I told myself that it was just the conversation I missed, but deep down I know it was the company, too. All week we’ve hung out together in the living room, talking, getting to know each other, and just sitting in silence, watching whatever movie she chose for the night. After those first couple of days, I was afraid that the whole friends thing wasn’t going to be easy, but I’m finding that I was wrong, and for once, it’s actually nice to have a chick for a friend.
I wanted to help her pack and move, but she refused to tell me where Lucy lives. Sure, I could ask Kale, but I decided to respect her opinion and just let her do it. I’m trying not to pace the living room as I wait for her, and I’m surprised that I care so much. A week ago I was pissed as hell that Jace had suggested this, but now I can’t wait for her to get back. Since she’s been here, she’s filled a loneliness I didn’t even know I was feeling. I’m already struggling with the silence when she’s away at work, so the whole night without her seemed incredibly long.
A car pulls into the driveway, and it takes everything in me not to cross to the door and go to help her, but I know she’ll just fight me on it. Moments later, the door opens and Charlie walks in, her arms carrying a couple of boxes, and she looks irritated as she sets them down. Looking at me, she mouths the words, “I’m sorry,” and I’m confused until an older dark-haired man enters behind her, also carrying a box along with a guitar case slung over his shoulder.
Charlie takes the box from him, and he slides the case onto the ground, propping it up against the wall. When he turns back to us, he’s sizing me up and down. I do the same, not threatened by the man who is obviously her dad. She’s the spitting image of the guy, and my guess is that he’s come to check me out—something I can respect, as his daughter’s just moved in with a stranger. And a soldier. I’d probably lock my daughter up if she told me she was going to do that.
“Dad brought you that guitar, Knox,” she informs me, and my brow furrows, wondering why he’d think I’d want to play a musical instrument. “He thought it’d be a good way to use your hands until your cast comes off. And if you can teach yourself, it’ll give you something to fill your time.”
Looking from the guitar case to her dad, especially since I already know how to play, I’m actually grateful that he was thoughtful enough to think of me. It’s actually an intriguing idea, and I wouldn’t mind jamming out to some of my favorite country songs. “Thank you, sir. It’s been a really long time since I’ve played. I have no idea if I still have any skill, but I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge. I look forward to picking it back up.”
He reaches out his hand to me. We shake, his firm grasp matching mine. I feel a little uneasy, standing in my living room in nothing but basketball shorts and my brace, meeting her dad for the first time. I know it’s no big deal—she’s just my roommate—but for some reason I don’t want to give him any reason to try to talk her out of this.
“Wade Davenport. I’m Charlie’s old man, if you can’t tell. My girl got her momma’s figure but my eyes and nose,” he says, ruffling her hair, causing her to scowl.
“Nice to meet you, sir. Charlie’s told me a little bit about you. I’m Knox. Knox Wellington.”
“Likewise, kid, and I’ve heard about you, too. Can’t promise they were all good things though,” he deadpans. I have no idea if he’s serious or not. “Which leads to me to the reason that I’m here.”
Rolling her eyes, Charlie walks into the kitchen and comes back out with three beers, handing one to each of us before sitting down on the couch. I follow her, and Wade stands in front of us, making me feel like a teenager who just got caught with his hand down his girlfriend’s pants.
“Darlin’, don’t you have stuff to be getting out of the car?” he asks her, obviously wanting this to be a guy talk.
“It can wait.” She crosses her arms and hardens her jaw, challenging him. He chuckles, shaking his head before he faces me.
“All right, Knox, I’m gonna cut to the chase. If my little girl is—” He’s cut off before he can finish as Charlie rises from her spot on the couch.
“Yeah, I’m not sitting around listening to ‘my little girl’ talk. I think I will go get more stuff from the car after all,” she says, hurrying outside, leaving me alone with her dad.
He takes a drink of his beer and sits down in the recliner on the wall next to the couch. “I have to admit, I was already planning on my girl moving back home, so I was shocked as hell when she told me she was moving in with you. I may have hijacked her moving day so I could check you out. Your last three COs all give you glowing recommendations and speak highly of your character, but she’s my only daughter.”
“You spoke with my commanding officers?” What the hell? He must really be an overprotective father, but I can’t say I blame him.
“Hell yes I did. My girl may be stubborn as hell, but if you didn’t check out, there’s no way I’d let her step foot in this house.”
Swallowing my beer, I nod at him. “I respect that, sir.”
“You can cool it with the sir bullshit. I’m not your officer. We’re not in uniform. It’s not necessary.”
“Uhh, my bad. It’s just habit, I guess.” I’m suddenly wishing I’d gone out to help Charlie unpack her car. I’m not used to this scrutiny from a father, and hell, we’re only friends.
“All right, Knox. Do you intend to date my daughter?”
I almost choke on the beer I just drank, and I’m completely caught off guard by his question. “No, not, absolutely not. I have no intention of dating her. We’re just roommates. Friends in a bind who are both helping each other out. I swear, that’s all it is.”
“Why not? Something wrong with her? Is she not good enough for you?”
Holy shit, what’s with the third degree? I’m not sure what he wants me to say, so I decide just to be completely honest. “There’s nothing wrong with her, but I’m not at a place in my life where I’m looking for a relationship. Charlie’s beautiful, and I love having her around, even if she’s stubborn and infuriating at times. That being said, I have no intention of pursuing anything beyond a friendship. I can promise you that.” What I don’t tell him is that I’ve fantasized about her naked, in my bed, her hands exploring even further than she did last weekend when she thought I was asleep. Something tells me he wouldn’t appreciate knowing I have those thoughts.
Wade’s face breaks out in a smile and he starts laughing. He leans over and pats my shoulder. “I’m just messing with you, Knox. Charlie told me you two were just friends and it was going to stay that way. I really just wanted to meet you for myself. What kind of dad would I be if I let my only daughter move in with some guy I didn’t at least check out?”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me, sir. I’ll take good care of her.”
He rises and walks to the door, presumably to help her move the rest of her stuff in. Before he opens it, he looks at me one last time. “You do that, Knox. She’s all I’ve got.”
Chapter 14
Charlie
IT’S BEEN three weeks since that nearly mortifying incident with Dad, and I’m still kicking myself for leaving the room. Dad stayed around and helped me get situated, and he talked to Knox more than he talked to me. I like that they were getting along, but I’m more than curious as to what they discussed that day.
“Dude, this is so fucking awesome!” Knox exclaims, interrupting my thoughts. When I turn to look at him, he’s standing in the middle of the living room in his usual getup of basketball shorts and nothing else. I swear, he has allergy to shirts, because he’s always walking around this place without one on. Not that I’m complaining. He’s rubbing a towel over the top of his head, drying off from the shower he just took, and I can’t stop staring, wishing I were the towel rubbing all over him.