Montana Mansion

The Next Day

Charlene's POV:

I woke up the next morning on the couch up in "Gypsy Cove". As I looked around it appeared that everyone else was asleep. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that Philby was missing. "Good boy," I breathed. Jess, Amanda and Willa -- probably at the sisters insistence -- were missing as well. Finn was sprawled out next to me on the floor and Maybeck, sweet Maybeck, was laying quietly on his back right next to the window. I sighed. This whole mess had started because of Maybeck.

That's why I had told Philby that I loved him. I was eleven and stupid. I had a crush on Maybeck but I figured that he'd never feel the same so I pretended I loved Philby. And then I found out that Willa loved Philby. So Philby and I had made that agreement. That's why I didn't want to kiss Philby last night. Because I knew that his passion for me would shine through and Willa would see it. And I couldn't do that to her.

I stepped carefully over Finn and walked over to Maybeck. I laid beside him, propped up on my elbow. Gently, I shook him. His eyes snapped open and I pressed a finger to my lips, begging him to be quiet. He was. 

"How long have you known?" I whispered.

Maybeck sighed, propping himself up on his elbow as well. "Since I overheard you and Philby yesterday morning."

"You were eavesdropping?" I hissed.

He shivered. "Yes and I wish I hadn't. Those kisses up your neck, that moan, ugh." he gagged. "I'm going to need therapy."

"You heard that?!"

"You better believe it," he nodded, collapsing his head back onto his folded arms.