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After my last run in with the social media gossip site, being seen with one of Dad’s soccer players wouldn’t be a smart move. Especially after he specifically told me to stay away from them.
“Afraid to be seen with me?” he questioned, having slowed down so I eventually started walking next to him.
“More like afraid foryou,” I hit back. The smile wiped off his face in an instant as his eyes grew wide.
He shook it off a second later. “But you’re Una Nielsen. Like, the all-powerful. I think I’m safe with you,” he responded with an air of confidence.
“Maybe I’m the one you need to watch out for,” I answered, making him go quiet once more.
I hated being referred to as all-powerful or the Queen of the Tellers, or whatever title people gave me from time to time. Being in my position was an honor and not something I took lightly. The moment people assumed I belonged there was the day my reign ended. I earned it; but I didn’t assume I deserved it. I especially disliked with the Fairview freaks thought of me as the leader of the Teller kids. We didn’t need a leader. We all needed to help each other.
When we got to his car, Charlie popped the trunk and threw his bags in, gesturing for me to do the same. I didn’t go for it, though. My bag would remain on my lap.
In true gentleman form, he went around to the passenger side and opened my door for me. I thanked him, because I wasn’t a completely mannerless person. So far, we were on par with the one other time I had been in his car. Except then, I knew where we were going and what was happening. I couldn’t say the same now.
We were quiet as Charlie backed out of the spot. I stayed on high alert, watching out the window to make sure no one was looking or following us.
Charlie didn’t try to diffuse the tension by talking, which I appreciated. So many people couldn’t handle the silence and refused to shut up all the time.
I also stayed quiet, fiddling with my ring and switching my scrunchie and bracelets from one wrist to another. Part of me wanted to pull out my phone and find someone to message, but that would have been rude.
It took a few minutes, but I suddenly realized something. “Hey, this isn’t the way to Teller,” I stated, whipping my head toward Charlie. I don’t know why I assumed we would be going to Teller, but it made sense in my head.
He gave me a small chuckle. “We’re not going to Teller. The surprise is in Fairview.”
I swore under my breath and fiddled with my bag. “Tell me what it is, or I’m getting out to walk home.”
He shook his head. “No need,” he said, slowing down to pull into a driveway. “We’re already here.”
Looking out the windshield, I recognized the house in front of us. I had been here a few days ago. For a party.
A failed attempt at a good time.
“Are you kidding me? All this secrecy only to take me to your house?” Bubbles of anger rose inside of me. I fell right into his trap without even questioning it. How incredibly stupid could I be? “Is this what you normally do with girls? Kidnap them?”
Charlie laughed as I kept ranting. I needed to distract him, so the moment he put the car in park, I could jump out and take off at a run. I didn’t suspect him of doing something harmful, but I also didn’t trustanyone, and this was definitely giving off the wrong vibes.
He slowed down a bit as he lined his car up with the garage. He reached for the clicker, opening the door, and displaying the cars inside.
That’s when I finally stopped talking. My breath hitched as I looked at the impressive lineup of vehicles. All sparkly and shiny. Andnew.
Except for one. “That’s one ugly car for this nice of a garage,” I muttered, seeing the one three cars over. Charlie slid his car in the garage between two cars that probably cost more than my house and finally set it in park.
“Hey, I washed and waxed it. It doesn’t look that bad,” he said, getting out. I did the same, but went around the back of the car, closer to the driveway, so I could make an escape if I needed.
Turning to the row of vehicles, I stopped in my tracks.
That ugly car wasn’t justanyugly car. It had a bumper sticker in the lower right corner. One that Ali’s cousin made me when she heard me say something I said often—‘you poor unfortunate soul.’
It wasmycar.
“You stole my car?” I shouted, rushing over and tracing a hand over the trunk. “What the heck is wrong with you? First you sabotage me with Tony, and then you go steal it? That’s low, even for a Fairview kid.”
Charlie stuffed his hands in the pockets of his soccer shorts as he strolled over to me, a little too casually. He didn’t even try to be defensive. I accused him of sabotage and theft, and he didn’t even care?
“Remember a second ago when I said I washed and waxed it? Why would I do that if I stole it?” he asked, his head tilted in confusion.
I didn’t have a great answer for that, so I continued the interrogation. “Then why is my car at your house?”
