Page 118 of Voices
“He’s not getting out of this without telling us exactly what happened. I don’t give a fuck who his dad is. Even if he didn’t have a hand in hurting Charlie, there’s no way he didn’t know about it.”
Ry nods.
We sit in silence as we think of ways that’ll get Benji to talk without getting us kicked off the team. With Matt’s bigger buildand Ash’s taller frame along with his perma-scowl, they can easily corner him without touching him. But what do we use as a bargaining chip to get him to talk? He’s the most arrogant, self-centered guy I know. He has zero respect for any of the women he dates so that won’t work. I scrub my hand over my hair in frustration.
“Wait! I know what we can do.” Ryder sits up, scoots to the edge of his chair and leans forward. “What does Benji always talk about besides the women in his bed?”
I think back to the few times I actually listened to what he was talking about. He talks a lot about sleeping with each of the puck bunnies, how much money he has, and…
“His car.” I jump up at the same time Ryder does.
“Exactly! I know a few guys who can get into his car without the alarm going off and hotwire it. They have a garage in the next town over that they’ll be able to keep his car hidden. Benji’s made a lot of enemies here and I know for a fact these guys will gladly take his precious Aston Martin off his hands.”
He pulls up his contacts and hits call on some guy named Lee. He looks up as he puts his phone to his ear.
“Do you know what time they were supposed to be back?”
“Charlie said twelve before he left but I’m not sure if Benji still plans on coming home around then since Charlie left early.”
He nods as the guy picks up and starts setting up a plan.
I glance over my shoulder at my door that I left ajar, suddenly feeling miles away from Charlie. Waving my hand to get Ryder’s attention, I point to my door. He nods and pats me on my back as I turn to my room.
Quietly opening my door, I make my way next to my bed and slowly climb in next to Charlie. He stirs slightly as I face him. His good eye opens a little. When he sees me next to him, he tries to move closer but stops with a sharp inhale. He grabs his ribs and shuts his eye again.
As gently as I can, I slide my arm under his neck and use his hip to carefully pull him into my arms. His black eye bumps against my chest but instead of wincing like I thought he would, he turns his head slightly and nuzzles my shirt with his nose. I massage the back of his head, feeling him settle once more. His nuzzling slows as he drifts back to sleep.
I bring my lips to his forehead and hold them there for a minute.
I could have lost him yesterday.
I would never hear his voice again. Never hold him in my arms or watch him get lost in an art project. Never hear his elusive laugh that also brings out his adorable dimples. I would never get to see those beautiful golden-brown eyes I’ve fallen in love with. The thoughts have tears silently rolling down my cheeks.
Leaning back, I lay my head on my pillow and watch him sleep while his favorite Avatar movie plays in the background.
I move the hair that’s fallen over his face and softly stroke over his sharp cheekbone. “My beautiful broken boy. You are the brightest star in the sky of a million stars and I promise to do everything I can to keep your light shining. Always.”
Chapter Thirty
Shane
Charlie sleeps for most of the day, only waking a few times when he’s in pain. I help him take more pain meds and adjust his position so he’s more comfortable, then watch him fall back asleep.
A little after six Lily arrives with her arms full of Walgreens bags and unloads them on my dresser. She lines up more pain medicine, three more ice packs, a four-pack of Red Bull, a box of Froot Loops, and a plush knight in gold armor holding a black shield with a green clover in the center with GU in gold on it.
She brings the plush over to where Charlie is tucked into my side and places it on the nightstand closest to him.
“How’s he doing,” she whispers, tucking his hair behind his ear.
She lets out a gasp at the bright red skin surrounding the cut at the top of his forehead. She ghosts her fingers over the butterfly bandages before pulling away and covering her heart with her hands.
“He’s been going in and out of sleep all day,” I say softly. “He’s hurting pretty bad when he’s awake, so I’ve been making him take pain pills and move around a little, so he doesn’t get stiff.”
Charlie stirs but doesn’t wake up. He moves away from me and turns his head towards Lily. At the sight of his dark purple swollen eye, Lily covers her mouth with shaking fingers. A tear slips down her cheek before she turns and rushes out of my room.
I adjust the ice packs that slipped when Charlie and slowly slide out of bed. I look back at him, making sure he’s still asleep before walking out of my room, shutting my door behind me.
I find Lily standing by the glass sliding doors. I walk up next to her and look out at the dark sky. She sniffs before I see her reflection wipe at her cheeks.
