AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, it’s not. Don’t make excuses in your head for me, Wyatt. I don’t want to admit it, but we both know I took Charlie’s side through all of this. Even after I knew the truth of why you broke up, I still checked in on her and just assumed you were fine. I just fucking assumed you didn’t need me because you’re the one who decided to call it quits. I knew how much you loved her. I knew it would’ve destroyed you, yet I never checked on you! I didn’t love you the way a father should love his son. I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Dad… don’t.” I choke out as I close the distance between us. I practically throw myself into his arms and he holds onto me like I'm his entire world.
We cry into each other’s shoulders and whisper apologies over and over again. There are so many things that have been left unsaid over the years. So many feelings have been ignored for the sake of not stirring things up. But all of that is over now and I have Charlie to thank for that.
Even after I destroyed her world, she’s helping piece mine back together again. And that’s what makes Charlie Robinson so much better than anyone else I’ve ever met.
Chapter 17
Charlie
I drop my purse into my locker and softly shut the door. I have a headache after crying most of the night, and I'm afraid it’s going to turn into a migraine.
Dad came in to check on me and we had a long talk. He’s not apologizing for his behavior towards Wyatt, and I don’t blame him. He laid it all out for Wyatt long before he asked me out and Dad didn’t lie. If anything, he was nicer than he needed to be.
But because he has the biggest heart in the world, he texted Wyatt and told him he wanted to talk in person. I'm not sure what he wants to discuss, but I know he’ll end up having a heart to heart with Wyatt.
I slip my sunglasses over my eyes and tie my hair up into a messy bun. This is going to be the longest day ever, but I didn’t want to call out. Owen’s already done so much. I don’t want to disappoint him, especially if he wants to promote me when Gary retires.
I figure the sunglasses can hide my red and puffy eyes, plus prevent a full-blown headache from settling in. I'm just going to blame it all on my headache and hope no one asks questions. I know they will if they see the aftereffects of my crying.
“Hey, do you have a minute to talk?” Wyatt peeks his head into the locker room for the therapists.
He stuffs his hands into his pockets and is nibbling on his bottom lip as he peeks up at me through his lashes.
“Oh, shit. Are you ok? Do you have a headache? Do you need me to get you anything?” He’s at my side, taking my elbow and guiding me to a chair in the corner.
“Yeah, but it isn't bad yet. I'm trying to keep it that way. I'm fine though. What did you want to talk about?”
Wyatt squats down in front of me and I wonder how much of his life he’s spent in the position. He’s played thousands of hours of baseball and has always been the catcher.
He reaches up and dims the lights in the room. I didn’t even realize you could do that in here, but it’s a good piece of information for the future.
Frowning at me, he pushes my sunglasses up the bridge of my nose until they’re resting on the top of my head. His fingers train down my temple and over the swollen skin around my eyes.
“Are you wearing them for the headache or because you spent the entire night crying?” His words are soft and full of concern.He’s showing me pieces of the man I fell in love with and it’s making me want to cry all over again.
“Yes.” I shrug.
“Ok.” He chuckles quietly. “I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry for everything that’s happened over the past decade of our lives. For every tear and sleepless night I’ve caused. For the broken heart and any unhappiness I’ve been to blame for.”
“Don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for.” I shake my head, hating how upset he looks right now.
“You’re wrong. I have eight years to be sorry for.” He smiles sadly. “But more than anything, I wanted to thank you.”
“For what?” My brows draw together as I stare at the man I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving.
Maybe everyone is right. I just need to give in and put us both out of misery. I need to let him know how I feel and go from there.
“My dad practically tore my door off its hinges last night to get to me. He broke down on my couch and apologized for everything. You brought him back to me, Charlie. After he left and I went back to my room, I picked up my phone and found like two dozen text messages waiting for me. Each one was from someone on Mulberry Lane. They all apologized and asked for forgiveness. I know you’re to thank for that.”
“Good. They owed you an apology. They shouldn’t have treated you that way to begin with.”
“And that’s why you’re the most amazing and selfless person in the world.” He grins up at me as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You pushed aside your own pain to help me.”
“I was just trying to make Mulberry Lane the way it should be and it’s not Mulberry Lane without you.”
“It’s not Mulberry Lane without you either… I love you, sweetheart. I'm never going to stop. I know you don’t love me anymore, and that’s ok, but you stole my heart long ago and I'm not taking it back no matter what.” He kisses my forehead before standing to his full height. “I’ll make sure to turn down the lights in the therapy rooms and give the guys a heads up to keep their voices low. I hope you feel better and have a good day.”
