Page 87 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 4

brAD

When Chuck and Minni invited me to Charlie’s welcome home dinner, I wanted to say no. But they’d wonder why. And they invited Harper.

I still should have said no. Brad and Minni trust me. And I’m perving on their son.

The awkwardness is new. Not something I usually feel in my best friend’s home. At least with Harper here, I don’t feel as exposed. I mostly listen as Charlie and his parents talk about his move back home. Everything feels different now. Off balance.

Charlie reassures his mom he’s not moving anytime soon, and some of my tension eases. I didn’t even realize it was a worry. That Charlie would leave again.

It never bothered me before. Kids move away. But now? It hurts even thinking about it. “If you need help unpacking, Charlie, just let me know,” I offer.

“That’s perfect,” Minni says, turning to her husband. “Isn’t it a great idea, honey?”

Chuck nods in agreement. “Brad is great at stuff like that. He’s your guy, kiddo.”

Charlie grits his teeth. Is he upset about me offering to help? Or the term kiddo? Probably both. His eyes dart to mine, promising payback. I try not to squirm like a freshman on the first day of class. What is happening?

“Brad is always so helpful.” When he says it like that, I’m not sure he means it. “He’s part of the Homes for Hope project.” He raises a brow at me in challenge. Did I miss something?

My best friend studies me. “You’re helping with that? You didn’t tell us.”

“I did, Chuck.” I poke at the food on my plate. “You just don’t listen to me.”

“You said you were volunteering. You didn’t mention it was Charlie’s project.”

“At the time, I didn’t know.” I scoot back from the table, ready to make my escape.

“Anyway,” Charlie says with a forced laugh. “I’m learning, but there’s still a lot I don’t know about construction.”

“Brad can—ow!” Chuck glares at Minni.

I bite back a grin. “I’d love to help however I can, Charlie.”

Charlie is not smiling. “So you’d help me out? Explain what all those big construction words mean? Just so I don’t look so clueless, right?”

Is this a trap? “Sure. Anytime.”

“Great.” He stands and throws his napkin down. “How about now?”

“Now?”

“Let the man eat his dinner, sweetheart,” Minni says. “This can wait.”

“He’s not eating his food, Mom. He’s just poking at it.” Charlie crosses his arms and stares at me. And it feels like a challenge.

One that I’m more than up for. Except that’s the problem. Charlie taking charge and ordering me around makes for a very awkward situation. Jesus. I’m not a fucking teenager.

“Problem, Brad?”

I don’t dare look at him. “Nope.” As I stand, I slowly turn away from the table.

“Jesus, Grandpa. Don’t break anything,” Charlie says, sounding exasperated. “I’ll meet you in the study.”

I’m not sure which is worse. Charlie thinking I can barely get up because of my age or the truth: I’m trying not to flash my boner situation to his parents and my sister. But it gets easier once he’s out of the room.

He’s angry with me. But why? I excuse myself but only make it as far as the living room before someone grabs my arm.

My sister shoots a glance at the hallway leading to the study and then the kitchen. “I need to talk to you for a minute.”

“Charlie’s waiting for me.”

“Yeah. I was there. That’s what I want to talk to you about.”

Did she notice something? My sister is fairly astute.

I take a deep breath, trying not to panic. “Okay, but hurry.”

She nods like she’s building up to it. “Charlie’s a nice guy.”

Another deep breath. “He is.”

“I just don’t want to see him get hurt.”

Oh God. The breaths are no longer working. “Harper?—”

“Here me out. You know everyone in this town. Including all the gay guys.”

What the hell? “That’s not—I don’t know all the gay guys.”

She waves her hand. “You know what I mean. I want you to help Charlie find a nice guy. Someone who won’t hurt him.” I stare at her, and she huffs. “So he doesn’t leave again.”

I’m trying to process that when Charlie stomps back into the room. “Brad. Come on. I don’t have all day.”

I give Harper a helpless look and follow Charlie to the study. The room is a cross between a library and a craft room. I move toward the couch, maneuvering around baskets of yarn. Charlie steps in my path.

“I want an answer right now, Brad,” he says, glaring at me with his hands on his hips. “What the hell is going on?”

I’ve never seen Charlie like this. Embarrassed? Yes. Frustrated? Sure. Full-on pissed? Eyes flashing. Poised to fight. In my face? Nope. I step back because the closer he gets, the harder it is to resist him. And I must resist him. “I’m not sure?—”

“Bullshit.”

I manage to hold in my smile. “Just trying to get clarification.”

He looks skeptical, but he takes the volume down a notch. “What does that mean?”

“Are you asking about what’s going on with us?” I cringe at that. Not that there is an us. “Is this about the other day at the restaurant? Or before?”

He wraps his arms around his chest, and I hate how vulnerable he looks. “All of it. I just don’t get you. And yeah, everyone else is being weird.” His eyes get huge. “Do they know about the party?”

“No.”

“About…?” He waves his hand between us.

I’m not sure if he’s talking about the texts or the tension between us. “Fuck, no.”

He laughs. “Okay. Then, what?”

I shrug. Not sure I pull it off. Everyone in that room is worried about him leaving again. Worried he won’t be able to make it on his own. Even though he already has. They want to cover him in bubble wrap and keep him safe.

“Let’s put a pin in that for now.” He shakes his head and tendrils escape his messy bun and fall across his face. My fingers itch to sweep them back. “This whole thing has been confusing. First, the texts?—”

“Those were a mistake. I thought…” But my steam runs out. I can’t say the words.

His mouth twitches. “You sent my dad a dick pic.”

I spread out my hands. “It was a joke.”

Charlie laughs, his eyes sparkling. “I disagree, Brad. That cock was no joke.”