Page 37

Shane

“…he used my body as a p-punching bag...”

C harlie’s words are lit up in neon letters behind my eyelids.

I’m going to kill his fucking dad.

My mind is spinning with question after question and I’m starting to get a headache. Has he been abused his whole life? How has Benji not noticed? And what the actual fuck happened with that teacher? How does wanting to help a little kid read go from offering aid to being blackmailed? Wouldn’t you want your kid to get as much help as possible, especially when they’re that young?

I reach for my phone on the nightstand, careful not to wake Charlie. The bright light from my screen shows that it’s a little past two thirty in the morning. I hesitate before clicking on my texts with Lily. I have no idea if she’s even awake this late the night before finals, but I can’t sleep, and if anyone knows anything about what’s going on with Charlie, it’d be her.

Me: Hey. Are you up?

I see the dots appear a second later.

Feisty Pants: You just saved me from hours of doomscrolling! I was supposed to be asleep like three hours ago!

I’d roll my eyes at her addiction to social media if I wasn’t in need of answers.

Me: Charlie told me some stuff about his past that has me ready to rage. I know you’ve known him since high school and are close…do you know anything about how his dad treats him? Or about what happened when a teacher tried to help him in elementary school?

My jaw pops as I bite down on my molars, feeling the anger rise to the surface again.

Feisty Pants: Those are some loaded questions for it almost being three in the morning.

Me: Please just answer the questions. I’m not in the mood for jokes.

The dots start, then stop, then start again for almost three minutes. I catch myself shaking my leg impatiently. I move it under my opposite leg to stop the shaking before I wake Charlie.

Feisty Pants:I know his dad is the biggest asshole I’ve ever met. He’s always passive-aggressive when he’s talking to Charlie. He makes it a point to shove all his success in Charlie’s face while belittling him about his career path in art, how he’s so much different from Benji, and how he thinks Charlie’s mental health is a ploy for attention. I know his mom has A LOT of connections with “doctors” and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s the one who got all those prescriptions filled that I saw in his bathroom. He HATES doctors, especially therapists, so I know he didn’t get those on his own.

I heard a rumor in high school about a teacher everyone loved in elementary school who just up and left one day in the middle of the school year. I hadn’t moved to Gold Ridge Valley yet, so I have no idea what really happened besides a beloved teacher leaving out of nowhere.

This only makes me hate his dad even more. I don’t know how I’m going to keep from approaching him after our game tomorrow.

He always throws a Christmas party the day after our last game of the year before break. Everyone is expected so there’s no way I can avoid going. We’re all given a plus one, so I might use it this year and bring Charlie along. I’d be spending the whole time texting him anyway. Plus, there’s going to be a shit ton of people there, so it won’t be that hard to keep him away from his dad.

Feisty Pants: I’ve had my suspicions that his dad was hurting him because Charlie would show up to school with scrapes and bruises that he didn’t have the day before. But every time I asked about them, he made up some excuse and wouldn’t talk about it anymore. I have no proof that it was his dad, just a gut feeling so I could be wrong.

Charlie wants to get as far from his parents as possible but needs the other part of his trust fund to do so. His dad has the connections to prevent him from graduating, which will make the trust fund money null and void. And yes, he will do that to his own child if he feels it’s necessary. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s used his power/influence/connections to stop Charlie from getting something he’s worked hard for.

Charlie makes a low whining noise, and I realize that I’ve tightened my arm around him. I immediately relax my arm and kiss his head in apology.

His fucking dad has moved to the top spot on my shit list. It’s going to take a fucking miracle for us to be in the same room without giving him a piece of my mind. And fist.

I slowly blow air out of my nose, calming my racing heart.

Me: Thanks Lily. I’m going to do my best to keep him from going back to that house. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like that, especially by his parents.

I contemplate telling her that it was his dad that hurt him, but if Charlie wanted her to know, he would’ve told her by now. I’m sure he’ll tell her when he’s ready.

I’m about to close my phone when an ugly face flashes in my memory.

Me: Hey, have you ever seen a big guy at his place, about my height, with graying black hair and is about fifty pounds overweight? He reeks of cigarettes and drives a black Rolls-Royce.

Feisty Pants: Yeah. That’s Conrad, his dad’s right-hand man and business partner. He’s actually a really nice guy. I have no idea why he’s working for Franklin. We went to the same high school as his daughters but they’re the most stuck-up bitches I’ve ever met.

Nice? That asshole almost hit me with his car then choked and threatened me, not to mention what he did to Charlie’s art room.

Me: I must have met someone else. See you at the game tomorrow?

Feisty Pants: I’ll be there!

Putting my phone back on the charger, I move Charlie up my chest so his head is on my shoulder. His warm puffs of air hit my lips as I drop a soft kiss on his cracked lips.

“I’ll never let him hurt you again, beautiful.”

His lips twitch as he mumbles something incoherent.

I spend the next however many minutes watching him sleep, tracing his freckles until my eyes drift closed.

We just shut out the Hawthorne Rams in our final game before winter break. It was one of the most fun games I’ve played in a while. I’m not sure if their goalie was off his game or what but he let in four goals in the first period. Then another two in the second and by the time the horn sounded at the end of the third, we won eight to zero! It’s the highest-scoring game I’ve ever been a part of, and we all had a blast skating circles around them.

I have a huge smile on my face as I’m Shipping Up to Boston blasts from the stadium’s speakers. I look up into the stands and see Lily jumping up and down with a girl I don’t recognize with Noah standing next to them cheering. I move over to the aisle seat and see my beautiful boy still sitting but he has a bright smile across his face as our eyes meet.

I pull my gloves off and make a heart with my hands. I hold them up and look through them at him. He flushes bright red and ducks his head. I chuckle as I skate to the bench and fist-bump the guys as they walk down the tunnel to the locker room.

As the last guy walks by, I turn and look up at Charlie who’s already watching me. I wink before heading into the tunnel.

I make quick work of showering and changing, ready to spend the night with Charlie and the guys.

“So are we doing pizza, tacos, big ass subs…” Matt names off food as we walk towards the parking garage.

“I was thinking we could try that new Italian place that opened a few days ago. I plan on stuffing my face with as much as I can before we have to return to ‘eating clean’.” Ryder air quotes the last part.

I can’t help but snort at him because I do all the cooking, and I know damn well that my ‘clean eating’ tastes great and fills him up.

“Fuuuck,” Matt drags out. “Chicken Alfredo with a loaf of warm bread sounds like heaven right about now.”

They keep talking about what they’re going to eat as I look around for Charlie. I spot him leaning against the passenger side door of my truck, looking down, kicking around a few small rocks.

When my shoes come into view, he lifts his head. His eyes are as beautiful as ever, the gold flecks bright against the lighting. His face lights up right before I smash my lips to his. He sucks in a breath as I push him up against the door. I push my tongue past his lips as I slide my leg between his, rubbing my thigh against his growing erection. A low groan rumbles from deep in his throat.

“I’m not gay but fuck, that’s hot,” Matt says from behind me.

Charlie drops his head to my chest and laughs.

Turning to Matt, I lift my brow. “You sure you aren’t bi,” I tease.

He tilts his head and actually thinks about it for a minute.

“Well, I mean my dick did twitch a little. But I don’t want to be fucked..in..the..ass…” He drifts off in thought before finishing his sentence.

Ryder bursts out laughing before he pushes a dazed Matt into the back seat. Ash stands back with his arms crossed over his chest, shaking his head.

I look back down at Charlie who’s trying to hold back laughter.

“Your friends are so weird,” he chuckles.

I shrug and smirk at him. “Eh, they have their moments but they’re the best friends I’ve ever had.”

Charlie smiles at that but I can see sadness in his eyes.

“They’re your friends too, baby. We stick together no matter what.”

He nods before standing on his toes and kissing me. Dropping back down, he laughs when we hear Ryder and Matt yelling at us to get in so they can eat.

“Better get in before they start eating your truck.”

Charlie’s leg is bouncing a mile a minute as I drive all of us up the winding entrance to F. Lex Hotel. It’s a massive luxurious hotel that rivals the Four Seasons in Chicago. It’s the biggest hotel Charlie’s dad owns in the US, so it makes perfect sense that this is where Franklin sets up the Christmas dinner every year.

I reach over and place my hand on Charlie’s racing leg. He keeps his gaze on his window but slows the bouncing of his leg. We talked about him coming with us last night after we got home. I might have been edging him for thirty minutes before I asked if he’d come with, withholding his orgasm until he said yes. Once he finally came and we were both covered in cum, he looked me in the eye and made me promise to never leave his side. It wasn’t a hard promise to make because I already had no intention of letting him out of my sight.

I pull up to the valet and hand my keys to the guy before helping Charlie on his unsteady legs. Wrapping my arm around his waist, he leans into me as we follow behind Ryder and Matt with Asher on Charlie’s other side.

The ballroom is decked out in gold and red with soft lighting. There’s a massive tree in the corner covered in gold tinsel with red ornaments. A DJ is set up in the opposite corner with one of the two bars off to the right. The tables are covered in white linen with gold plating, each with a poinsettia bouquet in the center. There’s a huge dance floor in the middle of the room that’s currently being used as a meet-and-greet area. Along with my teammates and their plus ones, the coaching staff and medical team are here as well. There are easily a hundred people here.

The five of us make our way to a table furthest from the front of the room.

“I need a drink. Anyone else want something,” Ryder asks.

Ash walks over to him indicating that he’ll go with him.

“I’ll take a rum and Coke,” Matt says as he scans the room.

I squeeze Charlie’s waist as I ask what he wants.

“Umm, anything stronger than beer please.”

“I got you,” Ryder winks before looking at me.

“Any zero soda or an Arnold Palmer.”

“I know you’re the DD but we just got here. You should have at least one drink. We’ll be here for at least three hours.”

I’m already shaking my head before he’s finished. “I’m good. You know I don’t drink that much anyway.”

Ryder shrugs. “Alright, but these rich fucks have the top-shelf stuff. Just saying.” He walks off with Asher next to him.

I take a seat and pull Charlie down to sit next to me. His hand is sweaty, and his head is on a swivel as he looks at everyone who passes our table.

“Look at me, baby.”

He turns his head towards me, but his eyes still track the people walking by.

I flip his hand palm up and slowly drag my fingers up and down his. He closes his eyes for a few beats and slows his breathing. Opening them, he looks at me with a small grin.

“Thanks.”

“Always, beautiful.”

“I’ve always wanted to come to these Christmas parties. Not for the people but to experience the beauty.” He looks around calmly this time as he talks. “Benji always talks about how much he looks forward to it and whatever girl he’s dating at the time always expresses how beautiful and elegant it is. They aren’t wrong. I can see why my father picked this place out of all the other hotels he owns in the area.” He pauses and bites his lip as he looks at me. “If it wasn’t attached to my father’s name, it’d be a beautiful place for a wedding.”

My cheeks bunch as I grin at him. “Are you saying you’re open to getting married one day?” I’m teasing him. This is one of the nicest places I’ve ever been to, so I know what he means.

His neck starts to flush, and I watch as it slowly creeps up to his cheeks. “I-I um...I’d like to. It’d be nice knowing someone loves me unconditionally.” His eyes go big. “Not that you have conditions for loving me. I know you love me the way I am. I-I didn’t mean it like that. I’d marry you if you asked…” He slaps his hands over his mouth and then covers his face. “Why am I like this,” he moans.

I chuckle as I wrap my arms around him. “You’re perfect,” I say into the top of his head.

“He ok?”

I look up and see Ryder and Asher with matching concerned looks

“Yeah, he’s fine.”

Charlie sits up and grabs his drink. He takes a tentative sip at first but then takes a long pull.

“This is good! What is it?” He takes another sip before Ryder answers.

“It’s a Long Island Iced Tea. I figured you needed the amount of booze in there. I also know how much you like sweet flavors so I figured this was a good mix.” Ryder lifts his glass of what I know to be an Old Fashioned.

We all raise our glasses. “Cheers to great friends and a fun winter break!” We all say cheers and clink our glasses together.

After an hour of mingling, we’re served dinner. Charlie cleans his bowl and downs another Long Island. I can tell he’s feeling buzzed by how relaxed he is and the way his cheeks are glowing pink.

Once the plates are cleared, dessert is set out on a buffet-style table. I’m about to go get some for Charlie when he grabs my hand and pulls me to the dance floor. I’m shocked for a second but quickly wipe it away and let him lead me to the center of the room.

I’ve never seen him so relaxed and free before. He lets the sound of Nat King Cole’s voice move his body as he dances around me to Deck the Halls . I can’t stop smiling at him. He doesn’t stop as the song shifts into What Christmas Means To Me by Stevie Wonder and starts a chaotic swing dance with me. I burst out laughing, enjoying the hell out of this. When the song ends, we’re joined by Ryder and Matt and all four of us dance to the famous All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey.

I pull Charlie close to me and put my forehead to his as I sing the last part just for him.

“All I want for Christmas is you, baby.”

He looks up at me with a soft smile, then leans in and presses his lips to mine. It’s a gentle kiss but full of emotion, like he’s quietly whispering I want you too.

Just then, I look up and see Franklin glaring in our direction. He starts to head toward us, but Coach Q steps in and stops him. Thankfully, they get caught up in a serious conversation. I won't let anything ruin Charlie’s night.

“I’m thirsty. Can we get another one of those drinks,” he yells over the music.

I weave my fingers through his and lead him to the nearest bar, ordering him another Long Island and a water.

The rest of the night goes by with more dancing, a short break for sweets, more dancing, including Asher this time, and the appearance of Charlie’s dimples more than once.