Chapter 6: New Beginnings
Charlee woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee and the sound of Kane humming in the kitchen. She blinked, disoriented for a moment, before the events of the previous day came rushing back. The meeting with Liam, the raw honesty, and Kane’s unexpected but comforting presence. She sat up, running a hand through her tousled hair, and glanced at the clock. It was later than she usually slept, but for the first time in weeks, she felt rested.
She padded into the kitchen, where Kane was flipping pancakes with surprising ease. He looked up and grinned when he saw her. “Morning, firecracker. Sleep well?”
“Surprisingly, yes,” she admitted, leaning against the counter. “Since when do you cook?”
He shrugged, flipping a pancake onto a plate. “I have hidden talents. Besides, I figured you could use a decent breakfast after yesterday.”
Charlee smiled, taking the plate he handed her. “Thanks. This is… nice.”
They ate in comfortable silence, the tension of the past few days easing into something softer, more familiar. As she sipped her coffee, Charlee found herself studying Kane—the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the way he seemed so at ease in her space. It was strange, how quickly he’d become a part of her life, but she couldn’t deny that she liked having him around.
“So,” he said, breaking the silence, “what’s the plan for today? You hiding out here again, or are we finally going to face the world?”
Charlee set her cup down, considering his question. “I think… I think I’m ready to stop hiding. But I’m not sure where to start.”
Kane leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “How about we start small? A walk in the park, maybe? Get some fresh air, clear your head.”
She raised an eyebrow. “A walk in the park? That’s your big plan?”
He grinned. “Hey, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Besides, you’ve been cooped up in here for days. A little sunshine might do you some good.”
Charlee couldn’t argue with that. “Alright,” she said, standing up. “A walk it is. But if anyone recognizes me and starts asking questions, you’re on damage control.”
Kane stood, grabbing his jacket. “Deal. But just so you know, I’m not above causing a scene if it means getting you out of a tight spot.”
She laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Somehow, I don’t doubt that.”
The park was bustling with activity, the crisp autumn air filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter. Charlee kept her sunglasses on, her scarf pulled up to hide her face, but she couldn’t help feeling a sense of freedom as they walked. It was the first time in weeks she’d been out in public without feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
Kane walked beside her, his hands in his pockets, his presence steady and reassuring. “See?” he said, glancing at her. “Not so bad, right?”
Charlee nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “It’s… nice. I forgot what it felt like to just be outside, not worrying about what everyone thinks.”
“Good,” he said, his tone firm. “Because you shouldn’t have to. What happened with Liam, the scandal—it doesn’t define you. You’re still Charlee Sullivan, and that’s more than enough.”
She looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. “You really believe that, don’t you?”
“I do,” he said without hesitation. “And if you don’t believe it yet, I’ll keep reminding you until you do.”
Charlee felt a warmth spread through her chest, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. “You’re something else, you know that?”
He grinned, that familiar spark of mischief in his eyes. “So I’ve been told.”
They walked in silence for a while, the easy rhythm of their steps matching the calm that had settled between them. For the first time in what felt like forever, Charlee felt like she could breathe. Like maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.
As they rounded a bend in the path, Charlee’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her stomach sinking as she saw the name on the screen: Dad.
Kane noticed her hesitation. “You going to answer that?”
Charlee took a deep breath, then hit answer. “Hi, Dad.”
“Charlee,” her father’s voice was stern, but there was an underlying warmth she hadn’t heard in a while. “We need to talk. Can you come by the house?”
She glanced at Kane, who gave her a small nod of encouragement. “Alright,” she said. “I’ll be there in an hour.”
As she hung up, Kane raised an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I guess I’m about to find out.”
Kane squeezed her shoulder, his touch reassuring. “Whatever it is, you’ve got this. And if you need backup, you know where to find me.”
Charlee smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude. “Thanks, Kane. For everything.”
He grinned, his tone light but sincere. “Anytime, firecracker. Anytime.”
As they left the park, Charlee felt a flicker of hope. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, she felt ready to face it. And with Kane by her side, she knew she wouldn’t have to do it alone.