Free Her Charming Secret by Sam Ayers

dropped Rachel off that night, she asked him in for coffee and he couldn’t say no.
    “Alex, what are we?” She asked, suddenly.
    “I’m sorry, what?”
    “What . . . are . . . we, Alex? Are we dating?”
    He smirked. “I’m pretty sure we are, Rachel; after all, it would be strange if all I had done was taken you out to dinner all this while for no reason.” He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that this would turn out bad.
    “No Alex, are we dating as in,  exclusively  dating?”
    He gulped. “Rachel . . . I . . . I . . . um.”
    She had looked at him, hurt so clear in her eyes. “I am falling in love with you, Alex Reid, so tell me this now: do you love me too?”
    He decided to come clean, “Rachel . . . I like you, but I don’t think I will ever fall in love with you. I’m sorry.”
    She was quiet for a while – which seemed like a really long time for Alex – but realizing what just happened, she replied, “Sorry? SORRY!? You break my heart and say sorry? Get out, Alex! I don’t want to see you ever again!”
    And with a stinging slap to the face she kicked him out.
     
    After that, Rachel had gone to Vancouver for some medical internship and Gabe started giving Alex the evil eye every time they met. How was he supposed to explain to them that all he had wanted to do was not hurt Rachel by leading her on? He had left her so she could move on and find a better man. While there were many who desired him, he didn’t think there was anyone but his family that just loved him.
    Shaking his head, he pulled out of his morbid thoughts and got in his car. He drove off to his Uncle’s place to face the old terror!
    This is gonna be fun! Oh Yeah! You just wait, Pierre. I’m coming! He smirked at that thought.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    - Chapter 7 -
     
     
    Nostalgic Memories
     
     
     
    Ashton was pacing the living room, thinking about the trouble his grandfather had caused as soon as he stepped foot in the house. He was still arguing with Nicholas.  Where was Alex when they really needed him? Was he still mad at him for not picking Aubrey up?  Well, Ashton couldn’t explain that he’d injured himself during the soccer practice and couldn’t walk all the way to her school. And his phone’s battery was dead. Too many difficulties, and by the time he reached her school she was gone. What Alex did to Ashton was worse! He forgot him in a freaking supermarket when he was ten. And he stayed there till his dad found out that he was missing and came to pick him up.
    Ashton dropped onto the couch with his hands covering his face. Aubrey, who was playing nearby, sat next to him and he looked up to see her grinning.
    “Is everything alright, Ash? Are you upset that Aidey didn’t come home?” She asked and Ashton sighed. Aiden was Aubrey’s world! She spoke only about him. He wished that their brother decided to come home soon.
    “No Aubrey, I’m waiting for Alex, where the hell is he?”
    “I’m here, you moron!” Alex called standing near the door. “Why the heck are you so nervous? What did the old man do now?” He asked as he dropped his bag down.
    “What is that?” Ash asked, pointing towards the bag.
    “What? This? It’s a bag, blockhead!” Alex smirked as he came in and hugged Aubrey.
    “Hello Princess, I got this for you,” he said and handed over a huge bar of chocolate to her.
    “Thank you, Al. I’m going to share it with Grandpa,” she said and kissed his cheek. Alex looked at Ashton and handed his bag to him.
    “What should I do with this?” Ashton asked, pointing towards it.
    “Are you seriously my cousin? ‘Coz you are really dumb!” Alex stated. Aubrey burst out laughing, and Alex gave her a high five.
    “Stop making fun of me! Seriously, what am I supposed to do with this?” Ashton asked, annoyed.
    “Take that to my room. And where is your grandfather?”
    “Are you planning to stay here?” Ashton asked and Alex just nodded.
    “Grandpa isn’t here. He