Page 32 of Lady Luck's Kiss
14
CHARLIE
Charlie discovered that, every night, Jack found some reason or another to meet up with her. They’d been to dinner, a movie, shopping and played mini-golf. It was one thing or another, but they were together. She really enjoyed his company and caught him a few times leaning towards her to kiss her but then yanking his head back at the last moment. He was trying so hard to keep things slow between them.
Tonight would be no different. They were supposed to meet up at about seven. She’d invited Jack over to watch tv and hang out. He suggested going out instead and when she’d asked him where he wanted to go, that is when she realized that he was afraid to be alone with her. The man was scared he’d ruin things with her again.
“Charlie?”
She jerked up, slamming her head into the low hood on her Camaro at the sudden voice nearby. Buddy had pulled up and she’d never even heard the truck outside.
“Owwww!” she grimaced, rubbing the crown of her head. “Hey, Buddy, how are you doing?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m pretty hard headed. I’ll be fine,” she said with a smile. “What brings you by?”
“I wanted to apologize.”
“Stop. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
“I felt like I pushed you and made an pest out of myself. If you’ve got a guy and you are happy, well, I hope he makes you happy. And if you don’t, then I’d like to try to be that guy for you.” He stood there holding his baseball cap in his hands, curling the bill nervously. She’d known him for years and he really was a nice guy. But he did nothing for her.
“I’m glad you came by,” she started softly, seeing his face light up. She hated to dash his hopes, but it wasn’t fair to lead him on. She should have told him long ago that she wasn’t interested in him like that. “We’ve known each other for a long time and been friends forever. I would hate to lose that friendship, but that is what it is for me. I’m sorry, Buddy.”
“I kinda always knew but had to tell you how I felt.”
“I understand completely.”
“Still friends?”
“Always,” she said firmly with a wide smile. “Now, what brings you by? I don’t see a ‘victim’ on the hook of your truck,” she teased.
“Nawww,” he drawled with a smile. “No ‘victim’ today but I do have something for you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I picked up a side hobby and deliver boxes for a wheel shop up the road. You know Jimmy’s?”
“Yes.”
“Well if he’s got stuff in town, then I run it up the road. Nice gig, he pays pretty good and covers my fuel. If I get a call or see a car, I can tow them, too.”
“What are you delivering? I don’t understand.” Jimmy’s was a fancy shop up the street that she’d avoided like the plague. Itwas high line expensive car parts that were completely out of her budget.
“Nope, gotta sign the invoice first. I’ll get the boxes.” It was unusual for Buddy to be grinning like a crazy man, but there it was. And the grin was complete with bits of chewing tobacco in his teeth again. Charlie sighed and accepted the clipboard.
Glancing down, she saw it was a faded invoice and Jimmy’s printer was in obvious need of toner. She could barely make out what it said. Holding it up to the light, she saw parts numbers and that the balance due was zero.
Shrugging, she scribbled her name at the bottom with a flourish. This would probably be the only time she ever signed for anything from him.
Buddy walked in with a large box hanging from each hand. She stared wide eyed at him as he set them down and returned quickly with two more large boxes. She recognized the shape of the boxes.
“No way,” she breathed aloud and then began to screech excitedly. “No WAY! NO WAY! NO WAAAAAY!” Charlie raced over and flung herself at one of the boxes, yanking desperately at the top that was held firmly shut with massive staples. “Is this what I think it is? Buddy, you shouldn’t have! Tell me you didn’t do this!”
“I didn’t, Charlie.”
“Then who did? Gimme that crowbar please,” she said absently, trying to wedge a screwdriver under the staple to free the lid of the box. “Is this what I think it is?”
