Another new one I've had for a while...I know I said one story at a time but I can't help myself so enjoy and let me know what you think.
Seventeen year old Charlie Holden-Buckton sat in her car at the beach cliff looking off across the water she had been here for hours now, wiping her tearstained face she let out a heavy sigh and opened the door, pulling herself out she locked her car and walked to the edge. She couldn't believe what was happening-that he was leaving her...how could he do this to her-after everything they've been through how could he just leave her? She closed her eyes as tears slipped down her face he was all she had left he'd been a dad as well as an older brother to her and her brother- not to mention he'd just handed her three year old daughter over to Child services without a second thought. Opening her eyes she looked at the water below crashing against the rocks, shuffling closer to the edge she let out a sob what life did she have now?
Not far away eighteen year old Daryl Braxton walked along the cliffs in a daze he couldn't believe this had happened, how could someone who is supposed to love him-them just get up and leave? Sighing he looked down at the note in his hand-the note he'd found when he arrived home yesterday- she had gone and she had left his brothers behind for him to look after only for Child services to get wind and take the boys into care now he had nothing-no one. Crumpling the note up he shoved it in his pocket and walked up a hill, coming over the other side he spotted a girl around his age very close to the edge. He watched her for a minute she stood looking down she looked upset and deep in thought…broken. Walking over to her he stopped beside her and looked out to the water "you know as much as it hurts that will hurt more."
Charlie looked over to him then back down "it's the only option I've got right now," she muttered.
"No it's not," he said slipping his hand into hers "there's always an option," he said leading her away from the edge.
"Please if you can solve my problems I'd like to hear your ideas," she said "because for the last two days I've been avoiding home ignoring my brothers calls and hiding from the cops."
Daryl frowned "why- and why you are you hiding from the cops?"
Charlie let out a heavy sigh and dropped onto the hood of her car "because my brother is a detective he'll have the whole force out looking for me, he's called me hundreds of times said he's not gonna stop looking till he finds me...he's leaving town with his girlfriend- oh and he handed my daughter over to strangers saying it was best for her."
"Okay," Daryl said and sat beside her "what's so wrong about that?" He asked "other than your kid been taken."
Charlie sighed again "because he's all I have I live with him, my parents died when I was three my other brother moved to Queensland last year my friend Hayley has her own place- her own life, now he's selling the house and wants me to move in with his friends so they can keep an eye on me."
Daryl nodded "and you don't want that?"
"No," she replied "I don't want him to go at all- like I said he's all I have," she mumbled.
Daryl nodded "So where are you staying tonight?"
Charlie shrugged and looked back at her car "here I guess, can't stay with friends their parents will call my brother and Hayley can't lie to Pete," she answered.
Daryl stood up and shook his head "no you're not if you won't go home you can come home with me I've spare rooms."
Charlie scoffed "I'm sure your mum and dad would love that."
Daryl hung his head and closed his eyes, sighing he looked back at her "my mum walked out and left us yesterday my dad is locked up so it's just me and my three brothers...just me now, they've been taken into care."
"Oh," Charlie said "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring it up."
Daryl shrugged it off "don't worry about it you didn't know...so what's your name?"
"Charlie Holden," she replied "and you?"
"Daryl Braxton but Brax, only mum calls me Daryl...called," he added.
Charlie smiled quickly "so Brax tell me what brings you out here at," she looked down at her watch "almost eleven on a Saturday night inviting strangers back to your house?"
Brax chuckled "stopping a chick from doing something stupid...nah, I'm kidding-my brothers, they meant everything to me and now they're stuck with some strangers good knows where, it just kills me that I can't be there for them who know what they must be thinking."
Charlie nodded "I know what you mean...I miss my daughter so much I keep asking myself does she know what's happening- does she think I don't love her that I don't want her- did she do something wrong...I just wish I could see her," she sniffed.
Brax put his arm around her "I'm sure she knows you love her...how old is she?"
"Three," Charlie sniffed "she always cry's for me when I'm away too long."
"Same as my brothers Casey and Kyle they always cried for me not mum...I looked after them when mum was too wasted to care," Brax said and stood up "I have a proposition for you," he said turning to face her. He'd only just met her he didn't know a thing about her all he knew was she was lost just like him.
Charlie looked up at him and studied him "I'm listening."
"Me and you stick together, you help me out and I'll help you. You can move in with me we'll do what we can to get the kids back and start our lives again," he said stepping closer to her "so Charlie Holden will you be my new reason to live?" he asked holding out his hands.
Charlie thought about it for a moment "why?" she finally asked "I mean why are you doing this, you don't even know me you know nothing about me."
Brax smiled "you're no different than me Charlie, I've lost everything too my life has fallen apart I got nothing left...so?" he asked again.
Charlie smiled she knew she shouldn't go off with him she didn't know him she'd never seen him before anything could happen, there was just something about him she trusted him already. She smiled again and slipped her hands into his jumping off the hood "I will if you'll be mine," she said looking up at him.
Brax chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder "we've got a lot to talk about then," he said leading her away.
"Wait, my car," she said looking back at it.
Brax looked back too "is it locked?" she nodded "then we'll take mine and you can get it tomorrow, you said yourself the cops will be looking for you. I'm from Mangrove River we have to pass the cop shop," he said and started to walk again.
...
When they got closer to the station Charlie happened to look up, she looked closer at a figure leaning on a car hands slamming over and over on the hood "hey can you slow down for a sec?" she asked.
Brax slowed to a stop and looked to where she was to see some guy in a suit going nuts on his car until a woman cop came over and pulled him into a hug- he looked cut up she did too and at the sniffing beside him he knew who it was "that's the brother?" he asked looking back at her, Charlie nodded "you know I got time if you wanna go over he looks pretty upset."
"No," Charlie shook her head "as much as I want to he chose her over me, me and him are done...can you drive please?" she asked tuning back to face straight ahead.
"Charlie look at him put the guy out of his misery," Brax said.
"No!" she snapped "good enough for him after what he's done to me so can you just drop it and drive please!"
Brax sighed "okay," he said and started to drive.
...
A while later they pulled into the drive of a house "the house is a mess cleaning wasn't one of mums strongest points," Brax said as they climbed out.
"Yeah my brother's skank girlfriend too everything is always left to us two, she wouldn't even put a cup into the dishwasher," Charlie replied as she followed him inside "wow," she said looking at the beer cans, toys, clothes, you name it thrown everywhere.
"Told you," he said awkwardly, now he felt embarrassed about even bringing her here.
"Well we can't live like this, get me a black bag," she said rolling up her sleeves.
Brax raised an eyebrow "are you serious?" he asked.
"Yes I'm serious," she giggled "come on the quicker you move the quicker we get this done," she said shoving him towards the kitchen.
Brax shook his head and went into the kitchen she hadn't judged him she just let it go over her head she wasn't like all the other girls he'd met, smiling to himself he grabbed a roll of bags and walked back to her.
...
Half an hour later they both dropped into the sofa "we'll do the rest tomorrow," Charlie yawned.
Brax nodded "yeah that was a work out," he chuckled "so you can have mums room the sofa or sleep in with me-obviously I'll be on the floor," he said and sat up.
"Well I've seen your mums room and no offence you need to burn that bed...and this sofa," she said looking down at all the stains and cigarette holes.
"My bed it is then- but don't worry my room is clean as you saw and I just changed the sheets this morning, but I want you to do something for me first," he said turning to face her "I know you'll get mad but will you please let your brother know you're okay."
Charlie sighed she knew he was right, she knew her brother must be going out of his mind, she knew he wouldn't have gone home since she took off "fine," she muttered and took out her phone punching his number "Pete," she said and looked up when Brax rubbed her back and walked into his room.
"Charlie!" he yelled "oh thank god, where are you- are you okay- I've been so worried about you."
Charlie could hear the relief in his voice but she was still mad at him "yeah yeah save all that, I'm just letting you know I'm okay, stop worrying and stop looking for me I'm fine I'm safe...I gotta go."
"Charlie!" he called "you know I won't stop till I find you, you need to come home we need to talk."
"What home?" she snapped "and we got nothing to talk about you've already made all the decisions!" she yelled and hung up. Wiping her face she turned off her phone and stood up, walking into the bedroom she smiled when Brax lifted his head and climbed on the bed beside him.
"That was quick," he said watching her closely.
Charlie shrugged "well, he knows I'm okay now," she said and lay down looking at the ceiling.
"Charlie," Brax said and moved to lean over her "you have to think about where he's coming from, what he's been through the last few days...do you really wanna spend whatever time you have left with him angry?"
Charlie blinked back tears "but he's leaving me- he decided this- he decided to go without me, he took my daughter away from me...he didn't care how I would feel why should I care what he's feeling?" she whimpered.
Brax placed his hand on her stomach he did feel sorry for her but as a brother missing his family he knew what her brother would be thinking "I know you're upset and I understand really I do like you said he's all you got… do you really wanna let him go hating him?"
Charlie closed her eyes as tears slid down the side of her face, she opened them when Brax wiped them away "no I guess not...I just can't forget about it."
Brax smiled "I know you can't and no one expects that, I only met you a few hours ago but there's something about you Charlie- something I haven't figured out yet, but I do know how much you love your brother I can see it every time you mention him, I know it's hard but you gotta be the bigger person here...before the cops find you and kick my front door in," he chuckled.
Charlie giggled and bit her lip "...fine," she said after a few minutes "but in the morning," she said and rolled on her side.
"In the morning," Brax agreed and rolled away from her "you can get under the covers you know," he said sliding off the bed and onto the makeshift one he had made on the floor.
Charlie moved and slid under "hey Brax," she said waiting for him to look up "I'm glad I met you," she said and leaned down to kiss him on the cheek "thank you," she said and pulled back.
"Don't mention it," he smiled and "I'm glad I met you too- finally got someone that understands my life."
Charlie smiled and rubbed her face "I really gotta sleep I was freaked out in that car."
Brax chuckled "lucky for you you got a bed tonight...night Charlie," he said and rolled away from her.
"Night Brax," she said and rolled to face the other way.
The next morning Brax opened his eyes when she called him "tea?" she offered holding out a cup.
Brax sat up and scrubbed his hands over his face "thanks," he yawned and took it from her "ready to go I see," he said nodding to her fully dressed.
"Yeah," she sighed and sat on the edge of the bed "I thought about what you said and you're right, Pete is the typical protective older brother I know how much he worries about me-I need to go see him."
Brax nodded "let me grab a shower and I'll drop you off," he said pulled himself up of the floor.
"No, you've done enough for me already I can walk," she said and stood up.
"It's no trouble and I did say I'd drop you back for your car...I won't be long," he said and walked out of the room.
….
An hour later they were pulling up at the station "great," she muttered as she saw Peter standing at the door with two officers looking at a file "won't even make it inside."
Brax chuckled and looked over at him he still wore the same clothes and still looked lost-like he hadn't slept in days "everything will be okay Charlie go see him."
Charlie sighed and pulled off her belt "I have your number I'll call you later if he lets me out of his sight...and thanks again for last night Brax," she said and kissed him on the cheek "wish me luck," she mumbled and climbed out.
"Good Luck," he chuckled and watched her go, he chuckled again when her brother looked up stopped talking and stared at her before shoving the officer in front of him out of the way and flinging the file out of his hand sending its contents flying everywhere.
Brax watched him run to her and lift her off the ground hugging her tight, he placed his hand on her head and closed his eyes- he could see the relief wash over him. Peter stepped back and cupped her face looking her over for any injuries before pulling her into another hug, Brax smiled once more and started up his car.
He chuckled as the female cop from last night came tearing out the door hugging her for life, he took one last look before pulling off happy she'd done the right thing.
…
"I've been so worried about you I found your car at the cliffs early this morning, I was about to call in the divers don't ever do anything like that to me again Charlie," Peter said shakily as he pulled her away from Watson and held her close.
Charlie let him hug her for a minute before she pulled away and was almost winded when Watson hugged her tight "Georgie can't breathe," she wheezed.
Watson squeezed her tighter "I don't care you scared the crap outta me I haven't slept in three days-your brother either. We've been looking for you non-stop."
Charlie hugged her as her eyes filled with tears "did he tell you what he's doing, that that skank has talked him into leaving the bay...leaving me?"
"Charlie," Peter sighed "we've talked about this, Amanda hasn't talked me into doing anything," he said taking a step closer to her.
Charlie scoffed and pulled away from Watson "I heard you guys talking- I heard her say it's here or her."
"Peter," Watson gasped looking at him horrified "you'd give up your family-you'd leave Charlie and Hayley behind for her?"
"It's not like that and that's not what she said," he said turning to Charlie.
Charlie rolled her eyes "her exact words were, I'm sorry Peter there's nothing here for me there never was so it's the bay or me I'm moving with or without you," Charlie took a step backwards "then you said give me a few days to sort everything out I need to find somewhere for Charlie to stay we'll need to sell this place and get Ruby sorted Charlie won't be able to look after her on her own." Charlie wiped the tears that had fallen "well congratulations Pete you've just lost your family I hope you're both very happy together!" she spat and stormed off.
"Charlie!" he yelled and ran after her "I'm not going anywhere until I know you're okay- until you've settled somewhere else."
Charlie laughed bitterly "that is my home Peter! Mine yours and Jacks you have no right selling it! But since me and Jack are just dumb kids we don't get a say!" she looked back at Watson "you know breaking up with her was the biggest mistake you ever made, you've changed and I don't like who you've become- in fact I hate you!" she screamed.
"Charlie," he said sadly she could see the hurt rise on his face but she didn't care "everything I've ever done has been for you Hayley and Jack."
"Well this time you've finally done something for yourself well done," she said sarcastically "don't worry about me I'll be gone by the end of the day and I will get my daughter back...I meant what I said I hate you I'll never forgive you for this, stay away from me!" she hissed and stormed off.
"Charlie!" he yelled after her "Charlie come back!"
"Leave her," Watson snapped and walked over to him "I can't believe you're going without her that you'd even consider it, you left that part out when you told me you were leaving...what happened to you Peter?" she asked "Charlie was everything to you she's your little sister how can you do this to her?" Watson shook her head sadly "you're not the Peter I remember-the Peter me Charlie Jack and Hayley loved...you go and have your own life I'll look after them I'm not going anywhere I made a promise to your mum," she said and walked off.
Charlie arrived back at her house she hadn't intended to even come here it's just where her feet took her. She did know she needed clothes and stuff, looking at the house she sighed and walked up the path, letting herself in she closed the door and leaned against it.
"Hey babe!" a happy voice called from the kitchen making Charlie cringed "the moving vans will be here Friday morning so I've started to pack up some stuff, I don't know what you wanna do with Charlie's stuff, I just packed it up anyway maybe Hayley will let you leave them at hers in case she comes back."
Charlie tried to hold down the anger that was trying to make itself known she pushed herself off the door and walked along the hall to the kitchen, she leaned on the doorway and watched Amanda go through the presses "you needn't think your taking that, that was my mums," she snapped and ripped the vase out of her hands.
Amanda climbed down off the counter "see you've decided to come back, I wasn't taking it Peter is putting all your mum and dads stuff into storage."
Charlie laughed and shook her head "well thanks for packing up my room I'll be off then," she said and walked back out to the hall.
"What no smart remarks?" Amanda called after her.
Charlie walked back "oh many but what's the point, you've already won- you've ruined this family and got what you wanted... let's just hope Pete doesn't find out about the blokes from the hotel," she said with a smirk "you know the two different ones you've been meeting while my brother thinks your off for work?"
Amanda's face drained of colour and her eyes went wide "h-how do you know about them?"
Charlie laughed "I have my sources," she shrugged and walked back out "it would be a shame if he did find out it would put an end to your plan of sponging off him!" she called as she took the stairs.
Amanda followed her "so why haven't you told him?" she asked following her into her room "figured you'd jump at the chance to get rid of me."
Charlie laughed "seriously?" she asked turning back to her "what he's doing to me do you think I care about his life, and I was about to I came right home after I was told and heard you two talking."
Amanda laughed she never did like Charlie or the amount of time Peter spent with her or worrying about her "well then I guess there's nothing left to say except I'm glad you're not coming with us."
Charlie smiled "yeah me too I don't have to look at you anymore," she said pulling out her phone, pulling up Brax's number an idea popped into her head "hey babe," she said happily as soon as he answered.
"What?" Brax chuckled.
Charlie bit her lip at the look on Amanda's face "I'm home now and the witch is here will your bring your car so we can get my stuff over to yours since I don't have my car."
Brax chuckled again "stop messing with her Charlie you're causing more trouble, but yes what's the address and I'll be over soon."
"Okay love ya too oh I'll send you it now," she said and hung up with a pleased grin on her face "you still here?" she asked turning back to Amanda while quickly sending Brax her address.
"Didn't know you had a boyfriend...does Peter know?" she asked.
"Yeah going on a year now and no Pete doesn't know but you can run tell him if you like-tell him I'm moving in with him- hey you may as well tell him I'm sleeping with him too," she smiled sarcastically and picked up a box. "Did you pack all my clothes?" Amanda just nodded "and Ruby's too?" Amanda nodded again "right well instead of just standing there gawking at me grab a box and carry it down," she said and walked by her.
A few minutes later Brax pulled up and beeped, climbing out he walked to the back of his car and opened the back. He looked up when the front door opened and Charlie skipped to him with a grin on her face "hey," she said and hugged him "is she at the door?"
Brax looked to see a blonde woman watching from the front door "yep."
"Well pretend you love me," she giggled and pulled back to look up at him.
"What do ya want me to do kiss you?" he chuckled and went to let go of her.
"Perfect idea," Charlie nodded.
Brax chuckled again "I'm not kissing you," he said looking down on her.
"Aww come on her face will be priceless, she's already called my brother after I got off the phone to you... please?" she pouted.
Brax sighed and chuckled "I don't see the point."
"The point is Daryl," Charlie giggled and grabbed his face "my brother will flip and pay less attention to her... call it a parting gift."
Brax shook his head and slipped his arms around her waist "fine, but you owe me and this never happens again got it?" Charlie nodded while her grin widened. "You're crazy," Brax chuckled and lowered his head kissing her softly.
Charlie pulled back "crazy to get one up on her...my stuff is ready I only have a few things we can get the rest another time," she said pulling him towards the house "we'll grab it now and get the hell outta here then I'm taking you to lunch," she said as they got to the door.
"Charlie Peter said you've to wait here he's on his way," Amanda said.
Charlie nodded "better move fast then, Brax grab them two boxes I'll get the rest and you," she said turning to Amanda "I'd say goodbye but let's face it I don't like you," she said and followed Brax out the door. "Oh," she said and turned back to her "make yourself a hero, tell Peter you tried to hold me back you fought to keep me here he might just marry you," she laughed and walked off.
"Think about your brother Charlie!" Amanda called after her.
"What like he thought about me?" she scoffed and closed the boot, walking to the passenger side she looked at her house and sighed- this was the only place she ever lived it was more than a just a house to her it held so many memories, biting her lip as her eyes welled she climbed into the car "go," she said shakily.
Brax looked over at her and squeezed her hand "everything will work itself out," he said softly and started up the car.
Charlie looked at the two cars speeding towards her house, as they turned the corner she caught one last glance at her brother and godmother before she settled back into the seat.
...
Peter and Watson screeched to a stop and jumped out "where is she?" Peter yelled running up the path.
"She's gone," Amanda answered from the doorway.
"And you just let her go?" Watson yelled.
Amanda shrugged "you know Charlie, she doesn't wanna be here she won't be."
"You idiot!" Watson yelled "bet you didn't even try stop her!"
"Alright, enough," Peter cut in "Amanda what was this blokes name- what car was he driving?"
"Um... she just called him Brax and it was a black Ute I think," Amanda stepped around Peter "I better get back still got a lot to pack."
"You don't even care do you?" Watson yelled and stepped closer to her "I swear to god if anything happens to her you're dead!" she hissed.
"How is this my fault?" Amanda yelled.
"You're kidding right? You let her go off with a guy that no one has ever seen before! Are you really that stupid!" Watson yelled "I always knew you were a spiteful bitch but this is low even for you!" she spat.
"I said that's enough Watson!" Peter yelled.
Watson scoffed he never called her that not ever "I forgot you didn't care about anyone anymore," she said and started to walk back to her car.
"Where are you going?" Peter called after her.
"I'm going to find Charlie, you may have given up on her but I haven't!" she hissed and slammed her door shut. She knew she'd heard the name Brax somewhere before, starting up her car she took off for the station with an idea of where to look first.
A while later over at Brax's he and Charlie sat on the sofa not long in after lunch, Brax knew she was upset so left her with her thought. Looking at the time on his watch he sighed "hey I have to be at work by six will you be okay here on your own?" he asked.
Charlie looked at the time on her own watch "I've to be in work for five...where do you work?" she asked looking up at him.
"Club over the other side of Wilsons, I'm a barman at Pacific Heights...you?"
Charlie nodded "yeah I know it, I'm a waitress at Angelo's along the beach."
Brax nodded "me and the boys always get pizza from there...what time do you finish?" he asked.
"Midnight," Charlie replied "same every Sunday."
Brax stood up "Well I finish at eleven thirty, how about I pick you up we get a pizza and come back here?"
"Yeah sounds good to me...um, can you drop me off for my car if you have time?" she asked.
Brax nodded "yeah I got time I'm just gonna grab my uniform then I'll run you over," he said walking towards the bedroom.
"Hey Brax!" Charlie called Brax turned back to her "thanks," she smiled "for everything."
Brax smiled back "don't mention it," he said before going into his room.
...
Down at the station Watson had figured out where she knew the name Brax from standing up she walked into Peter's office and went to his file cabinet, flicking through them she pulled out the file she'd been looking for "I knew it," she sighed and closed the drawer. Turning around she jumped when Peter stood leaning against the door "what are you doing sneaking around?" she hissed.
"What are you doing in my office?" he asked and walked over to her "what's that?" he asked nodding to the file.
"Never you mind, you didn't want to know earlier," she said and walked by him "get your hands off me!" she hissed when he grabbed her wrist.
Peter let out a heavy sigh "close the door we need to talk."
"No we don't," she scoffed and started to walk again.
"Georgie I'm serious!" he yelled.
She laughed "oh so it's Georgie now is it?" she said and slammed the door "come on then what do we need to talk about?"
"I know you're upset about me leaving," he started.
She laughed again "I'm not upset about you leaving we're done I've moved on."
"Well then what the hell is your problem is it coz I'm going with Amanda?" he asked.
"Oh get over yourself Pete!" She yelled "the only reason I'm upset is because you're leaving the girls… you've already lost Jack and now you're just dumping them for what?"
"A new life and new job!" He yelled back.
"What's so wrong with the life you have now!" She yelled "a great job, your own house, friends, a family that loves you!" she yelled.
"You are part of the reason!" He yelled getting tired of her yelling at him "I can't see you every day, you're too involved in the girls lives you're always gonna be there- and I have no problem with that," he added. "I can't do it anymore Georgie I've raised them, Charlie has a baby and a job, Hayls has her own place and a job- both are doing great in school. Hayls is eighteen Charlie will be next week they don't need me to look after them," he sighed and sat on his desk "it's time for me to live my own life."
"That is a load of crap!" She hissed "you're running away because they're growing up, they still need you Peter they'll always need you- Charlie is so cut up about this but you're too busy running around with little miss perfect to even notice how much this has affected her!"
Peter stood up "I knew you were pissed coz of Amanda what you're jealous I'm moving on with her and not you?" he asked walking closer to her "wondering what it would be like if it were you I was leaving with…you'd have no problem leaving the girls then!" He hissed he knew by her face he'd really hurt her.
Watson lashed out and slapped him hard across the face "you bastard," she said shakily "I will never leave those girls and if we were still together you'd be going on your own I love them!" She cried. "I was there when Ruby was born, I held Charlie's hand! I was there for Hayls when she had the car accident I was there for everything! How dare you say that to me!" she stopped talking and wiped her eyes "and as for being jealous if this is the person you've become she's more than welcome to you- I for one can't wait to see the back of you," she shook her head "I can't believe I love you," she spat and pulled the door open "I don't ever wanna see you again…don't bother saying goodbye," she said and walked out.
"That's the problem," he said and followed her "…I love you," he sighed and leaned on the door.
Watson closed her eyes as tears fell and turned back to him she promised herself she wouldn't go there that it was over there was no going back…but she had to know "what do you mean you love me?" she asked walking back to him.
Peter sighed and pulled her back into his office, shutting the door he walked over to the window "I think about you every day- look at Amanda wishing it was you beside me-that it's you I get to do everything with," he looked over at her "I'm still in love with you Georgie I don't know how not to be," he said and walked to her. "I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you we just drifted apart."
"No Pete," she said shaking her head "you moved up the ranks and forgot about me…I'm just a silly constable while you've made first grade detective like you always wanted," she said and lowered her head.
"Hey," he said and tilted her chin up to meet his eye "I never forgot about you not for one second," he said and stroked her cheek.
"So why did you break up with me then?" she asked- that was a question she never got an answer to.
Peter took another step closer to her "I'm starting to ask myself that…Amanda is great but she's not you," he said and leaned in to kiss her.
She kissed back for a second before she pulled away "no," she whimpered "no you're not doing this to me, you're not gonna kiss me because your head is all fucked up and then leave with her next week," she said and opened the door "you can't do that to me," she said and closed it behind her.
Peter sighed and sat on his desk he was having doubts what the hell was he gonna do…why did he kiss her did he even loved Amanda. Sighing again he walked out of his office and by her stopping briefly at her desk before hurrying out of the station.
In Angelo's Charlie cleared a table and walked into the kitchen "hey you can take your break now Hayls has just gone too- she's down in the surf club," her boss Angelo said.
"Thanks," Charlie replied and dumped the dishes and rubbish "I'll see you in a while!" she called on her way out, she turned for the stairs- stopping when Peter and Amanda walked up hand in hand "great," she muttered and pretended not to see them.
Peter stopped when he saw her "what are you doing here?"
"I work here," Charlie said rolling her eyes and made a move to go down.
"Hey," Peter said stopping her "I meant after you took off with some bloke and ignored everyone's calls you still come to work."
"Gotta make a living I can't blow off work coz my brother is a moron! And not everyone's calls just the people I didn't want to talk to, now if you'll excuse me I've got work to do," she said and shoved his arm off her she rolled her eyes at Amanda and kept walking.
"We need to talk Charlie I'm not happy with you living with some guy!" he called after her.
"What do you care! You won't even be here, actually forget it I don't care I'm done with you just leave me alone!" she yelled and hurried away.
Peter hurried after her and grabbed her by the arm "outside, we're gonna talk I'm sick of this!" he hissed and started to drag her.
"Ow!" she yelled "you're hurting me let go!" she shrieked.
Hayley looked up from her table and her eyes widened she jumped up and ran over "Pete what the hell are you doing get off her!" she yelled and tried to pull him off her "you're hurting her!"
Peter stopped and looked at all the people watching him horrified "I'm sorry," he sighed and stepped back "I lost my temper."
Hayley pushed Charlie behind her "what the hell is your problem?" she hissed "are you crazy!"
"I just want her to talk to me is that too much to ask!" he yelled.
"I don't wanna talk to you I've made that clear!" Charlie said rubbing her arm.
"Charlie," he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose "we didn't get a chance to talk before you took off- then you took off again we really do need to talk about this."
Hayley looked over at Charlie "fine, we'll be there after school tomorrow so for now go get your dinner and be gone by the time we're off break... and tell that skank to wipe that smirk off her face before she takes a trip down a set of stairs!" she hissed and led Charlie away.
Peter looked over to see Amanda watching them her smirk dropped and she smiled quickly at him. Sighing again he walked over to her "let's eat I guess," he said and walked up the stairs behind her.
...
Later that night it was closing time Charlie looked around there were a couple just leaving and a guy at the bar, she smiled as the couple walked by her and walked up to the bar, getting to the bar she leaned on it and sighed she was so tired she couldn't wait for Brax to get here.
"Rough Day?" the guy asked.
"Rough week," Charlie chuckled "anyway back to work we're about to close if you wanna finish that off and hit the road," she said and pushed herself off the bar.
"Aw stay have a drink," the guy said pulling her back.
"No thanks," she said and pulled away from him.
The guy chuckled and downed his drink, standing up he placed money down "see you next time... what was your name?"
"Charlie," she replied "night," she said and walked behind the bar.
"Night Charlie you're a very pretty girl," he chuckled and went on his way. Charlie chuckled to herself and started to do up the till.
"Charlie I'll do that if you wanna get off everyone else is already gone," Angelo said walking up behind her.
"No it's okay I'll do it I'm waiting for a lift anyway," she said and continued to count. "I've done the lunch sheet for tomorrow," she said picking up a clipboard and placing it down in front of him "figured you'd forget."
Angelo chuckled and picked it up "yeah probably now that you mention forgetting- I need to add up the wages."
"Done," Charlie replied "the sheets are on your desk all you have to do is transfer it to the bank," she picked her phone up when it rang "hey...okay two seconds," she said and hung up "what?" she asked when Angelo stared back at her.
"What did I do to deserve you?" he chuckled.
Charlie chuckled "I just want to keep busy really It's nothing and I know you have a brain like a civ...is my pizza ready?" she asked.
Angelo nodded "in the oven boxed and all."
"Thanks," Charlie said and pulled out some money "the till is done but you can ring it up tomorrow."
"Nah take it on me," he smiled "oh before I forget Macy can't make it in tomorrow do you fancy covering her shift?"
Charlie nodded "yeah sure, I'll be here at five," she said and walked into the kitchen grabbing her pizza she walked back out "anything else you need me to do before I go?"
"Goodnight Charlie," he chuckled and walked to his office "lock the door after you I'll be here a while."
"Okay, night!" she called and took the stairs two at a time. Locking the door she looked around for Brax's car, spotting it she hurried over and smiled "hey," she said jumping in.
"Hey," he replied "good day?" he asked as he pulled off.
Charlie scoffed "apart from Peter yelling at me yeah good enough."
"Why was he yelling at you?" Brax asked.
"Because I keep ignoring him and keep being smart, anyway, I don't wanna talk about him me and you Braxton have some serious talking to do, it's time we got the ball rolling and came up with a plan," Charlie said as they pulled into his drive.
Brax groaned "can't we do that tomorrow?" he asked following her to the house.
"No I have school and work...which I probably won't make," she said when she spotted three guys on the sofa drinking and playing the console.
Brax looked over her shoulder "sorry I forgot they'd be here we do it every Sunday," he said walking in "boys," he greeted.
"It's fine I'm just gonna head to bed- you take the pizza," she said walking towards Brax's room.
"Hey who's this?" one of the guys asked before she could make it to the room.
"Guys this is Charlie she's gonna be staying here a while, Charlie this is Noah Brodie and Sam," Brax said pointing to each.
"Hi," Charlie said "well I'll let you get back-night!" she called and walked into the room.
"Brax she's hot," Brodie said excitedly.
Brax slapped him on the back of the head "stay away from her she's off limits...to all of you," he said and sat down.
Noah watched him closely "you know we can shoot off if you want us to," he said, being Brax's best mate he knew what was going on with his brothers and about Charlie.
"Nah it's fine she's up for school tomorrow let her go to bed," Brax replied looking towards his room.
Noah stood up "even more reason for us to leave come on guys my mum's out we can go there."
Brax got up and followed them to the door "I'll see you knuckleheads tomorrow," he said and shut the door after him.
In the room Charlie changed into her sleep shirt, grabbing her toothbrush she pulled the door open and jumped back "geez Brax you scared the crap outta me," she giggled.
"Sorry," he said walking in with the pizza "so you've scared my mates away," he said sitting on the bed "...just as well," he said looking at the shirt she wore "they'd never leave with you dressed like that."
Charlie walked over and sat beside him "sorry," she giggled "can't sleep with bottoms on."
Brax chuckled "I was kidding, so we can have that talk now," he said getting himself comfortable.
Charlie grabbed a slice of pizza and sat back beside him "I was thinking of us concentrating on Ruby first since there's only one of her...what do you think?"
Brax bit into his pizza and nodded "makes sense what next?"
"Well if it was okay with you I was thinking since you're eighteen and you're a legal adult...how do you feel about me saying you're her dad?" she asked nervously.
Brax turned to her "what about her real dad isn't he on her birth certificate?"
Charlie shivered at the thought "no he's not he knows nothing about her and he never will," she sighed he'd need to know the full facts to understand better.
Brax nodded and picked up the pizza box he knew this was a topic she didn't want to talk about "we'll talk tomorrow it's getting late," he said backing out of the room "I'll take the sofa tonight-night," he said and closed the door.
"Night!" Charlie called and climbed under the covers brushing her teeth long forgotten, sighing she lay down and closed her eyes.
Outside Brax settled himself on the sofa he couldn't bear to sleep in any of the other rooms.
...
Later that night Brax was woken by the sound of soft slow music filling the house, sitting up he grabbed his phone and looked at the time- four am, climbing off the sofa he walked to his room to find it empty. Frowning he walked to his mums room to find the door open, sticking his head in he saw the music was coming from Charlie, she had found the piano his mum used as a wardrobe. He was about to say something when she started singing leaning against the doorway he listened.
"So much is happening to me, so much that I can't even see, so many words of wisdom that I'm trying to be." Brax watched her stop and just continue playing the music for a minute until she started again "Catch me if I should fall, and even more so while I'm standing tall." he walked closer to her as her shoulders dropped but yet she kept on singing. My head's spinning around and it's making me dizzy, I'm spinning around and it's making me ill, you don't understand what I'm going through just to find a way to climb...It'll be my own time." After that she burst out crying and dropped her head into her hands. Brax was beside her in a second pulling her into a hug "what the hell do I do Brax!" she cried "I miss my baby so much!" she sobbed and clung to him.
"Ssh," he said and held her tight "I promise I'm gonna look after you you're gonna get her back, we're gonna be okay."
"Promise?" she asked looking up at him.
"Promise," he said and smiled down on her.
Charlie nodded "sorry I woke you."
"Don't worry about it," Brax said leading her out the door "I told you we're gotta look out for one another, even if that does mean waking me up at four am."
Charlie giggled and stopped at the bedroom door "next time I'll close the door…night Brax," she said and walked into the room.
"Night Charlie," he replied and walked back to the sofa.
...
Lying in the bed Charlie looked towards her phone for the millionth time, sighing she picked it up- pulling up his number she dialled it.
"Holden," he answered tiredly.
"Hey," she said quietly.
"Hey sweetie, are you okay?" he replied trying to take a softer approach than yelling.
Charlie bit her lip as her eyes welled "I miss you," she said shakily.
Peter sighed "I miss you too I just wish you'd come home."
"What have I gotta do to make you stay?" she asked.
Peter sighed again "Charlie it's not that simple."
"What about me Pete do you not care about me anymore?"
"No Charlie no I love you with all my heart you know that."
"So why are you doing this to me?" she whimpered.
"Do you want me to come get you so we can talk properly?"
"No," she replied and wiped her face "I got school in a few hours, night Pete," she said and went to hang up.
"Hey wait….I love ya," he said.
Charlie bit her lip again "I love you too…night," she said and hung up.