Guilty

Chapter 6

After his confrontation with Tony the last thing Babe wanted was a second conflict. He hoped Charlie was still at the hospital. Babe had decided that Way was right, the pictures with Charlie and Jeff proved it. He was better off alone. It was time to break it off with the other alpha. Not that they were actually in a relationship. They are only sex buddies, Babe reminds himself.

He just really doesn't want to do this tonight. Maybe Charlie is still at the hospital. Babe feels a stab of concern at that. He hopes Charlie didn't have any severe injuries. He tells himself that it's just because the alpha was hurt protecting him.

Charlie is waiting for him when he enters the house. He is wearing a sling and looks pretty battered.

"Why aren't you at the hospital? What did the doctor say, are there any breaks?" Babe asks.

"One," Charlie says solemnly.

Babe frowns, "Where?"

Charlie points at his heart, "Right here. My heart is broken to see you hurt."

"Hey, Charlie, is this the time to be joking?" Babe says in an annoyed voice. The alpha's cuteness is almost too much to be resisted. "You should go back to your condo."

"No," Charlies says with a little whine, "don't send me away. I should be here to protect you."

"You should go." Babe says. He is exhausted.

"I won't." Charlie puts on a stubborn face and stands his ground.

"Fine, stay or go but I'm going to bed." Babe says exasperated.

In the morning Charlie is making him breakfast despite his hurt hand. "Be careful," Babe says, "you'll aggravate the injury. Why are you cooking anyway?"

"I just want you to eat well, lots of healthy food. Let me take care of you, please?" Charlie asks.

"I am an adult, I have been feeding myself for years, you don't need to do this, you should go back to your condo. I have races every week now and I won't have time to play with you." Babe says.

Charlie gives him the hurt look that always makes Babe want to wrap him in his arms and hold him close. "Why are you saying this? You said that you didn't care if I stayed or went so, I want to stay here and take care of you."

Charlie is going to make him do this the hard way. "Charlie it's over."

"P'Babe, what are you saying," Charlie asks, "What's over."

"You and me, Charlie, it's over." Babe says.

"But why," Charlie asks, "please what did I do wrong?"

Fine, if Charlie wants to play games Babe will tell him. "I don't like sharing what belongs to me. Do you think I'm an idiot? Or are you playing me for a fool?"

"Share, but I haven't...." Charlie starts to say.

"I know about you and Jeff." Babe says. "I have seen the two of you together at the garage and I know you are seeing him behind my back."

"Jeff," Charlie has the nerve to look surprised. "I'm not with Jeff, that would be impossible."

"Then tell me, what the two of you are to each other, the truth this time." Babe says.

Charlie drops his head, "I can't tell you."

Babe clenches his jaw, "I'm going to the garage. Don't be here when I get back." He says. Charlie looks like he might cry, but Babe tells himself it's just an act.

After Babe leaves, Charlies takes a sighing breath to calm his nerves. He uses the back of his hand to wipe at his eyes. How could Babe believe that he and Jeff, of all people, were having an affair? It's impossible, just like he told Babe. He picks up his phone and calls Jeff to let him know what happened.