Page 88 of Take Two

“I think I’m okay,” my mom says while the doctor puts the blood pressure cuff around her bicep. Terri’s on the other side of the house talking on the phone.

“Let the doctor be the judge of that,” Charlie says to my mom. He sits next to her and takes her free hand in his. He holds it until the doctor declares her blood pressure to benormal at one hundred eighteen over sixty. Once that’s done, he kisses the back of her hand, she blushes, and I fall in love with Charlie all over again. “I’m going to get you some water.” He kisses her hand again before leaving her with the doctor. He takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen.

I wrap my arms around him and say, “I’m so glad you’re here.” I’m no damsel in distress. I’m not afraid of Spence or anyone else for that matter. If he comes into my gym again, I’m going to get a restraining order against him.

There’s nothing that happens to me that I can’t handle, but having Charlie here with me, not having to do it all alone is something I’ve never experienced before. There’s something about the way he’s holding me in his arms that makes the events of this morning seem like nothing. He’s telling me without words that everything will be okay and that he’s in it with me.

I look up at him, and he smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. He grabs two bottles of water from the fridge, and when we return to my mom, the doctor is finishing up.

“Thanks,” my mom says to the doctor. She stands and Charlie gives her the water. “I’ll get out of your hair. Thank your brother and his wife for me for their generosity, but the doctor says I need to eat something.” Mom looks around and gestures for Terri. She ends her call and comes over. Her cheeks look flushed, and she doesn’t make eye contact with anyone. “Terri, let’s go get some breakfast before we head home.”

Charlie puts his large hands on my mom’s shoulders. “Why don’t you and Terri take a seat? I’m going to make you something to eat.” Mom opens her mouth to argue, but Charlie talks over her. “No arguin’ with me.” He puts his arm around her and takes her to the kitchen table, where he pulls out Mom and Terri’s chairs.

Colt and Vickie return with the boys, who both run to their Uncle Charlie. Colt’s holding the same little girl I saw in the park with her father a few weeks ago. He puts her down and she waves at everyone.

“This is Jasmine,” he says. “We ran into her, and she wanted to come play with Johnny. Charlie, you didn’t offer our guests coffee?” Colt shakes his head in disbelief. “How about some breakfast? Violet’s family is going to think we have no manners. If Mama finds out—”

“You have been so gracious,” my mom says. “We don’t want to impose.”

“It’s not an imposition,” Vickie says. “Violet, make the coffee, and Charlie and I will get breakfast.”

“You’re so lucky,” Terri says with a sniffle about ninety minutes later while I load the dishwasher. Colt and Vickie are showing my mom their wedding pictures, and Charlie is on the phone with the restaurant manager. The kids are on the other side of the house playing. “Charlie loves you, and his family likes you. They treat you like you’re one of them. Spence’s mother always treated me like a guest, like an outsider.”

I remember seeing the wedding pictures and his mother wearing all black. The only thing less depressing than her dress was the scowl on her face.

“Well, fuck that bitch then,” I whisper. “You’re divorcing his sorry ass, and you won’t have to deal with her ever again.” I bump her shoulder with mine and finally get a smile out of her. “It’s all up from here.”

“Yeah. Fuck that bitch,” she giggles.

“That’s right. Now stop the tears and help me clean this damn kitchen.”

“See? You’re doing some family shit. Only family cleans up. You deserve it,” she says.

“Girl, I don’t deserve to clean, okay?”

She giggles and gets back to work.

Charlie made frittatas for everyone per Colt’s request. Over a decadent breakfast and coffee, my family and my boyfriend’s family shared a meal together. There was no talk about what happened at the gym. Instead, we heard stories about Colt and Charlie as boys, and my mother told a few about me.

“I saw Spence with a woman yesterday,” Terri whispers. “I wished her luck and warned her he couldn’t keep it in his pants. That’s why he’s so angry. I’m sorry he did that. I’m so embarrassed.”

I load the last dish and turn to her. “You should have told her how small his dick is. That would have made her run.” We both burst into giggles while I wipe down the counter.

“I want you to come back to Alabama with me,” Charlie says hours later. He pulls off his shirt and puts it in my hamper. “I don’t feel good about leaving you here with that nutcase bein’ angry at you for no reason. Come for a week at least.”

He walks to me, puts his hands on my hips, and kisses my neck. He’s been with me all day. Colt was very gracious to me and my family and went so far as to have his driver take Mom and Terri home. We returned to the gym, and Charlie was with me when the plumber arrived. Once that was handled, and I wasfree for the day, he came home with me. After I showered, he held me in his arms while we napped.

I’ve never felt so safe or so loved by a man in my life. In that moment, I never wanted him to let me go.

“I love you for that, but I’m not scared of Spence.”

“It’s not about him. I want you with me. I’ve missed you.” He grasps my chin and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “And I need your help with the house this week. Help me pick out furniture.” He pulls down his boxers, and I lick my lips at the sight of his dick. It doesn’t even matter that it’s flaccid right now. After our nap, he made love to me twice, but seeing him like this makes me want him again.

The thought of him leaving me makes my stomach sink to my feet, but I can’t just take off. At least not tomorrow.

“What if I fly down on Thursday? I can move some clients around and get someone to cover my Friday and Saturday classes, but I can’t tomorrow.” I wrap my arms around his naked body. “You’re going to let me pick out your cabinets and couch? What about a table and chairs? What comes after that? Do I get to pick out your clothes?”

“If you want to,” he says with a grin. “Nothing too bright or flashy.”

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