Unfinished (Chapter-19)

CHARLIE'S POV 

My sister is a ghost. I sound crazy, but she is a real ghost! Stranded in our old home. The one she killed herself in. To make matters worse, I made a complete fool out of myself in front of a fucking hot girl. I mean, fainting? So not cool or manly, but I couldn't control it. Hell, I'm sure anyone else who sees their little sister standing in front of them years after she killed herself, would faint too.

At least I don't truly have to impress Abby. She's Arden's girl apparently. Or at least that is the way it is looking. The way he glared at me when he first got there this morning was priceless! He was so jealous, and I couldn't help but laugh about it now. Man, I don't even think they see that they are both head over heels for each other, it's so sappy and gross. I guess a little cute also. They are kind of perfect for each other. I mean I have only known Abby for about a day fully now, but I've known Arden almost my whole life. They are so compatible that their being together is just inevitable. I don't know if that makes any sense man. 

What I do know, is that Abby couldn't have fallen down the steps on her own. I know for a fact that I heard Cassy scream before Abby came tumbling down the stairs. I also caught a glimpse of Cassy, standing at the top of the stairs glaring down at Abby. I knew it was no accident. But what I don't understand is, why? 

Why push Abby down the stairs when she is the one that brought me to the house? She is the one that came up with the plan to put my shit-head stepfather behind bars for what he has done. Also, according to Cassy, she is the only one that took a chance to help a ghost that was begging for anyone to just give her a hand so she could move on. So, why? It doesn't make sense. 

So, here I am, confirming with Abby what I already know to be true. It also helps that Abby is a shit liar. "What? Psh. No! I totally accidentally fell... All on my own. I mean-" She gestures to her feet. "Look at me, obviously I have two left feet..." She trails off, not meeting my eye. 

Rolling my eyes at her, I give her a deadpan look. "Abby. You are shit at lying. Where you and Cassy fighting? I just don't get what spiraled between you for her to do this?" She bites her lip and I blow out a breath of air. "Look, Abby. I was doing some research while you were in surgery, and I was reading about how some spirits can be unstable. It happens the longer they are among the living world. It starts with mood changes, sudden flashes of anger, and then they go batshit crazy." 

I watch as she processes this information, trying to ignore the way her nose scrunches up in the most adorable way. After another moment, she speaks. "No. I don't think that is what happened. I don't think she has been really moody. I just-" She lets her head fall back on the pillow. "I just think I upset her by being with Arden. She was jealous of the fact that I was able to hang out with both of you. I mean you both are the two men she loves dearly, her brother and her ex-lover. I get it." 

Abby picks her head back up, meeting my gaze. "If I was in her shoes I would feel really low too. I just think she lost herself for a moment. Jealousy is an ugly thing." I wanted to scoff at her words, but the more I played them over in my mind, it made sense, but I still wasn't taking the chance of Cassy going mental and trying to kill Abby again. 

For whatever reason, Abby is the only one that can make physical contact with Cassy. So I don't feel right about leaving Abby alone in a house with her. "Abby, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think we have been through enough together in the past 24 hours, that it isn't completely bizarre. Let me stay with you until Cassy crosses over or whatever the hell the term is." 

Abby gives me a weird look before shaking her head. "No, no. I'll be fine. There is no need for you to miss work, and who knows how long it will take to get your step-father in jail. We could get a crooked judge or your step-father may know people in some high places. I just wouldn't feel right, and I'm sure you have a girlfriend back home that wouldn't be keen on the idea either." 

I mentally groan, this girl is just too damn sweet for her own good. Literally, I'm trying to do this for her sake and she would rather not burden me with it? She sure is something else. "Abby, I'm staying with you and that is final. If you are right and Cassy just had a moment of blind rage, then this will just be me getting to spend some more time with my sister before she goes. If I'm right, however, and she is unstable, then I might just be there to save your life." 

Abby is biting that damn lip again, and I am so tempted to just crush my lips to hers, but I would never do that to Arden, so I shake my head to clear my thoughts. She adverts her gaze before fiddling her fingers together. "Are you sure? Cassy is your sister, if - and I do mean if- you are right, you might have to go against your sister. And I don't think I need to mention how hard that will be considering you are not able to touch her." 

I shake my head, about to feel a bit guilty for my words but knowing the truth they hold. "I'm not worried about that. Cassy died a long time ago, and I've made peace with her death. If I have to choose between helping a ghost that can't even leave the property and saving your life... I would choose to save you every single time."