Praise (Salacious Players Club #1)(93)

I lift my head and stare at her in surprise. “Mad? No, of course not. You did the right thing.”

“Did you see him slam Dad against the wall?” she asks, hiding her smile as she pinches her lips between her fingers.

Mom and I both laugh. “That was pretty cool,” Mom says.

“I’m sorry for not telling you…” I add, mostly to Mom, since Sophie sort of figured it out on her own. And I guess this might be a conversation more suitable in private, but I like the idea that we don’t keep secrets from each other. At least not anymore.

My mom rubs my knee as she says, “It’s okay, honey. It’s not like I couldn’t tell how old he was. I had my suspicions, but I trust you, Charlie. You’re a strong, smart girl, and I know you can take care of yourself.”

The emotion in my throat stings as I force myself to swallow and not cry. “Thanks, Mom.”

Then, she ruffles my sister’s hair. “And neither of you have to see him or face him until you’re ready. I’m sorry he scared you.”

“It’s okay,” Sophie mumbles.

“Is anyone else in the mood for PJs and movies? I think we need a lazy Saturday.”

“You’re the only one still in PJs,” Sophie says with a laugh.

“So go put yours on. I’m gonna cue up some comfort Disney on the TV and Mom will make the snacks.”

“Sounds good,” Mom replies, jumping up and heading to the kitchen.

Grabbing the blankets from the basket, I curl up next to my sister with my mom on the opposite side, and we escape reality for the next few hours, singing along to our favorite princess movies and trying to forget about today and all of its drama. As much as I want to just shower and go straight to Emerson’s, I need to just be with my family for a while. I need to know they’re okay.

About halfway through the second movie, there’s a knock at the front door. I peer back to see Beau’s shaggy brown hair through the curtains. I let out a heavy sigh. If he’s here to give me shit or talk about this any more, I’m really not in the mood.

“I’ll talk to him,” I say, standing with a sigh.

“Don’t take his shit,” my sister says with a bright smile, and my mother’s jaw falls open.

“Sophie! Watch your mouth.”

I’m still smiling as I open the door. Beau is staring at his feet before lifting his head to look at me.

“Hey,” I greet him, which he then replies with his own lazy, “Hey.”

Stepping onto the front porch, I close the door behind me. But he doesn’t talk right away, and I can tell he’s uncomfortable. If he wants to hate me or be mad at me, I’m willing to let go of our past and our friendship, but if Emerson and I are going to give this a try, I need Beau on my side.

“I’m sorry,” he says so quickly I almost don’t catch it.

“What?”

“For being a shitty boyfriend… I’m sorry,” he mutters. His hands are stuffed in his pockets as he averts his gaze from my face. “I never should have cheated on you, and I should have been nicer to you, and I should have known you were unhappy.”

Oh, sweet Jesus, please don’t let Beau be saying all of this in hopes of getting me back. I do not think I can handle that level of insanity.

“Thanks…” I say with uncertainty as I wait to see where this is going.

“I just want you to be happy, Charlie. You deserve to be happy.”

A huff escapes my lips. “Even if I’m with your dad?”

He lets out a loud sigh, and I can tell he’s struggling with this, but he still manages to nod. “Yeah. Even if you’re with my dad.”

“I hope you mean that.”

“After what I saw today… I don’t know I just…see things differently now. Like it’s the real thing. He obviously deserves you more than I do.”

The radiating sadness on his face draws me forward, and I take his warm, tan cheeks in my hands. “Stop beating yourself up, Beau. You’re loved and you’re young and you’ll be fine. You’re gonna find somebody who makes you feel good, someone as happy as you wish I was with you.”

Finally, his eyes lift and find mine. When I pull him into a hug, he relaxes against my body. “Is Sophie okay?” he mumbles into my shoulder.

“Yeah, she’s fine.”

“Good. I know she probably hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you,” I reply with a roll of my eyes.

“She just scowled at me through the window,” he says with a laugh, and I turn in time to see the curtain shutting. We both laugh for a minute before I turn toward him with a sad smile.

“Do you want to come in and watch Tangled with us?”

“Tempting…but no. I think I’m gonna head home. Besides, I just left my dad’s and I’m pretty sure he’s gonna call you or want to see you.” I don’t miss the look of disgust that flashes across his face.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he spent the last two hours telling me how much he loves you and isn’t going to wait for my permission to date you…openly.”

I freeze. “He said that?”

“Yep.”

No more hiding. No more lying to Beau or waiting for his approval. It’s real this time.