Hey all, couldn't resist another story...enjoy :)
Brax walked into the diner yawning, walking to the counter he leaned on it "hey Irene," he yawned "large black coffee please."
"Late night?" Irene chuckled as she filled his cup.
"Yeah," he sighed "two parties tonight and not enough staff, I was there until close again last night I'm exhausted."
"Poor love," Irene said handing him over his coffee "cant you get someone to help you out?"
"No," Brax replied "Tamara is off for the weekend and the other staff I have called are busy," he said and stood up.
"Well if you're that badly stuck I could see would April and Sasha give a hand," Irene suggested.
"Really?" Brax asked "that would be great if they could," he said reaching into his pocket for money "April has my number get her to call me and let me know."
Irene nodded and pushed his hand away "on me doll, I'll get her to call you as soon as she wakes up."
"Thanks Irene I owe ya," he smiled and walked out the door "whoa!" he yelled and held up his cup as a woman hurried by him.
"I'm sorry!" she called back and kept going.
"She seems nice," he chuckled and went on his way.
When he arrived home he let himself in and stopped at the doorway, what made him stop was the sight of his sister out with vacuum…he didn't even know she knew where it was "what are you doing Lace?" he asked.
Lacey turned off the vacuum "Charlie is coming to see me," she said excitedly "she's bringing Ruby too," she added.
"Charlie?" Brax frowned why did he remember that name? "your mate from the city that asked you to be bridesmaid?"
"Yes," Lacey nodded with a big smile "it's been almost a year since I've seen them, the girls will be so excited too," she said and turned the vacuum on again.
Brax chuckled and walked into the kitchen whatever this Charlie girl has over his sister he liked her already.
A while later Brax looked up as someone knocked on the door "Lacey!" he called "that must be for you!" he yelled.
"Lacey!" he yelled again when he got no answer, throwing his pen down he sighed and stood up. Walking to the door he opened it "can I help you?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm looking for Lacey, is she here?"
Brax nodded and stepped back to let her in "you must be Charlie."
"I am," she nodded and walked in "did she tell you I was coming?"
"Yep, she's been cleaning since this morning," he chuckled "coffee or anything?" he asked.
"No thanks I just came from the diner…I ran into you at the door…sorry," she chuckled "I was late."
"Don't worry about it...Lacey! Charlie's here!" he called.
Charlie giggled as she heard a thump followed by loud footsteps "cover your ears," she giggled.
Brax chuckled and walked to the door "I'll leave you guys to it nice to mee…"
"CHARLIE!" Lacey screamed and ran at her.
Brax chucked "nice to meet you Charlie," he said and walked out the front door.
….
Charlie chuckled as Lacey threw herself at her "nice to see you too Lace," she said and hugged her back.
"I'm so glad you're finally here…where's Rubes?" she asked looking around.
"I dropped her off at Jack's she was dying to see him," Charlie replied and sat down "so give me all the goss…how's what's his name?"
Lacey laughed and sat down "Nate, he's gone…ran off with Brax's ex about two weeks ago."
"Wow," Charlie said surprised "why didn't you tell me?" She asked scooting closer to her "are you okay?"
Lacey shrugged "it was messy and I had to look out for Brax, he took it really hard I was afraid he'd do something stupid."
Charlie nodded "I'm glad he's home," she smiled "you seem a lot happier."
Lacey smiled widely "I am, I missed him so much," she said and stood up "don't get me wrong I love the others but when Brax is away they tend to leave everything to me and forget how to clean up after themselves."
"Sounds like someone I know," Charlie chuckled "do you want to head out for lunch?" she asked.
Lacey nodded "how about we head out tonight-you can stay here."
Charlie nodded "sure, I got time…thanks," she said when Lacey handed her a cup.
Lacey sat beside her "okay I'm so glad you're here and all but," she paused "why are you here?" she asked "I mean you normally arrange things in advance."
Charlie sighed heavily and looked down to her cup "I'm not going back to the city…I've left Chase," she said and looked over at her "for good," she added.
"Charlie," Lacey gasped "what happened? I mean why? You were so in love you were so happy, you're getting married in like two months!"
Charlie sighed again "not anymore...remember I called you and I was upset last week?"
Lacey nodded "you found a bag of coke in his jeans."
"Yeah," Charlie nodded "well turns out it was a lot more than just a bag…he was using my house to stash drugs for his mates."
"No," Lacey gasped "what did you do?"
"He caught me looking through the garage and attacked me-I got away before he did any real damage," she added quickly when Lacey's eyes went wide. "I called my partner and a warrant was served, the house was searched but he was nowhere to be found. I grabbed Ruby from school and took off…no one but you and Jack know I'm here."
"Charlie," Lacey sighed and moved closer to her "you can stay with me as long as you want to I promise you'll be safe here."
Charlie smiled "thanks I'm sure your brothers would love me and my daughter moving in cramping their style."
"It's just Casey and Kyle they won't care-they're the same age as Ruby they'll be fine, you're staying, no arguments."
"What about Brax and Heath?" Charlie asked "there's already too many people here as it is me and Rubes will just be in the way, we can stay at Jack's."
"I know you can but I want you to stay here with me and Heath doesn't live here, he lives in the flat across the way and Brax won't mind."
"Okay," Charlie nodded and stood up "lunch?" she asked and walked to the door.
"I'm just running the bathroom just order me a chicken salad and a wine," Charlie said once they arrived at Angelo's.
Lacey nodded and walked to the bar "hey," she grumbled and sat down across from Brax.
"What's up with you?" he chuckled "you were bouncing around when I left."
"Nothing," Lacey sighed and rested her elbow on the table "Charlie's just going through some stuff I'm worried about her."
"Okay," Brax said slowly "why don't you see if you can help her out," he suggested.
"I've been thinking since she told me and all I could come up with was her staying with me so I know she's okay…do you mind?" she asked.
"Nope not at all," Brax said and stood up "don't worry Lace I'm sure she'll be okay," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead "do you two want food?" he asked
"Two chicken salads and a bottle of white wine please," she asked.
"Coming right up," he said and walked by her "hey Charlie," she said as she walked by him.
"Hey Brax," she replied and sat down "cheer up," she said nudging Lacey.
Lacey sat up properly "Charlie," she said and looked over at her "what happens if Chase finds you? Will you be in danger?"
"Look Lace," Charlie said placing her hand on top pf hers "I told you because you're my best friend, please don't worry about it, I'm fine he'll never think to look here. Both Ruby and I have new phones she's deleted her face book and twitter we'll be fine okay…stop worrying" she said and smiled quickly.
"Okay," Lacey nodded "you know I overthink a lot," she chuckled.
"Too much," Charlie giggled "how about I ask Jack to keep Ruby there for another few hours and we can have a few drinks and catch up?"
Lacey nodded and looked up as Brax placed a bottle and glasses down "you don't mind if we hang here for a few hours?"
"As long as you don't puke stay as long as you like," he chuckled "food will be out in a minute," he said and walked back to the bar.
"Will I call the girls? They'll be delighted to see you," Lacey asked picking up her phone.
"Actually," Charlie said before she could dial "I was kinda hoping I could spend a few days with just you… I called Leah and B this morning I told them the same thing."
Lacey placed her phone back on the table "yeah, sorry I wasn't thinking, after what you've been through you don't want a bunch of people handing around."
Charlie rolled her eyes "stop worrying…drink up," she said and picked up her glass.
…..
A while later Charlie walked to bar as Lacey got a call "another bottle?" Brax asked.
"Please," Charlie said and looked back at Lacey "you know, she hasn't changed a bit," she chuckled.
Brax chuckled "you don't have to live with her," he said placing a bottle on the counter.
"You don't mind me and my daughter staying do you?" she asked "Lace just put me on the spot and wouldn't take no for an answer."
"You know Lacey Braxton always get what she wants-from me and Heath anyway," he chuckled "perks of being an only girl with four over protective brothers, and no I don't mind you guys staying, there's plenty of room."
"Well thanks," Charlie replied and picked up the bottle "I promise just a few days until I get myself sorted then I'll be outta your hair."
"Don't rush off on my account," Brax replied "seriously Charlie stay as long as you want," he smiled and walked off out back.
Charlie walked back to the table and sat down just in time for Lacey to throw her phone down with a huff "something wrong?"
"Nate just called," she said and stood up "he wants all his stuff back…I'll be back in a sec," she said and walked out back to where Brax had gone.
"Hey," she said sticking her head into Brax's office "huge favour."
"You cleaned me out yesterday," he chuckled.
"I don't want money," she said and walked into the office "Nate called he'll be by for his stuff I need to go home and get it ready can you keep an eye on Charlie?" she asked.
Brax stood up anger clear on his face "you stay here with Charlie, I'll go…and shove his stuff down his throat!" he hissed.
"Brax please," she sighed "we've been over this," she added and stood up "let them get on with it-they deserve each other."
"He broke your heart I'm not just gonna forget that," he snapped.
"And Ricky broke yours…we're coping Brax, we knew we'd see them again…we promised each other we wouldn't do anything stupid," she said and grabbed his hand "and hey," she said tugging him to her "we still have each other now go babysit my friend," she chuckled.
Brax chuckled and pulled her into a hug "you need me you call me," he said and pulled away "she better not start going on about clothes or shoes or she's on her own."
"Charlie?" Lacey chuckled "she's not like that at all in fact," she smirked "I think she'd be a perfect match for you."
"Don't even think about it Lacey," he said seriously.
"I'm not," she replied seriously "she has way too much going on and so have you, I was kidding-kinda, anyway" she said and walked to the door "I'll be a half hour tops," she said and walked back to Charlie.
"Charlie I have to go take care of something, Brax is gonna sit here with you until I get back."
"Okay…I don't need a babysitter," she added.
"He's staying until I'm back," she said and walked off.
Brax poured her a glass of wine "okay this might get a bit personal so if you don't want to answer you don't have to…why is my sister worried about you?"
Charlie sighed heavily "because she knows me so well I had to tell her the truth-why I turned up with no notice."
"So she should be worried?" Brax asked slightly concerned.
"No I should be worried," Charlie corrected "and I told her I was fine and not to worry so don't say anything to her."
Brax nodded while he took it in "why did you come here?" he asked.
Charlie looked into her glass "running from someone," she said and looked over at him "but I promise I won't bring any trouble to your door, he won't find me-I hope," she added.
Brax watched her for a moment "can't you go to the cops or something?"
Charlie leaned over the table "I'm a detective, my ex was stashing drugs in our house, when I found them I called my partner took my daughter from school and now here I am, he's already attacked me I don't think he'll be worried about cops standing in his way."
Brax nodded again "you're afraid he'll hurt you?"
Charlie looked down at her glass again "when he saw me with the drugs he turned into a different person and attacked me, I was scared but all I could think about was he wasn't the man I loved…I have never seen him like that before. He got a few punches in before I got away, god knows what he'll do to me if catches up with me…if they haven't caught him yet," she added "my partner said he'd call me."
"Well you've no ties here so he shouldn't look here," Brax said.
Charlie looked over at him and sighed "I'm from here, I have two brothers a sister and a dad here."
"In this town?" Brax asked surprised.
Charlie nodded "didn't Lacey tell you?" she asked.
"No," he said slowly "you were in the city when I arrived here so I assumed she met you when she went to uni up there…who's your family?"
"The Holden's," Charlie replied "you know them?"
Brax nodded "Jack and Pete?"
Charlie nodded "yep-Lacey's not the only one with over protective brothers," she chuckled "they were the reason I stayed in the city…they didn't like Chase and I stupidly chose him."
Brax chuckled "I can't believe you're my mates sister, he always talks about you."
"What about my sister?" she asked "does he talk about Summer?"
"Not really," Brax replied honestly "they still don't talk," he said and stood up as Lacey walked in. "How'd it go?" he asked as soon as she sat down.
"She was with him," she muttered and picked up Charlie's glass.
"Did she say anything to you?" Brax asked trying to remain calm.
"No," she scoffed "had the neck to ask how you were…we'll talk later," she said and turned back to Charlie.
"I'll be inside," Brax said and walked off he needed to clear his head.
….
Later that evening Charlie and Lacey walked arm in arm in silence back to the Braxton's, Lacey had filled Charlie in on where she'd gone and had been quiet ever since "you're not okay," Charlie said as they walked up the drive.
Lacey stopped and turned to face her "I was waiting for that," she said and leaned against her car "I just thought he was the one you know," she said and looked over at Charlie. "Not many guys stick around once they find out Daryl and Heath Braxton are my brothers."
"Aww I think Brax is really sweet, who'd run from him?" Charlie replied and leaned against the car beside her "I'm sorry this happened Lace," she said wrapping her arm around her "I can't believe he was seeing Brax's girlfriend behind your backs."
"Yeah," Lacey sighed and wiped her face "can't go in there like this the boys will go mental and trust me it takes a hell of a lot to calm them down," she giggled and walked to the front door. "Wanna watch a movie?" she asked and pushed the door in "maybe not," she added when Kyle sat on the sofa watching tv.
"Hey," he said turning his head to look at them "this just started," he added and looked back to the tv.
"Hello to you too Kyle," Charlie chuckled and sat beside him.
"Charlie," he smiled and hugged her "how've you been?" he asked "thanks for letting me stay with you the last time I was up there."
"Don't mention it and I'm good," she said and looked up as Lacey sniffed "what's wrong?" she asked as Lacey stared at her phone.
Kyle looked up "is it the doc?" he asked as a tear fell from her face.
"Uh it's no one," she said and hurried to her room.
"Leave her," Charlie said pulling Kyle back down "give her a few minutes," she added and turned to the tv.
They both looked over as the front door opened and Brax walked in "where's Lace?" he asked dropping his keys onto the table.
"She's upset," Kyle said without looking away from the tv.
"The doc?" Brax asked and sighed when Kyle nodded "I knew she wasn't okay," he said and went to walk to her room.
"Leave her Brax," Charlie said stopping him "give her a few minutes," she said and stood up "she doesn't want to let out her true feelings because she's afraid what you lot will do…let me go in and talk to her," she said and slipped by him.
"Hey," he said tugging her back "if he touched her you better tell me."
Charlie nodded "of course I will, I'll even let you come if I have to go kill him," she smiled and walked in.
Knocking on the door Charlie stuck her head in "you okay?" she asked.
Lacey nodded and threw down the teddy she'd been playing with "I'm fine…he said it was great to see me and I was looking well," she scoffed "not well enough or he wouldn't have cheated on me."
"Hey, that wasn't your fault," Charlie said and sat beside her "you're an amazing person Lacey any guy would be lucky to have you, that jerk just didn't see what he had he didn't deserve you."
"Why did it have to be her?" Lacey sniffed.
"I don't know Lacey," Charlie replied "don't think about her she's not worth it." she sighed when Lacey started to cry "you listen to me Lacey Ellie Braxton, I know this is hard but you can't let any man bring you down," she said and wrapped her arm around her.
"I thought I was in love with him-I was in love with him!" she cried.
"I know sweetie I know," Charlie said and pulled her into her "but do you know what?" she asked "if you ask me you got a lucky escape be thankful you found out what he was really like before it's too late…you're gonna be fine, and I'm gonna make sure you are," she said and stood up "coffee?" she asked.
Lacey nodded and sat up "thanks and Charlz…I've missed you," she smiled.
"missed you too," she smiled and slipped out of the room.
Brax looked up as she walked into the kitchen "how is she?" he asked.
"She's okay," Charlie said and leaned against the counter "Nate text her and it just upset her."
"I'll kill that guy," he sighed "I told him to stay away from her."
"He got his stuff he's gone, leave it at that…coffee?" she asked.
"Yeah," Brax nodded "and thanks for what you did there," he added.
"She's my mate, it's what we do," Charlie replied.
"I made my bed up for you and your daughter," he said "I'm gonna sleep in Casey's bed he's not here for a few days."
"Thanks but I'm gonna stay in with Lace tonight and my daughter is staying with Jack," she said.
Brax nodded "well it's there anytime you want it, thanks for the coffee," he said and walked into the living room.
Charlie picked up the two coffees and walked to the living room "night, she said and stopped when her phone beeped.
"Everything okay?" Brax asked when she sighed heavily.
Charlie looked down at the message and sighed again 'still no sightings on Bracken, stay on alert, I'll be in touch soon' was the message from her partner. She looked over at him "no," she said and walked back to the sofa "that was my partner," she said and sat on the arm "they still haven't located my ex."
Brax nodded "I don't know the full story but if you need any help just let me know."
"Thanks," Charlie said and stood up "but I think I need to sort this out on my own…night," she said and walked back to the room.
"Your're safe here Charlie, I promise you that!" he called after her.
…..
Charlie smiled to herself and slipped into Lacey's room, she looked over at the bed and chuckled "typical," she said looking at a sleeping Lacey. Walking to her wardrobe she opened it and pulled out a shirt to sleep in, changing she walked back to the two half cold cups and opened the door again.
Sticking her head in to see the living room empty she ran to the sink and dropped them into it before running back to the hallway, she went to open the bathroom door and jumped back when it opened.
Brax appeared and chuckled at the look on her face "it's just me," he said and looked her up and down "you know in a house with four guys you might wanna cover up when you come out of the bedroom."
Charlie was too busy looking at his bare chest, looking up at him she smiled quickly "sorry, I'm just so used to walking around like this."
"Hey I'm not complaining," he said and stepped around her "night Charlie," he added and walked to his room.
Charlie watched him go and a smile crossed her face "night," she replied and walked into the bathroom.
A few hours later she shot up and looked beside her as Lacey kicked her for the millionth time, groaning she pulled back the covers and rolled out of the bed, walking to the kitchen she grabbed herself a glass of water and sat up on the counter top. After everything that happened today she hadn't really had a chance to actually think about it properly.
Tears filled her eyes as she thought about Chase, she loved him so much…how could he turn out like this? She'd had Ruby when she was young through an attack, she'd told him the truth and he took her on without question, he loved her like she was his own, how had it come to this?
In his room Brax pulled back the covers and blew out a breath he was so used to being up half the night his body wouldn't allow him to sleep. He thanked God April Sasha and Kyle had agreed to help out and let him have a night off.
Standing up he walked to his door and pulled it open, walking to the kitchen he stopped at the sound of sniffing. Sticking his head in he thought it was Lacey sitting in the dark "Lace," he sighed and walked to her "I know I might get mad," he said and placed his hands on her knees "but you can talk to me about anything you know that."
Charlie chuckled "I'm not your sister," she said and wiped her eyes "sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," she added.
Brax pulled his hands away "you didn't and sorry," he said and leaned on the counter "why are you sitting here in the dark?" he asked.
Charlie looked down at her hands and shrugged "thinking about everything."
"Alright," Brax said and held out his hands "go get dressed, neither of us are getting any sleep tonight."
Charlie slid her hands into his and jumped down off the counter "what have you got in mind?" she asked.
"A walk somewhere," he said and walked by her "bring a coat it'll be cold now."
"I haven't got anything, I kinda left in a hurry," she replied.
"I'll give you one," he said and walked into his room.
The next morning Charlie opened her eyes and groaned wherever she was it was way too bright, feeling someone tighten their grip on her panic set in. Looking down at the arm her eyes widened at the tattoo, it was Brax! She was lying snuggled up to her best friends brother!
Sitting up she looked around they had fallen asleep on the beach. Looking down at him as he groaned she began to chuckle "we weren't even drinking but yet we managed to fall asleep on the beach."
"What time is it?" Brax yawned and sat up.
"Six," Charlie replied "we better get back before Lacey knows we're missing," she said and stood up.
Brax scoffed and stood up "she won't be up yet," he said and started to walk.
"How did we even fall asleep?" she asked "what were we talking about?"
"The last thing I remember was you talking about the academy," Brax replied as they turned onto his street.
Charlie chuckled "now I remember, when you didn't answer me I looked down and you were asleep so I lay back to look at the stars and must have fallen asleep."
"Sorry," he chuckled.
"I must have been boring you," she said and bumped him with her hip.
"It's not that," he said and pushed the door in "I've had a lot on my plate the last few weeks sleep was the last thing on my mind."
"Yeah I heard all about it…sorry," she added when his face fell "Lace told me yesterday."
Brax shrugged "everyone knows about it," he said and walked by her.
"What are we gonna do now?" she asked.
"I don't know about you," Brax said pushing is bedroom door in "but I'm getting as much sleep as I can before someone calls me for something," he said and walked into his room.
Charlie chuckled "alright I'll be as quiet as I can," she said and walked into the kitchen.
She turned her head as Brax walked in behind her "on second thoughts," he said and walked to the coffee pot "I think I'll have some coffee then head for a surf."
"Wide awake when you lay down?" Charlie asked.
"Like I've had a ton of coffee," he chuckled and sat down.
Charlie sat down beside him "I thought I'd be up all night…company must have made me feel safe enough to sleep," she smiled and looked away.
….
Brax sat looking at her for a few minutes he was drawn to her he'd admit that there was just something about her, being with her on the beach last night was fun and he hadn't felt like that since the whole thing with Ricky and Nate. If any other of Lacey's mates were sitting in the kitchen he'd get what he went in for and leave them there, realising he hadn't answered her looked over to find her watching him with raised eyebrows "sorry…thinking," he said and stood up "if you wanna meet me for lunch I'll be in Angelo's later," he said and walked back to his room.
"Okay," she said to his retreating form…did he just ask her out? Looking up she saw him stick his head back in "did you just ask me on a date?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"No," he said slowly "I just realised how that sounded…Lacey's at work all day figured you'd be bored."
"Oh thank god," she chuckled "I mean not that I wouldn't have said yeah, I just have a lot going on and I'm not in the right head space and I don't know what's gonna-"
"Charlie," he chuckled cutting her off "you're babbling…I know you've a lot going on I do too," he said and walked to the door "if you don't wanna sit around here on your own all day I'll be on Angelo's for most of it!" he called on his way out.
Charlie sighed and sat back "idiot," she muttered "of course he wasn't asking you out." She looked up and smiled as Lacey dragged herself into the kitchen "morning."
"Morning," she yawned "thought you would have still been asleep."
Charlie shrugged "couldn't sleep," she replied.
"Did I hear you talking to Brax?" Lacey asked.
"Yep," Charlie nodded "he just left for a surf."
Lacey nodded and stood up "you know I heard you two leaving during the night," she said and looked over at her.
"I couldn't sleep neither could he…we went for a walk," Charlie replied.
"An all night walk?" Lacey chuckled.
"Alright," Charlie said "we fell asleep on the beach and woke up this morning I didn't want you to think anything happened we just fell asleep."
Lacey chuckled again "I wouldn't have thought something happened I know my brother Charlie, he'd never try something on when he knows you've a lot on your plate and I know you wouldn't either."
"No," Charlie agreed "I wouldn't, what time are you in work at?"
"Eight," Lacey replied "…so you have the hots for my brother?" she smirked.
"What! No!" Charlie shrieked.
"What's all the yelling about?" Kyle muttered as he dropped into a seat.
"Charlie has a crush on Brax," Lacey giggled.
"I do not!" Charlie yelled.
Kyle chuckled "just what I want to hear first thing in the morning…and you so do Charlie-and I think he has a crush on you too."
"How do you figure that?" Lacey asked.
"Before I left last night I heard him tell her he'd made his bed up for her…when has Brax ever let anyone-including us sleep in his bed?"
Charlie scoffed "that doesn't mean anything."
"Oh it does," Lacey giggled "you gotta be pretty special to end up in Daryl Braxton's bed…I'm gonna go get a shower," she said and walked by her.
"Yeah and I would have been alone!" Charlie called after her trying to hide her smile.
"Not for long," Kyle said and walked back to his room.
Charlie sat back in her seat and smiled again she thought she was reading the signs right but then she thought he was just being nice because of what she'd told him "never mind," she said our loud, nothing could happen things were just to complicated for her right now.