Chapter Eight

Brax's P.O.V.
Society. People. Opinions. Three things that are the only reasons which are keeping Charlie and I apart. Everything always has to be judged by the human eye, meaning we can never be ourselves. People should have the right to do what they want without everyone criticising them, but no. Charlie doesn't think so. All she seems to care about is her job. Yeah, I get it that she needs her job. She's worked ever so hard to get there, but she needs a social life as well. I'm pretty sure we would've been perfectly fine if Ruby just left her alone. It shouldn't matter about our backgrounds. Obviously Charlie and I are completely different people, but our differences should balance each other out, meaning we should at the very least get a chance together. She doesn't know me. In fact, nobody does. There's just the "reputation" the boys have which everyone just assumes that we like to get ourselves into trouble. Charlie was one of the few people who could see through that. She was one of the few people who had given me a chance, but now that's completely wiped off thanks to Ruby. I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but Ruby's literally a hypocrite. She's dating Casey who is my brother, meaning he is also one of the boys.

Charlie's P.O.V.
Thankfully nobody came into my office after Brax left. I had time to take all my emotions out. I cried for quite awhile. All I wanted was to know what Brax thought of me. Why couldn't we try and work it out? Well, fat chance now seeing as I've pretty much shut him off completely. I was so tempted to call him, telling him that maybe somehow we could work it out, but I kept hesitating when I dialled the last digit of his number.

Brax's P.O,V.
There was a little bit inside of me that thought Charlie might call.
"Don't sit on the couch moping about while staring at your phone when the waves are out mate."
I looked up. Of course Heath would be the one watching me.
"Leave me alone Heath," I said firmly.
"Calm down bro. Besides, you're usually the one who's always out on the waves."
"Yeah, not this time so please, leave me alone."
"Well at least tell me what's troubling you?"
"Since when have you been the expert on giving advice?"
"Okay, okay. There's no need to have a go at me, gosh."
"Take off okay?"
Heath didn't reply. He just walked outside and slammed the door behind him.

Surfing. Eating. Drinking. Parties. I thought about it, and that's pretty much what the River Boys do all day. Within that, the cops keep showing up. I didn't want myself getting into anymore trouble. Charlie wouldn't approve of it even more. Maybe if I just kept my head down, like what I tell Casey, I might actually get a chance with Charlie. She can't take me seriously, that's why. I thought she would've now that I'm the boss of Angelo's..? Apparently not though...

Charlie's P.O.V.
Once I got home, Brax was standing outside my door.
"What do you want? I already told you to leave me alone," I said to him without looking him in the eye. I just couldn't or else I would burst into tears.
"I know you did," he replied.
"Then why are you here? Leah, VJ or Ruby could be home."
"They aren't I checked before."
"Fine, but tell me why you're here when I've told you many times that we can't be together?"
"That's your mouth talking, not your heart. I know part of you wants me to go away, but the other part doesn't."
I started to tear up right in front of him. What he was saying was so true.
Brax continued, "I know we both have mutual feelings, especially what happened the other night. Ruby's the one getting into your ear; we both know that. It shouldn't even matter okay? She's dating Casey, and all of us seem to be fine with that."
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Tears came out instead. Brax wandered over to me and put his arm around me.
"What's wrong Charlie?" he asked me.
He does have sympathy for people, unlike what everyone else thinks. He is really genuine once you get to know him without judging him or the boys first.
"Can we please go inside? I don't want anyone overhearing us," I said.
"Yeah, sure."

Brax and I snuggled up onto the couch together.
"Now can you please tell me what's up?" Brax asked politely.
I started playing with my fingers before I spoke. I didn't know how to share my opinions to him without making them sound harsh.
"Promise me you won't get angry if I really tell you how I feel?"
"Yeah, I promise. I just want you to be honest with me."
"Brax, I really like you." There, I said it, I thought to myself.
"I really like you too Charlie," he replied.
"I haven't finished yet. I would jump to the opportunity to go out with you, but it just won't work."
"What? Because I'm a River Boy and you're a cop?"
"Yes, that's exactly why."
"Charlie, if nobody in the town judged you, would you go out with me?"
"Yes, of course!"
"See, you shouldn't let people's opinions get in the way of love. What if we're meant to be?"
"There's also the question, what if it will just be a fling?"
"This is why you have to take risks Charlie. Can we please at least give it a go? What's the worst that can happen?"

Brax's P.O.V.
Smartest question to ask her... I thought to myself sarcastically. Now she actually will think about the worst case scenario. Charlie sighed before speaking.
"You are right. What is the worst that can happen? I want to give it a go, but what will everyone think?"
"Charlie, that is always the question you ask me! What do you want me to do so that you'll want to try this out?"
"I don't know Brax. Being a police has always been a dream job, and the River Boys are your family."
I took a deep breath before I said this.
"What if I walk out on the boys?"