“Hi, you must be Charlie—I’m Tori. It’s nice to meet you,” she said sweetly.
“You too,” I replied. I was still trapped behind Briggs, who seemed to be in some sort of trance-like state. He hadn’t budged an inch, which made my handshake with Tori quite awkward.
“Briggs? Earth to Briggs?” Tori said, hitting his shoulder while Kai carried the pizzas into the kitchen.
Briggs jerked a bit, eyes finally focusing on her before pulling her in for a hug.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about something,” he said quietly.
She furrowed her brows, “Well, don’t hurt yourself. Maybe you need to do that in smaller doses.”
Yep, I like her already.
Once in the kitchen, I took out the plates and napkins. Tori and I chatted about her job as a trauma nurse, and how long she and Kai had been together. Her wedding was only five weeks away.
Wow…weird to think that I would have already been married.
The thought surprised me. It had only been recently that I had started thinking in terms of a wedding time-line again. The date had only been set for two weeks before Alex had left me. There were no invitations to recall, no caterers to cancel, and no photographers to get deposits back from. The only proof that I had even held the title of fiancé, was the ring in my sock drawer, and a digital date on my iPhone calendar. Oh, and those stupid calendar reminders that Sasha had put on my phone from some unknown wedding website.
Those started a week ago—exactly thirty days out.
Briggs
I knew I was scowling, but I couldn’t help it.
How can she be so heartless? A secret wedding while her parents are away in Greece?
Not while I’m her manny.
That last thought might have been a bit too much—but still.
This was not going to happen—not on my watch.
There she was, chatting away with Tori as if everything in the world was hunky-dory. As if she was a perfect little angel. Well, she may have been an angel—but not the heavenly kind. I was certain her little red horns probably came out to play as soon as the clock struck midnight.
Wow…she even took her ring off! I knew she was a con.
I could smell it on her.
“Dude…what is the issue, here?” Kai asked me quietly.
“I’m just a little distracted is all,” I said, heat fuming into my face.
“Uh, no kidding.” Kai looked from me to the she-devil and back again.
“Lover’s quarrel so soon? You’ve known her what—all of 4 days?” Kai asked, still keeping his voice low.
“Oh, there’s gonna be a quarrel alright, but not of the lover’s variety,” I said.
Kai put his hand on my shoulder as if he knew what I was about to do, but I pushed him off.
“Charlotte, I need a word with you…now!”
Charlie
I froze.
Everyone froze—except for Briggs who was marching toward the back deck.
I hadn’t been called that name since…since a lifetime ago. I was so shocked by his outburst I could do nothing but follow after him.
I felt sick to my stomach as I closed the door behind me, watching him pace like a mad man on the deck—the same deck we had been on only moments ago. What had happened?
My mind raced to make sense of what this could be about. Had he heard something from my parents in the last ten minutes? Did he miss a dose of anti-psychotic meds? Fear started to rise inside me, but I reminded myself that I had two witnesses just on the other side of that door.
He turned to me—finally, his face like granite.
“Who is he, Charlotte?”
He was seething. I had never seen the living definition of that word until this moment. I opened my mouth, but sound refused to come out. I had no clue what he was asking, or why in the world he was using that name?
“Or maybe, I should start by reminding you to call the Tux shop and confirm the fittings!”
Still I had nothing, confusion holding onto me with a tight grasp.
My heart started to race. So, this must be what it looks like to watch someone lose his mind.
“You have nothing to say for yourself?” He threw his arms toward the sky, “Now that’s the biggest surprise of the night, right there! I’m onto you now, Charlie. Call it off—call the whole thing off! Ya know, it’s one thing to let you go out at night when I’m with you, but I’m not going to let you have some secret wedding while your parents are in Greece!”
I felt like someone had just thrown me to the ground and kicked me, repeatedly. I was literally stumbling in shock. I grabbed onto the chair near me and gripped it with every fiber of strength I had.
I took three deep breaths before looking up at him again, “It’s already off, you moron.”
Silence.
“Come, again?”
“There is no wedding. I. Am. Not. Engaged.”
I pushed my left hand out as if the evidence—or lack thereof—could prove my truth. It shook with an unanticipated surge of adrenaline.
His eyes narrowed further as he took several steps closer to me. “I saw it, Charlotte. I saw the reminder on your phone…don’t lie to me.”
That did it.
That stupid name did it. I snapped.
“Don’t call me that! Don’t you ever call me that!”
I put my hands out in front of me and pushed him—hard.
His body barely budged, as if he had anticipated the force of my shove more than I had. But as he watched me, his face changed—it softened.
“Charlie, I-”
“No! You had your turn, Mr. Drama Queen. It’s my turn now. I was engaged, okay? Last December—not that it’s any of your business, but it’s over now. All of it. The relationship, the engagement, the wedding! It’s all over!”
Tears poured from my eyes faster than I could wipe them away. I was mortified. I hadn’t seen this coming—heck, hot lava pouring out of the kitchen faucet would have been less shocking than this conversation had been.
I covered my face with my hands.
Briggs
My bad.
Charlie
My back was turned away from him, but even still, I knew he was there.
A heavy hand pressed down on my shoulder after a few quiet seconds, and I didn’t shrug it off. Even though his stupid tirade had brought this on, he was not the reason for my pain; he was not the reason for my tears.
“Shortcake, I’m…I’m so sorry.” Though his voice sounded gruff, his words were heartfelt.
I nodded, my face still buried in my hands. I sniffled.
“Hang on-”
He left, coming back a minute later to hand me some Kleenex.
“Thanks,” I whispered, lifting my head so I could wipe my eyes and nose.
He moved to stand directly in front of me, looking visibly distressed. Although, I was pretty sure I looked worse in this moment. He raked both hands through his hair, before shoving them deep into his pockets. It was definitely the first time I had seen the all-too-confident Briggs look unsure.
“You were just trying to protect my parents,” I said, softly.
“Yeah…but I didn’t do a very good job of protecting you in the process.”
I looked at him, holding onto his gaze steadily, “I don’t need your protection, Manny.” The words lacked the sarcasm that I had intended, instead, they sounded painfully fragile.
He nodded. “Well, do you think we can start over? I’d like to be your friend, Charlie.” He put his hand over his heart as if he were in a courtroom, “From this day forward, I will do my very best to restrain from all outbursts and accusations unless I have obtained physical proof first.” The right side of his mouth lifted in a smile. “Truce?”
He reached out his hand for me to shake. I took it, biting back a smile of my own.
The tiny spark which had started in my palm as our hands met, traveled quickly to my chest, warming it instantly. “Truce. But Briggs, if you e
ver call me that name again, it will be with your last breath.”
Briggs
I believed her.
Not only was I certain that she had told me the truth about her broken engagement, I also knew she would cause me physical harm if I ever called her Charlotte again. I don’t know where exactly that had come from, but I would banish it from my vocabulary forever.
Don’t have to threaten me twice.
“Did I totally ruin the mood for game night?” I asked her.
She laughed—at least a little bit.
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, Manny. You’re on.”
If she hadn’t been smiling when she said it, I would have feared for the evening ahead.
I followed her inside the house. Much to my satisfaction, Kai and Tori played it cool. There was no mention of the drama that had just occurred.
I knew they were my friends for a reason.
“You two ready? I have us all dealt,” Kai said.
“Absolutely,” Charlie said, pulling out a chair.
I couldn’t help but smile at her.
She wasn’t anything if not resilient.
Chapter Five
Charlie
Briggs and Tori seemed to have it out for each other during poker. Of the six rounds of Texas Hold’em played, they had each lost as many as they had won. Apparently, Tori’s brother-in-law had taught her well, much to the dissatisfaction of Briggs.
When they finally noticed that Kai and I were growing restless with boredom, they agreed to switch gears. We were grateful.
“So, I think Charlie should pick the next game—since she’s our guest,” Briggs said.
“I don’t really think that courtesy applies when you’re sitting inside my house,” I said smiling at him.
“Ooh…touché!” Kai said.
Briggs and Tori laughed.
After a brief mental debate, I chose Uno, but not just regular old Uno—Spaz-attack Uno. The game was a chaotic mix of speed and randomness. The quick plays and bogus rules were sure to cause a lot of groaning, especially when the players had to switch hands with the person on their right when a certain sequence was discarded. For the player who had dwindled themselves down to just a few cards, that particular play was brutal. I didn’t mind it so much as Briggs was the player to my right.
“I see what you’re doing Shortcake.”
I laughed as I purposely increased the number of cards in my hand. Tori and Kai busted in hysterics.
“Could it be that Briggs has finally met his match in twisted game plays?” Tori asked.
I looked at Briggs and stuck my tongue out—childish yes, but oh-so-satisfying.
“I should ground you to your room,” Briggs said.
“Hmmm…take a number, pal. I can only serve one punishment at a time.”
That got a laugh from everyone.
Kai and Briggs declared it was time for a snack break, leaving Tori and I sitting at the card table waiting for their return.
“I’d love to hear more about your music, Charlie,” Tori said.
Tori exuded kindness when she spoke. I could see why Kai loved her, aside from the obvious beauty she possessed. It wasn’t just that she was nice, it was that she was genuinely interested. There was something about her that put me at ease—made me want to share my every secret with her. I had no doubt that she was an excellent nurse.
“Sure, what would you like to know?” I asked.
“How long you’ve played the piano—what made you choose it as your major?”
I smiled. “Since I was five. Sometimes I feel as if it chose me, actually. It just fits who I am—the same way nursing fits you, I’m sure. There was never any competition for what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to write music and share it with whoever would listen. There are not many things in life that can reach a person’s soul the way that music can,” I said getting lost in my thoughts.
“That’s beautiful, Charlie.”
I shook my head—slightly embarrassed by my honesty.
“Thanks.”
“So, you write music,” Tori repeated, looking at a point somewhere beyond me as she spoke.
“Uh-huh.”
“Have you ever written music for say…a wedding processional?” Tori asked smiling.
My stomach dipped a bit, but I worked hard not to show it on my face.
I dreamed on writing my own wedding processional once…
“Not really,” I said.
“Well, I’d love to hire you, Charlie. I would really like something original for the processional—for my walk down the aisle specifically. Do you think you’d be willing to write something for me?”
How does Kai ever say no to that face?
“Uh sure, I will just need to know a few details—like how long you need it to be and such.”
“Oh wow! That’s fantastic Charlie, thank you!” Tori squealed.
Briggs
While grabbing the last slice of pizza, Kai leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. He was staring at me.
“What?” I asked defensively, my mouth full pizza.
“Are you seriously asking me that?” His voice was flat as he shook his head like a father does to a child.
“Uh, yeah. What’s the issue…Did you want this last piece or something?” I took an exaggerated bite.
“No. Try again, Romeo.”
I furrowed my brows at him. What?
“You really don’t see it?” Kai asked.
“See what?” I asked, gesturing with my arms as three pepperoni circles fell to the floor with a splat.
Kai shook his head again. “Be careful with her, Briggs. She’s the Chief’s daughter. You don’t want to screw that up.” Kai’s eyes were intense as he spoke.
“Screw what up, exactly? I’m just her security guard for the month, Kai. Relax.”
“Don’t be a moron…you’re way more than a security guard to her. Have you ever seen the way a girl looks at a mall cop? It ain’t like that,” he said pointing to the room where Charlie and Tori sat, “She likes you, and I can see that you like her—just don’t do anything stupid.”
Why does everyone keep calling me a moron tonight?
Tori squealed in the other room, breaking up the big brother drill.
I was grateful.
Charlie
“Hey keep it down in there, neighborhood watch is gonna tag us with a noise violation,” Briggs said walking back into the room, Kai close on his heels.
“Kai, Charlie just agreed to let me hire her for the wedding! She’s gonna write my processional,” Tori said as Kai bent over and gave her a kiss on the lips.
“That’s awesome, can’t wait to hear it, Charlie,” Kai said smiling.
Briggs stared at me intently, but I broke its hold and smiled at Kai instead.
“Oh, and Briggs, I finally confirmed everything with Angie,” Tori said.
My ears perked up. Who’s Angie? Briggs nodded knowingly at her.
Kai leaned in then and whispered to me, “His sister Angie is a florist.”
I flushed at how easily he must have read my face, and took a long drink of water hoping it would cool my cheeks.
“Cody’s agreed to be my ring bearer too, although I think he might actually think he’s going to get to be a bear…not a bearer,” Tori said.
I laughed. Now that was funny. “Who’s Cody?”
“Just the coolest seven-year-old you’ll ever meet—also known as my nephew,” Briggs said proudly.
“Ah,” I said, nodding.
“Yeah, since my niece Kailynn is only four months-old, I’m gonna have him pull her in a wagon. My sister will just hold her during the ceremony. There was no way around it, Stace was bound and determined for her to wear a flower-girl dress, no matter what.”
Kai laughed, “And when Stacie sets her mind to a fashion quest—it happens.”
I watched them relate to one another.
I had a lot of friends at school�
��and at home—yet the interaction between them felt so different to me. I listened to them talk and laugh so easily.
I could see it then, clearly. They all truly loved each other.
I felt Briggs’ eyes land on me again as I stood to start the clean-up process. Tori followed my lead.
Briggs
The evening had been fun—even more than I had anticipated it would be. Kai and Tori had left some time after 1:00am.
After taking the pizza boxes out to the recycle bin, I went back inside to grab my jacket. Charlie was shutting-off the lights. Before I headed out the front door, I instructed her to lock it behind me. She rolled her eyes as the corner of her mouth curled into a half-hearted smirk.
Even with Kai’s caution fresh on my mind, there was something I just had to say. It had been on the tip of my tongue during the majority of the evening and I needed to get it out. I took two steps onto the porch before turning around to face her. The door was almost closed, but she pulled it back slightly when she saw me.
She yawned.
Holy crap she’s beautiful.
No—that’s not what I was going to say...
Think.
She leaned her head on the door sleepily.
“Did you forget something?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No. Good night, Shortcake. See ya tomorrow.”
Okay, so I’m not always great at follow through—so shoot me.
Chapter Six
Charlie
“How are you, sugar?”
“I’m fine,” I said honestly, “Are you and mom having a good time?”
“Yeah, who knew cruise food could be so good?” He laughed.
“Uh, everybody, Daddy. That’s why people come home to clothes that don’t fit!”
He laughed again.
“So…you’re really doing okay? Having Briggs at the house—it’s been alright?”
I sighed. “Yes, everything is fine around here…you can stop worrying about me.”
All She Wanted (Letting Go) Page 5