Getting Closer

Chapter Twenty Two - Charlie

What Kate told me the other hasn't left my mind and I hate that I keep analyzing my friends. Just mind my own fucking business, Evans, I think to myself. As I now stare at Max who genuinely looks to be the happiest he's ever been, I just wonder if maybe... that might have to do with the new blond in our friend group.

As Seth rants on and on about a show he's been recently watching, I watch as Max checks out a girl's ass as she walks by. There's no way he'd do that if he was with Jules. Once again I shake my head. What the fuck is wrong with me? And why do I care so much? "Evans," Max calls out to me now. Returning my glare over to him, he lifts his chin and asks, "You like what you see?"

I furrow my brows. "What?"

Leaning forward, Max says, "If you wanna fuck me, just tell me. Otherwise, quit fucking staring at me."

My cheeks burn but I just mumble, "Sorry. Lost in thought."

As Max rolls his eyes at me, Seth grabs my arm and says, "Charlie. I've been meaning to ask you but did you ever would consider going on a double date with me?"

Max and I turn to him quickly. "Excuse me?" Max laughs.

Seth shoots him a glare and says, "I have recently met someone and we might take it up a level and start you know... dating."

I smile for my friend. It's been a while since Seth even made the move to date someone. "And who is this lucky person?" I ask.

Seth shakes his head and takes some food from Max's tray. "I'm not going to say or else I'm going to jinx it."

Max scoffs and leans back in his chair. "For someone so up in my business about who I'm fucking, I'm surprised you're keeping vital information from us."

Seth rolls his eyes, "I'm not fucking anyone just yet and it's not my fault you are simply a whore and can't remember half the people you sleep around with."

"Whatever," Max sighs.

"Anyways," I say to move this along, "I'll have to talk to Kate but I'm sure she'd be down for a double date."

Max immediately snorts. Both Seth and I glare at him until he says, "A double date? Are you stupid, Evans?" Before I can curse him out for being so rude, he adds, "You and Kate don't date. You two casually hang out with one another."

"We go on dates," I retort.

"When?"

Pausing, "Like all the time."

As if he won this round, he scoffs, "Right."

"Why are you even bringing this up? It's not like you go on dates with any of your conquests."

Max raises a brow. "No I don't. But I am not dating anyone, dipshit. And if I were currently seeing anyone, I'd plan to have a date in my bed."

Seth groans. "Will you both just shut up? I'm sorry I ever brought this up." Max and I look at one another, our argument from the other day still on our minds but we decide what we normally do. Forgive and forget. "Good," Seth smiles. "Now, I also wanted to ask you guys to do me a biiig favor."

"Jesus Christ," Max swears.

"It's nothing drastic," Seth pouts. "All I wanted to ask of you guys is can we spend a whole day at Mall of America?"

Max and I share a glance once again. Then I let out a laugh. "Sure buddy. You pick the date."

I swear Seth almost jumps with joy. "Let's go this weekend. Please?"

"I'll ask Kate," I say immediately.

"Let's invite Jules as well," Seth smiles and I can't help myself but to glance at Max. But he acts as the same old guy I've known for over ten years. "Oh, I can't fucking wait," Seth laughs.

***

After a quick shift with helping out my dad downstairs, I finally head upstairs to catch up on some homework before I get a call from Jules. "What's up?" I answer as I can't figure out this calculus problem.

"Just wondering what you're doing."

I put my phone on the table and put it on speakerphone. "I have some homework to work on but later the guys are coming over to watch the playoffs. The Twins might actually have a chance this year."

"That's baseball right?" Jules asks.

Chuckling, "Yeah."

"Well I don't watch much baseball but is it alright if I join you guys?"

"You're always welcome." My dad enters the kitchen with a look on his face that means that he just talked to mom. Frowning at him, he ignores my looks and hobbles to the fridge. "Anyways, the game is at seven."

I can hear Jules nod on the other end. "Cool. I'll see if I can catch a ride with Max."

"He was with Seth last time I checked."

"Well, Uber it is then. See you guys later."

"Alright Jules. See ya." After hanging up, I can't keep focus on my homework so instead I rise and go to my dad who has settled in his chair. Standing by him, I watch him for a long time until he glances up at me. Flexing my hand, I say, "Why did she call this time?"

My dad sighs and puts his focus on the tv once again. "She's still my wife, Charlie, and your mother. She can call whenever she'd like."

"What did she want?"

He shrugs. "You can call her back if you want to talk."

"I'm asking you."

Dad turns to me quickly. "Cut back on the sass, Charlie."

Frowning, I take a seat on the couch. Trying to keep calm, I say, "She hasn't called in three weeks."

"I'm quite aware."

Sighing, "And?"

I watch as my dad tries his best to keep emotions at bay. "She wants you to visit," he eventually says but nothing more.

I crack my jaw. "Just me?"

He sighs as he flips through the channels. "Yes."

"When?"

Dad sighs again and gives me a look. "Charlie... Just let this go. We can speak later about this."

"No, we're talking now."

For the first time in a long time, he turns to me and threatens me like an actual father. "I'm telling you to drop this kid. If you want to hang out with your friends tonight, then you'll listen to me."

I study him for a moment before nodding. As much as we need to face our family qualms, I don't want us to fight over something that we can't even control. "When the game is over, we'll talk," I promise as I rise again. Waving his hand at me to dismiss me, I head back to the kitchen table.

Now really not being able to focus on math, I shove in headphones and scroll through instagram before the guys show up.