Love Notes (25 page)

I drove home knowing I’m in need of some guidance. My mom and dad knew what I was doing tonight and wanted to come. However, I convinced them to stay. I thought it might be too much for Charlie and I’m glad I listened to my instincts.

I grudgingly walk in and there they sit, with bated breaths. I smile a half cocked smile, “Well it was good and it wasn’t. But I should probably explain in detail.”

I sit there and start to recall the whole sordid details of the night. From the song with Charlie, to stepping in the back and seeing a slowly fading mark across her cheek. I explain to them what Charlie had told me, about her parents as well as the ending of her evening the night before. I get choked up and feel a tear well up in my eye and quickly wipe it away. I see my dad tense up and his hands close into a fist until his knuckles are white, when I mention Charlie being slapped. And my mom throwing her hand over her mouth, shaking her head and stifling a loud gasp at the mention of how Charlie found out about her “dad.”

We all sit in silence for a few minutes, just taking it all in. I can see my mom’s heart breaking for my Charlie. She comes and sits next to me, pulling me towards her, and just hugs me. This only fuels my anger for Charlie’s mom. How many mom hugs did Charlie miss out on?

I gather my bearings and begin to explain my intentions of going to homecoming. But that Charlie still has something to say to me and I won’t give her a chance to tell me, until after, I give her the perfect night.

“Regardless of the outcome, I’m glad she has you son.” My dad says.

“I screwed up though, don’t you see?”

“No, son. You had an accident and pushed people away that love you. Who’s to say what we would’ve done, in that same position? The point is that you recognized it and are trying desperately to make it right.”

I know he’s trying to make me feel better, but nothing can. Not right now. What I can do though, is make sure that Charlie has the best homecoming possible.

Chapter 45-Charlie

“Okay, my friend. Get your hot ass in here and let me get your make up done and beautify you for your man, before you get your dress on.”

“We’ve been through this Tori. We aren’t together but are going to the dance together.”

I’d told Tori everything and she seemed confused as to why I didn’t jump right back into the boyfriend and girlfriend title. There was a reason, one that was going to be hard for me, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

“Your dress is going to be killer on you. He’s not going know what to do with his hands all night long.” Tori said and I secretly hope so. It is a dark purple that looks great against my hair color. It looks pretty good with my eyes too. It is strapless, hugs my waist and flares to just below the knees. Kind of like a princess dress. It is the prettiest dress I’ve ever worn. It is also the prettiest I’ve ever felt.

“I’m so nervous Tor. I don’t know why, I just am. It’s not like this is our first date. Why do I feel like this?”

She places the eye pencil down, which I appreciate. I don’t feel like attending the dance with an eye patch. Tori can get animated with her hands when she speaks.

“I can only guess as to why. But this is my assumption. Because you were hurt and this is the first time that you’re together after everything that has happened. The thing with your parents is huge Charlie. You’ve been through a lot and deep down, it’s what you’ve been used to. I think you’re still scared, which you have every right to be. Maverick hurting you, which remember only happened because of the accident. Not giving him an excuse, but you know what I mean.”

I think about it and realize, she’s nailed it. That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. “How did you get to be so smart?” I ask her.

“Girl, you know I’ve always been smart like this. It just took you a while to see it.” She laughs.

Funny, but she’s right. The whole time I’ve known her, she’s always been full of wisdom, full of herself sometimes, but when it came to me, always right on the money.

I throw my arms around her, hugging her. “What’s that for?” she asks. But throws hers around me giggling. “You know what it’s for. I’m just so glad to have you in my life.”

“Okay, enough already, as she pulls back. “We need to finish getting you ready. And of course, I have to get my hot self ready too.”

“I won’t move again, swear.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep Charlie,” she says laughing.

This time I don’t move. I stay as still as a statue. When she pronounces me done, she turns me around to look at myself. Wow, is she good.

I look good, pretty even.

She throws me out of the bathroom so she can get ready, and I head into my room to put my beautiful dress on.

We simultaneously peek our heads out, not revealing our whole self yet.

“Okay, on three. Tori says. Together we count, “One. Two. Three.” We both open our doors all the way, revealing our put together selves. We look good. Tori’s dress is an emerald green but more fitted and strapless. It makes her green eyes pop something fierce and hugs her thin body like a second skin.

At that moment all I can think is, “Will is gonna freak.” I don’t say it out loud, because Lord knows, she would kill me for saying it. But it’s true.

“Charlie, you look hot girl. Maverick is gonna go nuts.” I smile inwardly, because that’s what I’m hoping to accomplish. I’ve never been called hot before and starting to feel a little different.

But the dress and all the gobs of makeup is what makes me look and feel good. What am I without it?

The door bell rings signaling that Maverick is there to pick me up. Tori gives me a slight shove towards the stairs and says, “You’ve got this. Now go get him, tiger.”

I turn around and smirk at her, but take her words to heart. As I make my way down the stairway, I see Shelby beaming up at me and Maverick standing right beside her.

Oh. My. Word.

There aren’t enough words to describe Maverick. He is so much more. The guy is made for a tux. He’s wearing a dark purple tie, that matches my dress to perfection. He’s grinning from ear to ear like the Cheshire cat, but his eyes say something else entirely. They’re full of heat and want. They say, “I could eat you for dinner.”

I try to stifle a giggle, recalling a conversation we’d had from the past. He grabs my hand when I reach the bottom step and just stares at me.

Shelby clears her throat and says, “Okay you two, picture time.”

My heart is so full for Shelby, because this is what a mom does. She isn’t mine by blood, but she’s taken to doing things for me, just like she would for Tori.

I know most teenagers would be hating this part, but I’m eating it up. I feel sadness begin to creep up to the forefront of my mind. Knowing that I would’ve never had this with my own mom, even if there hadn’t been a fight between us. My dad would’ve laughed at me and made some rude or snide comments about my dress. He would’ve told me what a fat ass I was or called me porky pig. As my mind is wandering, I feel Maverick lightly nudge me. As if sensing my thoughts, “You look gorgeous and it’s their loss. They don’t deserve your thoughts. This is your night. Let’s not think about them.” I nod my head in agreement and say, “You look handsome Maverick.”

“Not as good as you though. Trust me.” he winks.

All of a sudden Tori pipes up, “Time for me to have pics with my bestie. We need pictures and it needs to be rectified, while we look so damn good.”

Shelby just shakes her head, with a smile on her face and snaps away.

Walking into the dance is a feeling I will never forget. Maverick holding my hand and heads turning. A couple of those heads happen to also be the ‘bitches’. Yeah, it felt pretty good.

He may not be able to dance but, he still guides me to the dance floor. For the first time, I feel worthy to be on his arm. We don’t move a lot, which is fine by me. Having Maverick hold me is the best feeling in the world. I’m sure his leg will be hurting before long and he’ll need to rest it.

Tori walks in by herself, looking gorgeous and my eyes instantly look for Will. I spot him all right, and I don’t think he notices anyone else in the entire room. His eyes are instantly on Tori. I see a couple of their football player friends that came stag walk up to Tori, asking her to dance. Tori, being Tori is laughing and having a great time. No shortage of dance partners that’s for sure. Will, looks ready to explode. I finally see him walk out and look at Maverick to see if he notices. “Yeah, I saw it too.” he says.

I feel bad for Will but I can’t do anything about it. I decide to just, enjoy. Tori’s having fun for once and she needs that. I’ve never seen her with a guy. Ever.

We stand there, barely moving to several songs before I notice the strain it’s taking on Maverick, forcing him to sit down. I enjoy my time, just sitting with Mav content. My back against his chest and watching Tori dance after dance, having fun.

Tori finally walks over and looks at Maverick, “Do you mind if I steal my bestie? We’ve got to show these bitches how it’s done.” I laugh and Maverick just smiles shaking his head.

I turn around and look at Mav, “You sure? I hate to leave you.”

“No, Charlie. Go and have fun. I’ll be here when you get back. Besides, I can’t dance the fast songs and watching you, sounds like fun.” He says this with a mischievous glint in his eye and oh so sexy grin and kisses my check lightly.

Tori grabs my hand, pulling me to the dance floor, “Let’s go girlfriend and shake some tail.”

Laughing at her, we do just that. Every so often, I glance back at Maverick he would be staring at me, with a crooked smile or with a heated look.

It was a blast. I’ve never had so much fun.

Before I know it, the dance is almost over. “We have one more stop to make, before I take you home.” Maverick says.

“Hhmm, a surprise huh?” He just winks at me.

I say my good-bye to Tori and head out to wherever the surprise is, that Maverick has cooked up.

I look around and notice he’s driving us in the direction to his place at the lake. The closer we get, the more lit up it looks. It’s after midnight and it should be dark as night, but it’s not.

As soon as he parks I look around in complete awe. It’s beautiful. There are thousands of white lights strung around and zig zagged from one end to another. He comes over to my side of the car and opens it. “It’s beautiful. You did this for me?”

With a serious face, he says, “Oh Charlie, you deserve this and so much more.”

I can honestly say, I’ve never heard those words uttered to me before. It’s a strange feeling. I take in my surroundings and notice a table with an iPod player. “What’s this?”

He looks at me sheepishly, “I thought we could dance under the stars and lights, or at least as much as my knees will let me move.” He looks down, looking slightly embarrassed. This time it’s my turn to reassure him. I push his chin back up so he can see my face. “You’re perfect just the way you are, knees and all.”

He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me intently, so I change the subject.

“How romantic.” I whisper.