Aftershock: A Charity McAdams Novella Read Online Free

be.”
    “Wow, well remind me to buy her a thank you gift!” He says with a laugh. He wipes off his hands and then reaches across the table to take mine. “In all seriousness, I’m happier than you can even imagine and I promise it’s going to be amazing.”
    I nod, my eyes starting to tear up, hoping with every fiber of my being that he is right.
     

Chapter Five
    “Cherry, ya almost ready to go?” Brandon calls up the stairs.
    I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Apparently we’re that couple now. Guy downstairs, pacing by the front door, waiting impatiently. Girl upstairs, primping in the bathroom, not quite sure if she is ready yet.
    I sigh and flick off the lights and stand still in the darkness for a moment. Steadying myself, I take a deep breath before turning to leave and go downstairs. It’s not that I don’t want to see his family, I do. I think my hesitation comes from not wanting to leave this comfortable little bubble we’ve been living in for the past month, where it’s just us and no other…complications.
    Brandon lets out an appreciative whistle when I get to the bottom of the stairs. “Worth the wait,” he says, grinning.
    I laugh and look down. After a few outfit changes I had decided to wear dark wash jeans with my black boots and a red top that has some sparkly details on the front and side.
    “I’m not sure this is really a whistle-worthy outfit, but thank you,” I say with a smile.
    “You ready for this?” He asks as he helps me into my jacket.
    I nod. “Yep!”
    He kisses my forehead. “Thank you so much for doing this,” he says his voice thick with emotion. “It really means a lot to me and to my family.”
    “I’m looking forward to it. I’m sorry I made such a big deal about it before.”
    “It’s alright, I understand.” He takes my hand and we head out the front doors.
    His parents live just across town so it only takes a few minutes to arrive. As we pull in the driveway a whole wave of emotions wash over me. It’s been years since I was last here but I can still remember everything. It was the night before the wedding. His parents had hosted a big BBQ for everyone in the wedding party and both sides of the family as our casual rehearsal dinner.
    The night it all fell apart.
    Even though we’re back together again, the memories of the past can still sting. Things are different now and we can never go back and be those people, we can never have the life we were planning back then.
    Brandon reaches over and squeezes my hand, as if sensing my unease, or perhaps feeling some of his own. I glace over at him with a small, nervous smile. We look at each other for a long moment, not saying anything.
    “It’s going to be okay,” he reassures.
    I nod and he gives me a quick kiss before getting out of the car and coming around to open my door. He takes me by the hand and we walk up the driveway together.
    We hardly set one foot on the porch before the front door swings open and his mom, Sandy, steps out. “Charity!” She exclaims, before wrapping me into a warm embrace. She feels small in my arms and I can tell she has lost quite a bit of weight since the last time I had seen her. I figure it’s from the cancer or the medication she is taking. “I am so happy you’re here,” she says quietly into my ear.
    “I’m happy to be here,” I say as we break apart. I can see tears in her eyes and I feel myself start to tear up too.
    She pats my arm gives me one last look before she turns to Brandon and reaches up to hug him. I watch his face as he holds her for a moment. He is holding her like she’s made of glass. And although he is smiling, I can see the hurt in his eyes. He’s more worried about her than he’s letting on. I can tell that watching her fight off the cancer and push through her recovery has taken an emotional toll on him.
    Sandy ushers us into the house and as I stand in the living room, I have another group of memories flash through my mind. I soak