"York,"shoutsCoachArkhady."Bus is moving out. Let's roll!"
"Better go. I know everyone's going outtonight. You don’t want to miss it."Charlieshuts the trunk.
"Will you be joining us?"I ask.
"I don't know,"he says, juggling the keys in his palm. "Dante,Mei, andLibertyare going. So maybe."
Mattopens the back door for his fiancée and helps her into the car."Nice meeting you,Palmer," she says before ducking her head inside.
"You, too,Bianca. Good luck with the wedding."
Mattshuts the door and shootsCharliea look."Takecare,Palmer. Congrats on thegame."
"Thanks."I stare atCharliefor another long moment, trying to read his expression."Charlie?—"
"You should hurry. They're waiting on you.” He jerks his chin at me. “See you around,Palmer."
He gets in the car and doesn't look back. So I do the only thing I can do. I let him go.
Thirty-Five
Charlie
"Let's go,let's go, let's go!"Danteclaps his hands."Everyone's already at the club."
"I’m not going,"I say, staring up at the ceiling from where I lie on the hotel bed.MattandBiancawent back to their room. They're making a weekend of it, soDanteand I are sharing a room and will drive back togethertomorrow."I should work on content, so I don't have to spend all oftomorrowdoing it."
"Dude, that's why we have interns."Danteplops down on the edge of the bed, the pants of his dark purple drainpipe pants riding up toshowhis bare ankles. They don't look the least bit comfortable, but what do I know about fashion?"Since you're going to beleavingus for the dark side, the least you can do is come out and celebrate with us."
"It's the men'steam. I'll still be around. Just not inBaltimore."
"That's what I'm sayin',"Dantesays. He looks thoughtful."If it'sLiberty, I'llruninterference."
I roll my eyes."It's notLiberty. We’re in a truce right now, anyway."
"Great."He jumps."Then there's nothing stopping you from being the Goose to my Maverick."
“You know Goose died in that movie.”
“Yeah, but not before he helped Maverick get the girl.”
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and sigh."All right. But if youpicka girl up, you're going back to her place. I'm not giving up my bed."
"Aye, aye, cap'n."Dantesalutes."Let's move it on out."
We arrive at the club some time after everyone else has gotten there. The dance floor is packed, mostly with members of theBaltimoreBattle. We quickly find our little group at a table off in the corner.
I scan the area but don't seePalmer, which is probably a good thing. I believe her when she says she isn't dating that guy, but it doesn't matter, does it? I'm still not in her league, and I never will be. I'm CharmingCharlie, always up for a good time. Afundistraction.Dantegets us a couple of shots and Palomas tostartwith. I down myshotin one go, wincing at the burn of the tequila down my throat.
"SoCharlie,"Meisays."When do you make the move to Annapolis?"
"Later this summer,"I reply, shouting to be heard over the music."It hasn't been finalized yet."
"We'llmissyou,"Emma says."I've learned so much under you."
"It was a pleasure working with you. I've already given my recommendations to JJ for you and Benji."
Her face lights up and she lifts her martini in a salute."You're the best."
