Read Online Afterthoughts: A Charity McAdams Novella (The Charity McAdams Novellas) by Elizabeth Storme - Free Book Online

and then other things are worse than expected. It’s nice to be back here though, I’ve missed it, for a lot of different reasons,” he answers, he turns his face to meet my gaze and there is no mistaking what he meant by that comment.
    I can feel myself start to blush. Unsure of how to respond, I turn my eyes back to watc hing the ground in front of me.
    We walk in silence for another few minutes before we arrive at Ashley’s house. Her car is not in the driveway, which means she is still out or on her way back. I br eathe a sigh of relief that she’s not here to fin d Brandon and me together. She’ s my best friend and I know that she supports me, no matter what, but I also know she has very strong opinions in regards to Brandon and she doe sn’t want me to get hurt again.
    Not that I am doing anything that will lead to me being hurt again. It’s just dinner , I remind myself silently.
    “Alright, let me take her in and get her cleaned up a little and then we can go to my place,” I direct, reaching for the leash. “It’s not too far from here.”
    Brandon gives me the leash, brushing my fingertips in the process, sending another little pack of butter flies to fly around my stomach.
    “I guess I’ll stay here,” he says, taking a seat on the front steps.
    I realize that he is p robably only inches away from where I sat when I was on the phone with Jam es only a couple of hours ago . I push away the thought and turn to go inside. I shut the front door behind me and lean back against it, letting out a pent up sigh. “Get it together, McAdams,” I whisper to myself.
    I give myself a little shake and roll my shoulders back before starting to wipe at Maci with the doggy towel Ashley leaves by the front door. Most of the mu d is dried on her fur so there’ s not a lot I can get off with the dry towel. With another sigh I decide I’ll need to give her a bath if I want to get her completely cleaned up. I glace at my watch and then nervously look back to the front door. In all reality, Ashley could be home at any minute and I can only imagine her reaction if she finds Brandon on h er front steps.
    I really would hate to call the cops on my best friend.
    I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Ashley. She answers on the third ring.
    “Hey Charity, what’s up?”
    “Hey, I just got back from the park with Maci, we had a little mishap and she needs a bath. I just - uh - wanted to see where you keep the doggy shampoo?” I improvise.
    “Tell me it isn’t skunk! I cannot deal with that again!” She pleads.
    “No, no, nothing quite that heinous,” I assure her, wrinkling my nose as I remember the skunk fiasco from a couple years ago. “Just a little muddy.”
    “ Thank God! That shampoo should be in the cupboard under the sink in the bathroom. D id you already look there?” Ashley says.
    “No, not yet , we just got back,” I explain.
    “Ok, well it should be there, if not, try the laundry room.”
    “So, are you still in the city?” I prompt.
    “No, I’m still on the way.” S he sighs. “Traffic was a little crazy but I’m on the highway now, should be back i n the next twenty minutes or so. I f you want to wait I can help you with Maci, she can be a bit of a pain when it comes to bath time.”
    “Oh, no!” I exclaim, a little too loudly. “No, I don’t need help. I’ll have her all done before you get back. In fact, you should stop and get a coffee on your way, you’ve had a long day and it sounds like you’ll have a long night ahead of you.” I fumble as I start to pull at Maci’s collar to drag her upstairs to the bathroom and end up dropping my phone. There is a loud bang as it hits the floor and I swear before grabbing it back up to my ear again.
    “Charity, are you ok? What’s going on?” Ashley asks, sounding alarmed.
    “I’m fine,” I insist. “Just dropped the phone.”
    The front door opens behind me and Maci starts barking and rips out of my grip. The nylon collar burns