The Charlotte Chronicles (Jackson Boys 1)

Nick picks us up at the airport. After a moment of hesitation, he grabs me close for a bear hug. All’s forgiven.

“Good to see you, shorty.” He gives me two back-breaking thumps before releasing me. Turning to Charlotte, he lifts her up and swings her around. “I don’t know why you’d ever want to marry this ugly motherfucker,” he says as he sets her down and then slings her carry on over his shoulder. “I’m taller, better looking, and more successful.”

“It’s a hardship,” she says. “I view it as my act of ongoing charity. When I get to heaven and am asked what I did to deserve entrance, I’ll point to Nate’s picture and say that I had to sleep next to that face for decades.”

“You’re a good, giving woman, Charlotte, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Shaking my head, I grab my own bag and walk ahead of them as they continue to mock me in good humor.

“How was practice?” she asks.

“Good. I like the rookies. There is one wide receiver in particular who could be a great addition and maybe even start. Have you picked out a bridesmaid’s dress for me? I’m assuming I’ll be your maid of honor. Remember that yellow is not my color.”

“Haven’t really thought about it,” she admits.

“Really, what have you been doing?”

She laughs smugly. “If I have to explain to what I was busy doing, then I finally understand why you’re prone to one night stands.”

“Charlie, most women can’t handle more than one night with me. If they spend more than twenty-four hours in my presence, every other man in the world is ruined for them. It’s bad enough that I’m giving them a glimpse of heaven during our one night. To subject them to that pleasure repeatedly and then take it away is just too cruel.”

“I guess we all have our crosses to bear,” she replies with stifled laughter.

“So does this mean I’m an uncle yet?”

“Unless you have a sister we don’t know about who’s having a baby, then no. We’re not ready for that.”

I’m glad I’m front of them so Charlotte doesn’t see my expression of surprise. I shouldn’t be surprised. There’s no reason for us to have kids now. We’re both young, and we’ve just reconnected. We have a lot of issues to work out—like where we are going to live and what we’re going to do with our careers.

But the idea of her heavy with my kid? Pretty damn exciting. And there’s this sense of permanency. If we had children, she’d never leave. It’s pure stupidity, but there’s this niggling sense of dread that I want to eradicate. Pumping her full of my seed and seeing her round with my child is one way my hindbrain can deal with the unsettling feeling, but even I know that’s no reason to start a family.

“You bringing Nate to meet the guys at the bar tonight?”

“Yes, but I need to talk to Lainey and Reese first,” she says very cautiously.

Nick makes a strangled sound that causes me to turn around. “What’s that about?”

“Let’s just say you don’t have a real fan base here in Dallas,” Nick explains. “Except for me, of course, but those other friends of Charlie’s don’t know you like I do.”

* * *

Despite Nick’s dire warning, Charlotte’s friends couldn’t be more welcoming. When we arrive at the bar around dinner time, it’s nearly empty. Charlotte explains that the majority of the money is made on the weekends and later, after the single guys are done with practice and realize they either have to cook for themselves or come to the bar.

Charlotte and Nick’s money has gone into big screens on the wall and maybe a new coat of paint. The floors are scarred, and the bar top doesn’t look much better. The dark blue walls are lit up with a smattering of neon signs.

Lainey is a dark-haired woman with an abundance of curves. With her large chest and small waist, she brings to mind the red-haired Jessica Rabbit cartoon. I recognize Reese immediately. Standing a little under six feet with a strong runner’s build, his model-perfect hair falls artistically around his face. Do I feel better that this male friend of Charlotte’s who even I recognize as attractive is gay? Fuck yes.

“So you’re Charlotte’s Nathan?” Lainey asks, but the greeting is warm instead of wary.

“I am.” I give her hand a firm shake.

“We’ve heard a lot about you,” she says.

“It’s all true —both the good and the bad,” I admit.

She nods her approval. “Aren’t we all made up of good and bad?”

Nick groans. “It’s too early to be philosophical.”

“I didn’t know you read, Nick. I thought you only looked at books with pictures in them,” Lainey shoots back.

“There are books without pictures in them?” Nick responds.

“Gah.” She throws up her hands. The two continue to bicker throughout dinner which consists of damn good burgers, big fries, and several beers. There is clearly a history between the two that I’m going to have to know more about.