by Harlow Brown
"What's the plan, Charlie girl?" Briar asked as his face turned scarlet.
"Well, I'm not taking the field with her. That's a fucking fact. And she has a Texas-sized ass whooping coming."
"From someone who’s fun-sized," Magnum piped up. Bless his heart he tried to lighten the mood. I appreciated it but it wasn’t the time. I just cut my eyes at him, and he didn't say anything else.
I walked into where the other girls and members were. Here goes. It's fixing to get real.
"Hey, y'all. I need to talk to you. I got some pretty disgusting and disturbing news a bit ago."
They all came to surround me.
"What's up, Charlie girl?" Raige was the first to ask.
"Yeah, what’s going on?" Gypsy followed suit.
"Hold on to your asses. This is about as fucked up as I can fathom." I had their attention, all eyes on me—and, of course, Whiskey. Staying true to his word, he was by my side.
"I just found out that Garyn was fucking Hensley, and had been for some time.'' I took a deep breath and tried to say the next part, the hardest part. I couldn’t care less that she had been sleeping with Hensley; it was the fact that they took my parents from me that I still couldn’t wrap my head around. Whiskey saw me struggling to get the words out so, being the man he was, he took over for me.
"Hensley and Garyn were the ones who were driving the car that hit Charlie's parents and killed them."
"How? I mean, why now?" Haze asked.
"Don't worry about how I found out. It's true. I refuse to play on the same field as her. So it's her or me."
"You, hands-down. No questions asked," Rumor spoke up.
The other girls echoed her sentiment.
"When she gets here, I'm beating the blue bloody fuck out of her," I seethed.
"We’ll be here," Raige said.
''Babes, want a drink?" Whiskey asked me.
"Do I ever."
He handed me a Shinerbock that Jazz had given him seconds prior. She knew me well, tapping his shoulders with a pack of my cigarettes too. "Here. Take a breather. You need it."
I did as he suggested and was followed by Raige. As I flicked the lighter to light my cigarette, Raige asked, "Charlie, are you all right? This is a lot to process."
"Yeah, I will be once I take that bitch down. How could she come out on the same field with me all this time? It's because of her that my life was torn up."
"We got you. We’re all right here beside you."
"I know and thank you for that."
"When are the other girls coming?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Well, let's try and have a good night. We’ll all deal with the cheating bitch tomorrow. Don't let her take away a much-needed break and a good time."
"Thanks, Raige. It's just hard to process that someone I considered one of my sisters could do something that awful. That's a whole new level of hurt. It's unforgivable. Bet your ass she’ll remember me for years to come. I am going to fuck her world all up in the morning. I’m sure with all the feels I have going on right now, between the anger and hurt and the shock and sadness, that she will only be breathing through a straw and will have at least one eye swollen shut. I want her to struggle for air and only see darkness. Then I want her to know that’s how I’ve felt since the night of the accident. I want to tell her that hers is only temporary but my darkness lasts for eternity, that her pain will subside and mine never will."
"I don't know what to say, Charlie. I'm sorry I can't be more help. Words won't make it better."
"You're fine. I just need to be alone."
"Okay. I'll leave you to sort out your thoughts."
And with that, I was left alone. Alone with my emotions, my thoughts, and demons.
I tipped up my beer and polished it off, then took the last drag of my cigarette before putting the butt into the empty Shinerbock bottle. I stared off at the ocean view, lost in thought when a cool breeze came from nowhere.
"Sugar Bean. I'm here."
"Daddy." I breathed out in relief. "I needed you to come back to me. I found out who took you from me."
"I know. That's why I’m here. I'm checking on you to see how you are."
"I'm pissed. I'm hurt. I'm heartbroken. I'm disgusted, grateful, relieved. I'm a mess, Daddy."
"Sugar Bean, it all works out in the end. I promise."
"I believe you. But it's hard to see past the right here and now, past all the hurt and confusion".
"You never were a patient child. Some things never change."
"Daddy, I plan on making this right, or as right as I can. Hensley won't be a problem much longer. I have plans for him. He messed with me too long, and he took away the wrong girl’s world. You and Momma, y'all were all I had."
"No, you had Jazz and Briar. That's the only reason I left. I knew you would be okay. I knew your mom wouldn't be able to handle it up here without you or me. I knew you would be an overcomer of the things you were dealt. I fought for a while, Sugar Bean, but then I realized how strong you are and knew that my place wasn't there with you. It was with your mom, here in eternity. You'll soon enough know that kind of love."
"Daddy, this blows."
"Yes. Yes, it does."
"Whiskey shows me that kind of love already."
"I know." He smiled at me as he drifted in front of my face so I could see him better. "I've told you before that he was brought to you by design. I knew he wouldn't let you down. I knew he would show you the kind of love that your mom and I have. I also know he would stop at nothing to protect you and he’ll make sure that rat bastard, Hensley, gets what’s coming to him."
"Why is life so hard, Dad?"
"Sugar Bean, there is no good answer except that if it were easy, the world would have a lot more duds in it. Sometimes I wish more warning labels were removed from things to weed out more of Mother Nature's weakest links."
"You always know how to make me smile even at the hardest times. I love you, Daddy."
"Love you too, Sugar Bean, as big as the ocean and as far as the eye can see. Always."
"Daddy, I'm going to do something that you might not be real proud of, but my mind’s made up, and plans are in progress."
"It's okay, Sugar. I know what you’re planning, and frankly, I'd be pissed if you didn't."
"And I’m going to mop the floor with Garyn. That cut deep. She was a sister."
"Charlie, if you learn nothing else from me, learn this: live life with no regrets. Life is too short to say what if. If you want something, get it. Things come out in the wash. It will always be okay, maybe not right off, but eventually. Garyn being a sister to you is all the more reason to kick her ass. You don't screw with family. She should’ve had your back, not stabbed you in it."
"Why you two? Why not kill a child rapist or drug addict? Why take the two best people on Earth?"
"Why ask why? Damage is done, and the result is still the same. Don't dwell on the why. Focus on settling the score. Don't get even, Charlie girl, get ahead."
"I will, Daddy. I will."
"Charlie, I have to go. I can’t stay long. I will see you again. I'll see you when you need me the most. If you need to talk, just remember that I always hear you. Always, baby girl."
"Daddy, don't go," I sobbed as I watched him fade away into the ocean view.
"HAVE YOU SEEN Charlie?" I asked Raige.
"She was out on the deck, smoking a cigarette and polishing off the Shiner you handed her."
I made my way out to the patio and there she was. My angel, my world. She looked wiped out, like she had been run ragged.
"Babes, you okay? I’m here now. Talk to me."
"Daddy came back. He’s aware of everything, and he encouraged me to carry it out if that’s what I felt like I needed."
"So why the face? Something isn't right."
"I just can't wrap my head around everything."
"Stop it. You'll drive yourself crazy. Babes, we will get through this."
"I know
we will. I'm ready for it to be over now, though," she pouted.
"Charlie, you can beat the fuck out of Garyn, but Hensley needs to wait until after your championship."
"I agree. I need to focus on the reason I'm here and bring home a championship. Let's go in. I need a change of scenery."
"You want to go to bed?"
"Actually, yes. This day has drained me."
We went back in to tell everyone good night. As we got upstairs, I noticed she was uneasy.
"Charlie, last time you spoke with your dad you were happier. What's up?"
"Nothing. Well, other than the obvious, but this time Daddy said he would see me again, so I know he’s coming back."
''So what is it?"
"The whole situation with Garyn. That hurts and has nothing to do with Hensley. I still can't wait to torture the bastard and then watch the light fade from his eyes. Come to think of it, I'm changing the plan to days instead of weeks. He’s still eating spreadable Spam, though… and drinking Diet Coke," she said as she changed into her night clothes.
I laughed at her. She was worried about minuscule details that no one else would have thought of. There she was planning, in great detail, a premeditated murder and she was making me laugh.
"Come on, babes. Get into bed and give me your feet. I'll rub them for you."
"I don't deserve you. You are too good for me. But I'm glad for whatever sick, twisted reason you like me around."
She kissed the side of my cheek and got situated on the bed. Without further thought, she propped her feet in my lap and I began rubbing her arches. She leaned her head against her pillow. As I massaged her other foot, I felt her go limp. Slumber had taken her, and I couldn't have been more thankful. She would need her rest for the next day, both for practice with the Regulators and the epic ass-whooping on her agenda.
I moved away from her and gently left the bed, my attention still on the blonde beauty when I heard a knock. I opened the door to see Gypsy. I snuck out and gently pulled the door closed.
"Gypsy, what’s up?"
"Nothing. Just checking on Charlie girl. She okay?"
"She will be."
"I don't want this to sound selfish but I'm saying it on behalf of the team. We need her head clear. She’s the shot caller, the one we all depend on. She is the heart and soul of us. The day after tomorrow we need her. All of her. I know it sounds totally shitty, but Charlie wants this title as much as we do and she would beat herself up if she made errors because her head wasn't in the game. So tell me how to help her get there."
"Well, Garyn needs to be dealt with, so get her here."
"Okay, I'll call her and give her the address.''
"I'm sure she knows it already."
"How?"
"Did you guys not give it out to get here?"
"Oh, I assumed it was just us five staying here."
"Knowing Charlie, I bet she told everyone," I stated simply, not about to tell her that I was going downstairs to send Garyn a text from Hensley's phone. Garyn was clueless that we knew anything. It should stay that way, especially if we were going to carry all of this out.
"Okay then. I'll just wait patiently for the shit storm to pass."
"Hurry up and wait, yeah?"
She shrugged and walked off. Shortly, I followed suit, making my way to the basement.
Upon my arrival, Riddick stood and jerked his chin. "Sup?"
"You got his phone or does he?"
"I got it, why?"
"I need it."
He grabbed it off the ground and handed it to me.
"What you got planned?"
"I’m gonna go through his texts to see the ones he sent to that gutter slut."
"You think highly of her, I see," he mouthed off. I glared at him, and he just sank into his chair that guarded the door.
I scrolled through the phone with ease because the dumbass didn't lock his screen. As I was scrolling through, I saw random names: Blake, Joe, Eric, Jay, Sully.
Wait, Jay and Sully?
I looked at the messages, and I thought my eyes deceived me.
Jay: I'm picking up a load today.
Hensley: Tell me if they have her there.
Jay: She had a run-in with Sully. She's a little badass. And u got it. I'll let you know if she's there, cuz.
Cuz? Is douche bag a family trait? I didn't know that was hereditary.
Hensley: What kind of run-in?
Jay: She was getting a tattoo and Sully went out to introduce himself. Then she kicked his knee out and hit him or some shit.
The douche at Sunset. I need to call Sax and see if this is the same guy he has a beef with. He mentioned something about a Sully. Come to think of it; I think his girl is named Roxanne or something similar.
I got back on task and looked for Garyn's name. Some ways down I found it.
Hensley: l’m headed down to PCB. Sully and Jay confirmed she's there.
Garyn: I'll keep you informed of anything I hear. Riches and freedom are almost ours. Love ya.
Hensley: Right. Love you.
I texted Garyn from Hensley's phone: Hey. I'm here at the beach house next to the one she’s staying in. I got eyes on her. Meet me at 5589 Chosen Drive Destin.
A few minutes passed, and I got a text notification to the tune of Luke Brian’s “Strip it Down”: Will do. See you soon.
Really? Luke Brian? I don't have anything against him, but I damn sure don't have him set as a ringtone on my phone.
I threw Riddick the phone again and went up to tell everyone good night. I needed to be with Charlie, needed to feel her. I needed for her to wake up with me right there so she knew I wasn't letting her do this alone. She needed to have all the encouragement she could. Even though she acted like she was okay, I knew that this was tough.
It was a tough pill to swallow that a sister figure cheated on you, and all for money. It's shitty, just plain shitty.
I stripped down to my boxers and climbed in bed, grabbed my sweet sleeping angel, and held her until I fell asleep.
The next morning I panicked when I woke and Charlie wasn't beside me. The first thing that popped into my mind was Hensley had escaped Riddick's eye and gotten to her. But then I realized that he'd have had to come through me. I ran downstairs and saw Charlie and Rumor.
My ears were never so happy to hear her voice. "Haze told me she should be here about 10:30, so we don't have long."
Fuck, how long did I sleep? What time is it?
"You have about an hour to get your shit together, Charlie," Rumor continued.
Ah. Okay. It's 9.
"Get my shit together? I don't need anything except a goddamned towel."
"The fuck for?"
"I thoroughly plan on making a bloody mess with her face, and I don't want the club to clean it up."
"You don't worry about that, babes. I told you we would help you however we need to," I replied, much to her surprise.
"Whiskey." She turned to me. "I didn't realize you were up yet."
"Well, I am. And all I want you doing is focusing on playing ball… well, after you beat the ass plum off that two-bit, dirty-legged whore."
"Okay. Thanks? I don't know what to say to that."
"Say you'll kick her ass in a hurry and then take me with you to the ballpark for your practice. It's high time I see you in action."
She nodded and reached up to give me a kiss. That was all the thanks I needed. Her. Her love. Her kisses. All of her.
"You want to eat something?" I asked, knowing the answer would be no.
''No, thanks. Later."
Ding Dong. Ding Dong.
Shooter went to answer the door. When the heck did he get here?
He opened the door and I saw the anticipation overtake Charlie's face. Slowly, I grabbed her and wrapped my arms around her for support, although I knew she didn't need it.
"Hi, I'm Amanda. Am I at the right place? I’m looking for Charlie and her ball team."
"Yeah, you found it.
Any more with you?"
"Yeah, Rustin and Baylee. They’re waiting to see if we got the right house."
Charlie chimed in, "When are Garyn and Iz coming?"
"They stopped for gas so it shouldn't be too long. Maybe ten minutes."
''Okay, get the other girls. I have news. Please hurry."
"Sure, Charlie girl. You okay?"
"I will be, but I need for you all to hear this from me. And shit's about to get real."
Amanda turned to motion the other girls to hurry up, and they bebopped their way up the walkway.
Hugs were exchanged and then abruptly stopped when Charlie’s words took them aback.
"I fully intend on fucking up Garyn in about ten minutes."
"What?" Baylee asked. "What for?"
"Yeah. Charlie. What's up?"
"She and Hensley are the ones who were driving the car that killed my mom and dad. I will not take the field with her."
"No, you're right. You won't. That's bullshit. Wait, why were they together? And who are these guys?" Amanda quizzed.
"They were sleeping together, and this one"—she pointed at me—"is my salvation. He saved me. This is Whiskey."
"Hey."
"Did anyone else know about this?" Amanda asked.
"Not to my knowledge."
Ding Dong. Ding Dong.
THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY no stopping me from answering that door. I reached it at record speed as anger consumed me, rage poured from my being, and loathing seeped from my soul. Thoughts of her bleeding from every orifice were running rampant in my spinning mind. Flinging the door open, I hardly heard the faintness of everyone trying to stop me and tell me to slow down. The only one that could pull me from the stupor was Jazz. Where in the hell she came from, I will never know.
"Charlene! I said wait!" she screamed.
I came back to reality just before I choked Izabell. That would have been awful.
"What the fuck, Charlie? Why you coming at me like you want to kill me?" she asked as things slowly simmered down, still boiling just under the surface.
"It ain't you I'm after."
"Who else would… Ohhhh! Why?"
"Fuck it. I'm going to her. I have to get it out of the way and over with," I said as I tore out the door. Not even Jazz could stop me.