I disclaim again. I only own Charlie and those unknown.
Thank you Carlitoscandy for giving me a chance and big thanks to your friend!! Thank you to everyone for reading this story, it means the world to have your support.
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Chapter Six – Hiya, Stranger
Charlie had just hung up with Randy for the fifth time today. She lay on the couch and looked around at all the flowers that had taken over her home. Her doorbell rang and she wondered who would be at her front door. More flowers probably. She stood in her doorway stunned to say the least. Surprisingly somehow his parents had found out about her and they showed up at her home. She led them into the bar and brought them tea and coffee. She didn't know if Randy finally told them or if someone else did, but at the bare minimum it was excruciatingly uncomfortable. His mom did all the talking and accused her of breaking up her son's marriage and ruining his career. They obviously didn't know how long Randy had known Charlie, but she sat there listening to everything they had to say. Several times they had good points but mostly she couldn't believe what they thought. They didn't care if Randy and Sam made a mistake, her parents were high school friends of Bob and Elaine's and their children were meant to be together. To Charlie it sounded like an arranged marriage and love was irrelevant. They asked Charlie to break ties with Randy so he could fix his marriage to Sam.
She revealed nothing about what Randy had said to her about his relationship with Sam, it wasn't her place. She sat in silence as his mom demanded then pleaded with her to walk away. She stated Randy and Sam still loved eachother and that kind of love never dies. What could Randy possibly see in a girl who worked in an old, dirty bar with drunken men always hanging around. He was an Orton and came from upper middle class, Charlie obviously didn't. She didn't fit into his world nor did she belong. She had finally heard enough, she had listened to them berate her for an hour and she was at wits end. "It was wonderful to meet you and thank you for coming all the way down here. I see where Randy gets his personality. Please excuse me; I need to open my establishment." Charlie extended her hand in a gesture of respect and shook their hands. She stood and excused herself trying to appear calm as she went to her office. She had just insulted his parents and Randy in the same sentence. She didn't mean for it to be a cut at Randy, but it needed to be said and after all the bullshit she endured they deserved it.
She cried for a good amount of time and ran the conversation through her head. Were his parents right? Was Randy telling her the truth about Sam? He had no reason to lie to her and his marriage had to obviously be over because he was constantly with her before he left. He didn't behave like a cheating spouse, not in the least. His parents were either deluding themselves or Randy was playing her. She knew nothing about his parents, only what Randy had told her. If he was lying about everything it was pretty elaborate. She chose to have faith in Randy and went with what her heart was telling her. Her instincts had always led her down the right road and she would trust them again. She emailed Randy but kept it light and sweet, she didn't want him knowing his parents confronted her, he would learn it soon enough she was sure.
He 'graduated' tomorrow and her flight was early in the morning. His discharge was before she arrived and he said he'd pick her up at the airport. He also made it clear when they saw eachother he wanted a proper greeting no matter if fans were around or not. She didn't want to ruin his good spirits by telling him what had happened.
Her brothers came in to see how she was doing and sat with her as she cried. They silently blamed Randy until she told them everything. Charlie told them all about her relationship, well most of it, and where Randy truly was. She told them how she was just degraded by his parents in her own place and now she wasn't sure what to do. "You get on a plane and you go see him. We know nothing about him, but we do know you. You have great intuition about people, Charlie so believe in yourself. It sounds like you're the only one believing in him, don't ruin that because his parents refuse to accept the fact that their son is living his own life and not the one they chose for him." Alex made total sense and she hugged him. Naturally Eric chimed in his two cents.
"And there's nothing wrong with a little smoke to ease the mind." He smiled at the group. "What?" They all shook their heads at him. Eric loved his weed and always would, explains why he's single. Bryan held her hands and shared his point of view.
"I've watched the two of you together. Granted it was one afternoon, but I can see something there, more than a fling. It doesn't look like a rebound either. A guy on the rebound doesn't wait for a girl to fuck him. If she doesn't put out the first night he moves on." Charlie looked at her big brother unsure how to react.
"Thanks, Bry, I think." She looked at the floor and ran her hands through her hair.
"Look, all we're saying is we see how he looks at you. He's in love, Charlie." Alex piped in.
"You're crazy! He can't be in love with me, we've only known eachother for five weeks and four of those he's been in therapy." That did not sound good she thought to herself.
David had been silent the whole time until now. "You are in love with him, why is it so unbelievable for him to be in love with you?" Charlie thought about what he was saying and wondered if she was in love with Randy. "It's obvious how you both feel, you look at him as if he's the only man in the world and he looks at you like the most exquisite creature he's ever seen and he can't take his eyes from you. Besides, why would he have bough the plane ticket for you if Sam was still around or his marriage was worth saving?" Good point.
"Who are you people?" Hearing her jock brothers talk like this was a little funny. She needed relief and now. She grabbed the basketball and challenged them to a twilight game. All four of them knew this was her way of dealing with it and she needed to clear her head to think straight. They all headed out back and it was four on one. They ganged up on her and made her play to her full talent, and she did pretty good. They played until none of them could stand and they all lay back on the court looking at the night sky. Charlie's muscles were screaming for a hot bath but she'd never let them know. She probably couldn't get up from the court much less hold her own weight, but she was glad her brothers were there.
As they lay there they talked about the old days when they were kids and they spent hours out here on the court. Their parents would cheer them on and support all of them. They spoke of their parents and they all appreciated everything their mom and dad did for them and gave up. Charlie called it the family from Pleasantville, they could have had their own reality show on Nick at Night. The boys teased Charlie about being the most spoiled little girl in the history of human life. The baby and the little girl in a house filled with boys, even the dogs had been male. Alex announced he was staying the night and the rest agreed; they needed a family reconnection night and they'd take Charlie to the airport in the morning.
All the furniture was moved and sleeping bags were pulled from closet shelves. They camped in the family room and resumed the talks of the family. They laughed and even shed a few tears, but they'd never change anything and they'd all take a bullet for eachother. Eric fell asleep first since he was in his usual stoned state and they all ganged up on him. Charlie shaved one eyebrow and put shaving cream in on hand. Alex and Bryan found house paint and painted him smurf blue, everywhere, and it gave Charlie a sight she never wanted to behold. She was now scarred for life. After messing with Eric they all went to sleep and Charlie dreamt of Randy and how excited she was to see him in less than 12 hours.
All hell broke loose before the sun even came up and Eric was on the warpath. He got all the paint off but his skin was stained and he shaved off the other eyebrow. Everyone got ready and went to breakfast talking about the bar and Charlie's trip. They all agreed she was doing the right thing and to put yesterday's conversation with his parents behind her. Her phone rang in the middle of eating and a fight ensued. David and Bryan sat on either side of her and each tried to grab her phone, the caller could only be one person. And it was a dead giveaway since Randy had set her ring tone to his entrance music. Charlie knew she'd never hear the end of that one.
"Hello." David said in a deep voice and Bryan held his hand over Charlie's mouth. Randy could hear muffled noises in the background and the hair stood up on the back of his head.
"Who is this and where's Charlie?" He was freaking out and tried not to sound panicky.
"May I ask who's calling please?" David tried to control his laughter but Randy heard laughing in the background and a sudden scream from pain. Charlie grabbed the phone and Randy heard her call the men mother fuckers. She said she was at breakfast with her brothers and they were being cruel and vicious. She would share everything when she saw him in a few hours. Eric and Alex made fun of them and made kissing noises and professed their undying love. Even Randy had to laugh. He was glad she was ok and it took a few minutes for his heart rate to come back down.
"I can't wait to see you and I'll meet you at the airport, I'll get as close as I can." He was so excited he was shaking.
"Me too." She smiled a silly giddy smile and said her goodbyes. She listened to the ribbing all the way through breakfast and the drive to the airport. They walked her in and reassured her once again as they shoved her toward the security checkpoint. They would watch the bar and her house; there was no reason or excuse for her not to go. When she got through security she turned and looked at them. She would go to the ends of the earth for those four but sometimes she wanted to run them over with a bus, now being one of those times.
Charlie got comfortable in her first class surroundings and listened to her Ipod. She managed to pass the time by daydreaming and listening to music and was suddenly shocked back into reality when the pilot announced they were landing in fifteen minutes. She tried to be inconspicuous and fix her hair and make-up, okay just a little mascara and gloss. She took deep breaths and closed her eyes. Am I dressed okay? What if he's dressed up? Do I look slutty? Shit. The anxiety took full effect and before she knew it the plane had landed and those around her were standing to disembark. A few more deep breaths and fuck it, here we go.
Problem one. She hated airports and trying to find people. Problem two. She'd never been to this airport so where was she going. Problem three would relieve itself in the ladies restroom. As she washed her hands she looked herself over one last time. "Let's go Charlie before he wonders where you are." She spoke out loud to herself. Grabbing her carry-on she walked out and followed the crowd to the baggage claim area. As she descended the escalator she immediately knew he was at the bottom before she saw him. She saw an insane amount of kids in a group all bouncing excitedly. And there he is. Her heart lurched into her throat and she instantly smiled. He wants a proper greeting and I had one planned and ready to go but there are too many kids. Need a Plan B. He looked amazing and relaxed, much better than before he left. He was wearing his usual loose fit jeans and a ballcap that did little to hide him. She couldn't take her eyes away from his body and how incredible he looked in a simple black button down shirt.
Randy instinctively knew she was near and looked up at her. His breath caught in his throat and he struggled to stand there and sign autographs for the kids. He stepped up the pace and walked to her as he was writing. He passed the pen and picture to the owner and grabbed her head with his hands. His mouth made solid contact with hers and her arms wrapped around him. Neither moved until they heard giggles and comments about how pretty Charlie was. Randy took a deep breath before pulling away and signing more magazines and napkins. It took a good fifteen more minutes before he was able to break free and when he did he grabbed her hand and hurriedly went to baggage claim. Luckily her bags were coming around as they walked up and he took them swiftly, grabbing her hand again as they walked out. She was practically running to keep up with him and would normally have complained but she wanted to be alone just as much as he did.
Randy had rented a Navigator and Charlie loved it. She walked around it as Randy put her bags in the back with his. He closed the back doors and walked to her slamming his mouth down on hers again. All he wanted to do was taste her and touch her. He pushed her against the SUV and slid his tongue in her mouth, strawberries again. She was intoxicating and he was promptly ready for more. His hands slid from her hips to her ass and he lifted her wrapping her legs around him. Charlie and Randy soon forgot they were in the airport garage and let their passions feed them. Damn he needed her, now more than ever, both physically and emotionally. She had been his link keeping him together these past few weeks and he had the next week planned to perfection.
"Hiya, stranger." He finally said as he broke the kiss. He held her tight and still hadn't put her down.
"Hiya back." She smiled at him and stroked his face. That face and the body pressed against her drove her wild and she needed to finally feel more.
Randy put her down and practically shoved her into the SUV and ran to the other side. He got one last, lingering kiss and drove to the hotel. Charlie tried to get him to tell her the plans but he refused. They were staying two nights in Atlanta and then heading back to St Louis, that was all the information she was given. Too bad she already knew that part. They pulled up in front of the hotel and she was promptly greeted by two young men who helped her out of the car and with their bags. The concierge and his assistant soon came out and sped them inside. The assistant told Charlie all about the hotels accommodations and amenities but she wasn't listening. She was distracted by Randy's hand holding hers tight and every person in the lobby stopping and staring at them. People pointed and whispered and she assumed it was because of Randy, but they only glanced at him. Her stunning beauty and statuesque figure accented by her tailored cream capris and white halter top could stop traffic, and it did. Randy noticed and looked at her also, she did look enchanting. Her hair hung loose down her back and her softly tanned skin looked amazing against her light colored outfit. She looked exotic and picture perfect. He was so proud to be the man standing with her and he smiled.
Charlie felt uneasy as everyone watched her and didn't remove her sunglasses until they were in the elevator. "What just happened?" She looked overwhelmed and the concierge answered her question.
"You are a breathtaking woman…stunning…dazzling…gorgeous…and most of all very elegant. You carry yourself with confidence and a regal quality, it will attract positive attention every time." He said all these things without turning to look at her. Randy and Charlie both looked at him unsure what to say. He hadn't spoken a word to them, only using hand gestures as signals to them. She found herself partially standing behind Randy when she realized people had been focused on her not her famous companion.
The elevator finally stopped on the top floor and they were led to one of two sets of doors. The other set was at the other end of the long hallway. As soon as the door opened Charlie gasped at the view. All she saw was downtown Atlanta and the view went on for miles. It would be amazing at night. Randy tipped the bellmen and shook hands with the concierge and his assistant. When she heard the door close she turned to Randy and smiled. He stood by the door with his hands on his hips and a sexy smirk. She slowly walked to him and he met her half way. Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck and held the back of his head with both hands. Her tongue glided across his lower lip and she sucked it into her mouth all while keeping her eyes on his. She played with his mouth like it was a popsicle and he couldn't help but moan in return.
"Hiya, stranger." Charlie whispered into his mouth. Randy's tongue dove into her mouth and tasted her again and again.
"Hiya back." He replied and tightened his hold on her body almost crushing her to him resuming his fiery kisses.