a little bit better is that Kale’s not here either. I’m holding out hope that they’re together. I have no idea what I’m going to say when I see him or if I’ll even be able to say anything.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. You try waking up to that face every morning and then go without it for three days. There’s no quitting Knox Wellington. And trying to do it cold turkey? It’s been pure torture.”

Lucy stares at me like I’ve grown two heads. “You are so far gone it’s not even fu

Gri

Lucy reaches her hand across the table and stops my drumming fingers. “I’m sure he’ll be here and you two can get whatever this is figured out. Kale said he’s looked like shit this whole week, and I’m guessing he’s been dying without you just as much as you’ve been, too.”

Is it wrong that I’m inwardly happy to hear that he’s being affected by our time apart? It’s not like I’m doing a victory lap or anything, but I know I couldn’t handle hearing that he was just fine, moving on without me.

Getting up to go grab another drink, I notice that Lucy only has iced tea. “Want me to get you anything?” I ask, but she just shakes her head no.

When I get back with a beer, I scan the room, still not seeing him. Checking my watch, I see that Chris’s band isn’t set to start for another ten minutes. I relax, willing myself to believe that he’ll be here.

“Is your stomach still bothering you?” I ask Lucy as she sips her tea.

She shakes her head, not looking at me as I hear her whisper something. But it’s too low for me to hear. “What? I couldn’t hear you.”

Her head turns towards me and she shocks me with what she says next. “I’m late!” she exclaims, a little louder than I’m guessing she pla

Leaning in, I narrow my eyes at her. “What do you mean you’re late?”

“I mean I’m late, Charlie.”

Breathing out, I try to wrap my brain around what she’s saying. “Just how late is late?”

Lucy looks me straight in the eyes. “Two weeks. And I’ve been sick every morning since.”

Holy Mother of Shit. “Have you taken a test?” I ask.

She shakes her head, and I lean across the table to take her hand in mine when she answers me. “No, but I’m not an idiot. I’m late, I’m freaking out my morning students by ru

Knowing Lucy’s sexual history, I’d normally be horrified, but she confided in me a while ago that Kale’s the only guy she’s been with since she broke up with her latest asshole boyfriend last spring.

“Is it—?”

She nods before I can even get the words out.

Falling back in my chair, I say the only thing that comes to mind. “Damn.”

She echoes my thought. “Yeah, damn. But the thing is, Charlie, I’m scared to take the test, but not for the reason you’re probably thinking. I’m afraid I’m going to take it and learn that I’m not pregnant. Because for some reason, the idea of being a mom? It’s as thrilling as it is scary.”

Again, I say, “Damn.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “I know. It’s crazy. Who would’ve thought, right?”

“Well, whatever you do, I’m here for you every step of the way. And I’ll be the best Aunt Charlie ever, got it?” She nods as I continue. “But you’re going to have to find out officially. And you’re going to have to tell him.”

“I know. I will. It wasn’t until I was looking at my calendar today that I realized I was even that late.”

“Late? Jesus, I’m thirty minutes late and you two are already complaining? Give a guy a damn break. I had to make myself look pretty for the ladies,” Kale says as he approaches the table. Lucy’s eyes widen, but I shake my head, pretty sure he didn’t hear anything but the tail end of that conversation.

I look around and my heart falls when I realize he’s alone. He heads to the bar to grab a drink, and I notice Lucy’s pale face.