Page 54 of Voices

“Maybe.” He smiles softly as he leans back against me, returning to the stars.

We’re interrupted a few minutes later by Lily carrying out a cheesecake with a shit ton of lit candles on it. Charlie sits up with a smile on his gorgeous face as everyone starts singing to him.

“Happy Birthday Charlie!” We all shout at the end.

“Make a wish beautiful,” I whisper into his ear.

He closes his eyes for a beat, takes a deep breath, and blows out all the candles as he opens his eyes.

“Wow. Did you see his blowjob, Shane?” Matt wiggles his brows and laughs.

I give him the finger as everyone else laughs and Charlie turns back to the stars.

“Did you really fit twenty-one candles on that?” I ask Lily as she plucks them off and puts them on a small plate.

“You bet your sexy ass I did!” She smiles brightly at me as she sucks a bit of cheesecake off the end of a candle.

“Jax gets the first slice then you guys can fight over the rest.” She cuts a small piece and places it on a plate and stabs a fork in it, handing it to Charlie. But he’s lost to the stars, so she hands it to me with a knowing smile on her face.

“Jax?” I ask, setting the cake on the table next to me.

“He loved Sons of Anarchy, specifically Jax who’s played by Charlie Hunnam. Charlie and Charlie, get it?” She beams as she cuts another piece. “Would you like a slice before I let them loose,” she asks pointing the knife over her shoulder at Matt and Ryder who are comically trying not to hover. I look at the store-bought stiff cheesecake and shake my head. “Suit yourself.” She turns to the guys. “Back inside. I don’t need anyone falling off this balcony over a damn cake.” They follow her inside leaving me alone with Charlie once more.

I rub his back to get his attention. “Charlie Hunnam, huh? He is afine-looking man. Though I liked him better as King Arthur. He’s a bit older than he was as Jax Teller so there’s more sweat and muscles.” He has a small smile on his face still tilted upwards.

I bounce my knee, getting his attention. “Would you like to eat your cheesecake?” I hold it up to his face.

“I don’t want to miss the stars. They’re so bright tonight.”

I pull the fork from where Lily stabbed it and scoop a small amount onto it. “Open,” I whisper next to his ear. He does so without taking his eyes from the sky. I feed him his slice of cheesecake bite after bite until it’s gone.

We sit out here until a chill works its way through my t-shirt.Charlie pulled the hood over his head a little while ago, so I know he’s getting cold too.

“I think we should head inside before it gets any colder.” He doesn’t say anything.

As I slowly sit up, I pull his hood off his face and see that he’s passed out. Chuckling lightly, I turn him over so his chest is on mine with his head resting on my shoulder. Standing, I carry him inside.

He told me earlier that today brings a lot of stress, and it drains him, which is why he tries to sleep through most of it. He also mentioned that sleeping pills help, but I had no idea they could make him sleep this muchThe lamp is on by the couch, but everyone has left.

I carry him to my bed and tuck him in. Smoothing the hair from his face, I place a light kiss on his cheek.

“Happy birthday, beautiful.”

I quietly step out of my room, leaving the door cracked. I check my phone to see if I have any messages, but it’s blank.

Where the hell did they all go?

I head for the kitchen and find a slice of cheesecake sitting on a plate next to a piece of paper with Asher’s familiar handwriting on it.

These animals weren’t ready to call it a night, so we’re heading to Benji’s party. I’ll try to get Ryder and Matt to leave at a decent time for practice but I’m not promising anything. -Ash

Party? Charlie hasn’t mentioned anything about a party. Did Benji invite him? That’s kind of fucked up if he didn’t tell his brother about a birthday party for them.

I know at least half the team will be there which means practice is going to be hell tomorrow…for them. Asher will leave once he’s met his people quota for the night, so I know he’ll be good.

I grab the plate, put it in the fridge while grabbing a bottle of water, and turn on the light over the stove and head back to my room. I quietly make my way to the side of the bed Charlie isn’t currently spread out on. I plug in my phone, double checking that my alarm is set then strip down to my boxers and slide in under the cool sheets.

Charlie rolls over and drapes his leg over mine while nuzzling my neck. With his hand on my ribs hugging me to him, I place mine on top of his and close my eyes.

---