Page 58 of Her Game Plan

Unfortunately, while the physical touches might’ve increased, we haven’t slept together since Kansas City. We never finished our conversation about what regular sex looked like, and neither of us has brought it up again. With every passing day, it felt more and more inappropriate to ask when we’re having sex next. So I just… haven’t. And I’m not sure if it’s because she doesn’t want to or because she’s equally as uncertain about how to bring it up without seeming desperate.

As someone who has spent an unreasonable amount of time outside her door listening to check whether she was getting herself off, so I’d have a reason to barge in, I can confirm I might be as desperate. Unfortunately, it seems she hasn’t been fighting the same urges I have. Which is fine. I know the rules when we’re traveling together, and I fully plan on taking advantage of our shared bed this weekend in Las Vegas. My body stiffens at the thought. We’d better be fucking rooming together.

“Are your parents dead?” Her voice is quiet as she asks the question most people want to know.

I shake my head. “No.” I sent money to my dad two months ago. My mom was three months before that, so I know they’re alive. Not that Charlotte needs to know. Nan certainly doesn’t.

“So they…” She trails off.

I pause, reconsidering if I should share the truth. Forcing a deep exhale out of my nose, I shrug. “Weren’t up to the task of raising a child.” I know it’s both more and less than that. My parents are selfish. Always have been; always will be. But they’re also my parents. I truly believe they tried their best; they were young and incapable of handling the responsibilities of a difficult child.

Charlotte’s gaze bores into me, her thumb brushing back and forth over my hand. I should feel annoyed that she is asking more of me, but at the same time, my heart is begging me to tell her. For me to share my burden with someone else. Like maybe she wouldn’t judge me for it. So I give her more. Parts of myself I’ve never told anyone. “My dad was a drifter, working various jobs after high school, but never holding anything down for more than a couple of months. He met my mom when he was down in Tennessee and got her pregnant. Dad moved in with her and held down a job for a few months. He called Nan to let her know about the baby, and she insisted they move in with her in California. They showed up when Mom was thirty-nine weeks pregnant.”

I work my jaw, not sure how to continue. “I guess it was okay for a few years. But I didn’t sleep well as a baby, and then I was a whiny kid. Dad would reach a point where he couldn’t take the noise anymore, and then he would leave, off to some job that paid more than whatever he was doing in California. Sometimes, my mom would stay with me. Sometimes, I would move in with Nan until they came back.”

I keep my gaze on the road, not wanting to see the pity I know is on Charlotte’s face. The same look that would be on Nan’s every time my parents dropped me off at her house, and she’d bring me inside and make me a batch of her special chocolate chip cookies.

“I wouldn’t hear from them for multiple months at a time. Then they didn’t come back for over a year when I was eight. When they finally came home, Nan told them I was staying with her. They… agreed. Were thankful they didn’t have to deal with me anymore.”

Charlotte strokes my forearm, a slow, pleasant feeling that pushes back the dark memories. I hate thinking about that year. Of how hard I tried to be independent, to prove I wasn’t the burden everyone thought I was so my parents would come back. But then, when they did, they didn’t want me, anyway.

“That’s really shitty, Callan. I’m sorry.”

I shrug off her words. “I had Nan, at least.”

Charlotte looks at me a moment longer, and I can feel her weighing the decision to ask more or to let it go. “I’m excited to meet her. Thank you for bringing me. I know you were hesitant about introducing me.”

The uncertainty in her voice as she says the last part makes my stomach tighten, guilt filtering through me. This was never about Charlotte. It might’ve been about keeping Nan from getting hurt from this deal I made, but not Charlotte herself. The woman who is light and goodness wrapped in a ball of intelligence who talks nonstop. I lift our entwined hands, pulling them to my lips to kiss the back of hers. “She’s going to love you.”

Which is the problem. Nan would be disappointed in me if she found out this thing between Charlotte and me was fake, which means she has to believe we’re real. Which means she’s going to get attached.

And then she’s going to be disappointed with me when we inevitably “break up.” It seemed easier not to introduce her to Charlotte at all. Though I hadn’t realized until she asked with such nervousness that Charlotte was truly interested in meeting Nan.

The song switches on the stereo, and we both listen in silence for a few moments. I navigate Denver traffic, pulling us into Sunshine Hills’ parking lot.

Charlotte peers out her window, taking in the building in front of her. “This is fancy. Look at how pretty it is with the trees starting to turn yellow.”

“The finest assisted living facility in the greater Denver area,” I confirm, following her gaze to take in the large brick building, with stately white windows and doors. The landscaping is always immaculate, the property and rooms sparkling clean. “Ready?” I ask after a moment where neither of us moves.

She nods a couple of times before letting out a light sigh and rubbing her chest. “Is it weird that I feel nervous?”

“Not at all. The women of Sunshine Hills are going to eat you alive for landing me. Unfortunately for me, the men are all going to be half in love with you by the time we leave, so I’ll have to defend my honor. I’ve never hit a man who needs a walker, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

Charlotte’s laugh is deep, the kind that always seems far too big for her body. She drops her hand and whacks my shoulder. “You’ll do no such thing.”

“We’ll see, Princess. I’ve been very clear that I don’t share well.”

Her eyes blaze with a spark of heat that my body has been begging for. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what the intimate contact rules are when we’re in Denver.

“Come on.” I drag her into the building, making sure to introduce her as my girlfriend when Ginger checks us in at the front desk. Ginger’s smile is forced as she welcomes Charlotte to the building.

“Did you date her?” Charlotte whispers as we head up the stairs to find Nan and the rest of the afternoon cards group.

I shake my head, reaching out to grab Charlotte’s hand again. “No.”

“But… she wants to?” Charlotte prods.

“Yes. I am a catch, you know,” I tease.