Nothing In This World (BWWM) ✅

Chapter Thirty Six

Eyes wide open. She couldn't sleep. Charlene had a nightmare. She knew it had everything to do with how her mother would react after seeing her. She thought about if she should even go see her mother. It didn't feel like a good idea. But standing around with Lance and his folks felt very dangerous. She knew she wasn't going to the funeral. She wanted to stay home and eat and clean. She wanted to get bored of that and maybe explore. That didn't feel safe either.

"Are you alright?" Lance reached over to drape his arm across her stomach while barely being awake good enough to remember what he was even doing right now. "You're sweating hot."

Charlene sighed. She didn't want to be honest with him. He was dead set on leaving tomorrow morning or in six hours to be exact. She missed simple life on her mama's land. Not worrying about the public and what they thought of her.

"I just needs to kick some covers off is all-"

"You're scared." He sat up in bed and flicked on the lamp next to him just to see that Charlene did in fact look terrified. "Tell me, Charlene. I wanna listen."

He wouldn't understand. Ever since the news of his father's passing came up, she knew his brain has been in shambles. He didn't listen to her all day since then and her concerns meant nothing. He could have a change of heart since he's tired and his nerves are at rest but she still couldn't see him understanding where her heart is aching.

"I'm gonna stay with my mama while you go to the funeral. It's not a good idea for me to be there. The south and the north ain't that far off but there's still a drastic difference in your people and mine."

"What if I-"

"We can't disagree on this. I haven't seen my mama in months and was never close with any of your people. God knows who all will be there too. I could run into someone who won't be too fond of me showing my face. If we're going to do this then we both have to be comfortable." He snaked his hand over and on top of hers to give it a delicate grip. "You need this... so do I."

"It's two days," Charlene whispered to herself as the last suitcase was thrown into the back of the truck. Lance was in the driver's seat within a second. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and then revved the engine for extra emphasis on leaving their home. "Was breakfast good this morning? It was rushed but I put my all into it so you wouldn't be hungry on the road."

Lance laughed at Charlene with her worried eyes. She was on edge all night and didn't get an ounce of good sleep. It was important to both of them that this trip went smoothly since they had no idea what was waiting for them in Missouri. Lance figured the news of him coming home hadn't reached his mom yet and Charlene knew absolutely no one knew she was returning after months of vanishing into thin air.

She hoped her mom would forgive her and understand. She didn't want anyone to be ashamed of her. It was a bold move but she did it for love. Were there nights she regretted it? Yes. Would she go back and undo what she's done? No. She was happy with Lance. She knew that as long as he was by her side, all the outside noise was silenced around them. Charlene knew safety always came first and it felt like Lance always made sure she was protected even if it ruined his reputation.

"It was the best damn breakfast I have ever had. I took the first chew and started to feel down. No way you love me more than I love you. Now I have to show you out." She giggled while cuddling her head into his arm. "I love you, Char. I love each and everything you do for me too. I honestly don't know how I got so damn lucky."

"You can pick 'em."