Saving Charlie

Chapter 4

"Boyfriend?" I asked, confused.

Thinking she's confusing my love life with another nurse from the hospital.

When she looked at Braxton and back to me, my eyes widened.

"Where exactly?" Braxton responds, before Allison can answer my question and my mouth drops.

"Oh, he's not my boyfriend." I stated in a rush, embarrassed.

"He's my grandfather's business partner." I repeated, knowing I had pointed that out earlier in the introduction.

"I'll still accompany you and make sure you get home safely." He stated, his eyes locked on mine. I don't know how to reply.

My mouth opens and closes a few times before the waitress comes with our drink order, giving me time to collect my thoughts. I don't want Braxton to have drinks with my friends and coworkers. They'll assume we're together, just like Allison did. I feel Braxton's eves on me but I still don't know what to say.

He leans in closer and I immediately lean away from him.

He stops instantly, not before I see the look of frustration flash in his eyes.

"If you don't want me to come, I won't." He offers, quietly.

I glance at grandfather who is engaging Allison in conversation about where she grew up.

He's giving me an out, he knows I'm uncomfortable. My heartbeat picks up because of the words I'm going to say.

"It's okay. You can come if you want, but you don't have to. I can get myself home." I stated, giving him a small smile.

I feel bad for my reaction to him.

He's only looking out for my well-being.

Yet, I treat him like he's carrying the plague.

His eyes warmed and I looked away, taking a drink of my ice water. He's always cautious and moves slowly around me. I know he understands and tries not to frighten me and I'm indebted to him. I just don't like the sympathy, I already feel weak and damaged.

Tenderness from such a strong man as Braxton only serves to intensify those feelings. My grandfather told me he mentioned my past to Braxton.

This was the only time I didn't mind someone knowing about the incident.

My cold reaction and jumpy behavior towards him is inexhaustible and I'm glad he knows its not intentional. Stirring the ice in my glass with my straw, I can't stop thinking about tomorrow. It's making me jittery. I hear Allison and grandpa still talking.

I'm about to listen in when I feel a light touch on my hand causing me to jump slightly.

Braxton's eyes burned into mine, "Stop making yourself anxious. It'll be fine." He says, assuringly.

"Sorry." I apologize, knowing he's right. I mentally shook my head.

I know Braxton is trustworthy. It's time I started treating him as such.

He nodded once and let the subject drop, joining in on the discussion. I listen quietly and add very little to the constant chatter. Lunch is served and I watch my grandfather pick at his salad, barely eating any of it.

He notices my appraisal, "It tastes like a foot." He complains, making me laugh.

When lunch is over, I almost sigh in relief. Allison is attracted to Braxton, she keeps batting her eyelashes and smiling at everything he says. It's not that I mind, but it's so blatantly obvious I'm embarrassed for her. I wish she had waited until tomorrow to act like a giggling teenager.

Grandpa is amused, he keeps looking at me and smirking.

I'm not really sure if it's Allison's behavior that's amusing him or Braxton's reaction.

Braxton seems to be irritated with her, but covering it well. I've never seen him be rude to anyone before. He's the silent type not to talk most times, an incredible listener with impeccable manners. Allison must've asked him twenty questions throughout lunch and he answered every one of them calmly. I've seen Braxton deflect a woman's attention before, he does it flawlessly.

However, Allison is not taking the hint.

We stand to leave and grandpa puts his arm around my shoulders, leaning down, he whispers in my ear.

"You should help your friend out."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Honey, she's making a fool out of herself. Tell her Braxton's not interested," he urged.

I groaned, not wanting to get involved. We walk outside and I see Allison's excitement as she's waiting to be asked out.

"Why don't you two head back without me? I need to talk to Allison." I told them.

Braxton shakes his head no, adding, "We'll wait for you in the car. It was nice meeting you, Allison."

Braxton states, holding the door open for grandpa and getting in after him.

I watch her disappointment as her hopes of getting a date with Braxton slowly die.

"I really thought he'd ask me out." She says, looking longingly at the car.

"About that." I respond.

Her eyes snap at me. "You think you can set us up?" She asks, excitedly.

"No, sorry. I'm afraid I don't know Braxton very well. But, my grandpa does. He just told me..uh," I don't want to say, "He's not interested in you." that seems too mean.

So instead, I said, "He doesn't date much." I stated, trying to explain.

She laughs. "I don't mind the 'no dating' type. I bet once with him is worth it." She says, winking suggestively.

"Well, I'm seeing him again tomorrow. Maybe I can convince him." She replies, giddy. Smiling and shrugging awkwardly, I replied, "Yeah, maybe."

I'm staying out of this one.

If he's not interested, he's going to have to tell her.

"I better get going. I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"Yep, bye." She responds, walking away happily. I start back to the car and Braxton gets out holding the door open for me.

"Thanks." I stated, automatically.

"You're welcome."

I climb in and he slides in after me. When his large thigh presses into mine, I lean away from him, but contact is unavoidable.

As we pull away from the curb, grandpa asks, "Allison seemed to take Braxton's lack of interest well. You did tell her he wasn't interested, right?"

I wince. "Um, no. I couldn't. It felt mean. So, I told her that he doesn't date."

Grandpa laughs. "What did she say?"

"That she was seeing him tomorrow..that she'd try and convince him." I answered, whispering the last bit and shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Knowing it won't go over well.

Braxton groans and I lean away from him further.

"You could've said I was seeing someone." He murmurs, unhappily.

"Sorry." I replied, wringing my hands together.

"I didn't know you were. She also might've thought I was implying you liked one-night stands." I added, grimacing.

My grandfather's head goes back and his laugh fills the car as I hear Braxton growl under his breath, "Oh, I see someone."