The next morning Charlie sat at the bench with a cup of coffee she was still so embarrassed about what she did last night, groaning she dropped her head onto the bench-sitting up when she heard the front door open.
"Hey mum only me," Ruby said walking into the kitchen "I forgot my purse last night," she said and picked it up from the counter.
"What's your plans for after work?" Charlie asked.
"I'll be home Case's is working a bit later than me," she replied and leaned against the counter "is it okay if I have this place to myself for an hour or two I wanna make him a nice dinner for his birthday."
Charlie smiled "sure honey I'm on the night shift so I won't be in your way…I'll send Adam to Jack's."
Adam walked into the kitchen and glared at Charlie Ruby watched Charlie glare back before Adam grabbed his keys and walked out the door slamming it hard "okay what did I miss?"
"We had words when Watson brought him home last night," Charlie sighed.
"Say that was fun what did you do?"
"I shoved him under the shower we had more words- I jumped on him Brax had to pull me off," she sighed again "then he told me he hated me."
"He did not say that!" Ruby shrieked "wait until I get my hands on him….why was Brax here last night?"
Charlie stood up "it's not for you to worry about sweetie you better get to work," she said nodding to the clock.
"Shit! I gotta go lucky Casey's driving me in we'll talk later," she kissed Charlie on the cheek and ran out the door.
Charlie sighed and sat back down grabbed her phone and called Hayley "hey," she greeted "whatcha doin' now?"
"Uh nothing just up why?" Hayley replied sleepily.
"I need to talk can we meet up?"
"Uh it's not over the little jerk again is it?" she groaned.
"No for once it's not him…meet me near the surf club in half an hour?"
"Sure," Hayley replied "I'll see ya then," she said and hung up.
Charlie walked up to her room and began to get ready hoping she wouldn't run into Brax.
Down at Angelo's Brax arrived to see Adam drying glasses behind the bar "how's the head?" he asked and leaned on the bar.
"Fine," he grumbled and moved away from Brax "aren't you supposed to be off till later?"
"Yeah and books still need to be done wages need to be paid… oh and I have a function here tonight so you're here till closing," Brax replied.
"What! You can't do that…that's like slave labour!" Adam yelled.
"It's called work mate… you're here till close," Brax said and walked into his office.
"We'll see about that," Adam muttered and went back to the glasses.
Fifteen minutes later he walked back out to see Adam had moved onto washing the floor "so you can do something with me having to tell you," he chuckled and sat on a stool "have you talked to mum yet?" he asked.
"Why are you so interested in my family?" he snapped.
"Because your mum and Uncle are friends I don't like the way you treat your mum- it's not easy for her Adam raising you two alone, what you said to her last night really hurt her," Brax snapped back.
"She should stay out of my business then," he muttered.
"When are you gonna grow up!" Brax yelled and stood up "you're sixteen! You should be doing what she tells you not out causing trouble and getting wasted with idiots you think are your friends!"
"They are my friends and I can do what I like I'm not a kid I don't need to be told when to come home or when to go to school!"
"Yes Adam yes you are a kid, you have no idea what you're doing- what you want, your mum is always gonna be there your friends and whatever won't…cut her some slack and give her some respect!" Brax said and walked over to him "when you're done here I want you to sweep around the lot outside…I'll be back later."
"Brax!" he called after him "…I don't hate her."
"Let her know that mate not me," he replied and walked down the stairs.
Charlie and Hayley walked along the strip "you seem very jumpy this morning," Hayley said as Charlie looked around for the hundredth time.
"Uh yeah…that's what I wanted to talk to you about," Charlie said and moved closer to her "last night Brax came over to apologise- member I told you we had an argument?" Hayley nodded "well he came over to apologise-I had told my two that I was making dinner… anyway, Ruby was home early and made her own Brax suggested we go out for dinner so he could apologise properly."
"No way!" Hayley shrieked "did you go?" she asked and looked to Charlie…where she should have been "Charlie?" She asked looking around "Charlie?" She called again and walked back to where the surf club storage room was "Char-there you are what the hell are you hiding for?"
"Sshh," Charlie hissed and hid further inside "Brax is coming you didn't see me you haven't heard from me!" she said and pulled a lifeboat in front to hide her.
Hayley laughed and started to walk slowly "hey Brax," she said happily as he got closer.
"Hey Hayley," he greeted back "out for a walk?" He asked stopping beside her.
"Yeah I was bored at home Noah's away for a few days."
Brax nodded "may as well enjoy the peace while he's gone… anyway better get on lots to do today," he said and held up the books "I'll see ya," he said and walked on.
"See ya!" Hayley called after him and began to giggle.
Charlie stuck her head out "is he gone?" She whispered loudly.
"Yes," Hayley laughed and waited for to catch up "so I get the feeling something happened last night," she said as they started to walk again.
"Oh Hayls I've made such a fool of myself I can never face him again," Charlie said and slumped down on a nearby bench.
"Why what happened?" Hayley asked and sat beside her.
"We had dinner and talked blah blah, he brought over a bottle of wine for me so we opened that and had a drink- one drink turned into a bottle and that turned into two."
"Oooh I see where this is going," Hayley laughed.
"Shut up," Charlie groaned "anyway Watson turned up at my door late with a totally wasted Adam I got him inside talked to her for a minute and went back to Adam."
"And Brax was still there?"
"Yeah- I yelled and whatever, we argued again upstairs Brax pulled me away from him when I jumped on him."
"Wow I knew you'd snap soon he deserves it you shoulda slapped him."
"Ruby did," Charlie said quickly "moving on- he told me he hated me and after that I was in shock I didn't even know Brax had brought me back down stairs. We sat there until I asked him did he think I was a bad mother, he said no I was great blah blah- he told me I could call him if I needed to, he was just being so nice so when he was leaving…" she trailed off.
"Charlie noooo," Hayley groaned and threw her hands over her face "you didn't?"
"I did oh Hayley I so did- I grabbed him and kissed what the hell was I thinking I mean it's Brax for Christ sake!" she yelled.
"Did he kiss you back? Hayley asked.
"Yeah after a few seconds…but that's not the point-what the hell do I do now?"
Hayley blew out a breath "I don't know Charlie…did you enjoy it?" she asked slowly.
"What?" Charlie asked.
"Did you enjoy the kiss?" She asked again.
"…Yeah it was nice and sweet and…oh look it doesn't matter if I enjoyed it or not- I kissed Brax what the hell do I do!" she shrieked.
Hayley stood up "well I personally think he likes you, so nothing brush it off and act like nothing happened- I know you can't manage that but you're gonna have to. That means no acting weird if you do see him or stupid rambling and no more hiding from him."
"But what if he brings it up?" Charlie asked and stood up.
Hayley shrugged "I don't know blame the wine," she suggested.
Charlie scoffed "that'll look great," she said as they walked onto the beach.
"Alright then tell him the truth, you liked someone paying attention to you and being nice to you…heat of the moment thing," Hayley replied.
"Yeah that could work," Charlie nodded "why do I still feel so damn nervous?"
"Because you like him," Hayley sang in her ear.
"No I do not!" Charlie yelled.
"Charlie it's as clear as day- go ask your brother if you don't believe me I'm not the only one to see it…I have to go get my stuff ready for work I'll meet ya for dinner since we're both on late I think Leah might be too- diner at nine bye!" She called and ran off before Charlie could say anything else.
Charlie huffed and sank into the sand she did not have a crush on Daryl Braxton.
Adam was on his break and Liam had allowed him to leave under condition he's back in an hour or Charlie would be called in. He sat on the beach eating pizza looking out to the water thinking about last night, he was totally wasted he'd drank everything he'd brought with him and more plus Hammer had given him something he couldn't remember…coke he thought and like a fool he'd taken it. Ever since moving from their last house after what happened he'd cut everything good from that part of his life- friends included, now he wanted to fit in and be cool like the rest of them- he had tried with Romeo and Xaiver when he arrived but they weren't for him they were more Ruby- he hated to surf.
Sighing he lay back and pulled a letter from his pocket it was all ripped when he had found it in the bin last night he'd managed to stick most of it back together, he knew it was from his dad by the prison stamp in the corner. Pulling it out he scanned through it skipping bits and pieces how's my boy you must be big now…miss you all so much…I would like you to come see me your sister too…I'm a changed man…need to talk about what happened…I know your mother would never allow it but please half an hour is all I ask…visiting days are Monday Wednesday and Saturday ring a day before so they can log you in…hope to see you two soon….love dad scoffing he flung the letter down "like hell I will," he muttered and picked up his soda.
He looked up when someone sat beside him "hey," Ruby said looking out towards the water.
"Hey," he muttered back "thought you went to work."
"I'm on a break," Ruby replied and turned to face him about to open her mouth she spotted the letter on the ground "Adam where did you get this?" She asked and picked it up trying to remain calm.
"Found it in the bin," he said and looked over at her "don't worry I'm not gonna go I just wanted to see what it said," he said taking it back from her.
"So you're not mad mum kept it from you?" she asked cautiously.
"No," he shook his head "like I said just wanted to see what is says…he says he misses us and wants both of us to come see him."
Ruby sighed what she was about to say was killing her "it's alright to miss him Addy to think about him…he's still your dad," she said closing her eyes she felt sick saying that.
"He's your dad too," he replied "but no I don't miss him and when I do think about him all I see is Sienna."
Ruby sighed "I know I do too I still see her lying there…I know he's still my dad but I've come to terms with not calling him that and I never will again… but seriously if you're keeping this bottled up because you're afraid mum will yell or something you can talk to me- not saying I'll like it but you're my brother and I love you…I worry about you sometimes…or if you don't wanna talk to me find someone that you can talk to."
Adam smiled "I love ya too Rubes…I'm sorry I've been such a pain to live with," he said and wrapped his arm around her shoulder "I promise I'll settle down…try to anyway."
"That's a start," Ruby said and leaned in to hug him "it's not me you should be making promises to though is it?"
"No," he sighed "Brax said I have to stay here till close there's a party later I'll talk to her in the morning."
Ruby nodded and stood up "I have to get back oh can you stay at Uncle Jack's tonight I asked mum for the house to myself she said it was okay."
Adam stood up and started to walk "yeah I'll call him and ask…see ya later!" he called as he headed back to Angelo's tucking the letter back into his pocket.
Ruby smiled watching him go at least she knew some part of her brother was still in there "see ya!" she called and walked in the other direction.
...
Later Charlie sat in her uniform in the diner with Bianca chatting when Brax walked in he looked around as someone burst out laughing to see Bianca sitting alone laughing her head off, he didn't miss Charlie's head sticking out from underneath it- shaking his head he forgot about his order and walked back out.
"He's gone," Bianca said looking under the table Charlie climbed back onto the seat "didn't Hayley say not to avoid him?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"I know I know I was caught off guard," Charlie replied.
"He could turn up anywhere Charlie," Bianca giggled "anyway you'll have to see him tomorrow night."
"What!" Charlie shrieked "why?"
"Because it's Friday," Leah said placing coffees on the table and siting down "we're going for dinner before we head off dancing and you're not getting out of it."
"Can't I just meet you after the dinner?" she groaned.
"No," Bianca said "it's the first Friday in months we're all off on a Saturday and can all make it no bailing," she said.
"Fine," Charlie muttered and stood up "I have to get to work," she said and walked out of the diner.
...
Brax walked into Angelo's to see Adam lost in thought wiping the same spot over and over "you trying to see your face in the table or something?" he asked stopping in front of him.
"What?" Adam asked looking up at him "sorry got lost there….I stocked all the fridges and put a few bottles of wine and champagne on ice….the note on the wall for Liam said to do it for that party," he said when Brax raised an eyebrow.
Brax nodded he was a little impressed "so what else did you do while I've been gone?"
"I cut up all the toppings, made some bases, made up some salads, made some sauce, turned all the ovens on to heat them up, put the soups on the stove…a few other bits," Adam replied.
Brax was more than little impressed "where's Tom that's his job."
"He took off something about his kid been taken to hospital Liam wasn't here so I kinda just took up where he left off….I didn't know what else to do no staff other than him was here."
"Well mate I have to say I am well impressed didn't know you were into food," Brax said and clapped him on the shoulders "well done."
Adam shrugged "mum taught us…I used to love it-doing it with her."
Brax nodded an idea forming in his head "why don't you go clean up get a white coat and come help me out in the kitchen…just until the other chefs come in," he said and walked towards it.
"Hey Brax," Adam said slowly.
"Yeah mate?" he asked turning back to him.
Adam slipped his hand in his pocket and felt the letter "uh…where's the white coats?" He asked pulling his hand back out 'not yet' he said to himself.
"In the staff room the big blue lockers at the back there're all different sizes you might have to route!" he called as Adam walked into the back.
Charlie was sitting at her desk writing up reports when Jack hurried in "sorry I'm late- that damn dog got stuck in a hole out the back took me ages to get him out," he panted and stopped in front of her.
"Aww poor Rex," she giggled "what was he doing out back?" she asked.
"Ah Martha wanted to let him out and was supposed to watch him- she knew we'd just gotten all the trees pulled up anyway she was on the phone as usual and didn't see him slip off," Jack said and sat down.
Charlie giggled "yeah sorry that was me I was wondering what she started screaming about she said she had to call me back and hung up."
"Yeah my ears are still ringing she was crying and all," Jack chuckled "anyway what's first boss?"
"First you're gonna dress yourself properly," she said nodding to his shirt tucked in at one side "then you're gonna get the form for being late and fill out the part that says you're Sergeant asked you to stop off on a call out in your area."
"Charlie you don't have to do that," Jack said and stood up "I'll just mark family emergency or something."
"No we have that big visit at the end of the month I want things to go smoothly and it won't look well if my own brother is not doing what I ask."
"Okay okay I hear ya I'm going," he said and walked to the door.
"Hey Jack," she called before he could get across the front area.
"Yeah?" He asked sticking his head back in.
"Do you think Brax likes me?" she asked quickly.
Jack walked in and closed the door "Brax Brax? My Mate Brax- that Brax?" He asked with a smile and sat on her desk.
"No dummy the other Brax…yes that Brax!" She hissed.
"Why do you ask?" he asked suspiciously.
"You know what forget I opened my mouth," she said and stood up "get the sheet filled out."
Jack chuckled and stood up "to answer your very odd question…yes he does," he said and walked out of her office.
Charlie smiled to herself and walked to the door "forget about it Charlie," she muttered and walked to the desk just as a guy walked in with a massive bunch of flowers.
"Uh Charlie Buckton," he called out.
"Uh that's me," she said slowly.
"Sign here please," he said and held out a clipboard while handing her the flowers.
Watson laughed and signed it for her when she just stood staring at them "thank you," she said and handed it back to him. "I take it things went well after I left last night," she whispered.
"Who they from… Brax?" Jack chuckled as he came out from the back.
"No!" Charlie snapped "and would you two please drop it- nothing is going on between me and Brax."
"Not what I saw last night," Watson said and smiled when Charlie glared at her.
"What happened last night what did you see Georgie?" Jack asked.
"Well Charlie here and Brax were looking pretty cosy on the sofa when I dropped Adam home."
"We were not!" Charlie shrieked "you sent him over to apologise Jack that's what he was doing…I offered him a drink."
"At one in the morning?" Watson asked raising an eyebrow.
"Oh shut u…wow!" she gasped reading the card.
"What?" Jack asked.
"These are from Adam," she smiled and read the rest of the card.
Jack laughed "you sure you're reading it right?"
"Love ya mum sorry about last night be careful out there love Adam" she read "so yes Jack I am sure these are from my son," Charlie said and walked back into her office with a big smile on her face there's her boy that she remembered.
Back at Angelo's the party was in full swing Adam had spent the last few hours learning how things went in the kitchen. Brax was impressed with how well he was catching on "take a break mate," he called walking by him "I'll be in in a sec," he said and walked back out to the front.
Adam walked into the staff room grabbing a soda on the way. He sat thinking about what Ruby said he didn't miss his dad…he missed the things they used to do- he looked up when Brax walked in and sat beside him.
"Man those people are hard work they're digging your pasta's," he chuckled. Adam smiled weakly but didn't say anything "what's wrong thought you'd be happy to know no one's mad at you for a change."
Adam sighed and sat back on the chair studying Brax for a minute he reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter and looked down at it "…I got this the other day," he said sliding it across to him "mum never gave it to me I found it in the bin after you left last night."
Brax looked at him before opening it- reading it he sighed and placed it on the table "is this why you're being quiet all day?" Adam nodded and played with his soda can "do you want to talk about it?"
Adam looked up at him "if I say I miss him it'll break mum's heart…I don't miss him," he added "I miss what we used to do- he used to take me to places, we used to go fishing he took me to car shows, the movies other beaches- mum tried after everything but it wasn't the same…I can't even talk about him."
Brax sat thinking what to say "Adam mate," he said and sat forward "you can talk to your mum it might be a touchy subject but one she knew would come one day she will listen."
"I know she'll listen and say nothing it's what'll happen after I'd be worried about," he muttered.
"What do you think will happen?" Brax asked.
"She'll pretend everything is okay around us then she'll completely break down when she thinks no one is home. She's done it before- a few times whenever you mention dad she gets this look like she's forcing herself to listen…then she goes missing for hours after and comes back all happy…it's not normal."
Before Brax could reply the door opened and one of the waiters stuck his head in "sorry to interrupt the Mullen's would like to settle the bill with you."
"I'll be out now," Brax said and stood up "this conversation's not over yet I have something to do after I talk to these so hang around if I'm not back alright?"
"Okay," Adam said and stood up "what do I have to do now?"
Brax turned back to him "sit there finish that," he said nodding to the soda "get your head back together then go see if Jamie needs you back in the kitchen, if not go see Billy and help them out."
...
Charlie yawned and stood up she'd just come back from her dinner with the girls and was tired now. She walked out to see Watson smirk and nod beside her, she looked to see Brax sitting there playing with his phone. She glared back at Watson and walked over to him "everything alright?"
"Hey," he said and looked up at her "got a minute?" he asked.
"Uh sure," she said and nodded to her office she waited for him to come in and looked out to the desk to see Jack and Watson smiling at her "don't you two have any work to do?"
"No we're fine right here," Jack replied.
"Well take a break or something then instead of standing there like two tools," she said and closed her door "what's up?" she asked walking to her desk trying to remain calm.
"You've been avoiding me," he said and raised an eyebrow
"No I haven't," she replied "…I haven't been around today," she said and sat down.
"Yes you have," Brax said and walked to sit on the desk "I saw you twice today both times you hid from me."
"Don't know what you're talking about," she said and looked down pretending to look at a report.
Brax chuckled "Hayley was walking with you then you were gone and she looked confused, I saw her walk to the boat shed and talk to you- same way I saw you under the table at the diner."
"Okay fine," Charlie huffed and stood up "I made a fool of myself last night and couldn't face you," she said as her cheeks flushed.
Brax stood up "Charlie forget about it alright- it was what it was I'm not here for that… just pretend it never happened I'm cool with that," he said turning her to face him "although you did surprise me."
"Shut up," Charlie giggled and shoved him away from her "I was upset, you were being nice to me not to mention I'd had two bottles of wine."
"Okay blame the wine," he chuckled "but seriously don't worry about it we're good."
"Thank you," Charlie said and walked back to her chair "I didn't want things to be any worse between us that they already are…so what did you want to talk to me about."
"Adam," he replied with a smile "I think I may have had a break through."
"Really?" She asked happily.
"Yeah," he nodded "I got to Angelo's and Liam was at the suppliers then the chef had an emergency leaving Adam alone in the place for about two hours."
"Oh god Brax what did he do?" she asked and closed her eyes ready for bad news.
Brax smirked and sat forward "he got all the stuff for the pizza's ready, he made the pasta sauces, heated up the ovens, he made the salads, he got the soups ready… basically he got the kitchen ready for the night."
Charlie sat listening in shock "my Adam did all that without being told to?" she asked.
"Yep, he used his head today and we had a little chat…how would you feel about him working for me permanently?"
"As in give him a job?" Charlie asked again surprised.
"Yeah he's good at it Charlie, I saw the look on his face when I asked him to work with me in the kitchen he was happy about it. He got into it while I showed him everything he caught on quick he's well able for it he's actually enjoying it."
Charlie smiled "how can I say no," she said and stood up, walking to him she hugged him tight "thank you Brax you really have no idea how much this means to me I really appreciate it," she said and stepped back.
"Ah don't mention it he's a good kid once you give him a chance, I've another thing I need to talk to you about…he kinda mentioned his dad," he said watching her- Adam was right she did get a look on her face she turned away from him for a few seconds.
"What did he say?" she asked her face emotionless.
"He found a letter you threw out on him- it said he wanted to see them."
Charlie's heart sped up she could feel it banging off her chest- she felt all colour drain from her face "w-what did he say about it?" she stuttered.
"That he didn't miss him just what they used to do he's worried if he mentions him in front of you he'll upset you."
Charlie shook her head he was spot on but the kids would never know that "I told him he could always talk to me about him."
"Charlie," Brax said and walked closer to her "they're not kids anymore they can see right through that- I understand there's a lot of pain behind this but don't hide it from them. If they're willing to talk you should too it's just as hard for him to come to you as it is for you to listen," he said softly.
Charlie bit her lip she thought she'd done well bottling up her feelings "what am I supposed to say to them? That their dad makes me sick and if I had the chance I'd kill him- that every night I dream about what he did- every day I think about what we lost!"
At that moment the door flung open "sorry guys- Charlie we got an emergency," Jack said.
Charlie wiped her face "I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap…I'll call in when I get back," she said and hurried by him.
Jack sighed "she can't talk about it mate leave it at that yeah?"
Brax nodded "yeah mate sorry, just Adam had a chat with m earlier I was trying to help."
"I know you were and thanks mate," Jack said and smiled "she just can't come to terms with it…she might tell you one day… I'll see ya," he called and hurried after Charlie.
Brax sighed and sat on her desk knocking something down he looked behind him to see it was a picture, picking it up he smiled it was Charlie holding a baby girl beaming happily, he smiled again she looked over the moon in it. He moved onto the two kids… a younger Ruby and Adam smiling peering at the baby "what the?" He asked himself and stood up "three kids?" he said and walked to the desk "hey Watson! Who's the baby in the picture?"
"Uh Ruby," she said quickly.
"Ruby's not the baby she's beside Charlie this baby here," he said pointing to the baby in Charlie's arms.
"Oh I have no idea," she lied "you'll have to ask Charlie that."
Brax sighed she knew she was lying walking back to her desk he placed it down and walked back out "tell her I'll see her tomorrow," he called and walked out to his car.
Charlie stood biting her lip behind the wall Jack had called her out under false pretences there was no call out he could hear her getting upset and louder. Shakily she walked back to the desk "um I'm gonna…" she trailed off and nodded to her office.
"It's fine Charlie we won't disturb you- take all the time you want," Watson said patting her hand.
Charlie nodded and walked into her office sinking into her seat she picked up the photo and smiled, running her fingers along the baby she sniffed and placed it back down. Moving onto the next picture she laughed before it turned to a sob Jack held the baby and she threw up on him just as Charlie clicked the camera, sighing she sat back "whatcha think baby?" she asked looking at the ceiling "you think It's time I told him?" she smiled and looked down at her desk "he needs to know if he's gonna help Adam and understand my moods," she laughed when her window creaked open "I'll take that as a yes then," she said and got up to close it- grabbing her phone she fired off a quick text and sent it before placing her phone down and going back to work.
Brax had just pulled up at Angelo's, walking in he found the staff cleaning up "where's Adam?" he asked.
Liam chuckled and pointed to one of the booths "he's all tuckered out- he did great today, passed out not ten minutes ago."
Brax smiled when he spotted him asleep he pulled his phone out and took a photo- sending it to Charlie he saw he had a message, opening it he sat down meet me at the beach lot at nine am I've something you need to see.
