Meant to Be

Chapter 17

"I know I wrote it in at least three letters but damn Bill, congratulations!" I pulled him into a hug and tapped him on the back twice. "I am so fucking proud of you!"

"Thank you!" He bowed his head for a second, thinking he could hide the fact that my complement made him blush. "Now," he clapped his hands together, "how about we get absolutely hammered!"

"I thought you'd never ask!" We each took a bottle and without even getting ourselves a glass we sat down on the sofa.

"So, what's up with you? How are your children?" He smugged.

"They're great. Can you believe that Aami is now fully confident about jumping in the air?" I said proudly.

"I knew you could do it! Any signs of him willing to fly?" He took a sip from his bottle.

"Nah." I shook my head. "I don't think that's going to happen."
"But he's happy and healthy, right?" Bill asked.

"Yeah. It's a she actually." I laughed. "Tina miscalculated something."

"Aww, you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie!" He beamed at me.

"Who would've thought! It's a miracle!" I joked.

We both fell silent for a few moments and I decided to take a leap of faith and tell him about Rhylee. I was getting desperate and the feeling in my chest, the feeling of me being helpless was killing me.

"I have to tell you something." I took a swig. "You remember the party in August?" Bill hummed to indicate he was following what I was saying. "I slept with Rhylee."

Just saying it out loud in front of him made me want to gulp down the entire bottle. I hated that my wireless broke down as it was suddenly too silent for my liking.

"I knew it would happen!" Bill jumped in his seat, turning to me. "I am proud of you little brother. Finally making a move."

"She told Nick." I lifted my hand to stop his excitement.

"You're joking?" He frowned.

"And he said that he would forgive her as long as she stops talking to me." I sighed. I was not drunk enough to have this conversation.

"And let me guess..." Bill pinched his nose. "She did and she's still with him." I simply nodded.

"Charlie, why am I only hearing about this now?" He raised his voice at me.

"Because I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone what happened between us and I never thought it would go this far," I answered truthfully.

"This far?"

"I don't know what's going on with her, Bill. Usually, I could read her like a book but I just can't seem to figure her out. She distanced herself from everybody. She doesn't talk to any of us. She lost weight which means she's not eating and she always looks as if she's on the verge of tears." I don't think one bottle of Whiskey's going to be enough for me to ignore the aching feeling in my chest.

"Charlie, you have to tell her how you feel. She can't stay with him. Nobody deserves to be so woeful." He took a sip of his Fire Whiskey and melted into my sofa.

"I can't, Bill. Would it be strange if I say that I think she's enjoying her suffering?" Bill lifted his head, a puzzled look on his face.

"That doesn't make any sense, Charlie." Bill shook his head in confusion.

"I didn't think about it at first. But I know she's not happy with him and it doesn't make any sense why she would stay. I have been going at it in my head for weeks." I clinked my bottle against his to remind him that he's is not drinking nearly as much as I am.