Chapter Thirty Eight
That night, with Ruby tucked up in bed, Charlie and Joey watched some mindless television to wind down.
"Joey?" Charlie ventured.
Joey turned to offer Charlie her full attention.
"I did something bad."
"That was you? I thought it was the bins!"
Charlie flushed and laughed when she realised Joey was teasing. She slapped her playfully on the arm and told her to be quiet because she was trying to be serious. Attentively, Joey switched the TV off and offered Charlie her rapt attention.
"What's up?" she asked.
"I kind of arrived home sooner than I made out this afternoon," Charlie confessed.
Joey looked bewildered.
"I heard you talking to Brax."
Joey blanched and immediately apologised. Charlie reached out a gentle hand and smiled.
"I'm not mad at you," she assured her.
"But I shouldn't have been talking about you," Joey said. "It's rude. I..."
"It's fine," Charlie said. "But... but did you really mean what you said?"
"Of course I did," Joey replied without hesitation.
"You really love Ruby and I that much?"
Joey took both of Charlie's hands firmly in hers.
"I love you both more than life itself," she said earnestly. "I always have and I always will. I know I made a lot of mistakes and didn't appreciate you at the time but the day I met you was the day my life changed. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Charlie sighed heavily, chewing her lip.
"Then why did you make that bet?" she asked.
"That was part of not appreciating you," Joey said.
She searched Charlie's face, struggling to read her expression. Then she let go of Charlie's hands.
"Have I made you uncomfortable?" she asked nervously. "Do you want me to move out?"
"What?" Charlie squeaked. "Where did that come from?"
"Well, living with me the way you do, knowing how I feel about you... is it awkward for you? Because you know I'd never act on my feelings. I know the deal and I wouldn't abuse your trust like that... well, not again."
She tried to smile but mostly conveyed pain and turmoil.
"You don't make me feel uncomfortable," Charlie assured her. "And I would never cope if you moved out. Plus, Rubes would never forgive me."
She also tried to smile. Her heart was pounding far too fast. It usually did when they were dealing with the emotions between them. Charlie wondered if Joey knew how close she always felt to a heart attack whenever she was around.
"So... we're cool?" Joey asked hopefully. "We can carry on like normal?"
Charlie leant in quickly and kissed her. Joey was startled and drew back for a second before she melted into Charlie's kiss. Charlie just about managed to keep the memories of the bet at bay as she focused on enjoying the contact between herself and Joey. Eventually, for the sake of oxygen, they pulled apart.
"Okay, I know I said I wouldn't act on my feelings..." Joey said anxiously, looking down at their still joined hands.
A smile twitched at the corners of Charlie's mouth.
"Well, technically I act on my feelings," she pointed out with a self conscious laugh.
Joey grinned and nodded.
"So... those are your feelings?" she asked shyly. "I mean, do you... um... would you?"
Charlie leant in and kissed her again. This time, Joey did not break away. Instead, she pulled Charlie ever closer, melting their bodies into one, single unit.
"I love you," Charlie breathed between kisses.
"I love you too," Joey replied.
Charlie allowed Joey to guide her onto her back on the sofa. She relished the feel of Joey's lips and hands as they became reacquainted after so many months of being enemies and then friends.
It was the early hours of the morning before Charlie and Joey eventually managed to stop making out. Joey's pulse was racing and her skin tingled with the excitement of being close to Charlie again.
"So... um... not to be a total girl or anything but... what does this mean?" she asked, feeling shy.
Charlie licked her lips. She hadn't quite thought that far ahead.
"I want to be with you," she admitted. "But everything's been so perfect for us since we moved here. I don't want to ruin it."
"So, let's not ruin it then," Joey suggested.
Charlie reached out and hugged her.
"Is it that simple?" she asked.
"Well, if you're asking that question then you've probably already decided on an answer," Joey said.
"Joey, there's nothing I want more than to start again," Charlie said. "But I'm so scared."
"What are you scared of?" Joey asked. "I mean, if I can help you be not scared then..."
"Every time I think about us getting back together, I remember what happened before and it scares me off," Charlie said.
Joey hung her head and nodded.
"I guess you're really never going to forgive me for that, are you?" she said.
"I do forgive..."
"You just can't forget," Joey concluded.
She sighed heavily and broke contact, drawing her knees beneath her chin and curling herself up as tightly as she could.
"I know it's stupid..." Charlie said.
"It's not stupid," Joey said. "I hurt you. And you'd already been hurt so much before... of course you can't give me another chance."
"I'm scared of losing you if it doesn't work," Charlie said anxiously.
Joey gazed into her eyes.
"You'll only lose me if you want to," she said. "There's nothing that could ever make me walk away from you and Ruby."
Charlie managed a smile. She was struck by how much she believed her.
"I love you," Joey said sincerely.
"I love you too," Charlie replied.
"So, what do we do now?" Joey asked.
"Can we not decide anything?" Charlie asked. "Just... see what happens?"
Joey smiled and leant closer.
"We can do that," she agreed.
Charlie smiled as Joey took her hand again.
"Can I kiss you goodnight?" Joey asked hopefully.
Charlie's smile widened as she drew her into her arms.
Next time… Charlie and Joey reach a conclusion in their relationship…