A year after losing her older sister in a tragic accident, Charlie's Mom marries the father of the most popular boys in school. Still grieving, Charlie struggles to accept her new family and gets involved with her stepbrothers worst enemy, the capta...
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I told Billy we needed to talk, deciding it was better to face things sooner rather than later. His reply was a blunt sure, probably annoyed I'd only sent a text after ignoring him for days.
On Friday evening, I sat at the kitchen island, slowly working through a chocolate pudding cup. Tommy was beside me, already halfway through his second, watching me as my phone buzzed for the third time.
"Are you going to answer that?" He asked.
"I don't know. I might wait until the last ring or miss it entirely and let fate decide."
Tommy gave me a look. "You're really good at saying a lot while saying nothing."
I rolled my eyes and chose to ignore him.
Just then, Harry and Sebastian walked in, grabbing snacks without saying much.
The phone buzzed again.
"Someone's really trying to get ahold of you." Tommy tells me. "What if they actually need you? They could be gravely injured or stranded in a beach hut for all you know."
I give Tommy a look.
"Why would anyone call Charlotte? Some help she'd be." Harry scoffed.
I narrowed my eyes and the phone stopped buzzing.
"They're fine." I replied bitterly, glaring at Harry. "I know who's calling me."
The phone began ringing again.
"See! They're desperate to get hold of you!" Tommy exclaimed.
"I'll just turn it off." I say.
"I'll answer it," Harry said, clearly irritated, and grabbed the phone before I could stop him.
I reached for the phone, but Harry grabbed it before I could.
"No—don't—it's—"
Too late. He hit speaker.
"Charlotte's phone," Harry said smugly.
"Charlie?" Billy's voice came through.
Just like that, the smile on Harry's face disappeared.
"Now I get it," Tommy muttered. "You could've said."
I shot him a glare.
"Charlotte's not here. What do you want?" Harry gritted out.
"I just want to talk to her." Billy sounded firm.
Harry's jaw clenched. "Funny how you remember she's my sister now. Should've thought twice before going near her."
I winced. Sister. That word felt like too much.
"Give her the phone," Billy growled.
Harry glanced at me, annoyed, but looked at me like he was trying to gauge what I wanted. Then he held the phone out but kept it on speaker.
