Blindness(71)

Kyla holds up her schedule, I’m pretty sure just to brag about her fancy itinerary, and smiles. I take satisfaction in the smudge of lipstick on her teeth, until Cody notices it too, and actually reaches up and helps her find it. She proceeds to suck on his finger, and the entire scene has my stomach turning. I lay back and put my arm over my forehead.

“But I heard you say we’re going out tomorrow? Where? You know I don’t get done with my shoot until seven or eight,” she says, making our celebration for Cody all about her.

I’m so disgusted by her, that I can’t keep my silence. “Oh, well, I’m sure we’ll be able to work around your schedule. We wouldn’t want to celebrate Cody without you,” I say, logging away my mental notes to tell Jessie later.

“Oh, good. Thank you,” she says, and even though I’m still not looking at her, I can sense the bitchiness in her tone.

“Alright, well, just let me know the plans, Charlie. We’ll be there,” Cody says, and I can hear them walking off. I know he’s trying to separate us because I made it awkward. But right now, I don’t give a f*ck. I came out here to be alone, to talk to Mac, and to cry over losing the only material thing left in my world that’s really anything like me. And if fake-tits and cherry-lips is offended, she can kiss my ass.

“Ta ta,” I say, almost enjoying my rare bout of swagger.

I’m so angry that I spend the next 30 minutes talking to Mac in my head about Cody and Kyla, mostly Kyla. Even though my blood is boiling and my pulse is shot through the roof, I’m thankful that I’m not feeling sad—at least for the time being. I know as soon as I go back to my bedroom and see the metal desk sitting where my dad’s used to, I’m going to feel like I’ve been sucker-punched all over again.

The clouds are moving in, and I know another storm is going to roll through tonight, so I don’t risk it this time and pack up my blanket to head back inside. I’m still muttering to myself when I hear my phone buzz. I pull it from my pocket and stop the second I see a text from Cody.





I know it hurts.

But there is more Mac in you than just some old piece of furniture—and you should show those parts off more often.

They’re…beautiful.





Chapter 15: This Is Charlie





It’s pouring.

No, scratch that. It’s sleeting.

The weather outside is miserable, and it’s felt like nighttime most of the day. Trevor came home late from drinks—I counted it a blessing, because I laid in my bed all night holding onto my phone, typing and deleting a response back to Cody’s text.

I fell asleep long before Trevor made it home, and I woke up well before him this morning. I escaped downstairs, hoping to see Cody at the backdoor, his empty mug for coffee in his hand. But his truck was gone, and I cringed thinking that there was a chance it never came home last night.

Not really wanting to spend the day pretending to love my gift from Trevor, I decide to work on my drawings of Cody’s shop some more. I fill up a travel mug with a fresh brew and leave Trevor a note on the counter. I’m not hiding from him; I’m just not waiting for him either.

Jake’s is all locked up when I arrive, and I’m almost surprised not to see Gabe in one of the bays working. His work ethic was admirable—he often put in more hours on a repair than Cody did. Jessie said it was because of how much he felt he owed Cody. But I also think a part of Gabe loves being here, working here, with his best friend.

Not wanting to get soaked, or ruin my drawings, I decide to make a workspace out of my front seat. I spread my pages on the dashboard and open my box of pencils. I’m inspired by the way the place looks in the rain, the lights off and the parking lot downright abandoned. I start to sketch, and my first few drawings are bleak, if not beautiful.

Then I’m struck with the idea; I make a copy of my first drawing, the very first one I did of the shop—with a little extra love and attention. I pump more color into the neon, freshen the greens of the garage, and brighten all the whites. I keep the rain in, but fill the parking lot with customers. It’s the ultimate before-and-after, and I realize I’ve drawn Cody’s dream.

I line the drawings up against my windshield, the rain blurring the background just enough that you can still tell what it is, and I take a picture with my phone.





I just finished these, and I thought you might like to see them.





I send them to Cody and hold my breath, hoping he’ll be pleased. My phone buzzes and I’m surprised by his quick response at first, then notice Trevor’s name. I don’t even deny the disappointment I feel.





Hey, are you still at the shop?





It takes me longer than it should to respond. I think about lying, but I decide against it.





Yes, but I’m coming home soon. No one is here.





My guilt makes me add the second part, reassuring Trevor that I’m alone.





Yeah, Cody’s here. We were just wondering when you’d be done. We’re going out to that new club in the city. I got us all reservations at a restaurant first, though. Think you can be ready to leave in an hour?