Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 27

Ryan's eyes narrow on mine silently measuring my comment and he steps back glaring at me. His voice low and vexed. "You're in love with Charlie? My wife? Seriously Baxter?! She's my wife! Carrying my baby!"

"I don't..." Fuck! I can't! I can't do that to him. "Ryan she's yours, man. I'm not going there, I swear."

"Damn right you aren't! Charlie is mine, Baxter. Don't ruin our friendships because you care about her." Ryan growls angrily at me. Fuck! What did I do?

"I know that, Ryan. I'm not stepping over you. I wouldn't do that to you." I defend myself. "I care about Charlie yes, I care about Natalie. They're your family, man. Of course, I care about them."

"But you aren't in love with Nat, because you're in love with Charlie." Ryan's face says everything. I'm so fucked! "Aren't you?"

"Of course not!" I know I can't be. I know that's not the reason why I'm hesitating on taking the next step with Nat. It can't be, Ryan will kill me. Not just for having feelings for Charlie but for hurting Nat. "Look, I'm leaving tomorrow for Paris, Ryan. I won't be here for Natalie to lean on." I explain trying to figure out what I should do. What's best for all of us is for me to disappear for a while. Do I leave to help Charlie or do I take care of the one that has always been my girl?

"I don't need you to take care of me, Baxter. Don't worry I'm fine without you." We turn around to fine Natalie and Charlie standing there. Charlie has her arms wrapped around Natalie. I can see the tears in her eyes despite the hard tone of her voice. God, how much did they hear?

"Sweetheart, you're not fine. I saw the look on your face and..." She slaps my hand aside and drinks my tequila. I try to reach for her again but she steps back and glares at me. She heard us, I know it just from that hurt look on her face. "Natalie, I want to be here for you. I want you to talk to me."

"I'm fine! I don't need you, I don't think I actually want you here for me. Take care of Charlie and do your job Baxter, that's all that's important." Natalie turns to walk away, but turns back to me. "I'm not gonna be here waiting for you when you get back. I want you to be happy Baxter, it's just not with me."

I could feel my stomach rise to my throat as I watch her walk away grabbing the bottle of tequila on her way and chugging it down like it's water. I know she's beyond angry right now. I know she's hurting and scared. I know there's more than I know happening to her and I have no idea how to make this better. I fucked up so bad and I've lost her and possibly Ryan. Taking a deep breath I release it slowly and drop my head to my chest. How badly have I really fucked this up?

"She's hurting inside and scared, Baxter. You have to break through her walls if you really want to help her. It's not gonna be easy or simple, but you have to try." Charlie says holding onto my arm as stopped me from going after Nat. "I know you're just concerned about me, I know you're doing your job, but it's not love. I know you love Natalie, she doesn't."

I look down at this beautiful bride and know she's been in Natalie's shoes. She gets how she's feeling and what she needs. "How do I do that? How can be here for her when I'm on a plane in the morning to see your mom, Charlie? I booked this flight thinking Natalie was fine, but she isn't. How do I take care of both of you?"

Charlie wraps her arms around me and hugs me. It's then I can feel that her body has changed. She has just the slightest bump of her belly. The baby is growing fast inside her. I have to take this trip so that this baby is safe. I have to go so both Charlie and Natalie are finished with Layton once and for all. There's no choice for me, I'm the only one that can do this. The problem is if I do leave it just might cost me Nat and when I get back it might have cost me Ryan.