“Nah,” I said once I was certain I could control myself. “Just need some coffee and a shower. Which do you want first?”
Charlie brightened at the mention of her addiction. “Coffee,” she demanded. “Like you even have to ask.”
She climbed over the side of the truck and reached out for me. I took her in my arms out of habit and helped her down. Minutes later we were pulling into the garage. A shower would help get my head on straight. Then we’d be driving back to campus and I’d have applications, deadlines, and papers to fill the spaces in my brain that were fixated on her.
“Don’t even mention how short I am before I’ve had my first infusion.”
I snorted, relieved to find that whatever the hell had happened this morning hadn’t made shit even more awkward. As long as it never happened again, we’d be okay.
“Then I won’t mention that you should come with your own footstool,” I told her as I held the front door open for her.
“Not. Another. Word,” she growled. Her nose twitched as she followed it to the happily bubbling coffee pot. She’d been to my parents’ house so many times, she went right to the cabinet with the coffee cups, dove into the fridge for creamer, and sat herself at the kitchen table.
“I’ll leave you to it and take the first shower then. Once you’re sufficiently caffeinated you can have the next.”
She waved me away as she snatched the fresh pot of coffee to fill her cup and I shook my head. She’d wouldn’t be fully coherent until she had at least two cups in her, which would only serve in my favor.
I checked on Grandma Dorothy, who was happily clicking away at the TV as she crocheted a God-awful fluorescent orange blanket. “For your house,” she announced cheerfully when she saw me standing in the doorway.
“I can’t wait,” I told her after pressing a kiss to the papery-thin skin of her cheek. “It looks awesome.”
“I’ll make one for Charlie, too. That girl is always cold. A woman shouldn’t be living alone like that, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. She needs a nice boy to look after her.”
The reminder of her engagement to Andrew put a sour taste in my mouth. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I take good care of her.”
“Of course you do, dear,” she said, then squealed. “Wheel of Fortune’s on. Spin that wheel!” I chuckled as I ascended the stairs to the bathroom, leaving Charlie to her caffeine fix and grandma to her TV shows and crocheting.
Twenty minutes under the warm spray hadn’t been the best idea. The erection I’d tamed sprung back to life and I’d closed my eyes and wrapped my hand around my dick, trying and failing, not to think of her as I rubbed one out. The hot water cleared my head and jerking off at least kept me from fantasizing, but I doubted either would keep me sane for long.
It occurred to me as I got dressed that I was being a fucking chick about it. We got along. We had a good time. I was obviously attracted to her and based on the way she’d kissed me back, even if it was only for a second, she had to be at least a little attracted to me, too. Why couldn’t we date? I’d spouted bullshit the night before, but Charlie wasn’t just some one night stand. She was…Charlie.
The thought of asking her out made me nick myself as I was shaving. I cursed underneath my breath and tried to make myself see reason.
Just because I wanted to kiss the hell out of her didn’t mean I should.
With that in mind, I finished shaving, but a call interrupted my thoughts. “Walsh,” I answered.
“Liam, it’s Matthew from the bar. Look I hate to do this, but you left me short Friday without notice.”
My stomach sank, and my head filled with the memory of my bare kitchen cabinets and the stack of bills on my desk that I had due. “I know, I’m sorry. I had Tripp cover for me.”
“I’m sorry, Liam, but I’m gonna have to let you go. There are a hundred other kids who’d kill to have your job. I need someone more reliable.”
I sighed. I wanted to argue, but I could tell by the tone in his voice it would be no use. I’d simply have to find another job. Besides, it had been worth it to make sure Charlie was okay. I might have to survive on microwavable dinners for the next few weeks, but I’d make it work. “Alright, Matt, I understand. Thanks for letting me know.”
After hanging up with my former boss, I found Charlie in the kitchen, watching my parents cook breakfast. I paused in the doorway as I observed her studying them. The naked longing on her face punched me in the gut and obliterated any lingering traces of disappointment from getting fired. I’d known her parents for most of my life, and when her mom left and her dad died, it was the first time someone I knew had passed away. It didn’t compare to what she went through, but I knew I’d do anything I could to take away her pain.
Even if it’d put my future in jeopardy.
My mother turned and smiled. “Just in time for breakfast.”
“As if that’s something new,” Dad said.
“Something smells good,” I told her.
“Charlie said you two were outside all night watching the stars like we used to.” She turned to my dad and narrowed her gaze. Then said, “I figured ya’ll probably worked up an appetite.”
Charlie eyed the plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast my mother sat down in front of her. “You’re a goddess, Mrs. Walsh.”
