Bar 49
Page 22
“I don’t even know why I’m here,” she mumbles.
“I thought you were working?”
“I was. But, Uncle Mark sent me home.” Charlie’s eyes dart around the room in a nervous fashion, instantly sending up red flags.
“Slow night?” I question, raising my eyebrow in wonder.
“No, but I did chuck a beer bottle at Will’s head.” Laughter tears through the thick tension in the garage.
“Seriously?” I manage to say between laughing fits. Of all the things I expect to hear out of her mouth, throwing a beer bottle at Will has got to be the last thing I could have ever imagined.
“Yeah.” She half laughs, shrugging her shoulders.
Shaking my head in wonder, I reach out and grab her arms, pulling her into me.
“Please tell me you hit him.” Charlie’s normally ridged body melts into my frame, and she lays her head upon my chest.
“Unfortunately not.” She sighs, tightening her grip around my waist. The physical connect we share is something dynamic, making everything about this moment feel absolutely right.
“Well, we really should work on your aim then.” I chuckle and place a soft kiss to the top of her head. Charlie’s body stiffens, but then slowly relaxes.
“Just because I’m here letting myself get all wrapped up in you does not mean we are together.”
“Whatever you say, Charlotte.” Resting my chin on the top of her head, I squeeze her body tighter and let a smirk creep across my face. It’s only a matter of time before she finally caves for good. I’ve got this in the bag.
Chapter 28
Charlie
“I can’t believe you actually threw a bottle at him. Did you not think of the poor thirsty college students that might be missing that beer tonight during their normal college shenanigans?”
I chuck a couch pillow at his head, but the smooth idiot catches it with ease. “I was the first thing I grabbed.” Letting out a snicker, I roll my eyes and kick my feet up on the coffee table. It’s amazing how comfortable I feel being in his place. All the issues I carry around seem like less of a load when we are together.
“That poor beer,” Greyson mumbles, shaking his head in dismay.
“Keep it up and I won’t sleep with you ever again.” Narrowing my eyes at him, I try and keep a stupid smile from emerging on my face.
“I knew you would finally come around.”
“It’s only sex, Greyson.”
“Really, Charlie? When are you going to admit there is something more between us? After all this shit, you are still denying that we have a future together.”
“Greyson……”
“No, Charlie. Just stop. You damn well know that you are it for me and I’m the one for you. We are going to continue this warped sense of relationship that we have, I’m going to ask you to marry me later on down the road, and then we are going to have a fuck load of little Charlies running around our massive house.”
A knot forms in my stomach, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to lead to me puking my guts out. Getting married and having kids has never been in my game plan. Survival is all I know, and I’m finally starting to get the hang of it.
“Greyson, I…….”
“Save the bullshit story, Charlie. I know you’re freaked out at the possibility of us. Hell, I never thought I would ever want to marry someone, let alone want kids with them. But, Charlie, I want all of that with you.” Greyson jumps out of the recliner and sets himself down on the couch next to me. Grabbing my trembling hands, he holds them tightly for a few quiet seconds. “Charlie, this is it. This is the real happy ever after. You deserve every single moment of a perfect life, and I want to be the one to give it to you.”
“Greyson, I deserve nothing.” Forcing the knot back down my throat, tears start to form in my eyes as I fight them making an appearance.
“You deserve everything. Don’t ever think anything less of yourself. We all have issues in the past, but I want to put them behind us and work on the future; a future that starts with us. Charlie, I’m not asking you to marry me right now, but I’m asking you to start your now and forever with me today.”
Pulling my hands out of Greyson’s, I wipe the tears that have started to fall down my face. My body is trembling and my mind is spinning in circles. Giving him the answer he is looking for isn’t something I’m comfortable with. Compliancy is easier to deal with; not knowing the future is terrifying.
“Please, Charlie. This is right; we are right together.”
My life had been so full of hatred and sorrow that opening myself up to another human being wasn’t something I prepared for. But, for some unknown reason, Greyson makes everything seem perfectly normal. I can be spinning out of control in my head, dying for a quick release from alcohol or a sharp razor blade, and one sincere look from the man sitting next to me on the couch and it’s all over. As much as I try and force myself into falling in love with this man, I swear it’s a losing battle.
“Alright,” I say softly. My heart skips a beat, and I instantly feel sick to my stomach, but the declaration has been said.
“Alright?” Greyson questions, giving me a puzzled look.
“I’m trying to say that we can give it a chance.” Fear tears through me as Greyson grabs the side of my face and yanks me toward him, firmly pressing his soft lips into mine.
“You won’t regret it,” Greyson says before crashing his lips back into mine. Slowly, I melt into his arms, letting all the worries, insecurities, and doubt about my future melt away. Taking this step is huge, but seems completely doable with Greyson by my side.
3 Years Later
“Hi Mom.” Lowering myself to the ground, I cross my legs and place my hands on the tombstone in front of me.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve came and talked with you, but it took me some time to finally get myself put together.” Smiling, I trace my finger over her name, letting the smoothness of the stone glide over my fingertips.
“You’d be really proud of me, Mom. I’m actually proud of myself now. It’s been over three years since I’ve had a drink, and I think I’ve finally learned some really good coping skills to deal with the cravings.” I knew the alcohol issue really bothered Mom, and being able to say I can completely control myself is an amazing thing. “I started going to AA meetings, and I think I’ve found my calling in counseling. Helping others with their addictions helps me keep my own issues in check, and the wonderful feeling of being needed is something I just can’t explain.”
Dropping my hands to the cool grass, I lean my back against the headstone and close my eyes. “I finally found someone, too. His name is Greyson, and he is everything you would have wanted for me. Gosh, Mom, that man is truly my happy ever after.” Letting out a soft laugh, I shake my head and realize she already knows all this.
“The things Greyson has done for me is nothing short of a miracle. He brought me from a life of loneliness and self-hatred, to learning that I am worth it, that I do have a promising future. He takes away some of the pain I have in loosing you, gives me a reason to want to live again.”
Opening my eyes, I watch as Greyson leans up against the bed of his truck, basking in the warm sunlight. “Can you believe he asked me to marry him? I honestly never thought something like that would ever happen for me. You should see the dress. The first time I tried it on, I instantly knew it was the one. Sam was in tears when I walked out of the dressing room, and I actually shed a couple myself.
Greyson asked Uncle Mark if he could marry me. I really wished he could have asked you, but the next best thing is him. Oh, Mom, and the proposal was amazing. I seriously wasn’t expecting it at all. Greyson had the bar closed down one night and completely decked the whole place out in white roses. He said it was fitting to start the rest of our lives in the place that we had first originally met. He truly is incredible.” Flashing a smile at my fiancé, I push myself away from the headstone and once again stare at her name.
“I’m
sorry that I caused so many problems growing up, but I’m happy that you get to see the woman I am becoming now. Mom, if I am even a quarter of the woman you were, then I succeed in life ten times over.
I miss you so much, but know you are always there looking over my shoulder. I love you, Mom.” Leaning over, I place a kiss on my mother’s tombstone and push myself up off the grass. Smiling, I head over to where Greyson is waiting and slip my arm around his waist.
“Good visit?”
“It was perfect.” I reply with a smile. Greyson drops his head and places a soft kiss to the side of my face. Pulling me closer to his side, I rest my head on his firm chest and let out a soft sigh. Everything in life is finally perfect.
It’s the single moment when you realize that everything in life happens for a reason. When all the bad moments are nothing but a distant memory; giving way for a more promising future. Greyson is my future. Another chance at true happiness; the first real love in my lifetime.
The End.
About the Author
T.A. Hardenbrook currently resides in Spokane Washington, with her husband and two young boys. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as her license in Cosmetology.
Her days include being the family chauffer and referee, all while trying to become the perfect domestic goddess one strives for. Her family of four also includes a very loving American pit bull terrier, two obnoxious wiener dogs, a corn snake, and several American Cavies (Which her oldest son shows at ARBA/ACBA events).
She is a Multiple Sclerosis survivor, and refuses to let the disease control her life. “It’s a daily choice I make on how I am going to live. I can let the disease win, or I can be victorious.”
Please remember to never let anything stand in front of your dreams.
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