Chad and Charity entered Bray’s house looking around. For a guy not much over 20, if that he had done well.
Bray looked at Chad as he moved around the living room. "Want my keys so you can go find that girl?" He questioned.
"Man I don’t know my way around here." Chad frowned.
"Right. Guess I just forgot. Tell you what, why don’t I go with you." Bray finally suggested.
‘Sounds good, but do you mind if I head to the shower first?" Chad laughed.
"Sure upstairs first door to your left." Bray said as Chad headed up the stairs with his bags. Leaving a very unhappy Charity alone with Bray.
"I have two showers. If you need a shower that is." Bray explained.
"I’m fine." Charity said sheepishly.
"You don’t like me do you?" Bray said fighting back a smirk.
"I didn’t say that." Charity sighed. "I usually like everyone." She explained.
"Sure you do. You seem like one of those girls that would turn her nose up at people just because they mess up once. " Bray said staring at her.
"You are so wrong. I forgive easy. Let’s face it you’re just a total snob that knocked me down today and just couldn’t say you were sorry. " Charity said turning from Bray.
"No. That isn’t true. I won’t say I’m sorry, because it was your fought. I’m a nice guy that is letting a little runaway brat stay with him until she gets on her feet. I bet you’re not even legal." He laughed.
" I’m almost 19. And a brat? Excuse me? Who are you to call me a brat? You have no idea who I am." Charity yelled.
"I bet you’re a only child that has had everything she could ever want. But I bet you had a fight with your parents and took off. " He said looking at her.
Charity frowned. "I don’t have parents. My mother is dead, and I don’t know who my father is. " She said her voice low. "And I left because I was living with my aunt and uncle, and when my cousin stole my boyfriend, I decided we couldn’t live in the same small town. So tell me how well you know me now?" Charity finished.
Bray was silent for a moment." Sorry." He muttered. "I didn’t know."
"Well don’t start feeling bad for me. I’m just fine." Charity told him crossing her arms. "In a few days I’ll have a job and a new life."
"Sounds like a plan." Bray nodded. "I really am sorry about the perfect life stuff. I had no clue about your parents." He said sighing.
"I said it’s fine. Can we drop it?" Charity questioned her mood restless.
"Fine! I was just trying to be nice. Forget I said anything." Bray huffed.
Charity rolled her eyes. "You know its funny, I usually like everyone. I mean right before Kay took Miguel I got along with her Ok, but you? I just don’t get why you annoy me." Charity said forcing a laugh.
"Annoy? I annoy You?" Bray questioned. "Nice thing to say to the person that’s opening his home to you."
"Look I didn’t mean anything by it. I was thinking out loud. " Charity shrugged. "I was just trying to figure out why I don’t like you."
Bray lifted his head back, "Now you say you don’t like me. Well I can see you’re a regular Ice Angel."
"Whatever. You don’t like me either. I’m being honest. Forget I said anything. " Charity told him.
"Fine. " Bray agreed.
"I think I’ll have that shower now." Charity said looking at Bray.
"Well go through my kitchen and head downstairs." He told her.
"Downstairs? You mean the basement?" Charity said confused.
"No Its a apartment. You’ll be staying down there. I had it fixed for when my friends come in. It’s more private." Bray said looking at her. .
"Oh. Well I better go get that shower." Charity said walking away. She wasn’t about to stand and stare at that man any longer. He made her skin crawl. And she didn’t like it one bit.
Bray watched as Charity disappeared. "Total head case." He whispered to himself, a smirk clearly showing on his face.
~*~*~*~

Chad let the warm water hit him as he stood in the shower. Closing his eyes he could see Theresa’s face smiling at him. His mind whirling as the water poured down on him.

Flashback

"Theresa I’m not going to hurt you girl." Chad said rubbing Theresa’s long hair with his hand. "Baby you’ve gotta know, I’m not like those men that hurt you." He whispered.
Theresa let her tears fall freely as she moved away from Chad on her sofa. "I know, but I’m scared Chad. So scared."
"Of me? Or of us? I’m not them. I won’t walk away, and I won’t hurt you." He pleaded.
"I just can’t commit to anything Chad. I can’t do it." She said her voice quviering. "I don’t know when the pain will end." She sobbed.
"But Resa, you’ve gotta believe in something. Can’t you believe in me? " Chad questioned.
She shook her head slowly. " I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll ever trust another man. Julian tried to drug me Chad. And Ethan, he just left. I can’t trust like that again." She said looking up at him.
"You can’t trust me?" Chad whispered pain in his voice.
"Not right now Chad. No." Theresa cried struggling to get the words out. "Its just to hard."
"I love you Resa. I mean I totally love you girl."
"I’m sorry." Theresa choked out. "Maybe its best if you just go."
"Resa no." Chad begged.
"I’m sorry." She said again looking up at him." Just go Chad. Please." She begged as he stood up.
"This isn’t over Resa. I know you love me. And I can’t let go." He said walking toward the door.
"Chad, please." Theresa said cradling herself.
Chad turned the doorknob and walked out. Wiping his own tears he leaned up against the door. "You just need time angel, just a little time." He whispered to the air.
End Flashback

Chad shook off the memory and leaned up against the wall of the shower, resting his forehead on the wall he let out a huge breath. "Resa it ain’t go end like that." He almost yelled. Hitting the was with his fist. "I love you too much baby. " He said as the water continued to fall on him. "Theresa I’m coming to find you. I’m.
bringing you home." He said with a sigh. And he was sure in his heart that was the only thing that could happen.