Charlie slowly released Heli, feeling like her hug combined with Bron’s logic might have given Heli something she needed. She moved closer to Bronte, holding her hand out for her to hold. They were both sad. She hated it so much.
"What if we let Drew decide if he wants to know?” Charlie asked. “If we explain that it’s dangerous and… and it might make things worse for him?” She chewed on her bottom lip nervously. “He’s already on Tony’s radar, he wouldn’t have mentioned him at the dinner if he wasn’t. ‘Cause agency is important right?” Charlie didn’t know where the line was, didn’t know if she was standing on it or if she’d already kicked a hole in it. “But yours is too Heli. I get why you don’t want to bring him into it. I really really do. But I think he could really help.” She shrugged helplessly. “Like I said though, I’ll do what you say.”
“Maybe he just wants to save the next time for when he’s sure?” she offered, but she didn’t like how it sounded the second it left her lips. “Make it more romantic?” It would hurt her feelings if she loved someone and they weren’t sure they loved her too. But Heli was dealing with the kind of relationship stuff that Charlie never had and probably wouldn’t for a bit. “You’re both going through a lot right now. He’ll say it again Heli.”
@brontefusco
Bronte took Charlie’s outstretched hand and laced their fingers together. She squeezed gently, more than a little happy for the support. She was too out of her depths here. This was not the kind of problem she had any experience with and it was pushing way too close to the fears she was supposed to tell herself were not rational. But they were happening.
Fortunately, Charlie knew what to do here. "I think Charlie’s right. Drew should be given a chance to know what the team might be facing. He can say no. He’s very good at knowing his own limits.” She was not going to turn this into a gushing session about her boyfriend, but he’d handled a lot over the last two weeks. In her opinion, he’d dealt with everything pretty well. There were reasons to trust him. It was in Heli’s hands whether she was willing to do that or not.
“Um,” Bronte cleared her throat, “If he said it once, he probably means it. I haven’t heard of him saying that to anyone. Ever. And I don’t think his dad or anyone says that a lot, so he probably doesn’t know like what’s a good frequency for it.” The fact that she was even giving him this much credit was a testament to how much she cared about her sister’s happiness. She would be fine if they never got serious because the prospect of being related to him was… weird. But she didn’t want Heli to doubt herself. “It’s a really big step for him, so give him a little time. Trust that he meant it and he’ll say it again when he’s ready.”
"I'm okay with that." Heli swallowed, still considering somehow even though she'd already said yes to how Charlie and Bronte wanted to bring Drew in. "I didn't think he had limits with you, Bronnie. I mean... Not anymore." She gave her sister a vague gesture to do the twin version of implying that they were living together now and had had a pregnancy scare. "But if that's hot for you guys, I'm really proud of you." She wasn't even teasing. Even if she had to crush her jealousy at the notion of having someone who was that clear, that complete in how much they loved her. Even Charlie, who was new at this too, had someone who was willing to try wholeheartedly. And then Charlie said it.
When. He’s. Sure.
Heli was known for her tantrums. Well, not tantrums exactly. Moments of "being obstinate," as her mother put it (which Heli misheard and repeated as "being obstlicanite," and her parents had figured that was close enough.) She'd stamp her foot and set her jaw, and anyone who knew her knew that there was no convincing her to change her mind. Nothing. And yet she couldn't muster ire for Charlie in this moment. Because she was right. Trip wasn't sure. He rarely was. And until recently, Heli always was. But what she was most sure of, always, was him.
Not about his feelings. But of how he made her feel. How his affection made her feel. How his indifference did too. But had it been indifference? Or just fear? She'd always been told she was fearless. Maybe in some small way she could show him how to be brave about more than just public sex. Maybe, someday, he would be the boy she'd never forget again, arguing with his father for her honor as if was something that existed. It made her feel like she was worth protecting. It was why she'd felt protected, even when Noah was being awful.
Because she knew, if she asked, Trip would be there. Whether they were having sex or not. So maybe, just maybe, she needed to ask.
Her smile wasn't forced. Just fraying around the edges. "We can go tell Drew. I'll be okay. I've decided it will be, so it will." She took a deep breath. "Thank you."
@charliebeaumonts
