Later that evening Charlie had just pulled on her dress for the party, walking to her mirror she looked herself up and down after what happened with Brax earlier she didn't want to go but knew Bianca would never forgive her if she missed it. Sighing heavily she shook her head and tried to give herself a pep talk-Jack and everyone else would be there she would be fine.
Looking over at her phone as it rang on her dresser she hurried to it and picked it up "hey B," she answered.
"Hey, you never called me when you got back did you get everything?" Bianca asked.
"Yeah," Charlie replied "and we didn't kill each other either," she chuckled.
"Good," Bianca replied "so I don't have to worry about you two tonight?" she asked.
"Nope, we're good-we came to an agreement," Charlie lied.
"That's a relief," Bianca chuckled "…did they spell Heath's name right on the cake?"
Charlie's eyes went wide the cake! they forgot the damn cake! "Charlie?" she asked when she didn't answer.
"Sorry," Charlie said quickly "my shoes aren't where I left them…the cake is fine don't worry about a thing, I gotta go finish getting ready I'll see you there soon…bye," she said and hung up.
"Shit!" she yelled and pulled up Brax's number "shit!" she yelled again when it rang out.
"You okay mum?" Ruby asked appearing in the doorway.
"No!" she yelled and pulled on shoes "we forgot to pick up the cake!" she yelled and grabbed her keys. "If B asks where I am tell her I couldn't find my shoes or something, just stall her and do not tell her we forgot it!" she yelled as she ran by her.
Ruby chuckled "shop closes at six you have half an hour!" she called after her.
Charlie pulled up at Brax's house and hurried to the door knocking she let herself in and met Casey as he walked to answer it "hey, is Brax here?" she asked already walking to her room
"Hey Charlie yeah he is," Casey replied with a frown "you look nice!" he called after her and walked out the front door.
Charlie just pushed the door in and walked into his room Brax turned towards the door and frowned she was panting "don't you know how to knock?" he asked as he did his belt.
"We don't have time for games," Charlie said trying not to look at his bare chest "we forgot to get the cake on the way home, we have to go right now if we're gonna make it before the shop closes."
"Damn It," Brax said and grabbed his shirt off the bed "how the hell did we forget that?" he asked as he followed her out to the living room.
"We were too busy kissing!" Charlie hissed and pulled the door open "your car is faster than mine!" she said already climbing into it.
Brax grabbed his keys from beside the door and closed the door behind him, climbing into the car he started it up and pulled away "call them and let them know we're coming not to close."
…..
Ten minutes later they pulled up outside the cake shop "damn it!" Brax yelled and punched the wheel when he saw the place was locked up.
"Shit…what do we do now?" Charlie asked panicked "Bianca is gonna kill us," she groaned.
Brax sighed and looked at the place for a moment "are you willing to do anything to get this cake there on time?" he asked.
Charlie nodded it hadn't registered with her what he was saying "wait what?" she asked and turned to face him "what do you mean?" she asked.
Brax sighed "the only way to get that cake Charlie is to pick the lock," he said.
Charlie laughed "I am not breaking into a shop just to get a stupid cake."
"Well then what else do you suggest?" he asked.
"I don't know call someone that works here and explain," Charlie said
Brax scoffed "are you mates with any of them? Do you just happen to have their number?"
"No," Charlie sighed "that girl that I spoke to said she was here till half six."
"Well she's not here now all the lights are off and the place is empty," Brax said getting annoyed.
Charlie pulled out her phone "maybe she's out back or something…I'll call the number again," she said and put the phone to her ear.
"Well?" Brax asked a minute later.
Charlie shook her head with the phone still to her ear "it's still ringing out."
"Great," Brax sighed and sat back in his seat "there's no way we're getting that cake unless one of us pick the lock," he added.
"Well I can't I'm a cop it wouldn't look good if I got caught," Charlie said putting her phone down.
"Well I'm not I just got my record cleared and I plan on keeping it that way," Brax said.
Charlie sighed "now what?" she asked.
"One of us have to go in it's the only way," Brax replied.
"I'm not going in there," Charlie said and looked out the window.
After ten minutes of silence and neither of them moving Brax sighed and pulled off his belt "fine, I'll go but you have to get out and keep watch," he said and opened his door.
"Brax do you think this is a good idea?" Charlie asked as she followed him to the shop door.
"No but what else do you suggest we do?" he asked and turned to face her "I'll be in and out I'll leave the money on the counter and you know how to lock the door again it's all good."
"But what if someone sees us?" Charlie asked..
"We don't have time for what ifs Charlie," he snapped "we have to be there…ten minutes ago," he said looking at his watch "no one is around I'll be in and out," he said as he popped the door open "you just keep watch," he said and disappeared inside "…hey," he said sticking his head out "you look gorgeous by the way."
"Oh just hurry up," Charlie hissed and shoved him inside, she couldn't believe she assisting in a breaking and entering.
A few minutes later Brax reappeared with the cake "we're good?" Charlie asked as he quickly passed her.
"Uh yeah," Brax chuckled "we're good…lock the door," he said and hurried to the car with the cake.
Charlie quickly locked the door with her key set and hurried to the car "what's so funny?" she asked as he pulled away.
"That girl," he chuckled "she was there."
Charlie frowned "then why didn't she answer or come out when you went in?"
Brax chuckled again "she was too occupied with her boyfriend to hear anything."
"Eww!" Charlie shrieked "did you have to tell me that?" she asked through a laugh and punched him in the arm."
Brax chuckled and stepped on the gas "do you need to go home for anything or are we going straight on to the party?" he asked.
"I need my bag but we can go there now and I'll slip off to get it later…Bianca is already gonna kill me for being late," she replied.
"Don't worry about it I text Case when I was in there Heath's not even ready yet."
"Shit…my money is in my bag," she sighed "just throw me out on the corner I'll walk back down."
"You don't need money," Brax said "I'll get you a few," he added.
"Thanks but I'd rather pay for my own drinks," she replied.
Brax sighed as he pulled into his spot "why do you always have to come up with something to piss me off?"
Charlie scoffed "all I said was I'd pay for my own drinks!" she hissed "don't start Brax we said we'd make it through this without arguing."
"We're not in there yet," he pointed out "so you'd rather walk home to get your bag then walk all the way back in those heels than take a few drinks from me?"
"That's not what I meant," Charlie sighed and pulled off her belt and climbed out.
"So tell me what you meant?" Brax snapped climbing out after her.
"Just forget it!" Charlie called.
"Charlie!" Brax snapped and spun her to face him.
"Get off!" she yelled and shoved him "we're not doing this we promised Bianca."
"Tell me what you meant then?" he asked taking a step closer to her.
Charlie sighed "what are you making a big deal out of this for?" she asked "I want to pay for my own drinks that's all."
"Why won't you take a drink off me?" he asked.
"Because I don't want to," she replied
"That's not an answer," he said pulling her back to him.
"Alright," Charlie snapped "I'm afraid to be around you alone now, I'm afraid I'll kiss you again!" she yelled.
Brax took a step back surprised "we've been alone for the last half an hour."
"That's not the same," Charlie sighed "we were trying to fix something we didn't have time to think about what happened earlier."
Brax chuckled "I've done nothing but think about what happened earlier Charlie," he said and took a step closer to her "do you know how hard it is for me not to kiss you right now?" he asked.
"Brax don't," she said taking a step back.
"Why not?" he asked getting closer.
"Because I…" she trailed off.
"Because what?" he murmured slipping a hand around her waist.
"There you two are!" came Bianca's voice from behind them "what the hell kept you?"
"My car wouldn't start," Charlie said quickly "I had to call Brax to pick me up."
"Well you're here now come on he'll be here soon," she said leading Charlie away.
Brax sighed as she looked back at him where did he go from here?
….
An hour or so later the party was in full swing, Heath had arrived and was more than surprised now everyone was eating and drinking having a good time-everyone except Charlie and Brax.
Charlie looked around she couldn't see him "hey Case have you seen Brax?" she asked as he walked by with Ruby.
"He said he had to check on something in the office," Casey replied "but that was ages ago!" he called as Ruby dragged him onto the dance floor.
Charlie stood up he was hiding away because of her, sighing she started to walk towards his office. She jumped when she was pulled back "hey, Pete," she smile when his slid his arm around her shoulder.
"Hey Charlz," he replied "you don't look like you're having fun what's up?" he asked as he led her to the bar.
"Why does there have to be something wrong?" she asked.
Peter chuckled "Because I'm your big bro I can read you so…" he trailed off and waved down the barman.
"Brax," Charlie sighed and looked over as he walked behind the bar "we had an argument," she added watching him grab something and walk off as soon as he spotted her.
"What's new?" Peter chuckled and slid her a shot "here get that down you," he said and picked up his own "and leave Brax be, let him sulk, Bianca will kill you both if you start a screaming match now."
"Don't I know it," Charlie sighed and picked up her shot…maybe a bit of liquid courage would help her.
After three more shots a drink and a few unsuccessful attempts she finally managed to slip of on Peter as he fell into conversation with Leah at the bar. Walking to Brax's office she hovered outside for a few minutes not knowing what she was going to say when she did walk in. Taking a deep breath she knocked then pushed the door in, blowing out another breath she stepped in and closed it behind her.
"Hey," she said and leaned against the door.
Brax looked up from his drink "what are you doing in here?" he asked.
"What are you doing hiding away in here?" she asked.
"Not hiding," he answered and downed his drink "thought you didn't wanna be alone with me?" he asked and stood up.
"I'm here to sort this out once and for all and you so are hiding," she said walking to the middle of the room "I don't want you missing your brothers party because you're trying to avoid me."
Brax scoffed "don't flatter yourself sweetheart," he said as he poured another drink " I was checking the wages went through and there's nothing to sort out you made your feelings pretty clear…you should go back to the party," he added and sat back down.
"Brax," she sighed "we were fine before this happened…you know what I mean," she said when he raised an eyebrow "we never got along but you've never avoided me before," she said and sat on the side of the desk.
"I've never been rejected by you before," he said looking up at her "really Charlie go back to the party I'm just clearing my head."
"I didn't reject you!" she yelled.
"Yes you did!" he yelled and stood up "you kissed me first then when I kissed you back you pulled away and said you couldn't do it to forget it, so yes Charlie you did reject me…get the hell out before I say something I regret!"
"You can't speak to me like that!" she yelled and stood up.
Brax chuckled and walked around the desk "yes I can-I can do whatever I want," he said walking closer to her until she hit the door with her back "go!" he hissed.
"I'm not going anywhere until this is sorted," Charlie said.
Brax scoffed "look I don't wanna be with a stuck up cow that thinks she's better than me anyway…if I had got anywhere with you I probably would have slept with you and left it at that," he said harshly "I don't want a chick with a lot of problems that can't even jump off a cliff without making a big deal about it!" he hissed immediately regretting his words.
Charlie lashed out and slapped him across the face "the only problem I have is you!" she cried she couldn't believe he'd said that. "God you're such an asshole! do you think at all before you speak?" she shook her head and pulled the door open "you know what Brax!" she hissed "this ends now it all ends now! Do not ever and I mean ever speak to me again…as much as we fought I never thought you'd throw something like that back in my face-something I trusted you to respect," she sniffed and slammed the door behind her.
Brax dropped onto the side of his desk and dropped his head into his hands, he sighed he couldn't believe he'd said that either.
…..
A while later he rejoined the party scanning the place for Charlie as he made his way to the table. "Have you seen Charlie?" he asked pulling Bianca aside.
"No", Bianca sighed "but she better hurry up and get back we're doing the cake soon," she said and walked off.
Brax sighed and spotted Ruby watching him walking to her he noticed her anger face appear but she looked like she was trying to keep it at bay "have you seen your mum?" he asked.
"Yeah and you better stay away from her," Ruby snapped.
Brax sighed "she told you?"
"Of course she told me what you said, I found her outside crying her eyes out, you a real ass you know that Brax? How could you say that to her?"
"I know I know I'm sorry it just came out," he said and walked on
"She's not there anymore!" Ruby called after him.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"I told you to leave her alone," Ruby said and went to walk by him
"Hey," he said pulling her back "don't play games with me Rubes I really need to talk to her."
"Why?" Ruby asked pulling away from him "haven't you upset her enough for one night?"
"I went too far I'll admit that," he said "now I need to make it right…where is she?" he asked again.
"I'm not telling you," Ruby replied "just leave her alone Brax."
"Ruby!" he yelled thanking god no one heard him "will you just tell me where she is so I can apologise!"
"What's going on here?" Peter asked stopping beside Ruby.
"Nothing uncle Pete," Ruby said and smiled at him "you fancy twirling me around the floor?" she giggled and dragged him to the dance floor.
Brax sighed watching her go, turning around he walked outside and stopped when Hayley stood looking at him "you got something to say too?" he snapped.
"A lot," Hayley nodded and took a step closer to him "I don't know what happened between you and Charlie earlier I couldn't understand her, but she did tell me what you said to her in the office."
"And?" Brax asked.
"And you really upset her," Hayley said.
"I know I did that's why I need to find her, look Hayley I'm sorry but I need to see her now if you know where she is you have to tell me," he said trying to keep his anger in check.
"Why?" Hayley asked "you guys aren't exactly mates what's it to you if she never speaks to you again?"
"Because I have to tell her I'm falling for her alright!" Brax snapped.
Hayley smiled "at last you've come to your senses…she's up on the cliffs," she said and walked by him "hurt her and I'll kill you!" she called.
Brax sighed in relief he was in a little shock that he'd admitted it to one of her best friends he hadn't even admitted it to himself yet, taking the steps two at a time he ran out to his car praying he could make this right.
Pulling up at the cliffs he climbed out and made the short trip up to the top, spotting her where they'd jumped last night he walked up behind her and just stood there.
Charlie had seen his car pull in so she was expecting him "if you're here to apologise don't bother," she said.
Brax walked to where she was and sat beside her "I'm still gonna do it," he said.
"Won't make a difference," she muttered.
Brax looked over at her as she shivered "you're freezing," he said shrugging off his coat. Wrapping it around her he sighed "I'm sorry Charlie," he said "I don't know what came over me."
Charlie shrugged "doesn't matter," she mumbled "we were never gonna be mates anyway…you don't matter to me," she added.
"Well you matter to me," Brax said a minute later.
Charlie scoffed "says the guy who said not an hour ago that he practically hated me."
"I didn't mean that I was just angry and don't hate you," he said and turned to her "I was way out of line and I deserved that slap I never should have brought that up I know it was really hard for you…what can I say to make it up to you?"
Charlie looked over at him he did look like he was sorry "nothing," she finally said and looked back to the water.
"I'll do anything Charlie," he said.
Charlie looked up at the sky for a moment "you wanna make it up to me?" she asked "you can go now leave me here and leave me alone like I asked."
Brax sighed "I can't just leave you here like this," he was beginning to panic now nothing he was saying was working…maybe this was a bad idea and tomorrow would have been a better time to talk to her-when she had calmed down.
"I'll be fine here I can look after myself," she said without looking at him.
"I didn't mean like that I meant you're upset I don't wanna leave you," he replied.
Charlie shrugged "like I said, I'll be fine…please go."
Brax pinched the bridge of his nose "you can't avoid me forever Charlie."
"Why can't I?" she asked looking over at him "the party is out of the way now, the only time I'll have to be around you is if they ever get married or have a kid."
"Or meet up for coffee or movie night or dinner," Brax replied "you know we always do stuff together."
"I can find excuses for all that," Charlie replied.
"So you're gonna stop seeing you mates over this?" he asked.
Charlie shrugged again "if it means not having to see you then yes."
Brax sighed he knew there was no way he'd be getting through to her "fine," he said and stood up "I'll leave you alone for now…Bianca wants you back for the cake," he said and walked off.
…
A while after Brax had gotten back Charlie took the steps up and walked in just in time to hear Bianca asked where she was "I'm here!" she called "sorry emergency at work," she said shooting a glance at Brax.
"Alright," Bianca nodded "I'll get the cake then…you stay put," she giggled and hurried off.
"You came back then?" Brax said stopping beside her.
"Not for you," she said and turned away from him "I'm going home after the cake and pictures are done."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" Bianca yelled as she walked towards Heath with his cake. Everyone joined in and gathered around them.
After the happy birthdays and pictures were done Charlie was made stay put by Bianca as she went off to hand out the cake. Sitting alone Charlie watched all her friends on the dance floor and sighed she was the only one sitting down…apart from Brax who sat at the bar watching her, she groaned as he stood up and made his way towards her.
"Dance with me?" Brax asked.
"Why?" Charlie asked narrowing her eyes.
Brax chuckled and pulled her to her feet "coz I reckon we can end this just in time for Christmas dinner," he said and led her onto the dance floor.
"What makes you so sure?" Charlie asked as he pulled her closer.
"Because I'm gonna make you," he said and looked away as they moved around the floor.
Ruby looked over and smiled slightly she'd always known they'd had a thing for one another but what confused her most was why they never admitted it or acted on it, they were both young free and single "you think this is the start of something?" she asked pulling Casey closer.
Casey looked over her shoulder and chuckled "with them two only god knows."
Bianca and Hayley were watching them too sending each other a knowing smile they pulled their other halves closer and decided to let them take it from there without anyone butting in.
When the song ended Charlie went to pull away "where do you think you're going?" Brax asked tightening his grip on her.
"Songs over," she said looking up at him.
"Yeah but I'm not done…come with me," he said and took her by the hand.
"Where are we going?" Charlie asked as he led her towards his office.
"You'll see," he said and pushed the door in, pulling her in he closed it and locked it before turning to face her.
"Planning on keeping me hostage?" she asked.
Brax just looked at her for a moment, pushing himself off the door he walked to her and stopped in front of her. Without a word he leaned in and kissed her.
When Charlie jumped back with a puzzled look he chuckled "I have you in here to tell you how crazy I am about you."
"What?" Charlie asked surprised.
Brax reached out and slid his hand onto her cheek "I don't know why I've never noticed it before but I love arguing with you, I love being around you, I love everything about you…I'm falling for you Charlie and I am kicking myself we wasted so much time."
Charlie stood there staring at him wide eyed, she didn't know what to say or what to do she was stunned and stuck on her spot.
She looked up when Brax moved out of her way and walked to the door "but if you don't feel the same," he said and pulled it open "you can walk outta here now and I won't hold it against you, but before you do I just want you to know, all this arguing and bickering, it ends we're adults it's time we started acting like one."
Charlie bit on hr lip she wanted to run out the door and never look back but a bigger part of her wanted to stay. Closing her eyes she started to walk towards the door, once she thought she was there she stopped and opened her eyes. Facing him she sighed heavily, leaning over she held onto the door for a minute before pushing it close "what if I did feel the same?" she asked.
Brax chuckled and pulled her to him "then we work on it by going on a date and another and another and another until we're satisfied we're doing it right."
"Or," Charlie said sliding her hands up around his neck "you could just kiss me."
Brax pulled her closer he didn't need to be told twice, lowering his head he kissed her softly and slowly.
As the kiss heated up he started to walk her back to his desk, once she was on it he stepped between her legs and ran his hands down to her butt.
"Brax," she giggled and pulled away "the doors not locked."
Brax walked to the door and locked it walking back to her he slid his hands around her waist "I'm not having sex with you on my desk-not for the first time anyway," he chuckled.
"Well then," she said and pulled him closer "you better wrap up this party so you can take me home."
"Well I did drive you here it would be wrong of me not to take you home."
"Uh-uh," Charlie mumbled as she trailed kissed along his neck "and Ruby is staying at your place so I'll be all alone."
Brax bit on his lip she had no idea what she was doing to him-but he had to control himself he still had an hour or so left at this party "we couldn't have that," he said and kissed her sweetly "can I buy you that drink now?"
"You better," she giggled and jumped off the desk.
"So truce?" he asked as she pulled him out the door.
"That depends on how you make it up to me at home," she giggled and walked ahead of him-squealing when he pinched her butt.
…
"Man I thought they'd never leave," Brax groaned as he shut off the lights and ushered Charlie down the stairs.
Charlie spun to face him and kissed him "we have a hell of a lot of wasted time to catch up on," she said and started to walk again.
"Will you arrest me if I break the speed limit?" Brax asked as he locked the door behind them.
Charlie giggled and hurried to his car "I think I can overlook it this time."
By the time they reached Charlie's front door Brax was on her kissing her as they walked inside, when they got to the living room Charlie pulled Brax's shirt over his head and giggled as she threw it to the floor.
"Ahem," they both turned their heads to see Casey standing at the bottom of the stairs smirking at them.
"What are you doing here?" Brax asked not letting go of Charlie.
"I forgot my insulin, we're just leaving…continue," Ruby giggled as she pushed Casey to walk.
"Bye!" Brax called after them. Charlie giggled and pulled him to the stairs.
Afterwards they lay breathing heavily "so," Charlie drawled moving to lie on his chest.
"So," he chuckled.
"You got somewhere with me do you still want to go?" she asked.
Brax tilted her chin up "I'm not going anywhere," he said and kissed her.
Charlie pulled back and settled back onto his chest "why did we waste so much time?" she asked.
"Don't know babe," he said as he stroked her hair "I can't believe it took me all this time to cop I liked you."
"Babe already?" she giggled.
"Shut up," Brax chuckled "I like it, it suits you."
"Then call me whatever you want," she yawned "I have to go out early to get my secret Santa did you get yours?"
"No," he smiled and wrapped his arm around her "but I know exactly what to get them."
"Me too," she yawned "maybe we could go together then meet up when we have it."
"Yeah we can do that ," he yawned and pulled her closer "night babe," he said and closed his eyes.
"Night," she smiled and snuggled into him.
A/N Not the last chapter I'll fit another in….hope you enjoyed that.
Ps. Sorry if it's rushed or any mistakes I don't have a lot of time.