Mercy (Salacious Players Club, #4)(76)

Since I can’t put this shit off anymore, I jump out of the car and march up the walkway to her house. Before shoving my hands in my pockets, I quickly rap on the front door. I hear voices on the other side, and a moment later, it opens to reveal Sophie with a face full of makeup.

“What are you doing here?” she snaps playfully.

“Thanks, kid. I’m here to talk to your sister. Is she around?”

She squints at me. “Of course, she is. But you’re aware it’s her wedding day, right?” she asks like an adorable little guard dog.

With a smile, I reply, “I come in peace.”

“All right, fine,” she says, slowly opening the door. “She’s in the living room, getting her hair done.”

“Thanks,” I mutter as I slide past. “You look pretty, by the way,” I add, catching the blushing smile on her face before I disappear into the house.

The living room is buzzing with excitement, and I almost back out. I might be here to do a good thing, but I’m a little worried at the moment that I’m still bringing down the mood by just being here.

Everyone quiets down as my presence is made known with the clearing of my throat. Charlie’s mom, Gwen, is the first to talk.

“Hey, Beau…everything okay?”

“Yep,” I reply with a tense smile. “I just…came to talk to Charlie for a second. If that’s okay.”

“Now?” Charlie asks. Like Sophie, her face is already covered in makeup. There’s a woman standing behind her, curling her hair with a round iron. She gives it a quick douse of spray before backing away.

“It’ll only take a minute,” I reply.

Her face softens before she turns to her mother. “We’ll step out back for a second. Is that okay?”

“Of course,” Gwen answers. “We’ll go have another round of mimosas in the kitchen.” I smile at the women as they pass by me. Then I follow Charlie out to the back patio.

Standing by the pool, I gaze out at the pool house where she used to live. I can’t imagine she goes in there much anymore since she moved in with my dad, but that pool house still holds a lot of memories for me. Trying to get her back when I was at my lowest. Watching her asshole of a dad berate her and Sophie when he found out about the club. And seeing my dad come to the rescue, remembering how everything changed for me that day.

“What’s going on?” Charlie asks, crossing her arms skeptically. She immediately takes the defense, and I only have myself to blame for that. The sooner I get this over with, the better.

“Charlie, I’m here to apologize.”

Her arms relax. “What? Why?”

“Because I was an asshole to you. A terrible boyfriend. I used you, didn’t treat you the way you deserved to be treated. I, uh…”

Fuck, this is hard.

Without looking her in the eye, I quickly mutter the worst part. “I cheated on you…twice.”

When I finally look up at her, she’s staring back in confusion. Brow furrowed and head tilted, she looks completely lost.

“Why are you doing this now?” she asks.

“Because…you’re getting married today, and before you do…I want everything between us to be forgiven, forgotten, and in the past.”

“Beau…” She says my name with a sigh, letting her crossed arms drop. “I’ve already forgiven you. I’m not mad…”

“But I never apologized.”

“Well, I appreciate it, but you didn’t have to do this—"

“Yes, I did,” I say with conviction. “I should have done it a year ago. Fuck, I never should have done any of that crap in the first place, but to be honest…if me being a dick to you…brought you two together, then I’m not mad about that.”

She gives me a confused squint.

“What I mean is…I’m sorry, but I’m glad…”

“You’re glad you were a terrible boyfriend?”

“No,” I stammer, “I’m glad you found him. I’m glad you’re marrying my dad, I guess. Fuck, this is weird.”

I let out an exasperated sigh, and a moment later, Charlie lets out a lighthearted laugh that turns into a heavy cackle. It softens the hard, uncomfortable exterior I was wearing when I walked into this conversation.

“This is weird, but I think it’s really sweet that you came here to say this to me. You’ve changed, Beau. I hope you find as much happiness as I have. I really do.”

“Thanks,” I reply, my mind instantly going to Maggie.

“And thanks for sticking up for Sophie that night at the ice cream shop. I’m sorry you got hurt, but I bet it felt good to shake that little asshole up first.”

I smile as I rub the new scar above my brow. “Yeah, it did.” It felt even better to get the punch I deserved, but I don’t tell her that part.

“You wanna stay for mimosas?” she asks with an awkward smile.

Shaking my head, I shove my hands back in my pockets. “Tempting, but no. I gotta get going. I’ll…uh, see you later.”

“See you later,” she replies with a wave.

I leave through the side gate instead of facing the swarm of women inside. Once I’m in my car, I let out the heavy breath I was holding. It almost feels like the first real deep breath I’ve taken in a long time. I feel free.