Quiet Longing (Quiet Love #2)

6.

Charli

The tea didn’t work.

Or maybe I just couldn’t stop thinking of Rhys, the way his expression had clouded when I’d asked about his bruised jaw. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to put it all together, especially after what Derek had insinuated about his home life and then how stressed he’d seemed on the phone when his dad had called.

There was also the fact that he was suddenly staying with my cousins for the next few weeks because of supposed renovations on his house. I had a feeling my aunt and uncle knew about Rhys’ dad and had offered for him to stay with them for a while. It confirmed what good, kind people they were, but I still worried about his mother. Where was she? Was she still at home with his dad or somewhere else? I couldn’t imagine Rhys leaving her if his father was as awful as I suspected.

He’d only mentioned her once, but his voice had been fond when he’d spoken of her and maybe a little sad. My chest hurt imagining the kind of situation his family was in.

The next morning, I came downstairs in search of breakfast. I spotted Rhys right away, sitting at the end of the long table in an oversized hoodie. Now that I’d noticed it, the bruise on his jaw was unmissable, and I wondered why no one else had asked him about it.

Was I missing something?

Then again, judging by the way he reacted to my question last night, maybe they all knew Rhys was uncomfortable discussing his private life and carefully avoided the subject.

“Charli, come have pancakes,” Aunt Jo said cheerfully. “I’ve made enough to feed a small army.” I was impressed by how put together she looked first thing in the morning. I’d had a restless night’s sleep thanks to my worrying over Rhys, and my eyes were puffy and tired. I looked at him again, wondering if the tea had worked for him. His eyes looked a little sleepy, too, so maybe not.

Rhys sat next to Derek, quietly eating a bowl of cereal. He glanced my way once briefly then returned his attention to his food. Had I upset him last night by asking about the bruise? Should I have ignored it like everyone else? Maybe he was ashamed. It was understandable that he wouldn’t want to talk about it, especially if his father was the one who hurt him.

My stomach twisted in a strange way. It was an unfamiliar feeling. I didn’t like to imagine what sort of man Rhys’ dad was. Sure, there was a chance I’d misinterpreted things, but it only seemed like a very small chance.

Grabbing a plate of pancakes and blueberries, I went to sit next to Nuala. I drizzled some maple syrup over my plate then poured a cup of coffee. It pepped me up as soon as I took my first sip.

“So, what’s everyone’s plans for the day?” Aunt Jo asked as she came to perch on a seat, holding a small teacup.

“It’s Aidan’s birthday this weekend,” Tristan answered first. “We’re helping him plan a big party at his house. It’s gonna be epic.”

“Oh! How exciting,” Aunt Jo exclaimed. “I didn’t realise his birthday was coming up. I’ll get him a card.”

“Are Charli and I invited to the party?” Nuala asked, pouring herself some orange juice.

“Sure,” Tristan replied while Derek said at the same time, “Definitely not.”

“Why?” Nuala complained, sending Derek sad puppy eyes. “I’m friends with Aidan, too.”

“Don’t listen to your brother,” Aunt Jo interjected. “Of course, you can go to the party. There’s absolutely no reason why Nuala and Charli should be excluded unless, of course, there are things planned that wouldn’t be suitable for them.” My aunt eyed her son shrewdly.

Derek shrugged, looking irritable. “You know what Aidan’s like. The party will be raucous. I just don’t want the girls getting caught up in all that.”

“I’m sure we’ll be able to handle it,” I said, arching an eyebrow and meeting my cousin’s gaze directly. I wasn’t typically into parties, but it bothered me how Derek didn’t want us there. Besides, by the look on Nuala’s face, she was excited to go, and I wanted her to have some fun considering her friends were excluding her.

He released a sigh. “Fine. Don’t come crying to me if it all goes belly up.”

Aunt Jo stood from the table and went to squeeze her son’s shoulder. “Don’t be so pessimistic. The girls will be fine.”

As soon as she left Nuala narrowed her eyes at her brother. “So, what’s the real reason you don’t want us to go?”

“Aidan’s birthdays are always wild. There’ll be lots of drink, probably some drug use. You’re only seventeen.”

“Tristan’s seventeen, too,” Nuala argued.

“Tristan’s six feet tall and isn’t going to have boozed up, horny lads chasing after him.”

“You can’t be certain of that,” Tristan countered, waggling his brows. Derek rolled his eyes.

“Hey, if Nuala and I end up going to the party,” I said, “the two of us will stick together. I’ll stay sober and make sure none of these so-called guys you’re talking about try to take advantage.”

“Fine,” Derek acceded and rose from the table. My attention wandered to Rhys, who was looking at me now, an intensity in his blue eyes. Did he not want us at the party either? It was difficult to tell.

A few minutes later, he quietly left the kitchen, and I felt uneasy about the tension between us. Granted, it wasn’t like we were best friends or anything, but I didn’t enjoy the idea of him icing me out.

Nuala was going to show me around town that afternoon, but my morning was free. I took the opportunity to have a video call with Gwyn to catch her up on my time in Ireland so far. It was early there, just after 6 a.m., but Gwyn had always been an early riser, so she was peppy and full of energy when the call went through.

“Ugh, how are you so upbeat? It’s disgusting,” I said.

“I’ve just been for a run, so I’m on an endorphin high right now,” she replied, smiling widely, her dark hair up in a neat ponytail, barely a strand out of place.

“It gets even worse,” I teased, and she chuckled.

“So, tell me all about Ireland. How is it? What are your cousins like? Are you having a good time so far?”

I started to fill her in on everything when my bedroom door opened, and Nuala appeared.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I should’ve knocked.”

“It’s fine,” I waved her off. “Come meet my friend, Gwyn. We’re on a video call.”

“Really? Well, okay,” Nuala said, a little shy as she quickly neatened up her hair like she was about to go on live TV or something. It was too cute.

She came around to the front of my laptop and gave a little wave. “Hello. It’s lovely to meet you, Gwyn.”

“Nuala!” Gwyn exclaimed. “I’m so happy to finally speak to you. Charli’s told me so much about you from those emails you two exchanged. Wow, you’re just as pretty as in the pictures.”

If there was one thing my best friend was good at, it was compliments. Nuala practically glowed. “That’s very kind of you to say. You’re very pretty, too.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, everyone’s pretty. Now, tell me how things are with you. How’s it been working at your dad’s restaurant?”

“Oh my goodness, so stressful, but at least I’m getting paid. Plus, Sam Pangborn just started as a bus boy, so I’ve been trying not to drool over him too much.”

“Who’s Sam Pangborn?” Nuala asked with a grin.

“Just the local hottie,” Gwyn replied. “He went to a different school than us, so Charli and I only got to admire him from afar. Are there any cute boys over there?”

“Hmm, well, I go to an all-girls school, so the only boys I get to see are my brothers’ friends, and Derek would murder me if I ever even considered their relative hotness, so …”

Gwyn laughed. “Right, but you must have a preference.” She looked to me. “Charli, which one do you think is cute?”

“Nope, I’m not falling into that trap,” I replied, and Nuala glanced at me, eyebrows raised.

“Do you like one of my brothers’ friends?” she asked, her gaze full of curiosity.

I bit my lip. “I mean, none of them are what I’d call ugly, but Rhys is—”

“Rhys?! You like Rhys?” She looked almost as surprised as Derek had. “Oh em gee, I knew it. I thought I was imagining things, the way you look at each other, but now, it makes so much sense.”

“Okay, who is this Rhys?” Gwyn interjected. “And please tell me there are pictures.”

“Hold up. Both of you are getting way ahead of yourselves. I only meant that if I had to pick one of the guys, Rhys would be my choice, but that doesn’t mean I’m mentally planning a wedding or anything.”

“I know, but Rhys is such a sweetheart, and you’re gorgeous. I think you two would make the most amazing couple,” Nuala said, clearly still getting way ahead of herself despite my call for reason.

“No one’s becoming a couple. I’m only here until the end of summer, and besides, Derek already told me not to defile his friend.”

“Wait, you told Derek?” Nuala looked crestfallen I hadn’t told her first.

“It wasn’t like that. Derek and I were talking, and he made a guess. He basically insinuated I was some kind of harlot who’d make his best friend fall in love with me then stomp all over his heart when I left to go back home.”

“He insinuated what? Ugh, my brother is such a dick.”

“Well, maybe I’ve exaggerated a little, but that was the general gist. He said Rhys has never had a girlfriend and that I shouldn’t let him develop feelings for me since I’ll be gone in two months, and he’ll be heartbroken.”

“Hmm, you know, Derek can be quite emotionally intelligent when the mood takes him,” Nuala said. “But I disagree. Just because you and Rhys might have a fling, it doesn’t mean anyone’s going to get hurt. You both can have a little fun. Where’s the harm?”

“That’s what I thought at first, but now, I’m not so sure. I mean, he’s staying here at the house, and—”

“Okay, stop right there,” Gwyn interrupted. “I have to get ready for the breakfast shift at work, but I’m already invested in this story. You need to call me back later and tell me more.”

I laughed. “Sure. Go get ready. Love you.”

“Love you, too,” she replied, and we ended the call.

“She seems really nice,” Nuala said, a hint of melancholy in her tone. I wasn’t entirely sure of why she sounded so sad until I remembered her friendship situation.

“So, are you ever going to tell me the full story of what happened between you and those girls who turned up at the party the other night?”

Nuala blinked then shifted uncomfortably. Finally, she said, “I don’t really like to talk about it.”

“That’s fine. We don’t have to.”

A short silence elapsed before Nuala went on, “It’s just that I haven’t really told everyone the full story. I told Tristan part of it, but I couldn’t tell him everything.”

I frowned, my protective instincts kicking in. “Why not?”

“Because he’d go crazy, and I just want to move on from it. If they all want to follow Kiera, then that’s fine. I’d rather not be friends with people who can’t think for themselves.”

“Why exactly would Tristan go crazy?”

Nuala worried her lip. “Because a lot of it had to do with him, and I don’t want him feeling guilty my friends all abandoned me because of him.” She paused for a moment then said, “I told Tristan Kiera’s been excluding me because I discovered her bulimia, which is true. When I found her getting sick in the school bathroom I was kind to her, tried to offer help. She made me promise not to tell anyone, which I did. She wasn’t much bothered by me knowing so long as I kept it to myself. I even did some research on places that treat bulimia and found a bunch of resources online.

“Kiera was appreciative, and she actually got much better. She wasn’t binging and purging anymore. But then she got it into her head that she was in love with Tristan and that the two of them were meant to be. I wasn’t discouraging or anything. In fact, I wouldn’t have minded at all if they got together. She began trying to catch his interest, but it didn’t work. Tristan just didn’t seem to fancy her. Keira then decided I needed to help make her and Tristan a couple and began ordering me to talk her up to him, ask if he found her pretty, and suggest they go on a date. I didn’t feel comfortable doing that and told her as much. That’s when she completely flipped on me, started saying I was stuck up and thought she wasn’t good enough for my brother because she had an eating disorder. Before I knew it, all the other girls had turned against me, and I was sitting in the cafeteria every day eating lunch alone.”

Nuala paused, her shoulders slumping, and my heart clenched for her. Teenage girls could be brutal. I was lucky Gwyn and Lydia were so chill—and that I didn’t have any brothers for them to lust over.

Nuala’s eyes grew shiny, and I reached out to squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry, hon. That sucks so fucking much. You didn’t deserve that.”

She sniffled. “It’s fine. There are other people at school I can be friends with. It’s just hard starting over.”

“I promise you, you’re going to be better off without them in the long run. Like you said, you want friends who can think for themselves, not blind followers. And besides, you have me to hang out with for the rest of the summer. And I’m sure there are a bunch of girls at your school who’d love to be friends with you when you go back in September.”

“You’re right. Thank you for listening to my sob story. I promise I wasn’t trying to make you feel sorry for me.”

“I would never feel sorry for you. Aside from a few poor choices in friends, you have an amazing life and a great family.”

She gave a watery smile. “They are pretty great even if Derek can be a little overprotective.”

“Hey, didn’t you promise me a tour of the town? Go grab your things, and let’s go.”

Finally, she smiled fully. “Okay, so long as we get to discuss your crush on Rhys. The guy deserves a bit of good news after that accident at work. His poor face, it looks so painful.”

Huh, so that was the story he’d told everyone. A work accident. “There is no crush,” I insisted.

Nuala grinned playfully as she stood from my bed and went to the door. “Sure, sure.”

I slumped back, bringing my hands to my cheeks. I felt flushed. Nuala and Derek now both knew about me liking Rhys, and it was only so long before it somehow got back to him. The last time someone found out I had a crush on them was Tommy Kean in fifth grade, and that had been mortifying, not to mention unreciprocated. I could only imagine how embarrassing it would be for this to get back to Rhys and for him to have to let me down gently.

Ugh, why did I even open my big stupid mouth?

***

I didn’t bump into Rhys again until the following day when I’d had my second shift at the hotel. One of the other kitchen staff put me through two hours of health and safety training before leaving me to wash dishes with Rhys. Aside from a brief nod, we mostly worked in silence. I’d been assigned a locker, so I hadn’t needed to store my things in his this time, which was a relief because broaching the silence between us was proving tough.

Not to mention, working in the kitchen was an endless stream of dishes, mopping up spills, and collecting trash. I knew Rhys worked more hours than I did because, like last time, he was already there when I’d arrived. I wondered where he found the energy. Or maybe he’d built up a tolerance.

I was pretty sure my ears were going to be ringing with food orders and “Yes, chef” all night after I clocked out.

I still worried about what was really going on in Rhys’ home life. During our walk about town, Nuala had mentioned again how awful it was that all those boxes fell on him in the hotel storage room, which was how she’d been told he’d gotten his bruise. I wasn’t certain I believed the story, especially not with how he’d reacted when I’d noticed the injury. If the bruising was from a simple accident, he would’ve just said that instead of clamming up. No, I had a feeling whatever was going on with his father, it wasn’t good.

I’d lost my own Dad two years ago, but I still thought about him every single day. Thinking of Rhys’ situation, I considered myself lucky I’d had a kind, loving father who’d do anything for me for sixteen years.

Studying Rhys, I wondered if opening up to him would encourage him to do the same. It wasn’t that I was trying to be nosy or interfere, I just wanted him to know I was prepared to listen, be a non-judgmental ear if he needed it. Keeping things all bottled up wasn’t good for a person in the long run. And sometimes, it was easier to talk to someone who didn’t know you that well. He could confide in me because, by the end of the summer, we might never see each other again.

I felt strangely sad thinking it. I’d never been a fan of endings, even though they were unavoidable in life.

“I’m a little worried about my mom,” I said, and he glanced at me before returning his attention to the dirty dishes. “She’s been calling me a lot,” I continued. This wasn’t exactly true. She’d been calling me once a day, sometimes twice, but I could afford to exaggerate a little. “We haven’t ever been away from each other for this long, and I’m scared she’s going to be lonely.” This was true. I was worried about her being alone.

Still focusing on the dishes, Rhys said, “It’s just the two of you?”

“Yes, my dad passed away two years ago.” A pause as I struggled past the clenching pain that always struck me whenever I mentioned it. “Car accident.”

At this, he stilled then looked at me fully. A strange sort of heat filled me. I’d missed having his full focus. “Fuck, Charli. That’s awful. I’m sorry.”

I swallowed down the lump of emotion that got caught in my throat at his empathic tone. “Mom’s still not entirely over it. Well, I don’t think you ever really get over losing someone so suddenly like that. I know I won’t.” My voice wobbled. I should’ve avoided bringing up what happened to Dad. I could never talk about him without crying.

Rhys side-stepped closer. We were standing side by side, and he gave my arm a bump with his. “Hey,” he murmured low. “I’d give you a hug right now, but I’ve been washing dishes all day in this stifling kitchen, and I’m disgusting.”

The idea of a hug from Rhys was a little overwhelming. That would be like being cocooned in the arms of a strong, cuddly but solid bear. A bear I found very attractive.

I chuckled lightly. “No, I’m the same. I get it. I definitely need a shower when I get home.” The hotel kitchen was large, but it was also full of people, ovens, pots, and hot pans going constantly. Not to mention, it was the middle of summer, and the Irish didn’t appear to have come around to the concept of air conditioning yet. Well, at least not here in the kitchen. I’d bet the rooms upstairs had it. My work uniform was practically glued to me at this point.

We fell into silence for a minute or two, quietly resuming our work. Then Rhys said, “Sorry I’ve been so quiet today. My head’s a bit …” he trailed off before finishing, “I’ve some stuff going on.”

“With the home renovations?” I asked. I wasn’t going to try and get the truth out of him again. Somehow, it felt better going with the lie. It left him with some dignity. And if he ever wanted to tell me the real reason he was staying with my cousins, I was always willing to listen.

Rhys sighed. “Yeah, with the home renovations.”

“You know what’s great for stress?” I asked, and Rhys arched an eyebrow, which caused my cheeks to flare. Okay, so maybe I could’ve asked the question a little differently. I cleared my throat and soldiered on, “A Fallout marathon. I’m guessing my cousins have a PlayStation somewhere in the house?”

Rhys smiled. “Derek has one in his bedroom. And there’s an Xbox in the playroom downstairs.”

My eyes widened. “The playroom?”

His grin held amusement. “I guess it’s weird to still call it that since they definitely aren’t kids anymore, but it’s the room where they had all their toys growing up.”

“Are you telling me my cousins grew up with a room just for toys?” I asked, incredulous.

“Yep, must’ve been nice,” Rhys said, almost wistfully.

“Now, I’m pissed my mom never brought me to visit when I was younger. I would’ve gone crazy for a playroom.”

“Well, I’ll take you up on the Fallout marathon this weekend if you want. I’m not working.”

“Me neither, but what about Aidan’s birthday party?”

Rhys shrugged. “We can do both.”

“So, you don’t agree with Derek that Nuala and I are far too innocent and pure for Aidan’s wild partying ways?”

“Hey, even I’m too innocent and pure for that,” Rhys said, chuckling. “But a party’s a party, and I’m sure Nuala wouldn’t want to miss it. Plus, I doubt she’d go without you.”

“I guess I better start brushing up on my self-defence moves to fight off all those boozed up, horny guys Derek mentioned,” I joked, and something passed over Rhys’ features, something that made my face feel warm.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe. I mean … you and Nuala. I’ll look out for you both.”

I blinked, my heart giving a quick thud at the protectiveness in his words. It created a low sizzle, a handful of butterflies coming to life in my belly.

I nudged Rhys’ arm, just like he’d nudged mine a few minutes ago. I liked the contact, the feel of his skin on mine, even if only briefly. “Thanks. That’s very kind of you.”

Rhys’ smile was soft, a little self-conscious, too. “It’s no trouble.”

We resumed working, the earlier tension and silence dissipated entirely. Those butterflies were still there, though, and I worried the effect Rhys had on me might be a problem because I was barely even looking forward to Aidan’s party. I was mostly excited to hang out with Rhys and play my favourite video game together with him.

It was official. I had a crush, and there didn’t seem to be any immediate cure.