Bump and Run (Wide Open #6)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jones

I admired Charlie’s hands as he gripped the steering wheel of my car, keeping them at ten and two like we were taught in driver’s ed. He had dragged me out of the house, after telling me to pack an overnight bag, told me he wanted to show me something, and then asked if he could drive. I would have let him drive us off a cliff if he had asked me, because that’s how stupid I was for the man. From the moment I laid eyes on Charlie Callahan, he had been it for me. Despite everything that he had done to me.

“Where are we going?” I asked for the millionth time. I had an inkling as we headed down the interstate. All these road signs were familiar, the area a place I had known my entire life. Where I had grown up.

Charlie chuckled softly. “You think this is the time I’m going to tell you?” He reached over and laced our fingers together. “I think you know, but I thought it would be nice to go to our spot.”

“Our spot?” My heart rattled inside my chest as I spoke those words.

The place that I had wanted to burn to the ground after he’d abandoned me, yet found myself going there even more because of it. The first time I had gone back, I had cried and screamed in the darkness. I pounded my fists against the sand and begged for my heart to stop hurting. Prayed for a shark to swallow me whole so that I never had to feel this way again. Angry that I had fallen in love with Charlie so easily. Jumping headfirst into something that had shattered me beyond repair.

He squeezed my hand. “Mm, I thought it would be nice. To take you back to where we first met.”

“Are you going to break up with her, Charlie?” I hated myself for even asking.

When he didn’t answer right away, I untangled my hand from his and stared at the window. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. No one likes a needy boy.

“Or are you going to have to pretend to be in love with her?”

Charlie’s lips were pressed together in a firm line when I glanced back over at him. “Yes, eventually, I will break up with Beverly. We’ve discussed it a few times already.”

“But when? I don’t want people to think that I’m a homewrecker or that you cheated on her. You’re engaged, Charlie, and people know who you are. You’re a big deal. If they see us together or—”

“Jonesy, don’t,” he growled, and it shouldn’t have been that hot.

I shook my head. “We shouldn’t be out in public together. What if your daddy finds out you’re here or that we’re together again? He might hurt Mama. We should turn around and go back to my house. It’s safer there. We can go buy the curtains for my bedroom and stay there for the rest of the week. Just cuddled up on the bed under the blankets. ”

But it was already too late for that. Charlie had pulled into the parking lot of the beach, closed now that it was getting dark, and put the car into park. I pressed myself up against the door as I watched him, and his dark eyes swept over my face. He didn’t say anything as he unhooked his seatbelt, climbed from the car, and then came over to the passenger side. I let him open my door, remove my seatbelt, and hoist me up into his arms. I immediately wrapped my arms and legs around his body.

I opened my mouth to object, but he stopped me by crushing his lips against mine. His mouth was hungry, his tongue slipping between my lips, and I couldn’t stop the moan that I let out as he pushed me back against the car. My fingers tangled in his dark hair as he ravished me, and I couldn’t help but whine like a spoiled brat when he pulled away.

Charlie leaned his forehead against mine. “I won’t hide you, Jones. You’re very important to me. And my father isn’t going to do anything that might ruin his chance at the political greatness he’s trying to achieve.” He placed me gently on my feet. He placed a finger over my lips when I started to protest again. “Let’s grab the cider and head down to the beach.”

I followed him without another word, watching as Charlie spread out a blanket on the sand, started a small fire, and then motioned for me to sit down. He hooked an arm around me as he held his phone out. There was a string of text messages and as I read them, a smile broke out over my face.

Charlie: We’re going to have to talk about a breakup soon .

Beverly: I take it things went well for you? *winking emoji*

Charlie: You could say that.

Beverly: I’m happy for you, Charlie, truly. You’re a great man and deserve something good in your life.

Charlie: I’m not sure about that but thank you.

Beverly: Tell your Jones hello for me.

Charlie: Will do.

Beverly: On second thought, send me a photo of the two of you together.

My vision blurred as I glanced up into Charlie’s face.

“I think I like her,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks.

“Don’t cry, Bashful.” He brushed the wetness from my face. “I just wanted you to see that Beverly knows all about you. I’ve shown her pictures, and I talk about you all the time. She thinks you’re adorable. She’s not in love with me. She fancies a man her parents don’t approve of. Sound familiar? He’s not some snobby elite asshole from Boston. He’s just a normal guy.”

I flushed. “Like me.”

“There is nothing normal about you.” Charlie tilted my head up. “I love you, Jonesy. From the moment I spotted you on the beach, staring up at the stars and taking pictures on your phone. I knew I was going to fall for you, but I never planned on hurting you. I wanted forever with you. I still do. I want to help you buy curtains for your room, watch you win races while battling beside you, and I want to make you happy. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. ”

I climbed up onto his lap. “Having you here makes me happy. Knowing that you want to be with me, that you love me, makes me happy. I’ll admit that I’m a little scared about what the future holds, but despite everything, I still trust you.”

“Tell me you love me.” His eyes pleaded with me.

I touched the mole on his face. “I love you.”

“Tell me that we’re going to figure this out together,” Charlie begged. “That we’re going to make it. No matter what. I will give up everything to keep you, if that’s what it takes.”

I pressed my mouth against his, hoping Charlie could hear my words. That I wanted everything he did and more. A lifetime that he could spend making things up to me. Loving me, holding me, making me laugh, and comforting me when I was down.

Charlie kissed me back, his mouth aggressive. He flipped us around and pushed me back against the blanket, the hard sand digging into me. I clawed at his back as I rubbed shamelessly against him, moaning and whimpering as his lips moved down my jaw and throat.

“My Jonesy. Mine, always,” Charlie murmured against my skin. I shivered at his words. “Are you cold, Bashful? We can get you closer to the fire.”

I clung to his shirt. “I love you.”

I didn’t want him to move away from me. His words echoed in my ears as he kissed me again, softer this time. His lips were gentle, his tongue warm, and I wanted to spend forever like this. Kissing Charlie under the stars on the beach where we first met. We kissed for what felt like hours. Forever and ever. His stubble left scratches against my face, and his thick erection brushed against mine. Charlie’s hands were in my hair, under my shirt and touching my stomach. I broke away when I tasted tears that didn’t belong to me.

“I don’t deserve a second chance with you.”

“Everyone always deserves a second chance.”

Charlie smiled at me, his eyes watery. “I don’t deserve you , my Jonesy.” He lightly touched my face, his eyes searching mine. “I will spend forever showing you how much I love you.”

“I hope so,” I teased, and his lips curved up into a bigger smile. “We’re going to figure it out.”

He nodded. “Yeah, yeah, we will.”

Charlie helped me back up into a sitting position and reached for the hard cider he had brought. He twisted off the cap on both and handed me one. “We should take that picture now, so I can send it to Beverly.”

“Okay.” I beamed at him when he took out his phone again and pressed our heads together.

Charlie took several photos, and we looked through them to pick out the best one. I liked them all, but one stood out to me the most.

I pointed to the last one where Charlie was looking at me instead of the camera. “This one.”

Charlie nodded and sent off the picture. Seconds later, his phone went off.

Beverly: I’ve never seen you look like that before, Charlie.

Beverly: You look happy and in love. Keep him this time. We’re breaking up .

Charlie chuckled as I read over the texts .

“You’re the one who makes me happy,” he confessed, and this time when he kissed me, the flavor of apples was on his lips.