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“Uh, neither did I, but I needed to talk to you.”
Crashing metal and a loud “Fuck!” peeled through the garages. “I’m okay!”
Charlie closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath before looking at me again. “Please tell me you’re coming back soon,” she pleaded.
I held up my still-bandaged hand. “At least another week. But, um…” I indicated the garages. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What’d he do this time?” Charlie led me into the office and gently closed the door behind me.
“He jumped Ryan. Last week.”
With wide eyes, Charlie fumbled for the desk chair to lower herself into it. “Are you serious?”
Worrying my bottom lip, I nodded. “He uh… he got him as he was getting in his car; busted his head open again and I think he bruised a couple ribs this time.”
“Is he okay now?”
“Yeah, he stayed with me until this morning. I thought you should know.”
“Did he call the police?”
“A gay man in a town like this? Do you really think the police we’ve got would have done anything for him?”
“It’s sad that I have to admit you’re right.” Charlie resumed tapping the pen, this time on the desk. “I’ll talk to him. Either that or I’ll beat him with that tire iron he’s been playing with. I’ll see what happens first.”
Squirming, I fidgeted with my hands, finding a loose corner of my bandage particularly interesting. I needed to tell someone where I was going, but was I really ready? Then again, this was Charlie, someone I’d known my whole life; someone who already knew. I’d only be confirming her suspicions.
“What’s wrong, Genie?”
Better rip off the band-aid… “I’m going out of town for a couple of days… and I’m not going alone.”
Charlie didn’t answer straight away, but I noticed the moment realization hit her. “Dude, are you serious? Man, the gays do move fast.”
“Shush! Just… I… don’t entirely know what I’m doing.”
“What are you talking about? Just have fun! Enjoy being with Ryan without having to watch your backs. I think I can refrain from murdering my brother until you get back.”
My face was on fire. “Not what I meant,” I mumbled.
Silence, then, “Oh…Oh! Shit, you mean…”
“Please keep your voice down,” I begged.
Thankfully, she listened. “Do you think he’s expecting it?”
Nervously, I scrubbed the back of my neck. “No. He’s been great. He said we’d only talk about it if and when I was ready but…”
“Listen to him. I know it’s hard for you, but you have to trust what he’s telling you. If he’s thinking something other than what he’s telling you, that’s his own problem.”
“You’re right,” I admitted.
Charlie mic-dropped the pen—thank God—and threw her hands up, exasperated. “Of course, I’m right! I’m always right.”
“You cocky son of a bitch,” I laughed.
“I’m an accurate cocky son of a bitch—get it straight… even if you’re not.”
“Alright, I’m out of here!” I grabbed the door handle, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.
