[Morning] [Malibu]
The sun was barely up, casting a soft orange glow over the Malibu shoreline. The ocean breeze was crisp, the air salty, and the jogging path was mostly empty. Charlie Harper adjusted his sunglasses, tugged at the zipper of his tracksuit, and started his morning run.
Running was new to him. In his old life, running was something he only imagined. But now, with a second shot at life, he figured keeping his heart from exploding was a solid plan.
He jogged at a steady pace, feeling the burn in his legs, his breathing even. For the first time in a long time, he felt... good. Clear-headed. Sober. Healthy.
And then it happened.
"Charlie! Oh my God, hi!"
Charlie slowed down slightly, turning his head toward the voice. Two women, blonde, tan, and wearing leggings so tight they looked painted on, waved excitedly as they jogged toward him.
His memories kicked in immediately. Destiny and Candy. Not girlfriends. Not even flings. Strippers from his go-to club. He used to tip them so generously that they probably considered him a sponsor.
"Hey, girls," Charlie said, forcing a polite smile as they bounced to a stop beside him. Literally.
Destiny flipped her hair back, resting a hand on her hip. "We haven't seen you in forever! Thought you died or something."
"Yeah," Candy giggled. "Or got married."
Charlie chuckled. "Nope. Just... been laying low."
Destiny pouted, poking him in the chest. "Well, we miss you at the club. Who else is gonna make it rain for our tuition funds?"
Charlie blinked. "Tuition funds?"
Candy grinned. "Yeah. I mean, we don't go to school, but it sounds better than saying we're saving up for boob jobs."
"Classy," Charlie muttered under his breath.
Destiny leaned in a little closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Sooo... when are you coming back? We've got a new routine. You'll love it. A lot more... interactive."
Charlie smiled awkwardly. Old Charlie would've jumped on that offer faster than a fat kid on a cupcake. But Markus? He was trying to stay clean. "Yeah, I'm... kinda taking a break from all that."
Candy's face twisted in confusion. "A break from boobs?"
Destiny gasped. "Oh my God. Are you dying?"
"No, I'm not dying."
Candy squinted. "Wait... are you gay now?"
Charlie threw his hands up. "Okay, why does everyone keep asking me that?"
They both shrugged. Destiny gave him a playful tap on the arm. "Well, when you get over this little... phase or whatever, come find us. We'll save you a seat. Or a lap."
"Great. Thanks," Charlie said dryly. "Enjoy your run."
As they jogged off, giggling, Charlie shook his head and kept running. He exhaled slowly. "I swear, it's like this town wants me to relapse."
But Malibu wasn't done with him yet.
Two minutes later, he saw them. Three women, all in their late thirties to early forties, walking along the beach path. They spotted him immediately.
"Charlie!"
'Oh, come on.'
He slowed down again, pulling his sunglasses off to get a better look. His memory kicked in, but it wasn't as helpful this time. He vaguely remembered two of them. Single moms, definitely. Names? Nope. They had spent a few wild nights at his place. No strings, no numbers saved. Just drinks, some bad decisions, and a lot of apologies the next morning.
The third one? Oh, he remembered her. Monica? Monrea? Something with M... Anyway, she wasn't just wild, she was the kind of freak that made Charlie question his life choices. Once, she suggested doing things that even the internet would consider a war crime.
"Hey, ladies," Charlie said, forcing another smile.
"Where have you been hiding?" one of the moms asked. "Haven't seen you in a while."
Monica licked her lips like she was about to eat him alive. "Yeah… I was starting to think you were avoiding me."
He chuckled nervously. "No, just... trying to take better care of myself."
The first mom laughed. "Better care? Please. Last time we saw you, you did six shots of tequila and told us your liver was 'an Olympic athlete.'"
"Yeah," the second one added. "And then you fell asleep in the bathtub."
Monica leaned in closer. "I didn't mind. I kinda liked waking you up."
Charlie cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'm... trying something new. Early mornings. Jogging. Fresh air. You know... less tequila, more... breathing."
Monica raised an eyebrow. "Less tequila, huh? That's a shame." She stepped closer, running a finger down his chest. "Because I've got a bottle of Patrón at my place... and I hate drinking alone."
Charlie felt his pulse spike — and not from the running. Old Charlie would've jumped on that invitation like a kid at Disneyland. But Markus? He knew better. Monica didn't want drinks. She wanted round three... four... maybe five.
He took a step back. "Yeah, I appreciate that, but I'm kinda... doing a cleanse."
Monica blinked. "A cleanse?"
"Yeah. No booze. No... other stuff."
She narrowed her eyes. "Since when?"
"Since nine days ago."
The two moms exchanged looks. Monica's smile curled. "Oh... I get it. You're playing hard to get."
"I'm not playing anything."
"Sure," she said with a wink. "Well, when you're done with this little... detox or whatever, you know where to find me. And don't wait too long." She leaned closer, dropping her voice to a sultry whisper. "Because I get... impatient."
Charlie swallowed. "Yeah. I'll... keep that in mind."
As they finally walked off, he exhaled deeply. "Jesus Christ."
He started jogging again, shaking his head. Nine days. It had only been nine days, and it felt like Malibu was conspiring against him. He was trying to be better and cleaner, but it was like the universe was dangling temptation at every corner.
And then, as he rounded the next bend, he saw someone else.
Lisa.
Jogging.
He groaned internally. Of course.
She slowed as she approached him, smiling casually... but he could tell. She wasn't here by accident.
"Well, well," Lisa said, breathing lightly. "Fancy seeing you here."
Charlie forced a smile. "Yeah... fancy that."
Yup. The universe wasn't letting him off the hook today.
Charlie wiped the sweat from his forehead and exhaled. His legs were burning, but that was nothing compared to the sudden spike in anxiety coursing through his chest. Lisa slowed to a stop beside him, hands on her hips, her ponytail bouncing slightly as she caught her breath.
She flashed him a playful smile. "Wow. So… you were serious."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"The jogging thing," Lisa said, still half-laughing. "I thought you were joking. You know, like when you said you were 'allergic to condoms.'"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I was... less mature back then."
Lisa narrowed her eyes. "That was six months ago."
Charlie shrugged. "A lot can change in six months."
"Apparently," she said, eyeing him up and down. "I almost didn't recognize you. Tracksuit? Sneakers? No booze in your hand? Honestly, I thought you were a jogger who just happened to look like Charlie Harper."
"Very funny."
"I'm serious," she said. "I half expected you to pull off a mask and be like, 'Surprise! I'm really an undercover cop.'"
Charlie snorted. "Yeah, because if I'm going undercover, I'm doing it at six in the morning."
Lisa smirked. "Well, I had to see it with my own eyes. I figured you'd be hungover or still asleep with some random girl stealing your Rolex."
Charlie sighed. "Okay, why does everyone act like I'm a walking crime scene?"
Lisa laughed. "Because you are. Or... you were. And honestly? This whole 'new and improved' thing you're doing is freaking me out."
"Why?"
"Because it feels like a prank," she admitted. "Like, any second now you're going to rip off your tracksuit and there's going to be a Speedo underneath."
"Um... How do you know I'm wearing a speedo?" Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"Oh my God! Hahaha..." Lisa broke out in laughter.
Charlie couldn't help but grin. It was nice... easy, even. No flirting, no games. Just two people talking like normal adults. Well… mostly normal.
"Okay," Lisa said, catching her breath. "Seriously, though. Are you actually wearing a Speedo?"
Charlie smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh God, you are."
"Maybe."
"Unbelievable," Lisa muttered with a shake of her head. But she was smiling. That warm, genuine smile that made him forget for a second that she was technically his ex.
Before he could respond, a voice shattered the calm morning air.
"Charlieeeeee!"
Charlie froze. His heart dropped straight into his stomach.
'No. No, no, no. Not now.'
Lisa blinked, glancing over his shoulder. "Who the hell..."
"Oh my God, there you are!"
Rose.
Charlie turned just in time to see her sprinting toward him, decked out in a neon pink tracksuit that was somehow both cute and terrifying. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and there was a look of pure, unhinged joy plastered across her face.
'Oh, come on. I was having a normal morning,' Charlie thought.
"Charlie!" she squealed again, closing the distance at an alarming speed.
"Rose... hey," he said weakly.
Before he could back away, she practically launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and clinging like a koala. "Mmm," she sighed happily. "Sweaty."
Lisa's eyebrows shot up. "Uh... what the hell is this?"
Rose looked over at Lisa, as if noticing her for the first time. Her eyes widened slightly, then narrowed with suspicion. "Oh... hi, Lisa."
Lisa folded her arms. "Rose."
"You're up early," Rose said sweetly. "Did you spend the night at Charlie's?"
Lisa's jaw dropped. "What? No."
"Oh," Rose said with a little laugh. "Well, that makes sense. I mean, I'm his girlfriend now. So, you know... exes should probably keep their distance."
Charlie's eyes went wide. "Wait, what?"
Lisa blinked. "Excuse me?"
Rose tightened her grip on Charlie's waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Oh, he didn't tell you? We're back together. It's been... what? A week now, babe? We hugged tightly and intimately with his strong arms."
Charlie's hands shot up like he was surrendering to the police. "We are not back together."
Rose giggled. "Oh, he's so shy about it. Isn't it adorable?"
Lisa's expression hardened. "Yeah. Adorable."
Charlie tried to peel Rose off him, but she clung tighter. "Rose, seriously. Let go."
"I can't," she said dreamily. "It's called love, Charlie. Maybe you've heard of it?"
Lisa groaned. "Oh my God."
"And besides," Rose continued, turning her head to Lisa with a smug smile, "we were just about to go skinny-dipping."
Lisa blinked. "What?"
Rose nodded enthusiastically. "That's why he's wearing a Speedo. I mean, obviously, he doesn't want to flash the entire beach. But once we get in the water…" She winked. "Let's just say we like to keep things... natural."
Charlie's face flushed. "That is not happening."
Lisa's eyes flicked to him, then back to Rose. "Really?"
Rose sighed dramatically. "I mean, I get why you're upset. Exes always get a little... jealous. But it's okay. I'm sure you'll find someone eventually."
Lisa's expression darkened. "I'm not jealous."
"Oh, sure," Rose said with a knowing smile. "That's why you're out here jogging at six in the morning, trying to bump into him 'accidentally.'"
Charlie groaned. "Rose, seriously. Stop."
Rose gasped softly, placing a hand on her chest. "Oh no... did I hit a nerve?" She looked at Lisa sympathetically. "I get it. I mean, I'd be upset too if I lost him. But Charlie and I have something special. You know how it is... you break up, you make up, you fall in love all over again."
Lisa narrowed her eyes. "Yeah? How many times have you guys broken up?"
Rose smiled sweetly. "Officially, none. Unofficially? Seventeen. But it's not about the numbers; it's about the journey."
"Right," Lisa deadpanned. "And the restraining orders?"
Charlie raised a finger. "Okay, that's a great question, actually."
Rose gasped. "That was one time, and it was a misunderstanding."
"You superglued his balls to his thighs," Lisa said flatly.
Charlie winced. "Yeah, that's not exactly a misunderstanding."
Rose huffed. "Okay, well... I was going through a lot."
Lisa folded her arms. "Like what?"
Rose smiled sweetly. "Like a small episode of emotional breakdown."
Lisa rolled her eyes. "Jesus Christ."
Charlie finally managed to untangle himself from Rose, stepping back like she was a ticking time bomb. "Okay, look... I'm not skinny-dipping. I'm not dating Rose. And I'm definitely not wearing a Speedo."
Rose blinked. "You're not?"
"No."
"Oh." She tilted her head. "Then why were you staring at me like you were undressing me with your eyes?"
Charlie threw his hands up. "I wasn't!"
Lisa smirked slightly. "Well... maybe a little."
"I was not!"
Rose shrugged. "It's okay, babe. You don't have to explain yourself. I know your body better than anyone... Even you."
Charlie pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh my God."
Lisa laughed under her breath. "Well... I better let you two lovebirds get to your skinny-dipping."
'This sexy bitch! Fuck! Don't think about her Markus, that bitch is insane,' Charlie's eyes widened. "Lisa, don't..."
"Have fun!" she called over her shoulder, jogging away with a grin.
Charlie groaned, turning to Rose. "You see what you did?"
Rose beamed. "I know. Isn't she so jealous?"
Charlie exhaled slowly. This was his life now. And honestly... he wasn't sure how much more he could take.
---
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