Finally Free - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter Twenty-Five

Owen
I sigh in relief watching Charlie climb into the shower with Kenedi. I carefully pick Sofia up and carry her back to my room.

I'm surprised she doesn't fight me, but maybe she's just in shock over everything. Whatever the reason is, I'm glad.

I gently lay her down on the couch wiping away her tears.

"Nothing happened?" I smile lightly and shake my head no. Maybe this is a good sign?

At least she's talking to me.

"Nothing happened between us, Sofia. I promise." She nods biting her lip. I know she's thinking about whatever she said to Kenedi and is blaming herself for this, but I'm not letting her do that to herself. "I wouldn't do that to you and Kenedi wouldn't do that to Charlie. You know how much she loves him."

"Enough to die without him." Her voice cracks making me sigh quietly.

"Whatever you're telling yourself right now, it's not your fault."

"It is."

"No it's not. I promise it's not."

"You don't even know what I said to her, Owen." I kneel in front of her holding her hands.

"You're right. I don't know what you said, but I do know that it wasn't you that did this."

"I told her I wished her last attempt was successful. I told her I don't love her. I was...I was awful. You can't sit here and tell me that it wasn't my fault when I know-"

"I love you."

Really, Owen? You had to just blurt it out like an idiot?

"What?"

"I don't know why I didn't say it before. I mean I do, but I should have said it and I'm sorry-"

"You love me?" I hesitantly hold her jaw and nod swallowing hard. Anxiety is a bitch that's for sure.

Before I even process what's happening, she grabs my face kissing me hard. We both need this right now. We just need each other.

We slowly pull back and just look at each other breathing hard. I lick my lips nervously waiting for her to say something.

"I love you, Owen." I immediately kiss her again losing all sense of control.

I don't know how far she wants to go, but I'll go as far as she'll let me.

"I want you." I mumble against her lips meaning it in more than just a physical way.

"Then take me." I jump on top of her feeling my confidence growing. I love the way she makes me feel.

She gasps as I start kissing down her neck, biting every so often. Her fingers run through my hair as she pants making me groan against her skin.

"What do you want?" She whimpers causing me to grab her arms and hold them above her head. "Use your words, babygirl."

"I-I want you." I smirk biting my lip then lean down whispering into her ear.

"Beg for it."

"Por favor. Por favor te necesito, Owen." I shake my head smiling because I actually understand what she said for once. I slowly trail my fingers down her arms and around the bottom of her throat.

"It doesn't sound like you need me too bad."

"¡Oh, mierda!" I chuckle slowly tightening my hold on both her hands and her neck. "Just fuck me, Owen!"

***

Kenedi
I stare straight ahead of me as Charlie climbs into the shower with me. If he hadn't broken in, I don't know what I would have done.

I'm tired of feeling like this.

"Kenedi." He gently tilts my chin towards him. I look into his eyes blinking back tears. "I'm so sorry." I look down realizing what he did to me. "Nothing happened between me and Sofia."

"But you both-"

"We were both upset about you and Owen and we wanted to make you upset too."

"Nothing happened with him." Seriously why can't I just be friends with Owen? It's like everyone wants there to be something more.

"I know, sunshine. I know. He told me everything that happened and I'm sorry for not believing you. I'm sorry for not talking to you too."

I lay my head on top of my knees squeezing the blade in between my fingers. I don't know if I'm ready to be around him yet, but I owe it to myself to hear his explanation.

"I didn't want to tell you what Owen and I talk about because I didn't want to break his trust."

"And what about me?"

"What about you?"

"Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then why couldn't you have just trusted me not to tell Owen I knew?" He looks down at his hands frowning.

"I'm sorry, Kenedi. I really am. I don't know how to show you just how sorry I am." I loosen my grip on the blade actually hearing how sorry he is.

"Why do you keep pushing me away?"

"What?"

"Ever since the carnival, you've been pushing me away. And I don't understand why. I thought you loved me."

"I do love you, Kenedi. I do. And I'm not pushing you away." I slowly look up to him in tears.

"You haven't kissed me since the ferris wheel. You haven't held me while we slept since that night. We haven't gone on any dates. We barely talk and when we do, it's you yelling at me for being annoying."

"I didn't realize-" He says softly, but I interrupt him.

"You didn't realize I was breaking?" He bites his lip as his eyes water. "If you don't love me anymore, just tell me okay?"

"I do love you. I love you more than life."

"Then why won't you have sex with me?"

"W-what?"

"You told Owen you wanted your first time to be with the right person. If you love me, why am I not the right person?"

"Kenedi-"

"No. I want to hear why I'm not the right person, Charlie." He closes his eyes blushing deeply.

"It's not...it's not you."

"What?"

"I mean it is, but it isn't." I just look at him growing more and more confused. "I know this isn't your first time."

"So?"

"I just...I want to be good for you."