Hostile Resolve - BK3 TPBS 1st Draft Complete

-2-

Not edited.

"You need to tell him."

Josie sighed. Her brother was becoming annoying in the worst possible way. Giving his opinion about her son's father was crossing over lines that shouldn't be crossed.

"Has he changed?"

"Come on sis, you didn't see the look on his face when.."

"I didn't ask that Charlie. I asked if he's changed?" She turned from the sink to lean back on it with her arms crossed. A subconscious move to offer herself some protection from anything to do with him.

"Changed... how?"

With an exasperated voice Josie answered his question.

"Is he still cold to everyone? Has he made new friends? Does he still drink himself stupid when he goes into town?"

"Oh come on sis, you aren't giving him a chance!"

"Wow... and there was me thinking you were my brother" she sarcastically replied.

"I am."

"Then show it!"

Charlie stood up from the table and walked to his sister. With a sigh he took her by the shoulders and brought her in for a hug.

"I'm worried about you. You aren't as happy as you used to be unless you're playing with Nick."

"I appreciate your worry but I have to do this my way. I don't know if I can go back to the way things were. He controlled everything I did. From the clothes I wore to..."

"You're not the same person any more Jos. You're stronger."

"I may be different Charlie but he's still the same. I can't go back to that. I know what life's like without him controlling me..."

"If any one can change him then you can."

"I don't know if I want to try... and what about Nicholas?"

"What about him?"

"What if he tries to take him away from me?"

"Won't happen." Charlie didn't voice the fact that Grayson could very well choose to try. The day Josie walked away Grayson closed himself off further than he ever had before. There was no doubt in his mind that Grayson's heart was dead. He missed his friend.

"I have to tell you something sis."

"What?"

"What Gray did... the kiss," Josie grimaced "I did that too. Similar but in fact I knew that it wasn't my girlfriend at the time."

"Charlie you didn't! That poor girl."

"She forgave me sis. I didn't think I deserved it but she forgave me and then I married her."

Josie looked at Charlie in shock. "Penny?"

"Yep. That's how I know everyone should have a second chance" he paused "look, all I'm asking is that you give it some thought. If nothing else he deserves to know he has a son."

Josie walked away and sighed "I won't decide anything just yet... but I will think about it."

"That's all I ask."