Page 108 of Off the Mark
I almost suggested we get out of here—not because I didn’t want to see Charlie celebrated at a fancy event. But I desperately wanted her all to myself.
Above us, the lights flickered. Charlie said, “That means it’s dinnertime. Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Inside the gala room, we spotted our table, where two people were murmuring over their program. They looked up as we approached, and Charlie brightened.
I squeezed her hand in shock as soon as I recognized them.
“You must be Leonard and Gloria Wilkinson,” she said. “I’m Charlie Maddox.”
The woman, Gloria, stood and took Charlie’s hand. “Oh, we know who you are. According to the staff, we have you to thank for sneaking us into the best table in the house, right in front of the stage.”
“Please, it’s my pleasure. You do a lot for motocrossandyou do a lot for Philadelphia. Consider it a tiny show of gratitude for your generosity.”
Charlie pulled out our chairs and indicated I should sit. I did, though not before shaking hands with Gloria and Leonard.
They were a middle-aged couple in their mid-fifties, at ease with each other and thrilled to be in Charlie’s presence. Leonard was a Black man with dark brown skin and a warm smile. His wife, Gloria, was white with pale, silver hair and giant diamond earrings.
Charlie had orchestrated this table setup so that I was sitting next to one of Philadelphia’s most famously philanthropic couples.
It wasn’t only their deep family roots here in the city that made Elaine always refer to them as “dream donors.” It was what they were passionate about—from Meals on Wheels to elder healthcare, the Wilkinsons cared about neighborhood senior programs more than anything else.
My brain yelled something likeholy fucking shit.
“Rowan O’Callaghan,” I said, flashing a smile. “How do you know Charlie?”
“We knowofher, but we’ve never met in person,” Leonard said smoothly. “You’re one of our favorites, by the way. But don’t tell the others.”
Charlie blushed. “Happy to keep it a secret. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’ve got…two kids who race dirt bikes, right?”
Leonard beamed back at her. “We’ve got four kids. Three daredevils and one very studious bookworm, who clearly takes after me. Our oldest son and youngest daughter race dirt bikes—”
“And our daughter said if we met you, could you please sign this?” Gloria added, sliding a motocross magazine with Charlie’s face on the cover across the table.
She pulled a pen from her pocket and said, “Always an honor. Can I ask what the daredevil kid you didn’t mention does?”
“They’re a snowboarder,” Leonard said, “and talented too. We spend winters up in the Poconos so they can practice but then summers down here for the dirt bike racers—”
“And our bookworm daughter is happy all four seasons as long as she has a book to read or a test to study for,” Gloria finished, turning her head towards me. “It’s how we got involved in motocross. We’re new to the community, but our son and daughter said it was good for the sport, to see it expand and grow. And anything that makes them happy makes us happy.”
Charlie finished signing her name with a flourish. “Tell both of your dirt bike racers they can message me any time. I wrote my email address on the inside, as long as that’s okay with you both. They don’t have to race pro, but if they do and have questions, I’m happy to answer them.”
“She’ll be overjoyed,” Gloria said. “She’s trying to get us to go to Miami for the race you’ve got that weekend in September. You’ll be leaving for it soon, I’m sure?”
A clammy chill raced down my spine at the reminder that Charlie didn’t live here. That she lived the life I used to—on the move, on the road, going where the money and competitions were.
Yet she’d crashed back into my life and cracked my heart wide open. I tried to picture my days without Charlie by my side, and my mind went completely blank.
Was this why Dean looked mildly unhappy whenever Tabitha was out of the room for more than five minutes?
“I’ll be there, so if you do go, come find me,” Charlie replied. “After Miami, I think I’m in…Atlanta? Then back to New York for a bit, and then there’s that huge exhibition race in Arizona before the holidays.”
Gloria and Leonard nodded before sending a questioning glance my way. Charlie laid a hand on my arm and said, “Rowan’s my boyfriend, in case you’re wondering.”
“It’s rather obvious,” Gloria said kindly. “Rowan, do you travel together? You must miss her when she’s gone.”
I realized I didn’t have to make up some story that benefited Charlie’s reputation. I wasn’t sitting here as herfakeanything. So I told the truth instead.
“I miss Charlie constantly,” I said, feeling the tension in her hand where she touched me. “But travel I’m used to. I played baseball when I was younger and being away is just the reality. I’m pretty comfortable with it.”
