Chapter 18
Charlie
I sat on my couch, going over the weekend in my head when my doorbell rang. I still couldn’t believe what I was doing with L, and part of me knew I was in over my head.
But, the racket at the door pulled me away from any further thought.
“Go away,” I called out.
“Charlie, come on,” Rick said. “Open the door.”
I sighed, rolling my eyes before I got off the couch. I wanted to be left with my thoughts, but I knew if I didn’t open the door he wouldn’t actually go away.
“What, Rick?” I asked.
“Let me come in for a second,” he said.
Before I could answer, he pushed his way past me and started calling out for Johnson. My cat came running from the other room, jumping into his arms while he sat on the ground playing with him, and the only thing I could do was stare.
“You know, jet-setting around the world looks good on you, Charlie. But, you really should give me a key to this place so I can come check on this little guy,” he said.
“As you can see, Johnson is fine. And, thanks for the compliment,” I said.
“I haven’t seen you this radiant in, well—ever, really. You’re all tan and glowing. Who knew business trips could be so fun?” he asked.
I knew he was fishing. He was wondering what this latest trip was about, and I didn’t want to tell him. I didn’t want to tell him what was going on, and even if I did, I couldn’t.
After all, what L and I were doing was still wrong.
“Were you alone?” he asked.
“On a business trip? Nope. It’s unsafe to travel by yourself,” I said.
“Ah, a company with a buddy system. How convenient,” he said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, bending down and taking Johnson from his arms.
“Where’d you head off to this time? Back to Finland or wherever?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but we were actually in the Bahamas,” I said.
“Doesn’t really sound like a business trip to me,” he said.
“It is when you have work to do in the Bahamas. But, yes, I did indulge in some of the sights.”
I could tell jealousy was rising up in Rick’s body, and I wondered if telling him I was seeing someone would help. He needed to move on, and he needed to understand that I had, too. I mean, I didn’t have to tell him who it was—after all, that was none of his business. But, if L and I were going to attempt a relationship—albeit, a secretive one—I’m sure he wouldn’t take kindly to some other single guy being in my apartment anyway.
“I’m seeing someone, Rick,” I said.
“What?” he asked.
“I’m seeing someone.”
“That who you were in the Bahamas with?” he asked.
“No,” I said, lying. “But, I know that you come around here partially because you think we’re gonna get back together.”
“I do not,” he said.
“Rick,” I said, sighing, “I’m seeing someone.”
“I heard you the first time,” he said.
“And I need you to understand that the guy I’m dating probably isn’t going to like—”
“What went wrong with us, Charlie?” he asked.
“Rick—”
“No, I’m serious. What happened?”
“You know exactly what happened, Rick. We just took two different paths. I was working to try and better myself, and you were just sort of okay with whatever,” I said.
“And that’s supposed to be a good reason to break up with someone? What about all the good times we had together?” he asked.
“Rick, every couple has good times, that’s how they get to be a couple in the first place. And, yeah, we had fun at the parties and stuff. But, I had to put the parties behind me. I had to grow up and find my way in life. College wasn’t all there was to life, and you just didn’t understand that,” I said.
I was hoping if I spoke to him clearly and plainly, he would get it. I was hoping if I didn’t talk around things and pray he read between the lines anymore, it would make this easier.
Unfortunately, all it did was make him angrier.
“I treated you well, Charlie. I gave you things no other man could,” he said.
“Rick, we weren’t right together. You needed someone who had the ability to support themselves and party with you. I didn’t have that ability. Not with where I wanted to take my career.”
“But, why did you leave me, Charlie? Why did you desert me? I just don’t understand it!”
“Rick, I’m not going over this anymore. I gave you the answers to your questions, and I don’t have anything else to say. We ran our course, and eventually we weren’t a good match any longer. There are other women, you’ll find someone, but not if you’re still having ideas about us,” I said.
“Yeah, like you found someone,” he said. I could hear the fire in his voice and I started to become uncomfortable with him in my apartment. In that very moment, I found myself wishing L was here, but I knew he couldn't be.
I knew he never would be.
“It’s time for you to go, Rick,” I said, going over to my door and standing by it.
“You really should think about giving me a key so someone can keep an eye on your cat while you go on your business trips,” he said, with a hint of sarcasm in the voice.
“The kennels will do just fine if I need someone. Goodbye, Rick.”
He huffed, storming out the door before I closed it, locking both the main lock and the door. Even though I stood my ground and wasn’t afraid of Rick, I could still feel myself shaking. I dropped Johnson back on his feet and threw myself onto the couch, and just as quickly as Rick had appeared, he fell from the forefront of my mind.
The image of L’s body filled my head once again.