I know I’m an ass. Don’t judge me.

Staring over her shoulder at Tyler, I give him a look that says “I really want to kick your ass right now, but I won’t because I’m an awful person and I’m going to use this to my advantage.”

“They think he might be having a heart attack. I’m so worried,” I tell her, burying my face in the side of her neck and holding her tighter.

“I HAVE A MEAT WHISTLE!” my dad yells.

Charlotte pulls away from me and looks over at him.

“Did he just yell about his meat whistle?” she whispers.

“Um, yeah, just ignore him. It’s the drugs they have him on to keep him comfortable,” I tell her quickly.

Tyler laughs behind us and I shoot him an angry glare.

“Alright, I just spoke to the doctor down in the cafeteria and it looks like there’s nothing—”

“MOM! Thank God you’re back,” I interrupt her quickly.

Stepping away from Charlotte, I pull mom over to the door and lower my voice.

“So, here’s the thing. Dad accidentally ate a ‘shroom chocolate that Tyler made at my place the other night so he’s not having a heart attack. He’s just really, really high. But Charlotte doesn’t know that and she’s worried about me, so we’re just going to go with it, okay?”

I stop rambling and try not to wince at the wide-eyed look my mom is giving me. The look that says her head is about to explode.

“You have got to be f**king kidding me,” she finally mutters. She leans around me and stares angrily at Tyler. Tyler just shrugs and waves at her while Charlotte steps over to the side of my dad’s bed and grabs his hand.

“It’s going to be okay, Uncle Carter. You just concentrate on getting better and I’ll make sure Gavin is okay,” she tells him softly.

I smile brightly at Charlotte’s words but quickly wipe the happiness off of my face when I turn back to see my mom glaring at me.

“Charlotte, have you made any phone calls with Gavin yet? You’re probably going to need to help him pull out his antenna, I don’t think he knows how it works,” Dad explains.

Mom laughs, patting me on the back when she sees the look of horror on my face before walking around me to go over to my dad. Charlotte moves out of her way and comes back over to me.

“Wow, I can’t believe how out of it your dad is. I feel so bad. Are you having a problem with your phone? Do you need me to take a look at it?” she asks.

“Gavin, pull out your phone and show her how broken it is,” Tyler says with a laugh.

“There’s nothing wrong with my phone. It works perfectly fine,” I growl.

Charlotte holds her hand out in front of me. “Don’t be stubborn. Put your phone in my hand. I’m really good with phones.”

Tyler laughs again and I reach over and smack him in the arm.

“Really, my phone isn’t broken,” I reiterate.

“Dude, Charlotte is really good with phones. Let her touch it,” Tyler snorts.

“Gavin, if you don’t give me your phone right now, I’m going to reach into your pocket and take it out myself,” Charlotte argues.

“I am so turned on right now,” Tyler whispers.

“I have a better idea. Why don’t we get out of here for a little while and give my mom and dad some peace and quiet,” I tell her, trying to change the subject.

Charlotte sighs and looks back over her shoulder at my parents. “That’s probably a good idea. Your dad needs his rest and you need to do something to take your mind off of what’s going on with him.”

Elated by the idea that I’m going to spend some more quality time with Charlotte, I tell my parents goodbye and leave Tyler with them. He deserves the punishment of my mother’s wrath for the rest of the afternoon after what he did.

Charlotte grabs my hand as we head toward the door, and I try not to skip across the room in happiness when she laces her fingers with mine.

“We can do whatever you want today. It’s your choice. But just so you know, I will have my hand on your phone by the end of the night,” Charlotte threatens.

“MAKE SURE HE PUTS A PROTECTIVE COVER ON HIS PHONE!” my dad screams at us as we exit into the hallway.

Chapter 11 – Show Her Your Nuts

“So hypothetically, what would you say if I told you I broke up with Rocco?” Charlotte asks.

We’ve been at my apartment ever since we left the hospital and we’ve consumed quite a bit of beer. All of our empties clang together as Charlotte leans forward and slams her bottle on the coffee table before curling her legs underneath her, sitting next to me on the couch.

For most of the afternoon, we watched mindless TV and didn’t talk about anything important. It seemed like we were both trying to avoid the white elephant in the room. But now that we have some alcohol in our system, more important issues are being discussed.

“You broke up with Rocco?” I ask in shock, trying my hardest to keep the elation from my face.

“I said hypothetically,” she reiterates.

Dammit all to f**king hell.

How do I answer this? How does she want me to answer this?

“Um, Rocco is a really nice guy.”

BULLSHIT!

Charlotte sighs heavily and turns to face me on the couch. “That’s not what I asked. I know Rocco is a nice guy. One of the best. I want to know how you would feel if I wasn’t with him anymore.”

Feelings? Fuck, she wants to talk about feelings? I feel like I want to go streaking through the streets if she’s no longer with Rocco. I’m guessing that’s not what she’s looking for here, though.