Finally Free - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter Thirty-eight

Kenedi
"Charlie, you promised me you wouldn't talk to him!"

"I know! But you being upset makes me upset. I know how much Owen means to you and I need my best friend and my fiancé to be okay again." I smile lightly hearing him say fiancé.

"Well...are you going to tell me what happened at least?" He pulls me into his lap chuckling.

"He didn't really say much just that he was surprised I could trust you." I sigh frowning.

"So he still hates me."

"No he said he loves you. I just think he has a lot going on mentally."

"You don't think that he thinks I could stop loving him do you?" I take his silence as my answer. I sigh frowning. "What do I do?"

"Maybe you just need a friend date."

"You think that would help?"

"I mean it wouldn't hurt." I nod pulling out my phone and text him.

You: we're going to get our nails done. i'm not taking no for an answer. then we're coming back to my place where we will plan valentine's day together🧡

Almost immediately, I see the message saying read. I bite my lip nervously waiting for the three bubbles to show up but they never do. I lock my phone leaning back into Charlie.

"My mom wants to take you out for lunch tomorrow."

"Wait really?"

"Yeah. She misses you." I smile lightly thinking about it.

"I miss her too. Tell her I said that I'll pay."

"Oh no. She's already told me you're not allowed to." I scoff rolling my eyes. "No she really said that."

"Wait really?" He laughs nodding. I whine throwing my head back. "But I don't want her to pay for me!"

"She said that you're her daughter now so you just have to accept it." I giggle looking up to him.

"Fine." I hesitate then ask quietly. "Did you tell her what happened?"

"Not really. I just told her we needed some space."

"Do you want her to know?"

"I don't really care, but I didn't want to tell her if you didn't want her to know."

"I'll probably end up telling her tomorrow." My phone buzzes and I look down at it almost bursting into tears.

Jingle Bells?🙄: get your ass out here now. I'm cold :(

I show Charlie the text and he smiles widely.

"See? Told you." I laugh pecking his lips then quickly get ready and run out to Owen's car. I sit down in the passenger seat shivering.

"Am I getting my nails done too or can I just watch you?" He hands me the aux cord making me smile wider if that's even possible.

"Dude, I literally said we are getting our nails done. That means you are too." He huffs shaking his head. "Men get their nails done all the time plus you like it when Sofia and I do your nails."

"Fine, but you're getting me Starbucks after." I laugh playing Driver's License on repeat.

"You're starting to sound like a basic white girl." He scoffs.

"This is what you've done to me, Kenz. You're just gonna have to learn to deal with it." I shake my head giggling then look up at him smiling lightly.

"I'm sorry for hurting you."

"What?"

"Everything that happened with Charlie. I know it hurt you too and I'm so sorry. I would do anything to take it back."

"That was between you and Charlie."

"But it wasn't just Charlie that I hurt. I know it hurt you too, Owen." He sighs quietly tightening his grip on the wheel. "I know you don't like to talk about your feelings, but I need you to talk to me."

"And say what, Kenedi? Say that I don't want to lose you?" His voice cracks making me tear up. I really did fuck a lot up.

"You're never going to lose me, Owen." My voice shakes, but I mean it with my whole heart.

"You said the same thing to Charlie and you broke up with him."

"Because I thought I was doing what was best for him!" He doesn't respond and I close my eyes trying to keep my breathing calm. "My mom got into my head again and then when I saw those accounts-"

"Accounts? What accounts?" He stops at a red light and looks at me intently. I slowly look up to him not wanting to relive what those accounts said.

"People made hate accounts."

"What did they say?" His tone softens when he sees how upset I am. I shrug sniffling.

"They compared me to Sofia and said Charlie deserves someone better than me. And I believed them."

"You shouldn't believe them, Kenedi. They were wrong about me weren't they?"

"Well yeah but that's different."

"How is it different?"

"They weren't saying you weren't good enough for Sofia."

"No they just said I wasn't good enough to live." I look out the window biting the inside of my lip. "We both deserve to be happy. It took me some time to realize that and now you need to as well." I nod sniffling.

He reaches over holding my hand making me smile weakly at him. I'm glad I have my best friend back.

"Can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything, Kenz. You know that." I laugh lightly wiping my tears then sigh shakily.

"True, but I haven't even told Charlie." He nods waiting for me to tell him. "I have my first therapy appointment tomorrow."

"Oh? Why haven't you told anyone?" I shrug looking down at our hands.

"I don't know..."

"You do know, Kenedi. You made me talk to you now I'm making you talk to me." I shrug.

"It just...I don't know...it makes me feel...weak."

"Oh yeah I know. I felt that way too, but once you actually go, you'll feel so much stronger. And when you tell Charlie and Sofia, they'll be there to support you." I smile lightly up to him and kiss his cheek.

"I love you, Ow." He chuckles pulling into the parking lot.

"I don't think I have to say it considering I'm getting my nails done with you." I gasp shoving him. "I'm kidding!" He holds his hands up on surrender. "I love you too, dork. Now let's do this."

"So we can plan your special night." I wink at him smirking.

I'll be okay. It just takes time, patience, and love.