Chapter 8

“But you broke up.”

He shook his head. “I’m not giving up that easy. Charlie’s it for me. Maybe he doesn’t feel the same, I don’t know. Whether he does or not, it doesn’t change how I feel. And if I did anything with you, there’d never be a chance to makes things right with him.”

Carl nodded. “Okay. I understand. I’m disappointed and think Charlie doesn’t know how lucky he is, but I get it.” He smiled and tilted his head toward the coffeemaker. “Still want that coffee?”

“Sure. And I’d better check my voice mail. I turned off my phone at Buddy’s.” He fished the cell phone out of his front pocket as Carl poured them both coffee.

He only had one message, but it was an important one.

Charlie.5

When Noah arrived at the park the next day a few minutes before two in the afternoon, he found Charlie sitting on a bench

Noah’s heart leapt and pounded so hard he thought his chest might explode. He prayed whatever Charlie wanted to see him about was good news. For him. For them.