Love Bites

Chapter 15 - I Get Lost

- Hello, who's that? - Charlie breathed out in the receiver. The continuous pause between her words and the answer put batterflies in her stomach.

What she didn't know that Duff was feeling the same in another corner o the town. He was biting his lower lip, winding the phone wire up on his finger and fidgeting in his place. He knew Charlie could shout at him, tell him to fuck off, hang up, keep silent - anything. However, he tried, using all the strenght he had, and made himself murmur in the set:

- Hi Charlie...

- Hey, I said who's that? I am not talking to strangers!

- It's Duff McKagan.

He wasn't quite sure why he added his last name like a goddamn school boy. He blushed a little even though he knew she could not see him.

- Oh, nice. What in the world do you want?

- Just wanted to talk to you. I caught myself thinking I'm starting to forget your voice.

Charlie felt a sudden urge to act bitchy, like she imagined every other girl with a cheating boyfriend to, but she had no clue how to do it. And, also...What if he rings off and never calls her again?

- Oh, I see...

- Yeah...Tiny, I guess I've been missing you.

These several words were so short and familiar but they really made Charlie's heart beat faster. Maybe he was not faking, after all. Maybe everything he said was sincere and true.

...And maybe not?

- Well, okay...

- I think we could meet up one afternoon somewhere in the town...You know, just to see each other and chat.

Charlie's heart and guts were all like "yeah, yeah", but her mind hinted that it wasn't perhaps a very good idea. All in all, she doubted she could fully trust him now, because if he has betrayed her one time, almost nothing stops him from doing it for the second time.

Duff was sitting straight on the edge of the sofa, chain smoking and feeling like somebody, say, Steven was by his side, elbowing him and telling not to give up. That pretty much was the reason why he didn't throw the receiver away and walk out. He felt truly sorry for what happened between him and Bobbie, it was like he did that in a kind of dream or something like that, and somehow he was sure Charlie was going to understand and forgive him. He became weirdly attached to her, that funny red-haired waitress girl.

- Probably you're right, - something in Charlie answered for her, but she caught it quickly and changed her tone, - but you know, I am very busy, working all week...I am afraid I won't be able to make it, - she late her inner coward self speak. It's better to see there in her own shell, eat doughnuts, wear sweatpants and have nightmares about dyig alone and witnessing Duff's wedding to a drop-dead gorgeous model later that year.

- Dammit, Charlotte, are you like, shaking in your shoes? - Duff exclaimed annoyedly, spiting on the floor, - see, no need to panick, I won't even say a word if you don't want me to! It's just that I want to talk...I have something to say.

- Go ahead, tell me now. I really don't think I should bother you with my presence just for the sake of a couple of words, - she replied sarcastically, irritated by his way of speaking, - plus, I'm convinced Bobbie is not going to like that. If you don't know, girls don't love being two-timed!

- What the fuck...- Duff blurted, throwing away the ciagrette butt that was already burning his fingers and looking athe the handset as if it's just biten him.

- Oh, you're too shit scared, aren't you? Good God, go, say what you want! I am not going to faint! Have you knocked her up? My congratulations, but I'm not going to be the godmother!

She spat ut the words so quickly and aggressively it could be thought they burnt her tongue. After finishing the last sentence, she took a deep breathe and stared at the receiver.

- Hey...- he whispered in the set, - is that all? Have you spoken your mind? I will be waiting at your Johnny tommorow at five. Is it okay?

- Yeah, - Charlie made herself say in an undertone, weakening in the armchair, - I will be there.

Duff waited for her to hang up first but she never did that, so he had to put the set away. He felt like a he had a load taken off his shoulders.

Charlie curled in her seat. Her hands were shaken slightly, but she knew she was doing right. She had to admit she was wrong and confused sometimes, so she better follow her heart. Anything is better than blasting The Smiths and Joy Division for hours and drinking hot chocolate cup by cup all weekend.

__________________________

♪ Eric Clapton - I Get Lost

Author's note: I know this chapter is shorter than usual, but I couldn't wait to get 'em back together. Also, I wanted to mention that I will go back to college in September, so the updates will probably be rarer.

Anyway, read, comment, vote!