Hey guys, here's chapter 4. There is a little bit of everyone in this chapter. I hope it turned out well. All mistakes here are my own. Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone to reviewed/alerted. They definitely help with cranking out the chapters.
DISCLAIMER: I still do NOT own Glee.
Chapter 4 - Not So Friendly Competition
It was an uneventful Sunday around the Fabray house. Charlie had spent the majority of his day watching football and playing Xbox from the same position on his couch. His parents and sister had left to spend the day in Cleveland, so it was safe to say he had nothing else constructive to do. He was in the middle of a Black Ops match when he heard his cell phone chime, alerting him of a text message.
Santana: Wanna come hangout before the lame festivities start?
Hillbilly: Afternoon Santana. Sure, y'all at Britt's already?
Santana: Yep, do you remember how to get over here?
Hillbilly: Yeah, but I'll call if I get turned around. See y'all in a little bit.
Brittany: Don't forget your jammies!
Charlie: I won't, Britt. See y'all soon.
After he finished the Team Death Match he was in he shut off his Xbox and T.V. before hunting up some clothes to wear.
By the time Charlie left the house he was wearing his white basketball shorts with black jogging pants riding a little low on his hips, a black wife beater with his white Fox Racing zip up hoodie over the top. His outfit wasn't really pajamas per se, but Charlie hoped they would do. He threw his pillow over in his passenger's seat before hopping up in his truck to head over to Brittany's. When he got there it looked like someone other than Santana was already there. He grabbed his pillow before walking up to the door and ringing the door bell. When the door opened he was greeted by a smiling Tina wearing polka-dotted pants and a McKinley Titians Football t-shirt.
"Charlie, hey." Tina greeted, "Britt told me to grad the door. Come on in. You can sit your pillow on the couch for now."
"Evening Tina, how are you?" Charlie asked in greeting.
"I'm good. Everyone's in the kitchen. Come on." Tina explained.
When Charlie got to the kitchen Santana, Brittany, and Mike were getting snacks ready for the party and looking a little exotic in their pajamas.
Brittany was wearing colorful knee high socks, short shorts, and a tank top.
Santana had on a leopard print nighty with almost nonexistent shorts on underneath it. Mike was clad in a white wife beater with his Sponge-Bob boxers visible under his sweats.
"Hey y'all." Charlie greeted walking over to the bar, "Looks good, Britt."
"Thanks Charlie, will you do me a favor and grab the phone book over there?" Brittany asked, pointing to a drawer with her elbow.
"Sup, Charlie?" Mike greeted with a head nod.
"Hey Mike, how's it goin?" Charlie asked him.
"Things are going well. Are you planning on trying out for football next week? Coach Beiste is having try outs on Monday and Tuesday. If you make the cut we're having practice every day after that until school starts in a few weeks."
"Heck yeah man, thanks for the heads up. I'll be there. I can't wait to play some ball again." Charlie said excitedly.
"You said you were QB at your old school, right Q?" Santana asked him.
"That's right. We went all the way to state last year." Charlie told her.
"Dang bro, you must have a nice arm on you." Mike said, sounding impressed.
"Not bad." Charlie said, being modest.
"Good. We need a good Quarterback." Mike replied.
"Isn't Finn our Quarterback now?" Tina asked.
"Yep, but Finn... Well he could use some work." Mike told them, not really wanting to badmouth his teammate.
"Charlie can you do me a favor and look up the number for The Pizza Pie, please? What kind of pizza does everyone want?" Brittany asked the group.
"Cheese. Pepperoni. Canadian Bacon." came out all at once.
"Just order two cheese, two pepperoni, and one Canadian Bacon, all large. That should feed everyone, right?" Santana asked.
"Yeah, it should." Tina said, "What's the number Charlie? I'll call them."
"Do they make vegan pizza?" Charlie asked.
"I think so. I didn't know you were vegan." Tina told him.
"I'm not, but Rachel is. We should order her a personal pan because she can't eat the pizza we're getting." Charlie replied.
Santana scoffed, "Of course. Tina, add one vegan to that order. They don't deliver so somebody is going to have to go pick it up." Santana said looking at Charlie.
Tina nodded before stepping away from the noise to place the order.
Charlie nodded, "I'll go. Someone needs to ride with me so I can find the place and hold the pizzas. Not sitting them in my truck seat."
"I'll ride if that's cool with you." Mike commented
"Yeah, sure man." Charlie answered.
"They said the pizzas will be ready in like a half hour." Tina told them when she walked back into the kitchen.
"Can you guys set these over there on the table please?" Brittany asked, pointing to the two platters on the counter.
"San, pass me those cups." Brittany said before handing the cups to Charlie to set on the table as well.
Santana grabbed the stack of napkins and plates before taking them over to set on the table next to the snack platters. There were two large blows and 5 packs of popcorn sitting on the far corner of the snack table as well.
"I think that about covers everything." Santana said, looking over their supplies.
The doorbell rang before there was a pounding at the door. Santana rolled her eyes before going to answer the door.
"Stop acting like an idiot, Puckerman!" Santana shouted when she opened the door.
"Sup, S." Puck said, ignoring her attitude. "Where is everyone?" He asked as he walked in the house, decked out in his green Hulk shorts carrying his pillow and a six pack.
"Kitchen, not everyone is here yet." Santana explained while walking in to the kitchen, "Better go get the pizzas guys. It'll take you ten minutes to get there."
"Alright," Charlie agreed, "We'll be back shortly. Ready Mike?"
"Sup dude?" Puck said bumping Charlie's fist. "You guys just gonna leave me here with all the ladies? I like this party already." Puck waggled his eyebrows at Santana who just rolled her eyes.
"Y'all be good. We'll be back in a few." Charlie told them before heading outside.
When Charlie and Mike made it outside Kurt, Mercedes, and Rachel had just pulled up in Mercedes' car. The three friends were all climbing out of the car wearing similar pajama pants and t-shirts. Mike and Charlie waved at them before jumping up in Charlie's Tahoe. Charlie rolled down his windows and reversed back until he was next to the car.
"Where are you two going?" Kurt asked when the Tahoe stopped.
"Hey guys." Mike greeted, "We're going to Pizza Pie real quick, we'll be back in a few minutes."
Charlie waved and smiled at Rachel before he backed out of the driveway and headed toward the pizza place.
"So, you're into Rachel?" Mike asked, breaking the proverbial ice.
"Um, yeah. How'd you know?" Charlie asked.
"It's kinda obvious dude." Mike laughed, "It's cool. Rachel's cool. I mean she can be a little excessive and overbearing at times, but she's cool."
Charlie just nodded, not really taking anything to heart. He wanted to get to know Rachel himself and then form his own opinion about the tiny diva.
"So, you and Tina are dating right? How long have you two been together?" Charlie asked.
"About eight months." Mike answered, smiling. "She's awesome. Take that street up there on the right. It's down in the left. You can't miss it. It's the place that has the dancing pizza on the corner."
The pizzas were already ready when the boys made it to Pizza Pie. Charlie paid for the pizzas before they headed back to Brittany's having an easy conversation about football the whole way back. They took the pizzas back and dropped them on the counter before tracking their friends down in the Pierce's theater room.
"Hey y'all, the pizza is here." Charlie announced when he and Mike walked into the room.
"Cool." Santana said, while waving a movie at him. "You'll never guess what movie Artie managed to download illegally just for you, Hillbilly?"
"Uhhh, Lonesome Dove?" Charlie guessed with a raised eyebrow.
"Fuck no!" Santana laughed, "Footloose! It should be right up your country ass alley."
"That's one of my favorite movies too, Charlie!" Brittany exclaimed.
"Very funny, Santana." Charlie deadpanned.
Santana laughed, "Well I thought it was. We can't have you two-stepping during the movie though so try to contain yourself."
"I'll try." Charlie told her unimpressed.
"It's the new version so the dancing is a little more up to date, Santana, the music too." Artie told them.
"Where'd you get the movies from Artie?" Charlie asked.
"I never reveal my sources my brotha." Artie told him with a smile.
"Movies later, grub now. Come on." Puck told them before heading toward the kitchen.
It was a little crowded in the kitchen with the whole Glee Club plus Charlie packed in there. Santana grabbed the small pizza off the top and set it aside before she pushed the other five pizzas down the bar to the others. Rachel was standing over to the side away from the others, clearly feeling left out of the eating festivities. Santana grabbed the small pizza and walked over to Rachel and set it on the counter in front of her.
"Here ya go, Berry." Santana said gruffly, "Its vegan."
Rachel looked up at her, feeling touched at the thoughtful gesture. Not many people considered her diet at events such as this, or ever really.
"Thank you, Santa-" Rachel started.
Santana held up her hand to silence the little diva, "Don't look at me with those doe eyes, Berry. Wasn't my idea, I'm not that thoughtful."
"Then I'll be sure to thank Brittany. The gesture is deeply appreciated." Rachel told Santana.
"Easy Berry, it's just a pizza. It wasn't B's idea either. Q is the one you can thank." Santana told her before turning away.
Rachel looked over to where Charlie was standing talking with Puck, Mike, and Kurt, a huge smile on his face clearly having been laughing about something. Rachel smiled at the sight before opening her box of pizza. It looked delicious. She picked up and piece and bit in to it, groaning at the taste.
"Hey Rachel." Finn greeted, "I thought you couldn't eat pizza?"
"This is vegan, Finn. It's really delicious." Rachel assured him.
"Could I try a bite?" Finn asked.
"Umm, sure." Rachel agreed, "But it's almost an acquired tas-"
"Ah, that's gross." Finn said, spitting out the piece of Rachel's pizza that he had just bit off. It landed with a splat in the top portion of the open pizza box.
Rachel fumed, "Back away from my dinner, Finn. That was entirely inappropriate."
"Dude, I saw that. Go eat that pizza over there and get yourself a napkin for God's sake. You have pizza sauce on your face." Artie told him, slightly degusted. "It's dribbled down onto your Power Ranger shirt too. FYI."
"Hey Rachel, how's the pizza?" Charlie asked as he came to a stop next to her.
"It's delicious, thank you." Rachel replied.
"Good." Charlie told her with a smile.
"Rach!" Kurt called across the kitchen, "Can you come over here for a second, please?"
"I'll talk to you later Charlie." Rachel smiled before she walked over to talk to Kurt.
"Puck said you're going to be trying out for the football team next week. What position are you trying out for?" Finn asked Charlie, trying to turn his attention away from a retreating Rachel.
"I'm trying out for Quarterback." Charlie told him, making eye contact.
Finn's face went slack, "But I'm the Quarterback."
"I heard." Charlie said, nodding his head, "I'm looking forward to playing with you."
Finn straightened himself to full height, trying to intimidate the blonde boy, "Well I guess it never hurts for me to have a backup."
"I don't think that's fair to say until after we've had tryouts Finn." Charlie told him, getting frustrated.
"I'm the Quarterback. I've been the Quarterback for the past two seasons." Finn informed him. "You're probably not even any good. And don't think I don't see how you look at Rachel. You need to back off. Just move back to where you came from. This is my town, my team, and Rachel is my girl. So back off."
Charlie stared at Finn in disbelief, taking a deep breath to try to calm the raising angry he was feeling toward the other boy's ignorance.
"Finn, out of respect for Brittany I won't make a fuss in her house, but I will tell you this one time, so listen up." Charlie told him in a hushed voice, "I do not tolerate anyone disrespecting my family, my friends, or myself. So I'm asking as nicely as I can that you not do that. Yes, this is your town. Sure, the football team may be 'your team', but things can change. We'll let skill do the talkin next week on the field. And as for Rachel, I don't believe that she is your girl. Do not stand here in front of me and act like she is a simple possession of yours." Charlie seethed, taking a step back from the slightly taller boy.
Santana appeared at Charlie's side, "What's going on boys?"
"Nothing Santana," Charlie assured her, "Just a little friendly competition."
No more than twenty minutes later all the pizza had been demolished, even the last couple slices of Rachel vegan pizza were gone. The whole group was now in the theater room having a deciding about seating arrangement. Finn had lost his seat next to Rachel on one of the couches and he wasn't very happy about it.
"Move man, I was sitting there." Finn told Puck.
"No dude, sit somewhere else. There are tons of available seats." Puck responded.
Rachel had had just about enough of the pointless bickering.
"Finn, just take my seat, I'll move." Rachel told him before grabbing her pillow and vacating her seat.
She opted instead for the spot on the floor between Charlie and Brittany.
"May I sit here?" Rachel asked Charlie who immediately moved over to make room.
"Hey Rach." Brittany greeted her, "Are you having a good time?"
"I am, Brittany. Thank you again for the invitation." Rachel told her politely.
"Q, can you help me in the kitchen for a second?" Santana asked him from her place by Brittany.
"Sure." Charlie answered, "Rachel, do you want anything from the kitchen while I'm in there? Britt?"
"No thanks, Charlie." Brittany answered while Rachel just shook her head shyly.
On his way to the kitchen Charlie was yanked by his jacket into an empty hallway.
"Listen up, Q, this is your opportunity. Seize the fucking day, dude." Santana told him seriously. "The ball is now in motion here. She chose to sit by you a second ago instead of Finnessa, so that's something. She was so freaking happy about that pizza earlier that I thought she was going to kiss ME over it." Santana told him, pointing to herself, "This is your chance."
Charlie nodded dumbly, "Okay, but what do I do?"
"B and I are going to be getting our cuddle on, so take notes. Whisper to her about the movie. Ask her about herself. Berry loves to talk about herself. Anything. She's into you. Not much you can do wrong in there." Santana urged him. "Use your assets! Go in there and take off your jacket. Show her all of this." Santana commanded, gesturing to his arms and chest. "Go on Cowboy, she won't know what hit her."
"I dunno, Santana. You sure about this?" Charlie asked, looking skeptical.
"Yes, now go get her." Santana said, slapping his butt before leading the way back to the theater room.
When they got back to the others Mercedes was popping in the first movie.
"We voted, Footloose won by a landslide." Mercedes informed them with an eye roll.
"Figures, considering the audience." Santana said taking a seat next to Brittany.
"Anything interesting happen while I was gone?" Charlie asked Rachel when he sat back down.
"Not really, we voted on the movie. Puck informed everyone that the lead actress in the movie is 'so fine' so the rest of the boys pretty much voted to watch it." Rachel informed him.
Charlie nodded, "My cousin and I saw it in theaters back home. It's a pretty good movie."
"Do you miss your family?" Rachel asked him.
"I do, but I've met some really nice people here so it's manageable. I have some family visiting in a couple weeks and I'll go home for Christmas, so it's not so bad." Charlie told her.
"Tina told me that you'll be trying out for football with Mike next week. What position do you play?" Rachel asked with interest.
A flailing arm over Rachel's shoulder caught his eye. He looked behind Rachel to Santana who was very obviously mouthing "take it off" while tugging on her clothes.
"Umm," Charlie started before pulling off his jacket, "I played Quarterback back home. Hopefully I can earn that position here too."
Rachel let her eyes wonder over Charlie's shoulders and down his muscular chest, appreciating his torso. The black wife beater he had on hugged his toned form nicely.
"Finn plays Quarterback, but I'm sure Coach Beiste would be pleased to have other options." Rachel told him, her eyes still roaming.
Santana shot him a thumbs up over Brittany's shoulder before turning back to the movie that was getting started.
"Will you guys shush it? The movie is starting." Kurt complained from his spot on one of the couches.
Charlie and Rachel both slumped down on the floor, doubling their pillows so they could see better. Rachel moved her pillow right up against Charlie's under the pretense of talking.
"Do you have any siblings?" Rachel whispered.
"I have a little sister, Ashley, she's 7." Charlie whispered.
Rachel smiled, "Big age gap there."
"Yep, ten years. She was the best surprise my parents ever got. They wanted another kid after me, but had no luck until Ash." Charlie explained.
Rachel was mesmerized by this boy. Everything about Charlie pulled her in; the closeness, his eyes, his voice, and the comfort she felt while being around him was intoxicating. She licked her lips and glanced at Charlie's quickly. They were so close. They looked so soft.
"See? Told you she was hot dude, didn't I?" Puck shouted, breaking the spell Rachel was under.
"Charlie! Girls really look that good from where you're from?" Puck asked him loudly.
"I'm not from Bomont, Puck." Charlie laughed.
"You know what I mean!" Puck insisted.
"Yes, there are beautiful girl from where I'm from. There are beautiful girls here in Lima too, ya know" Charlie told him, looking at Rachel.
Rachel could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she refused to take her eyes off the movie. Charlie settled back down on his pillow to watch the movie, clearly Rachel was done talking for now.
The group was pretty quiet throughout the rest of the movie except for when Brittany yelled at the T.V. "just let them dance Mr. Preacher man". The group took a brief intermission between films and it was nearing 10:30 by the time they had all settled down to watch the second movie, Contagion.
"I have to be home in an hour." Rachel huffed, "Dad and Daddy think I need to start getting to bed early again since school is quickly approaching. Not that I have problem with that because I am a firm believer in a person getting the full recommended 8 hours of sleep." Rachel told him.
"Agreed." Charlie said, "Getting enough rest in really important. I can take you home if you'd like."
"Okay. Thank you." Rachel smiled.
"Wanna go now or wait a little while?" Charlie asked.
"We can go now if you want to, just so we don't interrupt everyone when we leave." Rachel suggested.
"Okay." Charlie smiled, "Let me tell Santana I'm going to run you home real quick. Be right back."
Charlie found Santana in the bathroom but when he heard giggling he figured it may be best to just leave them to their own devices. Charlie instead found Tina and told her to tell Santana that he would be back shortly because he was taking Rachel home.
"Hey Rachel, where are you going?" Finn asked as Rachel was putting on her shoes.
"Charlie's taking me home. Daddy said I needed to be home by 11:30." Rachel explained
"It's only 10:30 though. I could take you home later." Finn told her, looking hopeful.
"Thank you for the offer Finn but I must decline. Charlie already offered. Have a good night." Rachel replied shortly, leaving a peeved Finn in the hallway.
"Ready?" Charlie asked before opening the front door for her.
"Quite. Thank you." Rachel told him before hurrying out the door.
Charlie opened his truck door for Rachel who climbed right on in with the aid of the step side. Charlie grinned, pleased with his investment. She shut the Tahoe door before going around and getting in the driver's seat.
"That was much easier. Those things must be new." Rachel observed, pointing down toward the door.
"They are. Santana and I just mounted them yesterday." Charlie explained with a nod.
"Nice addition." Rachel commented.
"Thank you." Charlie replied, "Did you enjoy the movie?"
"I did." Rachel answered, "And so did Brittany, if the dancing in place she was doing was any indication."
Charlie laughed, "Oh yeah, she was gettin into it pretty good. I'll admit it makes me wanna bust a move too though. It's hard not to, ya know?"
"Can you dance?" Rachel asked curiously.
"Not very well," Charlie answered honestly, "I mean I can if I get a few drinks in me. Other than I usually don't show off my dance moves."
"Completely understandable." Rachel replied as they pulled up to her house.
Charlie shut his truck off and looked over to Rachel, "I had a real good time tonight. I'm glad you came to Britt's. I been kinda wonderin if maybe-"
Charlie's sentence was interrupted by his cell phone ringing loudly on the console between them, a picture of a beautiful blonde making a funny face showed up on the screen as Savannah flashed in bold letters across the top. Charlie looked at his phone debating on answering or not.
"Dang it," Charlie whispered. "Hold on just a second, Rachel. If I don't answer she'll probably just call right back." Charlie told before picking up the phone.
Rachel stared at the spot of the console where the beautiful blonde's picture had been.
"I should've known he had a girlfriend." Rachel whispered to herself before turning towards the window, feeling rather foolish.
"I know, Savannah. I know. I miss you too. Let me call you back in a minute, okay? I will, I promise. Bye." Charlie told the girl through the phone.
"Sorry about that. She can be rather relentless sometimes." Charlie explained.
"It's okay. I understand. I'm sure she just misses you. Well I'm going to go before Daddy comes out to check on me. I had fun tonight. See you when school starts Charlie." Rachel told him before jumping out of the truck and slamming the door.
Charlie watched his favorite little brunette as she hurried up to her house and disappeared inside, leaving him in complete confusion.
"Well heck!" Charlie said to himself as he cranked his truck, "I thought things were goin well. Women…" he huffed as he headed back to Brittany's.
TBC