Reid's Secret Life

Going back on tour

Reid’s POV We had three days before our tour started, and we still have no one to tour with. I gave up. At this point I could care less if we had anyone to tour with. As long as I’m with Isabelle, I don’t care. I got a message from Kim saying to meet her at our parents house. I had a feeling it was a trap. But, she also said that our parents weren’t home. I knew it wasn’t Kim texting me, so I played along. I said, ‘Can you come pick me up? I don’t have a way of getting there.’ When I didn’t get a reply back, I knew right away who was texting me, Neil. He was trying to get me to come home. But it’s not happening. A few minutes later Kim called me, and I answered her on the first ring. “Hey sis.” “Hey, ignore those messages, they weren’t from me.” I cut her off before she said anything else. “I know, they were from Neil.” “Yeah, he will be texting you, so don’t answer it, just block him, and Dad, if he calls you.” “I hope not. I don’t want them having my number.” “I know, but Neil got your number from my phone.” “Go get his phone and delete my number before he gives it to Dad.” “OK. Hang on.” She set her phone down and walked out of the room. I waited ten minutes before I heard her come back. “OK. I deleted your number off his phone. But, I can’t promise he didn’t forward it to Dad.” “He better not have, or I will get him for this.” “I know. Look, I will need you over here tomorrow morning. Around 10:30. Mom and Dad have a few things to do in town, and won’t be back till 1 in the afternoon.” “Is Neil going to be home?” “Yes, but most likely he’ll be in his room with Leslie.” “She’s still there?” “Yes. Sadly.” “Oh great. OK, I’ll be there.” “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Yeah, see you tomorrow. Bye sis.” “Bye Reid, I love you.” “I love you too.” I hung up before she said anything else. I couldn’t believe she was going to have me go to the house tomorrow. It be just my luck, that our parents show up, while I’m there. Which also means, I would have to deal with Dad. I put my phone under the pillow and snuggled up next to Isabelle. Which woke her up. “Sorry love, I didn’t mean to wake you up.” “It’s OK. What’s wrong?” “My sister wants me to meet her at our parents house tomorrow morning.” “Oh. Are you going to go?” “I don’t know. I told her I would, but I don’t want to go. I’m afraid our parents will show up while I’m there.” “Do you want me to come?” “No, I don’t need everyone knowing about you.” “OK. I’ll just go visit my parents.” “Don’t let them know that you’re pregnant.” “I won’t. I promise.” “OK. I don’t want to get in trouble with your parents.” “You won’t, they won’t find out about this.” “You sure?” “Yes.” “OK, I’m just making sure.” “I know, but they won’t find out.” “I trust you. But I don’t trust my family, and I haven’t met your parents.” “Yeah, it’s better off if you don’t. I don’t know how they will treat you.” “OK. Whatever you think is best.” “It’s best if you don’t meet them.” “Then I won’t.” “Ok, well good luck at your parents house.” “Yeah, no kidding. I’m not looking forward to that.” “I bet. That’s kind of risky going over there.” “Yeah, she’s better off finding a new place for us to meet at.” “Yes, she does. But, just be careful if you go.” “I will. Don’t worry.” “I do worry, it’s your parents.” “I know. But, if I hear them pull up, I’ll go to Kim’s room.” “OK. Good luck love.” “Yeah, I’ll need that luck tomorrow.” That night we went to sleep, and I couldn’t stop thinking about tomorrow. I hardly slept that night. When morning came, I got up, got dressed, woke Isabelle up and headed to the house. At least our parents were gone. I texted Kim and told her I was here. She came out and waved at me. I said bye to Isabelle and kissed her. I got out of the car and She took off. Me and Kim went in the house. “Just so you know, I have your stuff packed.” “OK, thanks. I’ll take my stuff later.” “I’ll just take it by her apartment. It’s no problem.” “She doesn’t have the room for my stuff. I have to get a house first.” “OK. I’ll hold on to your stuff until you have a place.” “OK. Thanks sis.” “It’s no problem. Anyways, let’s go inside.” I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to go in the house, but I also didn’t want to be outside either. We walked inside together and I sat down on the couch. Kim went to get us a drink. I assumed it was sweet tea. She loves her sweet tea.  She came back and handed me a cup. “Thanks, so why did you want me to come here?” “Cause, Dad took my car.” “Why?” “Cause, he doesn’t trust me. Now stop asking why.” “OK. Sorry. I just wanted to know.” “Yeah, well,  I’m not sure what to do about our tour. We still don’t have anyone to tour with. But, our manager messaged me saying we might have someone come by the house. I asked our parents to be out as long as possible. I don’t need them here and making a scene when the people come.” “OK. I’m not sure I want to be here when they come. I’m not very open around people.” “I know you’re not. But, at least try, for me?” “I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.” “OK. Thanks Reid. It means a lot that you would at least try for me.” “Only for you. You are the one who cared for me.” “Yeah well, someone had to.” “Yeah, thanks for being there for me.” “It’s no problem. I honestly don’t mind.” I was about to say something, when I heard someone pull up to the house. Kim got up and went to check who it was. “Um, you might want to hide, it’s Dad.” As soon as she mentioned Dad, I was gone. I took off to her room, and hid. Kim came in the room a few minutes after me. “Reid, where are you hiding?” “Closet.” She walked up to her closet and opened the door. She pulled me in a hug. “It’s OK Reid, it’s OK. But, I’m going to have to get you out of here, somehow.” “He’s not coming up here, is he?” “No, but he will be. He knows someone is here, that shouldn’t be.” “Oh great. I knew I shouldn’t have come.” “I’m sorry Reid. I shouldn’t have made you come, but I wanted you here.” “Yeah, well, now I’m stuck here.” “No, you’re not, I will get you out of here, I promise.” “Yeah, OK.” Kim was about to say something, when the door bell rang. She left the room. I followed her, cause I was curious who was at the door. I stayed behind the corner of the wall and watched. There are three guys at the door. Kim let them in. One of them noticed me, and waved. I backed up out of his sight. I don’t do well with strangers. I heard Dad come out of his room. He must have saw the guys, cause he started yelling at Kim. “Who are they, and why are they in my house?!” Kim yelled back at him. “They are the people who our manager told me would be coming by. This is why I didn’t want you, and Mom home!” “Well, I don’t want them here!” “I don’t care, this isn’t your choice! Now leave!”  “I’m not leaving. But, I’ll go to my room.” I waited for a couple minutes before Peaking behind the corner. “I’m so sorry about that guys, my Dad doesn’t have the best temper in the world.” “It’s OK. Anyway, I’m Gary. This is Jay and that’s Joe Don.” “Nice to meet y’all. I’d like for you guys to meet my brothers, but one is shy and the other one doesn’t care.” “Um, Is the shy one hiding behind the corner?” “Yes. He is, that’s Reid. The other is Neil.” “OK. Have him come down and say hi. He doesn’t have to be shy.” “It’s not just that, he’s avoiding our Dad.” “Why? If you don’t mind me asking.” “Many reasons. But, I can’t talk about it, and I doubt he ever will. He’s not very open to strangers.” “Oh, that’s OK. I’m not trying to force him to talk to us, but I would like to say hi to him.” “Good luck with that. I don’t think he’s coming down.” “It’s OK. We are here cause we heard you guys were needing a tour mate. We are about to start our tour too, and wanted to see if you guys wanted to join.” “That would be nice.” “OK then, we leave tomorrow afternoon.” “We’ll be ready.” “OK. I guess we should go, before your Dad comes out again.” “Yeah, I’m sorry you guys had to see him like that.” “It’s alright. I just feel bad for the shy one. I’m sure he doesn’t like hearing your Dad yell.” “No, he doesn’t.” I was about to go down stairs, but I heard my Dad coming. I took off to Kim’s room. He must have heard me, cause I heard him come up the stairs. I hid in Kim’s closet, and prayed he didn’t come in here. Someone came In. It must have been Dad, and Kim, cause I heard her yelling at Dad. “Get out of my room!” “Who are you hiding in here?!” “No one, but you have no reason to be in here!” “I heard someone up here, and they came in your room! Who was it?!” “No one, get out!” “Not till I find the person you are hiding!” “Dad quit! You are making a scene, and the guys down stairs are starting to worry!” He huffed and walked out. Kim came up to where I was hiding and opened her door. “You need to be more careful. If he knows you are here, he will flip.” “I know, I’m sorry.” “It’s OK. Come say hi to the guys real quick.” “No, I’m good.” “Please, come say hi. I know Neil won’t.” “You sure, cause someone is talking to them.” “Oh boy. Come Reid.” She walked out of the room, and I followed behind her. We walked down stairs, and sure enough, Neil was talking to them. Kim walked up to Neil, and told him to leave the room. He rolled his eyes and took off to his room. Kim sat down, and I sat next to her. I was nervous being around them. Kim held me close to her. “It’s OK Reid. Just relax. It’s going to be OK.” I just shook my head no, and buried my head in her arm. I was so shy, I couldn’t even say hi to them. “Please say hi Reid.” I shook my head no. I was scared, that Dad was going to come out of his room, and see me. “Why is he so shy?” “I can’t say. It will get him in trouble.” “Why him? On second thought, can I talk to you alone?” “I guess.” She got up and I tried to grab her arm, to keep her from leaving my side, but I missed. “Would you like to sit with us?” The one guy with the black hair asked. I just shook my head no, and curled myself into a ball. I heard my dad coming, and I took off to Kim’s room. I went straight for her closet and sat on the floor. I threw a blanket over me and tried to stay still. I heard him come in the room, and came straight for the closet. Oh great, I’m dead. “I knew you were here!” “Leave me alone.” I said, real quietly. I could hardly speak, and I was shaking. I knew I shouldn’t have come. “No, get up!” I whimpered. Where is Kim when I need her. “Don’t make this any harder than it already is!” “Leave me alone!” He huffed and yanked me up. I tried to get free from his grip, but I couldn’t. “You are going to get yourself hurt, quit!” “No! Let go of me!” He slammed me against the wall. I nearly blacked out from how hard my head had hit the wall. “I’m warning you! You better quit!” “OK.” I barely said. I couldn’t talk, and I could barely breathe. He let go of me, and I collapsed to the floor. “Get up Reid!” I was trying to speak, but failed. I stood up and he grabbed me by the arm. He took me to his room and threw me on the floor. He locked the door and sat on the bed. I want my sister. At least she could help me. “Come here Reid!” I whined to myself and stood up. I walked up to the bed and sat on the edge, in front of him. I kept a distance from him though. I didn’t trust him. “Why are you here?!” “Kim told me to meet her here.” “I’m surprised you listened to her, cause you sure as hell don’t listen to me!” “Cause you don’t care about me! All you care about, is hurting me all the time! You don’t treat Kim or Neil like this, so why me?!” He didn’t answer my question, but I could tell I was pissing him off. I didn’t care, it was true. He doesn’t care about me, and apparently neither does Mom, she hasn’t said anything at all. But, she did have a disappointed look on her face. “Lay down Reid, I’m done talking to you, but you will not be leaving this house again!” I sighed. This is what I get for coming back. I laid down between them, but was closer to my Mom. She gently rubbed my side. I knew she cared, but she wouldn’t show it around my Dad. I heard Kim come back in the house, and had asked the two guys in the living room where I was. One of them had said I took off upstairs, but the other one said, he saw my Dad take me into a room. That frightened me, cause now Kim knows where I am, and with the guys here, they would find out what is going on. I’m not sure I want them knowing that my Dad is abusive towards me. I don’t think they would care. I heard Kim and someone else come up to the door. “Dad, open the door! You don’t need to be starting your shit when we have company over!” That pissed him off. He got out of bed, and Mom pulled me close to her. He unlocked the door and came back to the bed, but he didn’t sit down. Kim opened the door and tried to come to me. “Don’t even think about it! I will hurt him!” He must not have noticed the guy standing at the door way. But, I did. He had a worried look on his face. “Dad, stop! Those guys are still here! Do you want them to hear you say that?!” He looked at me and then back at Kim. “Get out!” “Not without Reid.” “Get out Kim!” I looked at the door way and saw the guy was gone. I hope he didn’t take off to call the cops on my Dad. It’s only going to make things worse for me. “Let Reid go, then I’ll leave.” “No, he stays in here! He will not be leaving this house again!” Kim rolled her eyes in frustration. She was doing all she could to get me free, but was failing. She doesn’t like to fail at anything. She looked at me and had a sad look on her face. I was trying to keep myself from crying and Mom rubbing my side didn’t really help. I know she was just trying to comfort me, but it wasn’t helping. I heard sirens off in the distance that were getting closer to the house. Dad must have heard them too, cause he looked straight at me and had a mad look on his face. I gulped and shrunk under the blankets. Kim had turned around and then looked at me. “Are those guys still out there?!” Dad said. “I told you they were! They must have heard you, and called the cops! Now, you will get what you deserve!” Dad tried to get to me, but Mom wouldn’t let him. She pulled me onto her lap, and held me close to her. I wrapped my arms around her neck and held on to her. Kim left the room and came back a couple minutes later with two cops behind her. Mom covered my eyes and had my face hidden in her chest. She knew this would only make me panic. She tried to keep me calm as they arrested my Dad. Once they left with him, my Mom let go of me. “I’m sorry baby.” I didn’t say anything. I just buried my face in her chest again, and cried. She gently rubbed my back, and tried to calm me down. One of the guys came in the room. “Is he OK?” “He will be. He’s just shook up. He needs to calm down, before he ends up passing out.” “Poor kid.” “Yeah, his Dad is the reason why he is, the way he is.” “I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. It’s not fair, and it’s not fair for him either.” “No, it’s not. He’s the only one that gets treated like this. He spoils our youngest son, and he doesn’t treat our daughter like this.” “So, why does he treat him like this. It’s not fair.” “I don’t know.” One of the other guys came up to the door way. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the cops want to talk to him.” “OK.” Kim came up to me and tried to get me to go with her. But I didn't want to go talk to the cops, I wanted to be with my Mom. “Come on Reid, you need to go talk to them.” “No, leave me alone!” Kim backed up. “Can you take him outside to talk to the cops, please.” She asked our Mom. “I guess.” She set me down on the bed, and got up. I looked at the guy standing in the door way. I could tell he did care, but I didn’t trust him. “Come on baby.” I got off the bed and followed behind my Mom. The guy walked back into the living room with the other two. My Mom and I walked outside so I could talk to the cops, or at least try. I stayed behind my Mom. They asked a few questions, but I couldn’t speak to them. I felt lightheaded. I saw the guys watching from the window. The one guy with the blonde spiky hair was really worried about me. I didn’t know why, he hardly knew me. “Mommy, I need to sit down, I’m really lightheaded.” “Then sit down.” I sat down on the concrete, but I still didn’t feel good, I felt like I was about to pass out. “Mommy, I don’t feel good.” “OK, just let me finish talking to the cops, then I'll take you to bed.” I don’t think I can last another minute. I laid down on the concrete and tried to keep myself from passing out. I felt someone pick me up, and that was the last thing I knew, before I blacked out. *Two hours later* I woke up to a cold wash cloth on my forehead. I was shivering. “It’s OK sweetheart. You’re safe now.” I recognized the guys voice from earlier. But I didn’t understand why he had me. I noticed I wasn’t home either. I was in a strange room. I heard someone come up to us. “How is he doing?” “Well, he just woke up, so I say, he’s doing better.” “OK.” The guy walked off after that. “It’s OK. We aren’t going to hurt you. You’re safe here.” “Where’s my sister?” “She stayed home. But your parents are not allowed to see you. So your sister told me to take you to my place.” “Oh. Why can’t my Mom see me?” “I don’t know sweetheart. But I don’t like the situation you were in. You never should’ve been put through that.” “Why do you care about me? You barely know me.” “Why wouldn’t I care?” “I don’t know, but I think it’s weird that you care about me, when you don’t even know me.” “I don’t care that I don’t know you. But, I can tell you need someone in your life who does care.” “I do have someone who cares, my girlfriend.” “I’m aware of that, but I mean someone who can take care of you, and I am aware that your girlfriend is pregnant.” “So, you met Isabelle.” “We have her with us.” “Yay. I have my girlfriend with me.” “At least you were happy about that.” “Of course, Isabelle is the love of my life.” “Awe, that’s so cute.” I blushed. No one has ever said I was cute, or, we were cute. “Thanks.” “Your welcome. Anyways, I never got to introduce myself, cause you were shy earlier.” “Oh yeah, sorry about that.” “It’s OK, I understand now.” “OK. So, what’s going to happen now?” “Depends on what you mean.” “Well, my parents aren’t allowed to see me, so, who is going to be taking care of me?” “I am. I want to be the one who takes care of you.” “Why? I’m a hassle to take care of, and I am a lot to take care of as well.” “I don’t care, I’m willing to take care of you, if you’ll let me.” I wanted to say no, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t say anything at all. I just sighed. “Are you even aware of where you’re at?” I tried to look around me, but the back of my head hurt really bad. “No.” “Well, you’re at the hospital. I had to bring you here, when I saw you lay down outside. I knew something was wrong.” “Oh. So who are the other two?” “Jay and Joe Don. Jay is my cousin and Joe Don is my best friend.” “Oh OK. My head hurts.” “I know, just relax. I’ll get your nurse in here.” “OK. Thanks.” “Your welcome.” He walked out of the room, and closed the door. I took a deep breath, and tried to stay calm. One, I hate hospitals, and Two, I didn’t really trust those guys, but I’m starting to trust the one who was in here. I never caught his name. A few minutes later He came back, with a nurse. I assumed it was my nurse. He came over to my bed and sat next to me. “You never told me your name.” I was barely able to say. “My name is Gary.” I just nodded my head and fell asleep. *Next day* I woke up hearing a very annoying beeping sound. It was giving me a bad headache. Someone had placed their hand on my stomach, which made me jump. “It’s OK sweetheart, just relax.” I tried to see who was talking to me, but my eyes wouldn’t focus. They gently rubbed my stomach to calm me down. I wanted that beeping sound to stop. It was driving me crazy. “What is that beeping sound?” I asked, short of breath. “It’s your heart monitor. You need to calm down.” I was trying to catch my breath, but I couldn’t. “I can’t breathe.” “I’ll go get your nurse.” I heard the person leave and then come back. I didn’t remember anything else. I don’t know if I passed out, or if I was put to sleep. All I know, is when I woke up again later that day, I was weak, and I still had a headache. I noticed I was alone in the room. I thought the guy had left me alone, cause he couldn’t deal with me. I tried telling him I was a lot to take care of. I do have health issues, that he’s not aware of. Matter of fact, there is a lot he doesn’t know about me. My nurse came in the room and checked up on me. “How you feeling?” She asked. “I have a headache.” “Figured. Your blood pressure was really high, and you do have a slight concussion, so you will have to be careful with your head.” That didn’t surprise me when she said that. I kind of expected that, since my Dad did slam me against the wall pretty hard. “Look, the guy who was in here earlier, said that they are suppose to be leaving town soon. He wants me to see if there is anyway to discharge you before he comes back. Is that OK?” “I guess.” “OK. I’m going to make sure you are stable enough to leave.” “OK.” She did what all she had to do to make sure I was able to leave. Then, she unhooked me, and turned the heart monitor off. I stayed in the bed until the guy came back. I forgot his name. It felt like forever before he came in the room. “Hey sweetheart. How you feeling?” “Tired, weak, and I have a headache, still.” “I’m sorry. I’ll take care of your headache later, but we need to go.” “OK.” I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t. He picked me up and carried me to the bus. I held on to him. I didn’t like being picked up, but I dealt with it, since I couldn’t walk. He took me to the back room, and tucked me in bed. “I’ll bring you some Aleve. But, you need to rest.” “OK.” He walked out of the room,  and came back a few minutes later with a bottle of water. “Here.” He handed me the water, and gave me two pills. I took them, and chugged down half the water. “Thirsty?” “Very.” He smiled, took the bottle, and left the room. I went to sleep for the rest of the day and that night.