"I'm sorry MY BOSS!" Jack finally yelled.
"Nice of you to join in," Charlie teased "yes Jack, I am now… well from Wednesday I will be Sergeant Buckton I'm taking over from Adams."
Jack was still in total shock "b-but how? What? You're my new boss?" He groaned. "Charlie why didn't you tell me you were thinking of taking it?"
"Well Joyce only called yesterday and Wilson thought I'd be best for the job and don't blame me! If you had of answered your phone instead of getting this clown," she pointed to Brax "to lie to me you would have known and you could have come to look at my new house with me."
"Hey his idea and I'm not a clown," Brax replied.
Charlie laughed "I'm sorry it's his fault not yours."
Brax smiled "so where did you get a house?"
"Ramsey Drive- I think it's drive anyway."
"We live there what number?" Brax asked.
"Uh seventy-eight," she replied.
Brax laughed again as Jack's head snapped up "what?" He yelled.
"What's the problem?" Charlie asked confused. She already knew the house was two doors down but she thought he'd love that with Lou being right next door.
"No problem… well for me, don't mind him Charlie, it's just we live in eighty," Brax answered loving the idea she would be so close.
"I know I was there this morning, so we're gonna be neighbours," she said smiling sweetly at Brax.
"Yeah guess we are," Brax smiled back.
"And I have two blokes to help us with the heavy stuff."
"Just call, I have two brothers who I'm sure would help too."
"Well then I'll get your number from sulky there," she said nodding to Jack.
Jack didn't like the smiles and looks they were giving each other "I'll see you later mate, you," he said to Charlie "are coming with me we need to talk."
"I can't stay long I need to get home to the girls," Charlie replied "bye Brax!" she yelled as she ran after Jack.
"Hey wait up!" She puffed "what's wrong with you?"
"Could you be any less obvious?" Jack snapped.
"What?" Charlie asked stopping.
"You and Brax, flirting, Jesus Charlie you've only been here five minutes and already you're after my best mate! And what's with the sudden change in wanting to move here?"
"You know what Jack! I don't know what your damn problem is! I told you I was offered a job, I thought you'd be happy us coming here but no, seems me and YOUR daughter will be getting in your way down here, you just love being the bachelor! Do you even remember what Lou looks like?" Charlie screamed.
"OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT MY CHILD LOOKS LIKE!" He screamed back.
Charlie snorted "could have fooled me! So what's the problem with us being here? And so what if I was flirting he was doing it back."
"Charlie that is not the point and of course I want you closer, he's my friend- my best friend don't go there," Jack warned.
"Oh grow up Jack! We're not fucking sixteen! It was a bit of flirting I'm not gonna marry the guy."
"Don't you think you've had enough disastrous relationships? Once they got what they wanted from you they were gone, why would he be any different? You don't seem to have a problem giving it up anyway!" Jack spat immediately regretting it.
Charlie stood in shock at what he'd just said he'd never spoken to her like that before "Charlie," he said causing her to step back "Charlie I'm sorry I-"
Charlie lashed out and slapped him hard "don't you dare apologise to me you fucking meant it! Is that what you really think of me?" Tears filled her eyes "maybe we shouldn't come here, Lou is better off anyway not like you made the effort anyway!" She spat and took off.
"Charlie wait! Come back! I'm sorry!" He yelled running after her but he was two late. Just as he reached for her door she took off tears running down her face. Jack sighed and walked back to Angelo's.
"How the talk go?" Brax asked as he walked back to the bar. Jack pointed to the red mark on his face and Brax laughed "got bitch slapped?"
"I basically called her a whore and she flipped out and smacked me," he said guiltily.
Brax pulled a face "after all that's happened and her moving down here how in the hell did you end up calling her that?"
"I was pissed and don't think I didn't miss you flirting with her, I went off on one saying she'd had enough disastrous relationships and then I said something about she doesn't have a problem giving it."
"That's what you're fighting about? Mate I was being nice you need to chill," he handed Jack the phone "call her you fucking idiot and nice to know you think so highly of me."
"She won't answer me," Jack muttered.
"That's why you're using this phone," he said pointing to Angelo's landline.
Charlie pulled in to the side of the road as her phone rang- answering it and hearing his voice again she hung up and turned her phone off. She couldn't believe he'd said that to her, after last night she needed him more than ever even if he never knew why. 'That's it' she thought "Jack can go screw himself we've moving and into that damn house too" she snapped and stared the car up again.
When she arrived home Ruby and Louise were home for lunch. Ruby eyed her suspiciously as she sunk into the seat beside them "you okay mum?"
Charlie came out of her daze "yeah just tired, I found our new house been down there all moring," she said steering the conversation away from where she knew Ruby was going.
"Really what's it like?" Louise asked excitedly.
"Well how about I take you to see it Saturday and we can move some stuff?"
"Yeah that'll be great, I just need to grab some books for after lunch," Louise said and ran up the stairs.
"So mum when are we going to talk about last night?" Ruby asked as soon as she was out of the room.
"Later Rubes your uncle is an asshole I'm not in the mood now I need time to myself."
"Is he not happy that we're coming?"
"I don't know he has some problem though we argued and I left."
"Mum you need to call him what was it over?"
"Nothing for you to worry about- shouldn't you be getting back to school?"
"Okay but we'll talk later bye mum," Ruby kissed her on the cheek and grabbed her bag yelling for Louise.
"Oh Ruby? That surprise I've arranged for Lou's birthday will be here later so can you keep her out until about six?"
"Sure mum can you give me some money for dinner then? I'll take her to a diner."
"Sure baby my bags by the door take whatever."
"Thanks see ya later mum."
"BYE CHARLIE!" Louise yelled and ran out the door.
Making herself some coffee Charlie remembered she had to meet that guy later she sure as hell wasn't driving back down there. Sighing she pulled her phone from her pocket and called the agency. "Hi could I speak to Brian please?" She waited while he was called. "Brian hi, Charlie Buckton we talked this morning."
"Yes Charlie hi what can I do for you?"
"I know we had arranged for me to stop by later but I had to come back to the city. Would it be possible if got a friend down there to get the keys from you today and I'll stop in and sign all the paperwork on Saturday morning?"
"Yeah sure that'll be no problem they would just need id and I need the name of who they are."
"Well can I call you back? I just need to arrange to see if they're free."
"Sure call back when you're ready I'm here until six."
"Thank you bye," Charlie hung up "shit who am I going to get? I only know Jack," then she smiled "Brax." Scrolling though her calls she found the number Jack called and pressed call.
"Hello Angelo's," a female voice said.
"Hi is Brax there?"
"Sure is, hold on a sec, Brax! Phone! Don't know!"
"Hello" Brax said.
"Brax hey it's Charlie," she said quickly.
"Charlie hey, are you okay? I had a talk with Jack he's not here he's at home sulking."
"I'm fine and I'm not calling for him, I was wondering if you could do me a huge huge favour?"
"Why can't you ask Jack?"
"I'm not talking to that jackass- please?"
Brax sighed "what do I have to do?"
"Can you go to the agency and pick up my house keys from them? All the drama I forgot I was supposed to go meet the guy later, I'm back in the city and won't make it back down until Saturday."
"They won't just hand the keys to me," Brax chuckled.
"They will if you bring id and I tell them whose coming- I called them already."
Brax thought for a moment "okay fine I can do that."
"Thank you thank you thank you," Charlie replied "oh wait what's your name- your full name?"
"Daryl Braxton but don't ever call me that," he laughed.
"I like Daryl," she flirted "it suits you."
"Don't push it Charlie," he laughed "what time do I have to go at?"
Charlie giggled "he's there till six- the guys name is Brian, thanks Brax I really appreciate it and one more thing... you can't tell Jack."
"I can't lie to him, he's already pissed about us talking earlier."
"He's an ass and it's not lying your just not telling him, he doesn't even know about it."
Brax sighed "fine but if he finds out I'm gonna kill you."
"Oh shut up you sissy- tell you what, I'll be down Saturday with the girls how bouts I shout you lunch to say thank you?"
"Hmm we'll see I better go it's getting busy here."
"Okay thanks again."
"No probs see ya later Charlie." Brax hung up and smiled before going back to the tables.
Charlie smiled and sat finishing her coffee. Once she was done she called the agency back and let them know Brax would be by, then she went to the garage and pulled in a few boxes looking around the living room she smiled, this was her mum and dads house she hadn't even told her dad she was leaving yet. Sighing she pulled the boxes over to the unit and began wrapping all the picture frames and putting them in the box, she wanted to be out of here as soon as possible. A knock on the door startled her. Walking along the hall she saw two blue uniforms through the glass panel her heart began to beat faster as she got closer. Pulling it open she gave them a half smile it was her old partner David and her ex Karl.
"Hi Charlie, can we come in?" David asked.
"Sure," Charlie stood back for them to come in.
"How are you feeling now?" Karl asked as they walked to the kitchen.
"Uh you know still can't get my head around it, my head is still a bit sore but I'll survive."
"So you've probably guessed the board and Internal Affairs are looking into this over your history with the guy, we'll need an official statement."
"I know do you guys want coffee?" They both nodded and she got them cups panicking the whole time.
For the next hours she went through the night again starting from when she arrived for her shift. She saw them glancing at each other every now and then as tears fell she told them the story she told her Sergeant leaving out the bits she hoped no one would ever uncover.
David smiled quickly at her and squeezed her hand "don't worry Charlie it seems like a pretty standard case of self-defence it's just a pity no one could id the guy that let him out of your cruiser."
"The street was pretty packed it would be hard to say if it were someone he knew or if it was just a random drunk, and I doubt any of the camera's picked it up either, you know what they're all like around here" Charlie replied her heart still pounding in her chest.
"Well we'll leave you to it and congrats on the Sergeants spot in Yabbie Creek, Jack must be delighted you guys are moving up there." Karl said as she walked them back to the door.
"Yeah he is he can't wait," she said with a fake smile and "thanks guys for coming out- I don't think I could face that station today I was actually gonna call Wilson later."
"He was the one who suggested us coming here since we're close to you and he knew you wouldn't want to come down. Well best of luck Sergeant," David smiled and hugged her "we'll miss you around the place."
"Yeah I'll miss you guys, but hey you can come visit and I'll stop up here."
"You better," David gave her one last smile "we'll call if anything else comes up."
"Yeah thanks guys," she called as they climbed into their car.
An hour later she was still in the living room she still hadn't put anything away she was just staring off into space going over her conversation, the whole time she felt they knew she was leaving something out the whole time she felt she needed to throw up. There was another knock at the door groaning she hoped it wasn't the cops back again as she walked to it, opening it an older man smiled at her.
"Charlie Buckton?"
"Yep that's me."
"Sign here please," he held out a clipboard and a pen.
She signed it and handed it back to him "thank you," she said as he handed her over a receipt.
"Enjoy," the man called and walked back to his truck.
Charlie went outside and smiled before getting the surprise into the garage. All she had to do now was wait for the girls to come home. Deciding to take a nap and fell asleep on the sofa.
"Hey Buckton how's mummy?" Aaron smiled back at her with that sicking smirk and walked towards her. Next thing there was a bang and he hit the ground. Getting back again up he climbed on top of her "don't" she screamed and raised her gun again. "That can't hold me back this time" he laughed and leaned down on her ripping her top open "now where shall we start sweetheart?"
Charlie shot up on the sofa panting she could feel the sweat run down the side of her face, frantically looking around she relaxed when she saw she was in her living room and Ruby and Louise stood there looking at her funny from the doorway.
"You okay Charlie?" Louise asked.
"Yeah sorry I was dreaming," she answered and got up off the sofa. "Did you girls have a good day?"
"Yeah other than Rubes making me sit in the back of the car so Ethan could sit up front," Louise laughed.
"Lou shut up," Ruby giggled.
"Who's Ethan?" Charlie smirked.
"No one just a guy I've been partnered to do an assignment with until tomorrow," Ruby said trying to hide her blush.
"Okay well Lou I might have the answer to your problems- close your eyes," Charlie said.
Louise looked from Charlie to Ruby with their matching grins "what's going on?" She asked narrowing her eyes.
"Oh just close your eyes," Ruby said putting her hands over them while Charlie took her hands and led her out the side door to the garage.
"Okay Lou, we know it's not your birthday for a few weeks yet but we saw this and we knew you'd love it" Charlie said excitedly she couldn't wait to see her face.
"Okay open," Ruby squealed and dropped her hands from Louise's face.
She looked at her surprise and her mouth fell open, there sat a blue and white striped mini cooper "oh my god! Charlie!" She squealed in a high pitched tone.
"Do you like it?" Charlie asked loving the big smile on her face.
"Like it? Charlie I love it thank you I love you!" She yelled as tears fell down her face and jumped into her arms. "You knew as well!" she squealed and hugged Ruby "I can't believe you bought me a car!" She screamed and ran to it snatching the keys off Charlie as she held them out.
"Oh I gotta call dad," she said pulling the door open.
"No Lou not tonight… he's in work," she lied "we'll see him on Saturday you can drive it down."
"Oh I can't wait thanks again guys."
"You're welcome you guys can go for a spin while I get a shower," Charlie said walking back to the kitchen "and be careful! And wear belts!" she yelled after them as the scrambled into the car.
As she was making something to eat after her shower the landline rang "hello," she called.
"Charlie please don't hang up," pleaded Jack.
"What?" Charlie snapped.
"Look I'm sorry about what I said I feel really bad."
"Too bad!" Charlie yelled and slammed down the phone.
Jack sighed and flung his phone down just as Brax walked in the door with Charlie's keys in his pocket "let me guess Charlie?"
"Yeah she won't talk to me she just hung up again."
"I don't say I blame her mate leave her to calm down for the night."
"Yeah you're right and Brax, I didn't mean that about you earlier I know you're a great guy it's just she goes for dickhead who end up hurting her every single time," Jack replied.
"I know mate, so why did she break up with the last guy?" Brax asked curiously.
"Karl? No idea mate she just said they weren't working out, I'm going to get a shower," Jack said and got up off the sofa.
"Yeah we'll get take out when you're done I don't feel like cooking," Brax called after him. After he heard the bathroom door close upstairs he took up Jack's phone thinking for a minute if he should do this or ask Jack first, sighing he decided to do it this way and scrolled down until he came to Charlie's number. Saving it into his own phone he put Jack's phone back down went up to his room.
Laying on his bed her pulled up her number and looked at it "just call her dummy," he mumbled. He didn't understand why she made him so nervous shaking his head he laughed and decided to text her instead.
'Hey its Brax keys sorted guy says you need to fill out the paperwork first thing Saturday morning'
He got an instant reply 'thank you so much- c u Sat let me know about lunch? X'
Playing with the phone he sat thinking and after about it for ten minutes he replied 'c u then and lunch is on x'
'Good xx'
Brax laughed 'u should call Jack he's moping now xx'
'He deserves it I'll talk to him when I feel like it'
'Relax just saying xx Better go he'll kill me if he finds me texting u I took ur nb from his phone'
'Well aren't you a bad boy- don't worry I gotcha covered ;) x c u sat DARYL xx'
Brax smiled and laughed 'now now less of the Daryl'
'Aww I like it xx'
'Well I don't you've been warned missy gotta go xxx'
'Bye Brax xx'
'Much better cya later beautiful ;)' Brax bit his lip he didn't know if he should have said that or not was he being too forward?
Charlie had a big smile on her face as she sat curled up on the sofa with her coffee. "I know that smile," Ruby said and sat down beside her "who is he?"
"Where's Lou?" Charlie asked looking behind her.
"Aww we picked up Donna and Sarah on the way back they're still out in the car Sarah's dad is picking them up in half an hour so she won't have to drop them off and drive back alone."
"How was she driving it?"
"Yeah she's fine a bit slow but the more she's out the more she'll get used to it so… who is he?"
"Ruby," Charlie laughed "it's no one I don't have time for a man I'm too busy with you two plus we're moving."
"If you say so… but I know that look and I'll let it go for now Charlie Buckton," Ruby giggled and got up off the sofa "I've got some homework to do then I'll head to bed see ya in the morning mum love ya."
"Love ya too baby- night," Charlie called as she ran up the stairs.
Brax walked back down to the living room to see Jack lying across the sofa with a beer "drowning your sorrows ain't gonna help mate."
"I know I've fucked up in more ways than one, you know she asked me did I even remember what Lou looked like damn that hurt," Jack said sadly.
"Jack I know this is hard for you all but I'm with Charlie on this one… well to a certain extend. She shouldn't have said what she did but you need to understand she sees Louise all day everyday she's a mum/dad and an aunt to her she knows what's going on with them she knows when they're upset it's her Louise goes to when she has a problem it's her she goes to if she needs to talk."
Jack sighed "I know it's my fault she's like this, she's done a lot for me and I love her to death for it she had the right to be upset today. I've ruined her life… just dumped my kid on her and left her to pick up the pieces I forgot she lost them too."
Brax grabbed a beer and sat beside him "she seems to be doing a great Job Jack Louise is a wonderful kid and that Ruby seems like a nice kid too and I'm sure she knows you took it hard- everyone grieves differently."
"It still doesn't change the fact I left my only sister, even after dad left I just got up and did the same damn thing how could I be so selfish? I left my daughter Brax my thirteen year old daughter!" Jack said angrily and jumped off the sofa.
"Jack mate calm down they'll be a lot closer now and you'll see them every day, now you can start making up for lost time."
Jack sat back down "do you think I'm a bad person?"
"I think you did what you had to t the time."
"But?" Jack asked knowing he wanted to say more.
"I know you might not want to hear this mate but I'm just being honest, from what you told me about your mum and Denise I understand I really do, but Denise was Charlie's best friend and so was her mum she was going through exactly what you were, did you not think to sit down and talk to her?"
"I tried she went completely nuts after it happened, Ruby had to kick her bedroom door down to find her passed out on the floor a bottle of whiskey in her hand- and she was totally wasted for three days straight. Her friend Kellie had to drug her to get her to calm down, she was forced to the funerals. She totally lost it and broke down. After that she went drinking every night me or dad would find her passed out the next morning- she'd get up puke and off she'd go again. I started getting really worried about her when she didn't come home for three days, dad tried to get her to talk to someone, then two weeks after the funerals he takes off, I expected her to go off the rails all together but Ruby begged and pleaded for her to stop acting that way- the words that got her were 'I want my mummy back' Charlie broke down and spent hours telling her she was sorry. After that she straightened up and went back to work… then I took off leaving her alone."
Brax sighed he wished he'd known her then maybe he could have helped "I don't know what to say mate all I know is you two need to sit down and be honest with each other- you need to tell her what you've just been telling me and she needs to tell you what's really being going up there she's taken the first step by admitting earlier she hasn't been happy."
Jack sighed and hung his head "I know and you're right but Charlie is closed off- I mean we used to talk all the time she'd tell me everything and now it's like a part of her is missing she doesn't tell me anything anymore I found out from Ruby she'd broke up with Karl three weeks after it had happened."
"Like I said mate you two need to talk next time she's down send the kids to me and I'll keep an eye on them in Angelo's."
"We'll see she doesn't like being put on the spot- I think I'll just go to bed mate," Jack stood up "thanks for listening."
"Any time mate," Brax replied and watched him walk up to his room.
Charlie had just finished packing up a few boxes deciding to call it a night she went up to her room, feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket she pulled it out and sat on her bed. Opening the message a tear ran down her face 'I love ya with all my heart Ducky' Charlie laughed she had seen a film when she was ten and fell in love with it insisting Jack watch it with her loads of times a day and insisting everyone called her Ducky after the duck in it. Only Jack ever called her it and it stuck until she was in her twenties. Smiling she replied and climbed into her bed.
Jack lay on his bed impatiently waiting for a reply he hoped that would get her; he almost fell off the bed diving for his phone when it beeped. Opening the message a wide grin spread across his face I love ya too J'Rock ' he stared laughing Charlie had heard one of his friends call him that in school and found it only hilarious calling him it whenever she had the chance mostly in front of Denise who also found it hilarious smiling, to himself he put his phone on the locker and climbed into his bed well it's a start he said to himself before rolling over and going asleep.
The next morning Charlie was woken by someone shuffling around her room, sitting up she found Ruby and Louise rummaging through her wardrobe whispering "can I help you?" She asked sleepily noting it was only just after seven am.
"Sorry mum we were trying not to wake you," Ruby said a guilty look on her face.
"Yeah sorry Charlie, we were just looking for some shoes to borrow its non-uniform day today," Louise said with the same guilty look.
Charlie rolled out of her bed "well what ones are you looking for?" She asked joining them.
"I was looking for them nude coloured ones with the butterfly on the side you got a while back. I think they'd go better with my skirt than these," Ruby said holding up her own black shoes.
"Well since I haven't even worn them yet they'd still be in the box," Charlie said reaching up to the top shelf.
"Oh so I can't wear them then," Ruby said disappointed.
Charlie smiled at her daughter "of course you can wear them I won't be wearing them anytime soon," she said putting the box in her hands "and what do you want Lou?"
"Um I was looking for the D and G ones you always wear with the diamonds on them you know the ones we bought you for your birthday last year? But I totally understand if you say no since they're you favourite."
Charlie smiled "nah you can have them… just for today," she added as she went to another box.
"Thank you," both girls said in sync.
Charlie walked back to her bed and picked up her phone "you're welc… oh seems I don't have to go to work today, um I guess I'll drive down to the Bay with the few stuff I have packed up. Do you guys have anything ready you want me to bring?"
"Um yeah I have a few boxes packed up but not most of my clothes yet… but I have my shoes done," Ruby answered.
"Yeah I've three boxes ready Charlie," Louise said.
"Okay well you two go get breakfast and I'll carry them down after I get dressed."
"No mum we'll grab our own you just get ready," Ruby called as they left Charlie's room.
As soon as they were gone she sent Brax a message 'hey u up?'
She waited a few minutes for a reply and dressed while she waited
'I am now what's up?'
'Sorry…My boss told me not to come to work today IA are all over the place so I was wondering if you would be free to meet me with the keys?'
'Sure what time? I'm actually off 2day if you needed a hand with anything'
'Aww thanks… say 12 in the diner? and I think I'll be fine I've only got a few boxes to start off with'
'Okay well I'm ur's if u need me I'll see you in the diner'
Charlie smiled 'I wish' she said to herself and replied 'cya then and thanks again xx.'
She went downstairs to see the girls had piled about ten boxes by the front door and dragged the one's Charlie had packed up last night beside them. "Thanks for the help girls you didn't need to do them boxes too," she said walking into the kitchen.
"It's no problem Aunt Charlie," Louise said through a mouthful of food.
"Eww that's disgusting," Ruby laughed "here mum sit down I made you pancakes."
"Aww thanks sweetie you didn't need to do that," Charlie replied and sat down where Ruby had placed a plate.
"You've a busy day today breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we gotta go love ya mum," Ruby hugged her and kissed her cheek before grabbing her bag and heading out to the garage.
"Yeah love ya Charlie I'll see ya later," Louise hugged her and skipped to the garage car keys in hand.
Charlie watched them go with a smile before digging into her breakfast.
Brax had showered and dressed and was in the living room when Jack stopped by in his uniform "where you headed?" He asked as he searched the kitchen for something.
"Going to meet Ch… Casey what are you doing home?" Brax asked quickly trying to cover up.
"I forgot my phone this morning have you seen it?"
"I think I saw it beside the sink in the bathroom, I'll see ya later mate!" Brax yelled grabbing his car keys and heading out the door.
Charlie was early she'd gone to see Brian and signed the papers first and she was still early so decided to take a walk on the beach, halfway down she turned at her name being called.
"Charlie?... Charlie Buckton is that you?" a blonde woman shrieked and ran towards her.
"Bianca?" She said surprised "oh my god hi," she squealed.
"Yeah hey," Bianca said hugging her "so you live around here?" she asked once they broke apart.
"No I'm actually starting to move my stuff down from the city I'm starting in Yabbie Creek station next week. How long have you lived here? Jack never mentioned bumping into you."
"Jack's here too? Oh I'm only moving too I'm taking over for a teacher from Summer Bay high they're going travelling; I can't believe this, it's been so long!"
"I know, you left the city to be a teacher and I see you are just like you always wanted," Charlie said as they began to walk together.
"Yeah yeah I know I couldn't believe I did it. I'm actually coming from France I'm staying at the sands tonight."
"Aww the girls will be delighted to see April, how is she?" Charlie asked remembering her daughter and Louise playing with Bianca's.
Bianca rolled her eyes "aww the usual same drama as before we left, her dad still doesn't wanna know her and the teenage drama that follows, how's Ruby and Louise? I'd say they're big now they were what eight? The last time I saw them."
"Yeah," Charlie laughed "they'd eat you out of house and home those two they're coming along great, they can't wait to move down here."
"I ran into Kim Dolby she was in France with her husband, she told me about your mom and D I'm so sorry Charlie, I tried to call but you must have a new number, Jack too."
Charlie's stomach dropped "yeah over three years now and yeah we changed our numbers after it, it was just hard people were still calling us a month after it all… listen B I've to meet someone now but give me your number and we'll catch up properly later I'm not in any hurry back to the city."
"Yeah I've to go meet a guy about my new house, here," she stuck it into Charlie's phone and handed it back to her "have you your own place sorted?"
"Yeah Ramsey Drive- it's a nice quiet street, going to get the keys now actually."
"No way! I'm on Ramsey Way- we'll be neighbours!" Bianca shrieked.
Charlie laughed "that is fantastic, I'll let you go but I promise I'll meet you for dinner later," Charlie hugged her "it's great to see you B really great."
"You too Charlie I've missed you guys so much- I'll see ya later," Bianca called as she went the other way.
Charlie arrived at the diner and ordered a coffee Brax wasn't there yet so she sat down in the corner. She was happy she'd ran into Bianca they'd been best friends all through school until one day Bianca decided to get out of the city and take her daughter with her, after a year or so they'd lost contact.
"Hey," Brax said sitting beside her- startling her "sorry," he laughed when she jumped.
"No it's fine I was just thinking," Charlie replied blushing.
Brax laughed again "so here are your keys," he said handing them to her.
"Thanks for doing that Brax I really really appreciate it."
"It's no problem, so… Jack is floating about he's working today," he said cautiously.
Charlie sipped her coffee not giving anything away "well I ran into a friend whose just moving here too, so I'll be around for the day I'll see him before I go… actually I'm meeting her for dinner so can you book me a table at your place for about eight?"
"Yeah sure I'll stop in on my way home and do it," Brax replied.
"Aww I forgot you were off today don't worry about it I'll stop in myself," Charlie replied as she stood up.
"Nah it's no worries I've to collect the books anyway," Brax replied walking towards the lot with her to their cars.
"Okay then if I'm not putting you out. So this is me," she stopped beside her car.
Brax looked at all the boxes crammed into the back and front of her car and laughed "I thought you said you'd only a few boxes?"
"Yeah well my kids don't seem to know the difference between three boxes or ten," Charlie laughed.
Brax laughed too "well the offer's still there if you need my help."
"Nah you're busy I'll be fine but thanks though," she replied opening her door and sliding in.
"Charlie I'll be two doors down this stuff only takes a half hour so," Brax said leaning down to her.
"Okay," she said after a minute "come by when you're done the door will be open," she smiled at him as he nodded and stepped back closing her door.
Jack wandered along the beach and could have sworn he seen Charlie's car pull out of the lot of the diner then he saw Brax walk to his car and ran up to him "hey mate! Was that Charlie?" he asked.
"Uh nah mate, just someone lost looking for directions," Brax lied he wasn't sure if Charlie would appreciate him telling Jack.
"Ah looked like her car alright I better keep going I'll see ya at home," Jack said and walked back towards the beach.
"Yeah later mate," Brax said and pulled out his phone he didn't like lying to his best friend especially when it concerned his sister but this woman… he didn't know what she was doing to him climbing into his car he sent her a text.
Charlie had just pulled up outside her new house when her phone beeped, pulling out of her bag she sighed just ran into Jack he saw ur car told him it was some1 looking for directions please please let him know ur here don't like lying to my best mate . Charlie sighed again and dialled Jack's number she felt bad about Brax lying for her she waited for him to answer which he did pretty quickly.
"Charlie?" He said.
"Hey, I'm at my new place if you want to come over for a coffee or something?"
"Were you talking to Brax at the diner a while ago?" Jack asked suspiciously.
"No I just got here I haven't seen Brax since the other day," she replied.
"Are you sure? It looked like your car."
"Quit with the third degree Jack! I just got here so are you coming over or not?" she hissed.
"You're right I'm sorry I'll be there in ten minutes," Jack replied and hung up.
Charlie heaved herself out of her car and went inside her new house she'd grabbed a box off the front seat and went upstairs with it. Deciding the biggest room would be hers she placed the box inside and went back down to the kitchen she laughed as she remembered she'd no kettle or anything else.
Ten minutes later the was a soft rap on the back door, pulling it open she was faced with Jack holding two coffees and she laughed and let him in. "Forgot you had nothing here huh?" He teased.
"Yeah I only did a few minutes ago- thanks," she said taking a cup from him.
"So Charlie about yesterday…I'm sorry I know it was low but I was pissed but still it was no excuse, you see whoever you wanna see." He walked closer to her and hugged her "I couldn't be happier that you guys are moving down here- how'd Lou and Rubes take it?" he asked stepping back.
"Aww Lou was a bit hesitant and first but she agreed and she's happy about it, Ruby was happy straight away seems that little jackass Brandon cheated on her last week I wonder if I could arrest him for something?" she laughed.
Jack laughed too "I'm sure you'd love to, I need to head back soon but we're good now?"
"Yeah not point holding grudges- oh, I ran into Bianca Scott, she's just moved back from France, she's actually moving around the corner. I'll be having dinner with her later in Angelo's if you wanna drop in and say hello?"
"Yeah I will are you staying here tonight?"
"No I'll be heading back to the city after dinner I can't leave the girls alone, and it's too late notice to get Kellie to watch over them."
"Okay I'll call you later" Jack hugged her again "have fun with the boxes," he said nodding towards her car.
"Actually- give me Brax's number he said he'd help me," Jack looked at her suspiciously "what? Do you wanna carry the boxes with all the girls dancing trophy's in it?"
Jack laughed "no- here," he scrolled down until he found Brax's number and held it out to her so she could copy it, unaware she already had it.
"See you later!" Charlie called as he climbed back into his cruiser.
Half an hour later Charlie still hadn't done anything, she was just walking from room to room imaging it when all the stuff was down from her other house.
"Hey," Brax said popping his head into the kitchen.
"Hey," she replied and smiled at him.
"Have you not brought any of the boxes in?"
One- Jack was here a while ago so I got distracted, look Brax I'm sorry- I never expected you to lie to him about today but thanks anyway."
"Nah it's fine- so you've sorted things out then?"
Charlie shrugged "he apologised for what he called me and then we talked about the girls he wasn't here that long."
"Right- let's get to it then," he said walking to her car.
Charlie pointed to the boxes on the backseat "they're heavy so be careful."
Brax nodded and picked two out together "geez what's in these bricks?" He asked trying to get a better grip on them.
"All the girls dance stuff," Charlie replied "dump them anywhere."
Half an hour later they sat on the living room floor all the boxes lying around them "girls sure do have some crap," Brax laughed.
Charlie laughed too "are you kidding? This is not even a quarter of their rooms… or mine, I have one box here and it's upstairs, but it's just pictures one of many boxes of those."
Brax laughed "so you'll be needing two removal vans then?" He teased.
"Probably," she laughed "although we have three cars too but I'm not comfortable with Lou driving all the way down on her own so Ruby will have to go with her."
"Jack never said she drove, he said you always dropped her to the bus stop and he'd pick her up here."
"Uh yeah I bought her a car for her birthday yesterday and I kinda forgot to mention it to Jack."
"Charlie you need to tell him he'll flip, was it her birthday yesterday? Jack never said anything."
"No it's not for a couple of weeks but there was a deal on at the time so I got it but they couldn't keep it there until her birthday, so it was delivered yesterday and I couldn't really hide it in my garage since she's in my car or Ruby's everyday she'd have seen it."
Brax laughed "I can't believe you got the kid a car, how much did that set you back?"
"None of your business, and I bought Ruby a car when she passed her test so it was only fair that Lou got one when she passed- which she did two weeks ago… wonder if Jack even knows about that," she muttered.
Brax saw the hurt flash on her face "Charlie," he said softly and placed his hand on top of hers "you're doing a great job with them, I know it's hard on you but it's okay to be a little pissed at him, I think you two need to really have it out."
Charlie smiled weakly "don't get me wrong I love Lou to death and I'll never have it any other way, I'll always be very close to her and give her everything she needs but sometimes I'd just like to go out and let my hair down with nothing to worry about, but no- I have two teenagers robbing my clothes, having boyfriends, going to parties thinking I can't hear them sneaking in at all hours, driving around the city doing god knows what. It's just overwhelming sometimes I'm constantly worrying about one or the other or both, the last time I was out with my friends was over a year ago… pathetic right?"
Brax smiled at her "no it's not pathetic Charlie it's called being a parent and it just shows that you put their happiness before you own… but you do need to start living your own life, they're sixteen now they'll be fine for a couple of hours if you go out, actually I'm taking you out when you've settled in here me, you and Jack."
Charlie laughed "I'm sure I can do that oh Bianca will have to come too."
"Sure whoever you want… who's Bianca?"
"The girl I was telling you about earlier the one I'm having dinner with. She's my best friend from the city… well she was, when the girls were eight she packed up her stuff and moved to France with her daughter April. I ran into her on the beach this morning and she's moving back here- to the Bay can you believe that? What are the chances and she's moving to the next street from us."
Brax liked the smile that was on her face as he listened to her talk, he was glad things were turning out for her he smiled back "well looks like you'll know someone else then… I better go Jack will be wondering why I'm not on my usual space on the sofa." He stood up "are you okay here on your own?"
Charlie smiled and walked to the door with him grabbing her bag on the way out. She locked the door and turned back to him "I'm not staying I'm going to have a look around for a few things, thanks for the help today Brax," she leaned up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek "you're a really sweet guy don't forget about lunch tomorrow… after you've helped with more stuff of course," she laughed.
Brax laughed her touch was sending shockwaves through his body even if it was just a kiss on the cheek "ah it was nothing and I'll bring my brothers over to help tomorrow, my youngest brother Casey he's the same age as the girls so I'm sure he can show them around after or something."
"Oh wow well they'll hopefully make a new friend so, I'll see y later Brax," she smiled and climbed into her car watching as he crossed the lawns back to his own house, as soon as he was inside she drove away sending him a quick text.
Brax had just grabbed a beer and sat on the sofa all he could think about was Charlie she was so easy to talk to he was interrupted by his phone, pulling it out he read the message and smiled hey forgot to say before you left that dinner later Jack said he might come so if you've no plans come along x
He smiled to himself before he sent his reply hoping Jack would go.
