“Charlie tells me you also participate in LARP. She’s convinced me to come next time.”
Ben’s eyes widen. “Really? That’s cool. What character are you going to play?”
“A troll.”
A smile appears on his flushed face. “That’s awesome. I’m a troll hunter. You’re going to need a costume.”
I make a face, which results in Ben laughing. “What?”
“Your expression of horror was priceless. I wish Charlie had seen it.”
I rub the back of my neck. “She’s seen it already.”
“What’s the deal between you and her? Are you dating now?”
I’m taken aback by his question, which is stupid. I told Jane about Charlie and me, so why wouldn’t she have told her brother?
“Yes we are.”
Ben’s expression becomes serious. “If you’re Charlie’s boyfriend now, then I have to come clean about something.”
Gee, what could he possibly want to tell me?
“Okay.”
“The prank with the chickens was my idea. My girlfriend’s parents own a farm.”
I stare at him without blinking for a moment, trying to keep my laughter bottled in, but it bubbles up my throat anyway. Charlie returns, finding me in such a state of amusement that I have tears in my eyes.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
“I told Troy the chickens were my idea. I think he lost it,” Ben deadpans.
Swallowing my laughter, I wipe the moisture from underneath my eyes. “I’m sorry. Your brother gave me the giggles.”
With a half-smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, Charlie shakes her head. Her reaction sobers me up. They’re dealing with a shitty family situation, and here I am, laughing like an idiot.
She turns to her brother. “I talked to Mom briefly. She’s a mess, so you’re coming home with me.” As an afterthought, she glances my way. “That’s okay, right?”
Why would she think I wouldn’t be okay with that?
“Of course, babe.”
“That might mean I won’t be able to come to the party with you.”
I’m disappointed by this turn of events—I was looking forward to introducing Charlie to my friends—but I keep my face neutral. “Hey, there are parties every weekend. It’s no big deal if we miss this one.”
I’d go and wait in the living room while Charlie helps Ben pack a bag for the weekend, but I’m afraid to bump into her mother. To avoid a possible awkward encounter, I stand in a corner and start looking for troll costumes on my phone.
This is definitely not how I envisioned my first date with Charlie would end.
29
CHARLIE
I wake up before sunrise, feeling wretched about what happened last night. My back is sore from sleeping on the air mattress, but stiffness is the least of my worries. I couldn’t get Mom to talk to me, which means I still don’t know exactly what prompted my parents’ fight, only what Ben told me he overheard.
Mom accused Dad of having an affair.
The idea brings bile to my mouth. I always believed my parents had a happy marriage. Growing up, it was rare for me to see them argue, and even when it happened, they made up quickly. I’m devastated by the possibility that Mom is correct in her suspicions.
Ben is still sound asleep in my bed. I tiptoe to the bathroom, and after I take care of my morning business, I head downstairs. My heart is heavy as I prepare coffee like a robot. Tears gather in my eyes, burning them. A few rogue ones manage to escape, rolling down my cheeks. I hastily wipe them dry, refusing to succumb to the sadness. Ben might be mistaken, or Mom could be wrong. It’s too soon for me to fall into despair.
The wooden boards on the stairs creak, alerting me that my solitude is over. Troy is the one who woke early, like me. His hair is a mess, sticking out at odd angles, and he seems to be half asleep as he trudges to the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He’s also breaking our rules by only wearing sweatpants that hide nothing and no T-shirt. His pants hang low, emphasizing his delicious V that immediately turns me on. I’d complain, but he’s offering me distraction on a platter, and I desperately need that.
“Morning, babe.” He pulls me to him and kisses me softly on the lips.
Hmm, minty toothpaste flavor.
“Good morning,” I whisper against his mouth, glad I brushed my teeth before coming down.
“Why are you up so early?” we both ask at the same time.