Cleats and Tiaras

Chapter 1 Part 3

“Earth to Char?” Joey’s voice broke Charlie from the cherished memory. She turned to look at him in confusion, only to find that he had already entered the hunter green bronco. The grin plastered across Joey’s face caused Charlie to blush. She rushed to the passenger side of the bronco and climbed in.

“ Sorry,” Charlie said sheepishly. “I was thinking about the day that we met Grampa Earl and got the bronco.” She told Joey. He smiled over at her as he recalled that fateful day.

“Char I still mean what I said back then. You and Charles put as much work and money into this bronco as Dad and I did. If you want it all you have to do is say the word.” He reminded her. Charlie shook her head.

“No, it feels right that you have it. This was my father’s best friend’s car and now it is my best friend’s car. It was meant to be that way, I am sure of it.”

“You know I hate when you call the Beast a car. It's a truck, Charlie, not a car.” Joey said in exasperation. He turned the key and the engine turned over as if it were a brand new vehicle.

“Show me the bed.” Was the only reply that she gave him. Joey shifted the bronco into reverse to back out of the parking lot.

“s**t!” he cursed as someone in a beat up dakota almost smashed the rear end of the bronco. Thankfully his quick reflexes allowed him to slam the brakes and avoid the collision. Charlie smashed her eyes shut as the panic began to set in. Her mind was filled with the smell of smoke, sirens, people around her shouting, her mother unconscious…

A hand grasped hers firmly and gave it a squeeze. Charlie opened her eyes to find her best friend staring at her, concern evident on his face. After a few deep breaths Charlie calmed herself. It had gotten easier through the years, but her PTSD from the crash was still very much alive.

“I’m okay.” she said. Joey leaned over and gave her an awkward hug, managing to keep his foot on the brake and avoid the gear shift. For a moment Charlie let herself sink into his embrace. She knew that she needed to break her dependance on Joey, but in these moments she couldn’t deny herself his calming presence. Joey pulled away and resumed vacating the parking space. Thankfully, there were no more near misses. Neither teen said a word on the short drive to Charlie’s home. Charlie could easily walk to the stadium that sat beside their school, and had when Joey was sick or with one of his girlfriends, but for the most part Joey would make sure that he picked her up on the way. It was easy because they shared most of their extracurricular activities. The only thing Charlie did without Joey by her side was choir, Joey would find some reason to stay after school until practice was finished.

As the bronco pulled into her grandfather’s driveway she noticed two vehicles that were not normally present. The first, a new red 2022 Chevrolet Equinox that belonged to Aunt Maddie, and a faded blue Ford 150 that she didn’t recognize.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Joey growled. He apparently knew who the driver of the ford was.

“Wait, who is here? Also did you know your mom was coming over?” Charlie questioned him.

“No, I didn’t.” After a moment it became obvious that Joey would not offer anymore information. He slowed the vehicle to a stop and set the e-brake. The two exited the bronco and headed for the door. Charlie could tell that Joey was tense. Something was really bothering him about this mystery driver being here. She wracked her brain, but could not come up with a single theory. Joey was never like this. He got along with everyone, unless they taunted or hurt her. Only Savannah seemed to be the exception. Whether he truly liked her that much or he honestly didn’t catch the comments that she threw Charlie’s way was unknown. The only thing that mattered was that Joey seemed happy with Savannah and Charlie would never get between him and his happiness.

Charlie paused at the top of the steps on the wrap around porch that her grandfather had built. Along both sides of the stairway were flowers that her mother had painstakingly chosen and planted. The floral scent was almost untraceable as the fall was pushing the flowers towards their dormant states, but still it filled her heart with joy knowing she had been able to keep her mother’s garden flourishing.

“Are you ready to figure out what the heck is going on?” Charlie asked Joey. He simply offered her a curt nod. The look on his face was one that she had never seen before. Before she could question him further he nudged her forward. Taking the hint Charlie opened the door.

“Grandpa, I’m home. We won! It was the most intense moment ever, I wish you had been there to see it.” Charlie yelled as she made her way to the living room, Joey following behind her. As she turned the corner and crossed the threshold she saw James sitting on the couch with her grandfather. Charlie stopped in her tracks at the sight of Joey’s best friend and her teammate causing Joey to plow into her from behind. With a small squeak she began to stumble before Joey caught her.

“Why are you here James?” Joey growled as soon as he was sure Charlie had found her footing.

“Joseph! You were raised better than that.” Aunt Maddie scolded him. “James is a guest in Charles’ home and you will not speak to him like that. Honestly, if I didn’t see him around almost as much as Charlie I would believe you hated the poor boy.” Joey looked to the floor, but the fire in his eyes still burned.

“I’m not sure what is going on, but you better get going. You know Savannah will lose her mind if you are late for homecoming. I, for one, do not want to deal with that tonight. She always blames me when you screw up.” Charlie said to her best friend. He looked at her as if she were committing the ultimate betrayal before turning and storming off. She stared after him dumbfounded. What in the world is going on with him? We just won the game, I set a new record, he should be happy.

“Are you two okay?” Charles asked her. Charlie shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t sure if her best friend was angry with her, and if he was why.

“He is probably just mad that the limelight is on Charlie. Mr. Captain can’t stand not being the hero of the game.” James joked. The tension in the room eased a fraction.

“Well Charles, let’s go get things ready and give these two a minute.” Aunt Maddie said. Grandpa looked as if he just ate a lemon but didn’t protest. The pair walked towards the kitchen whispering conspiratorially.

“Okay, that was weird.” Charlie muttered. “So why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with the guys deciding who you are going to try to dance with since you guys are all going stag?” she asked James. He cleared his throat as his face reddened.