Where One Goes(77)

The last night I saw her, after leaving the Mercers,’ I’d been impressed. The way she restored their sense of calm was nothing short of a miracle. As if their pain was healed instantaneously. Later that night, when she’d climbed in my lap and kissed me, I knew there was no way I could ever let her go. But in that moment, there was no way I could keep her either. I was a f*cking mess; barely clean and just coming out of a quasi-relationship with a woman I had no f*cking business seeing. Charlotte deserves better than that, but for some reason, she loves me. She wants to be with me, or at least she did. And to give her the best, my very best anyway, I had to go and fix me before I started anything with her.

My father has just picked me up and is driving me home from rehab, making mindless small talk along the way, but my mind is stuck on her. How is she? Where is she?

“How’s Charlotte?” I interrupt him; unable to hold it in any longer. My father smiles, but never takes his eyes off the road.

“She’s well, I believe. Why do you ask?” And the way he’s smirking I know he knows why I’m asking.

“You know why, Dad,” I mumble.

Picking up his stainless steel travel mug, he takes a long sip before saying, “She’s a great girl, George. I hope you can convince her to stay.”

My fingers instantly intertwine, full of tension as I squeeze them until the tips turn white. “Is she talking about leaving?” I ask tentatively, my throat growing tight at the thought. I couldn’t blame her if she is. It’s not like I’ve given her much of a reason to stay. And f*ck me if I don’t want her to.

“Her mother and father were just down here for a week or so. Word was they begged her to go, but she refused.” I let out an audible breath, full of relief. She stayed. Maybe, just maybe, I have a chance. My father continues talking, and I have to fight to pay attention. “The trial for Casey Purcell’s killer is in a week or two. She said she’d at least stay until after the trial.”

“Where is she now?” My nerves are on edge, and I shake my right leg, the anticipation burning a hole inside me.

He cuts me a sideways glance and smirks, his eyes twinkling with mirth at my expense. “She’s at our house, waiting to welcome you home.”

Rubbing my chin as I grin briefly, I quickly wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. I take a deep breath and prepare myself.

Don’t f*ck this up, George.





“Cameron, if you eat one more of those ham biscuits I will strangle you!” Beverly yells as Cameron flees the dining room, where a meal fit for kings is spread out on the McDermotts’ large table.

Sniper, Anna, and I chuckle as Cameron shoves another biscuit in his mouth as he rushes by us.

“I’ll be back for the cookies,” he mumbles around the food in his mouth, although it’s barely audible.

“They are bloody good,” Sniper says. “Beverly used to send Ike care packages with them. Greedy bastard would only give me one or two.”

“Are you nervous?” Anna whispers as she loops her arm with mine. Since the night Roger and George fought, Sniper has kept her abreast of my gift and all the events that transpired between Ike, George, and I. She accepted it rather easily, and we’ve become very close since.

“Extremely,” I answer honestly as she leads me onto the front porch. I’ve waited for George for the past month knowing my feelings for him have not changed. I’m just not sure how he’ll react to me being here. What if he changed his mind about us while in rehab? Regardless of the butterflies in my stomach, I’m so proud of him for going to rehab, for wanting to get better. And if I’m being honest, it gave me a chance to get myself together, too. I was devastated after Ike left, and I needed some time to cope. My heart still hurts every day for Ike, but slowly, it’s getting better. My hope is George and I can move on from here. But deep inside there’s a fear that maybe he won’t feel the same. Maybe he won’t want me anymore.

“Well you look fabulous,” she says, as she bumps my shoulder with hers; bringing me out of my thoughts. Of course I do; Anna dressed me. I’m wearing a burgundy dress with three-quarter sleeves and tights with boots. Anna put my hair in a high ponytail and I’m wearing a little more makeup than I usually do. But even the cutest outfit and makeup can’t cover the dread I’m feeling inside.

“They’re pulling in,” Cameron announces as he steps out on the porch and nods his head in the direction of the driveway. And my heart skips a beat. Beverly and Sniper join us on the porch, and Cameron wraps an arm around Beverly’s shoulders and kisses her temple when she becomes teary-eyed. Sniper takes my hand and squeezes it, giving me a wink; letting me know everything will be all right. Breathe, Charlotte.

When Henry parks his car, I once again have to remind myself to breathe. I’m so damn nervous my legs are shaking. Having my legs give out on me would not be good right now. Sniper, Anna, Cameron, and Beverly fly off the porch and surround George the moment he steps foot out of the car. I can barely see him as he’s lost in the tiny crowd surrounding him. After a few moments, they seem to break and his gorgeous, dark eyes meet mine, sucking the breath right out of me. They’re clearer now, and not so foreboding. As the others chitchat amongst themselves, he slips away and walks toward me. My heart hammers in my chest as he watches me with every step he takes. He looks amazing, so much better than when I last saw him. He’s put on a little weight, filled out a little more, and his hair is trimmed. Light panting breaths release from my mouth as I will myself to stand still. When he finally reaches me, he takes my hand and runs his thumb over the back of it. Caressing it lightly.