On the Fence

Chapter 37

I held my breath and walked into Bazaar. I’d waited too long to come in, but I was here now. Linda looked up from where she stood behind the register.

“I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say. There was no good excuse for my lie. I took a few steps closer when she didn’t respond. “I think my aura is blue today.”

That got a small smile out of her. “I don’t understand, Charlie.”

“I don’t either. I guess I just didn’t want you feeling sorry for me. It’s been so long since I’d met someone who didn’t already know my mother was gone.” I didn’t feel like Linda needed to know the specifics of my mom’s death. That was something between my family and me. But she didn’t deserve the lie I’d told her. Nobody did.

“Are people not allowed to feel sorry for your loss?”

I shrugged. “I’m not good with feelings, apparently.”

She approached me and I tensed up, waiting for her lecture or for her to tell me to leave or . . . something. She looked me up and down. “You can’t work dressed like that.”

“I . . .” I glanced down at my basketball shorts. “I can still work here?”

She placed her hands on my arms in a soft touch, then met my eyes. “Charlie, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

My eyes went hot. “Me too.”

“If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

“Thank you.”

“I got these new silky tops in the last shipment that would look fabulous on you. Do you want to add to your work wardrobe since you didn’t bring any clothes?”

I nodded. “I need some jeans, too . . . or a skirt.”

Her head snapped up to look at me and I laughed. I hadn’t planned on working today, but I didn’t want to quit. She retrieved the shirt and a pair of jeans and took them to the register. I followed her. Amber’s display of makeup stood in a tall hutch next to me. On a whim, I grabbed some shiny lip gloss and plopped it on the counter.

Linda raised her eyebrows at me but didn’t say a word as she rang it up with my clothes.

I paid and tucked the clothes against my chest. “We’re having a barbeque at my house tomorrow evening. We do it every year before school starts.”

“I don’t have you on the schedule for tomorrow.”

“No. I was inviting you. Will you come?”

She smiled then. “Yes. I’d love to come.”

“Good.” I headed to the back to change.

Toward the end of my shift Skye poked her head in from the back room. “Charlie! Come to the beach when you get off. Impromptu bonfire concert.”

“Can’t. I’m grounded.”

She laughed. “Bummer. Next time, then.”

“Yes. I’m having a party at my house tomorrow. Will you come?”

“Absolutely.” She disappeared into the back. I smiled. It was amazing what happened when you let yourself be open to new things.

I loved our end-of-summer parties. Everyone was back in town from vacation, and people were excited to have one last event. They came in packs. There were at least fifty people in my backyard. Even more this year. I shut my curtains and turned back to face Amber.

She had talked me into letting her do my makeup for the event. She pointed out that I didn’t have to wear this much all the time, but it was always nice for special occasions. I let her, because she was right. It was nice to step out of my comfort zone every once in a while.

“You look great,” she said as I pulled my hair up in an elastic band.

I smiled. “Thanks.”

She giggled to herself then said, “You hated me at that baseball game, didn’t you?”

“What? No.”

“I was there with Braden, fawning all over him, talking about how cute he was.”

“Okay, maybe a little.”

She laughed. “Well, I never stood a chance. Did I ever tell you about how when you went away to basketball camp he talked about you nonstop?” She deepened her voice and then said, “‘Charlie loves golf. If Charlie were here she’d order meat lover’s pizza. Charlie hates romantic comedies.’” She smiled. “It all worked out in the end, though, because Gage is a better match for me anyway.”

I laughed. “Come on, let’s go down.”

“Okay.”

We stepped into the backyard. My dad and Jerom manned the barbeque. Nathan and Gage threw a football back and forth in the far corner of the yard. People swam and ate and talked. I was so happy.

A pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. “Football later?”

I leaned back into Braden. “Yes.”

“I’ve missed you this week.”

“Me too.”

He kissed my cheek. “I’m going to get some food. I’ll be right back.” He took off across the yard to join my dad and Jerom at the barbeque.

Dave walked across the grass, holding his soda. I nodded to Amber. “I’m going to go mingle.”

“Okay.”

“You should join Gage. Catch a few footballs.”

“Yeah, right.”

I pointed to my face and the makeup there.

She laughed. “Fine. I’ll try.”

“Exactly.”

I walked over to face Dave, a long-overdue apology forming on my lips, and the first thing he said was, “I was never scared of your brothers.”

“Um . . . what?”

“That’s not why I didn’t ask you out. I was scared of Braden.”

I laughed. “Fair enough.” I toed the grass with my foot, having a hard time coming up with the right words. “I’m sorry about your grandma, Dave.” He might not have known how I felt at the time, but I knew I needed to apologize. I had been insensitive.

He smiled. “Thanks, Charlie. That really means a lot.”

I nodded, then whirled around and almost pushed Braden’s plate full of food into his chest.

“Whoa,” he said, lifting it in the air and saving it.

“Sorry.”

He nodded at Dave, who said, “Hey, Braden. Thanks again, Charlie.”

“Of course.”

Dave left, heading for the pool.

Braden gave me a smirk. “That was nice.”

“I’m nice sometimes.”

He held out the plate. “I got food for you.”

“Aw. You do know the way to my heart.”

We sat at a table and ate off the same plate.

“Uh oh,” Braden said when I snatched the last chip.

“Did you want it?”

“No. It’s just . . . your brothers are headed this way and they have a mischievous look in their eyes.”

I turned around and had less than three seconds to process before Gage grabbed hold of one of my arms. I knew what was happening even before Nathan took the other one.

“Don’t! You’ll ruin my makeup.”

Jerom grabbed my feet with a laugh. “Has she ever said that before in her life?” They picked me up and carried me toward the pool.

“Seriously. You are all going in if you do this.”

“Braden? Aren’t you going to help us?” Gage asked.

He held up his hands. “And face her wrath? I think I’m out.”

“Aren’t you going to help me?” I asked.

His eyes twinkled. “No.”

“Dead. You’re all dead to me.”

“I just wanted to see if I learned how to throw someone into a body of water,” Jerom said. “I was taught how last month and I need to test it out.”

I got my foot loose and kicked him in the chest.

He grabbed his chest muscle. “Ouch. That hurts worse than it looks.”

“Right?” Gage said. “Why do you think I got her arm this time?”

“I hate all of you.”

“You love us.” They reached the edge of the pool and threw me in with a big arching swing.

I surfaced, spitting water. “You better get Amber next.”

I heard a shriek and I laughed. Braden did a cannonball next to me, fully clothed. I dunked him back under when he came up.

The second time he came up with his half smile, I pulled him into a hug. “You knew you’d end up in here anyway, so you thought you’d join me on your own, huh?”

“No. You wouldn’t have gotten me. I was just hot.”

“Whatever, I totally would’ve gotten you.”

He shrugged, his eyes green with the water reflecting in them. “I guess we’ll never know.”

“Which means I win,” we both said at the same time.

He kissed me. “Then how come I feel like the winner?”

It was still dark when my eyes fluttered open. I stared at the ceiling for a while, unsure of what woke me. It wasn’t a nightmare. My phone chimed on my desk. I swung my feet to the ground and stood. I didn’t pick it up to read the message. I just smiled and ran outside to the fence. The moon was full tonight, perfect for a chat.