Seduce Me (Austin Singles 1)

“You really don’t remember, Tucker? You don’t remember telling Charlie that you knew all about her plan and how she needed to get married? About how you had a plan of your own?”

My hands scrubbed down my face. “Holy shit. Please, God. No. I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did. No one has been able to get a hold of her since she left here yesterday. She called me, told me you were drunk out of your mind, and that you told her you had a plan of revenge on her.”

“I didn’t have a plan of revenge. I was going to tell her this weekend that I knew. I was hoping she’d tell me first, though. She came so fucking close so many times. Then … then Dad died and … fuck!” I shouted.

“Dude, you need to get over to your mom’s house. She needs you,” Nash said.

“Charlie?” I said, looking at my sister.

“She’s not at her house, and if she is, she’s not answering. Terri is trying to track her down, but right now Tucker, right now, you need to focus on our mother. She’s falling apart, and I can’t do this on my own. We both need you.”

My heart was torn. I’d do anything for my family, but I needed to talk to Charlie.

“Where’s my phone?” I asked, frantically looking for it.

Nash handed it to me. “Here, go get dressed.”

I swallowed hard and took the phone before turning and heading to my room. After changing into jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and a baseball cap, I called Charlie’s number.

The ringing brought back the memory of last night. Bits and pieces were slowly coming together. I’d tried calling her. I fell asleep crying. She told me she was nothing to me.

She said she hated me.

Her voicemail picked up after about seven rings. At least she didn’t have her phone turned off.

“Charlie, it’s me. Please call me back. Please. I was going to tell you this weekend, I was … I … fuck I was just hoping you’d tell me first. Baby, I’d do anything for you. You didn’t have to come up with some fucking plan. Charlie, I’d marry you in a heartbeat. I … I love you, Charleston. Please call me back.”

I hit end and dropped my head in defeat.

“That’s how you’re going to tell her you love her? On a voicemail begging her to forgive your stupid ass?”

My sister’s voice sounded far off. I heard her, but I didn’t hear her. Everything was fucked up. So fucked up.

“Let’s go. Mom needs us.”

Slowly standing, I pushed my phone into my pocket and pulled in a deep breath. My entire world had changed in a matter of days, and none of it was for the better.

MY FINGER PRESSED the button for voicemail, and I held my breath.

“Charlie, it’s me. Please call me back. Please. I was going to tell you this weekend, I was … I … fuck I was just hoping you’d tell me first. Baby, I’d do anything for you. You didn’t have to come up with some fucking plan. Charlie, I’d marry you in a heartbeat. I … I love you, Charleston. Please call me back.”

Tears streamed down my face the moment I heard his voice. I could hear the sadne

ss, but was it because of what he’d said to me or because of his father? He hadn’t said it, but I knew he was thinking of the last conversation he’d had with his father a few days back. I’d overheard it, and I knew it ate him alive.

Then he said the words that stopped my heart.

“I … I love you, Charleston. Please call me back.”

I covered my mouth and dropped my phone next to me. Burying my hands in my face, I cried harder. The hateful words from last night played over and over in my head.

He was hoping I’d tell him first? What was this … a game to see who would break first? He’d been playing me the entire time. How could I be sure any of this was real? And now he decides to tell me he loves me? Over the phone in a message? When he’s guilt stricken with his father’s death weighing so heavily on him?

No. He’s looking for a way to make himself feel better. He couldn’t redeem himself with his father, so he thinks he can do it with me.

Well, fuck that.