AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Four
Baxter
I flick back through the messages I’d gotten from Charlotte over the last couple of weeks. Everything seemed fine to begin with, but the last week definitely showed a change in her mood. I want to know what’s going on, and a phone call yesterday to Rebel revealed nothing, so it’s left me feeling twitchy. I could phone her myself but I don’t think she’d be open and honest with me on a phone line.
My phone rings and I groan when I see the caller display: Tilly. Of course it’s her, it’s always bloody her. I’m so sick of her lick-arsing me. I just want this all to be over and done with now. I don’t have the fight in me anymore, so I ignore her call.
I want to go home. I want to see Phoenix and Charlotte. I need to reassure myself that they’re okay, because I’m not buying Charlotte’s texts and I won’t be satisfied until I’ve checked in with them using my own eyes.
Damn Charlotte! She’s only gone and bloody changed me. I don’t even know when she got under my skin and started to work her magic on me, but there’s no denying the witchcraft she’s spun on me: I’m more mature, wanting to settle down, hating every moment of this stupid game with Tilly. I thought I’d love it, enjoy every moment and relish the opportunity to wreak havoc on her life. But in reality, the whole thing has left me cold.
I need to talk to Jax and see if we can reach an alternative arrangement. But until then,
I have work to do, a role to play...
I sigh and hit answer on the call just before it goes to voicemail.
“Tilly, hey, I’m so glad I caught your call!” I make sure to sound a little out of breath, like I had to run to catch her in time. Girls like her love that shit.
“Baxter!” she giggles, delighted at hearing my voice, like I fucking called her or some shit. “I was just thinking about this charity gala. I think we really need to nail down a location.”
“Sure thing. I mean, I have the date so wherever it ends up, just let me know and I’ll be there. I’ll go anywhere for you,” I silently gag and my own smarminess but I actually hear her simper down the line.
“Well that’s just it, there’s so many great places to choose from,” her tone is hedging; I can tell she wants something. It pisses me off when people drop hints but don’t just outright ask for what they want. She clearly has an agenda, a reason for calling, so why not just spit it out?
“I was thinking about that,” I offer. “I mean, London’s great, don’t get me wrong, but how about choosing somewhere out in the country? It would offer a really unique experience for the city crowd. A truly memorable gala that everyone will be talking about for years to come.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she replies, pondering my idea. Obviously I have an ulterior motive here, I need her out of the city and isolated for us to be able to carry out our plan.
“I know quite a few places that would work. Shall I send you a list?” I offer.
“Please!” she gushes. She continues speaking but to be honest, I’ve zoned out.
“Though of course, you’ll want to check the short list out in person. Maybe you could go with a member of the board?” I suggest.
“Hmmm, you’re right. I could never book a place blind. But I’m not too keen on involving the board, I’d rather this remain my baby, so to speak.”
“Of course, I understand. Still, it’s a big decision to make, a lot of pressure to find the perfect venue. I mean, if you wanted a second opinion, I could help…”
“You’d do that? For me?”
“Absolutely, Til. Why don’t we make a weekend of it? I’ll tell you what, I’ll send you the list of venues and you narrow it down to two or three. Next weekend we’ll check them out, even stay the night to test out the facilities…sorry! I got carried away. I mean, if you’d like to. If next weekend’s good for you?”
“No! No! That sounds perfect. Let’s do it,” she insists, breathlessly.
“And you have to let me pick up the bill. I don’t want you charging anything to the charity and taking away from their profits, so leave all of that to me. Have a think about what experiences you’d like to offer the women, and I’ll take care of the men.”
“Sure, sounds great. Thank you so much, Baxter.”
“Anything for you, Tilly! Call me when you’ve had a chance to go through the list and I’ll sort everything out.”
“You’re a hero. What would I do without you?”
What indeed.
We say our goodbyes and I rattle off a text to Jax to inform him of the plan. Maybe I can use the weekend to move up the timeline a little. I could try to convince Tilly to bring the date forward. I’m not comfortable with waiting six months for the gala to roll around for us to bring her down. No. I need to end this quickly so that I can get back to my girls.
Charlotte’s Diary
