Playing with The Devil *Book 2*

*hey there delilah...*

Charlie's POV

   "Hey there Delilah, what's it like in New York City, I'm a thousand miles away girl but tonight you look so pretty yes you do."

   The song Hey There Delilah played as I walked through the target. People looked at me odd based on my Cookie Monster pj pants and my over sized hoodie. Most recognized me as the leader of the gang but others chose to ignore me completely.

   "MARCO!" The yell of someone broke me out of my thoughts. I looked around trying to find the source of the yell. With a small shrug I turned and began walking again.

   "MARCO!" I heard the yell again but this time the voice sounded oddly familiar.

   "POLO!" I yelled out. I gained off looks from people around me but I didn't care.

  "MARCOO!" I heard the voice yell again but this time it had sounded closer.

   "POLO!" I yelled again.

   "Marco." The voice now sounded like it was directly behind me. I turned around quickly and jumped when I came face to face with a chest. That's a familiar shirt. My eyes scanned up and a bright smile took over my face.

   "Oh my god dumby what are you doing here!" I exclaimed jumping into Cade's arms. He let out a chuckle and wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly to him.

   "I missed my little gremlin so I was like why not take a trip to NYC. Then I saw a car with your gang sign on the back in the parking lot here so I came here. What is this place anyway?" He asked looking around Target. I raised an eyebrow at him.

   "This is Target." I said with a small laugh. He scrunched his eyebrows and gave me an odd look.

   "Why would they name a store after something you shoot?" He questioned genuinely confused. I just burst out laughing and began walking a round the store.

   As we walked down the tampon and pad section I could see the nervousness etch onto Cade's face. Other girls around our age stood there grabbing the products they needed. They gave Cade's look a quick giggle before turning and leaving the isle.

   "What have you never seen a tampon before boy. Get a grip." An older woman grumbled throwing a package of pads into her cart. Cade's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink which made me laugh.

   "People here are quite rude." Cade grumbled after the third adult bumped shoulders with him without saying sorry. I simply shrugged.

   "That's big city people for you." I said chuckling.

   "So why are you really here?" I asked after putting all of the groceries in my car. Cade sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

   "I just. I can't get over what Jacob did. I mean yes we did snoop through his shit and went behind his back but that's besides the point. He should of told you about this anyway instead oh hiding it for so long." Cade grumbled while kicked pebbles around in the parking lot.

   "Cade you shouldn't be mad at Jacob." I mumbled leaning against my car. He looked up at me puzzled.

   "Why not? He hurt you. He pushed you away from not only him but me." He grumbled out more.  I pursed my lips before shaking my head.

"I was the one who walked out of the house. I could of said no." I said watching his face drop even more.

"But I didn't want you to go." He mumbled quietly. My heart ached watching him like this. My arms reached out and wrapped themselves around him. He instantly hugged me back.

"I'm sorry Cade. How about you follow me back to mine and my friends place and we can talk more. You can stay there too. You and Ben will get along great." I suggested. He gave me a small smile and nodded.

*************************************

    I was correct when I said Ben and Cade would get along. The two had instantly clicked and began talking about what it's like being in a hang while I took care of the groceries.

   "So was Charlie in as bad of shape as Jacob?" Cade asked. You could tell he tried to be quiet but completely failed.

   "Depends. How bad was Jacob?" Bed asked. I leaned against the door frame and listened to what the two were saying. They hadn't even noticed me standing there.

   "Wouldn't leave his office. Always doing work. Or he was in his room sleeping. Are maybe once a day. That's all I remember because after that I left and came here." Cade said with a simple shrug.

   "Jacob was worse. Charlie's work just simply became sloppy." Ben said with a shrug.

  "Your brains will be all sloppy if you don't shut the fuck up." I said walking further into the room with a bright fake smile. Both of their heads snapped over to me. Ben let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his neck.

   "Jacob started writing." Cade said which honestly surprised me. I knew he was good at English but I never saw him as a writer.

  "He writes you letters but refuses to send them out. His excuse being that you wouldn't want to read it anyway." I do. I want to read it a lot.

    "I don't want to. It's too heart breaking." I mumbled looking down at the coffee mug that sat in my hands.

   "Oh well I found a lose one so when I left I took it." He said while fumbling around his coat pockets. Finally he pulled out a line paper that was folded neatly into a square.

   "Here. In case you want to read it later." Cade mumbled passing the letter over to me. I grabbed it with a soft smile.

*************************************

   I sat on my bed staring at the folded piece of paper in front of me. A part of me was telling me that I should read it while the other part was telling me that I shouldn't. With a sigh I reached down and unfolded the note.

   Charlie,

   It's been a week since I told you that you should leave. I can't believe that you thought I was serious. Okay at the time I was serious but I was just mad. I didn't want you to leave. Hell I never want you to leave.

   Cade still isn't talking to me. Hannah just started to again. Austin on the other hand talk like normal but I can tell how much he misses you. I can tell how much they all miss you.

   You make this place a better place. It falls to pieces without you here. You bring this place peace.

I miss watching you and Cade argue and fight like children, or when you and Austin would walk around and talk about flowers because you loved them. I just miss it all. I miss you.

I take back everything I said. I take it back. You don't know that I take it back and I don't think you ever will. That's my fault and I deserve all of the hate you have towards me.

I'm sorry Charlie. I'm sorry that I'm too much of a wimp to come to America to apologize. I'm sorry.

I sat the letter back down into my bed with tear filled eyes. I won't let them fall. I won't let them fall. I won't let the-. A single tear ran down my cheek and landed on the paper but I didn't care. I just simply do not care. I can't keep doing this.

   I quickly stood up and grabbed a paper and pencil. If he wants to write letters then I will write one too.