"𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚞𝚛𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍."
~~~
𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕
The front door of my deserted three story home creaks open as I unlock it for the first time in months.
Dust coats the entryway like a second skin and it's obvious my father hasn't been back here in a while. Maybe even months. Between running his own firm and spontaneous getaway trips with Karol I knew I wouldn't run into him anytime soon.
That's why I'm here
I step further into the massive living room, before I see the last happy picture of us standing tall on the very end of the coffee table. Right before everything changed. The edges stoned in a gold like material as a smile graces the features of mom, Kelsey, my father and I hit me like a truck with failing brakes.
It's the same photo I carry in my wallet everyday.
Upon seeing Kelsey, my mind drifts to the last conversation Sage and I had. I would be lying if I said it wasn't consuming my mind every second of the day.
Because a part of me already knew her words held the truth I've been trying to deny.
After mom died Kelsey became numb to any and everyone. Losing the only parent she had left did something to her that even I can't describe.
She no longer cared about her actions and how it would affect the ones around her. I saw it firsthand when she stopped visiting mom's grave.
"Zach?"
I turn around at the feminine voice as an unsettling feeling ripples through me.
Karol stood by the door as one of the drivers rolled in two suitcases before shutting the door behind him.
"We just got back from London but your father stopped by the office beforehand," she confirms as I cautiously look around.
We've never spoken more than two words to each other so I'm surprised when her words put me at ease.
I finally took a second to look at the woman who had supposedly taken my mothers spot. To say the resemblance is uncanny was an understatement. Besides the sky blue color covering her irises and the honey brown bob cut, it's no surprise she takes after my mother. Just a much younger version.
That son of a bitch
"Zach, are you listening," she interrupts my justified thoughts.
"Right," I cleared my throat finally looking away and in the direction of the spiral stairs leading to my intended destination.
The silence is swallowing us whole until I hear a shallow sigh.
"You know—I'm glad you decided to come back," she smiled weakly.
"I'm just here to pick up a few things. I'd like it if you didn't tell my father I was here." I respond, a bit abruptly, that she's taken back.
"Or that we talked," I add for precaution.
"Oh- of course," she pauses briefly. "But I know he just wants the best for you and your sister Zach. I hope you and Kelsey will join us for Thanksgiving later this month."
Thanksgiving right.
The holiday filled with joy, grand feast and families enjoying each other's company was quickly approaching and I couldn't care less to be reminded of our last dreadful gathering.
"You seem like a nice lady Karol but this family has already fallen apart. I don't think you acting as a replacement mother will help."
I don't stay in her presence a second longer to hear her response.
Once I make it to my room, I can't help but grimace at its new and improved state. I don't even recognize the place I used to call home. My king sized bed sat smack in the middle of the room decorated in navy blue and white linens. My closet no longer had contents practically spilling out of it and the walls are bare of any football posters or jerseys.
I do a double take when I realize my desk is no longer in sight.
That would mean everything of hers was gone too.
Fuck
I rip apart every inch of my room looking for the box I had left in the bottom draw hidden under papers of no importance.
Every picture, item, memory that she left behind was gone.
I'm such an idiot. Why would I leave it here of all places? Maybe deep down I wanted it gone so I could have an excuse to finally let her go.
Followed by the hole left in the wall, I hear footsteps approaching my door.
Karol comes in with a sympathetic look on her face and I already knew by the loud noise of the door slamming shut, my father made it home.
But what I didn't know is Kelsey would soon be following behind him.
"Are you kidding me? Tell your employees to call it off," comes Kelsey's insistent voice.
"You know I can't do that Kels and even if I wanted to, there would be a huge conflict of interest on my part. You have to lawyer up."
I come into view at the top of the staircase and the pair both stop to look at me. Kelsey's beat red face switches from fury to delight as she sees me but I don't return it in the slightest, which results in a frown.
On the other hand, my father sighs deeply before dropping his keys in a nearby bowl and walking into the direction of his study, never uttering a word to signify my presence.
"Zach," 'Karol begins with a voice I know all too well.
"Still think Thanksgiving is going to work?"
"I'll go talk to him." She heads down the stairs as Kelsey and her exchange a short yet mutual hug to my surprise.
"Aren't you going to give your big sister a hug?" Kelsey looks up with a bright smile yet it looks forced. Like the conversation she had with my father was lingering in the back of her mind somewhere.
"I'm going to ask once." I say ignoring her question.
Her smile vanishes and turns into something sinister only confirming Sages words."Please don't tell me you believe that girl."
"Believe her?" I ask, combing my hand through my hair for the thousandth time today. She looks at me waiting for an answer.
"Of course I fucking believe her Kelsey. Your response alone told me all I needed to know."
"Really? You've known her for all of five minutes. Trust me whatever she told you is either made up or exaggerated." She swipes her hand carelessly which lights a fire under me.
"Look me in the eye and tell me Sage almost dying in my arms is fucking exaggerated. Were you at the hospital for 48 hours straight wondering why she would choose to stuff four pills and alcohol down her throat in bfs same sitting." I plead with desperation dripping off my voice.
I'm a mess just thinking back to that night knowing it could have been her last.
"Zach, I- Her voice falters at my words. I can see remnants of nightmares about that day flashing behind the eyes that are exact copies of our mothers.
"You think I wanted to go through that shit again. Holding someone I l-care about as they take their potential final breaths."
"You like her?" She asks, catching me off guard.
My heart skips a couple beats at the question Kelsey poses because answering it could only push us this much further over the edge. But I no longer care.
"Yeah Kels, I do."
"You haven't liked anyone since Luna."
"She's in the past and always will be." I answer, truthfully despite the real reason I came back here nagging in the back of my mind.
A brief silence fills the room and I almost forget we're still at our childhood home, this time there's a gaping hole in our relationship that I thought would never be there.
"She's suing to get out of the contract," Kelsey sighs then sits on the ottoman while I follow soon after.
"Do you blame her?"
I know right now Kelsey wants me to reassure her, talk to Sage or just be by her side through what's about to be legal hell, but I can't.
I won't get in the middle and risk something I've been longing for weeks now because of Kelsey's selfish mistakes.
Even though a part of me already knew who's side I'd be on.
~~~
"Are you sure you're up for babysitting? I haven't left you alone with Bria in a while."
"Is your dad an idiot or a dummy, Bri?" I ignore his question and take my niece from his arms.
"Dummy!" she squeals, making me laugh and Miles roll his eyes at his very energetic toddler who just openly insulted him.
"Funny, this dummy has the balls to ask a girl on a date."
I give him a look because he knows I've been meaning to pop the question any day now. We've started texting briefly. It started with my apology for leaving the hospital so abruptly, then whether Miles was finally going to pop the question because Vic was growing impatient, and finally when we would talk about what was said that night.
"What's a date daddy?" Bria asks upon hearing Miles say the word once. Kids are freaking leeches. They want to know and have everything.
"Something you won't be going on for another twenty years, doll." He kisses her cheeks before throwing on his jacket.
"I'm not a doll," she mocks Miles and it's almost as if I'm looking at doubles. Her twist out is tickling my nose and I blow air making them flow in another direction as she giggles holding my cheeks.
"Stop it Rhiaaa!"
"Okay, okay." I laugh hoping she would release my stubble underneath her deadly toddler grip.
"Sadly daddy has to go now. Promise to be good for Uncle Rhia." Miles speaks to her directly in order to let her know he's serious.
"Pwomise daddy." I move closer so she can give his cheek a kiss. "Be good for Vicky too!" She adds as he opens the door.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The door finally closes as a text rings through my phone. Bria jumps out of my arms as the theme song for her show starts playing.
Winters: Are you home?
Z: Nope, babysitting duty. How's the head?
Winters: Bet Brias having a blast with you. Head is fine for now. Meds are helping.
Z: She is actually. I snuck her candy bars before Miles locked it away for the night.
Winters: You didn't...
Z: Oh I did.
Winters: I'm bored. Vic left me all alone :/
I think about it for two seconds before I hit send
Z: Come over, I'll send an uber.
She's typing but it goes away after a few seconds. Shit. I probably over stepped. I mean it's not like it's my place. There's a kid here we couldn't possibly do anything. Get your head out the gutter idiot.
A message finally comes through as I roll my eyes at her comment.
Winters: I look a freaking mess Z.
Z: Too bad I like messes.
Winters: I guess I'm on my way.
I close my phone and find it way too quiet for me to be in the same room as a child until I look down and see Bria snoring face down on her barbie bean bag as her tablet continues to play some random kid show.
I turned her over to find chocolate smeared on both her cheeks, which I just have to snap a picture of. Grabbing the nearest wet wipe, I clean up her sticky fingers and wipe her face clean before bringing her to Miles room.
After making sure she was surrounded by pillows and her noise machine was on, I anxiously waited in the living room for the doorbell to ring.
Fuck, why am I sweating?
Get a grip Zach. No Z, I like Z better for some reason.
In between cleaning up the thrown over toy box the door is met with two quiet knocks.
I pause, throwing the stuffed bunny back on the chair and head over.
I open the door as Sage pulls down her Syracuse hoodie off her head. The once untamed curls I was used to were dripping water and landing in her already drenched hoodie.
"Hi," she lets out a breathy smile that blows me completely away, it hurts. In only a short amount of time with her standing there I'm thinking all of the wrong things.
"Hey, um come in. I didn't know it was raining or I wouldn't have suggested-" I move out the way as she walks in, immediately lighting up the room and filling it with her classic vanilla scent.
"It's fine. Kinda my fault for not dressing properly." She throws the hoodie over her head leaving her only in the tiniest crop top that only accentuates her curves.
I know she's uncomfortable right now but at this point she can't risk getting sick during recovery so taking it off was the only option.
Without a second thought I hand her my hoodie and she quickly takes it, throwing it on and sighing in relief.
"Thanks, I'm guessing the sugar rush has Bria knocked out cold for the night."
"You think Miles will notice?" I sit on the couch beside her as she tries to warm up.
"No, I don't think he'll notice the dozen wrappers underneath his couch and Brias cranky state in the morning."
I give her a look and she giggles covering her mouth so I won't see her snort even though she knows I can hear it.
"What? I have a six year old brother back at home and trust me their sugar hangover is not fun."
"You know what else isn't fun, you waking up with a cold in the morning."
"I'm fine," she implies but I'm not buying it.
"You keep sniffling every two minutes, you aren't fine. I'll be back."
She shrugs before scrolling through tv channels as I head in the direction of the hallway.
I crack open Miles' door to see Bria still fast asleep in the same position I left her. I go into the bathroom next door and find a blow dryer tucked neatly under the sink. Next to it heat protection spray. This should do the trick.
"Get on the floor."
She looks up in confusion as her eyes settle on the blow dryer in my hand.
"Oh no. You are not touching my hair."
"Too bad I make the rules around here." I practically lift her off the couch myself and sit in her old spot, which results in her sighing and crouching down in front of me.
I ignore the dirty thoughts conjuring up in my mind as I grab one section and tie up the rest before turning on the blow dryer. The loud noise makes me wince because I did not want Bria to wake up any time soon.
I use the comb attached to the blow dryer to run through the wet strands thoroughly, going section by section. Her hair was extremely long so my hand stretched all the way to the end of her back.
"Turn around."
She does as asked, turning facing me criss cross on the carpeted ground. For a moment she looks up at me on the couch with hooded eyes, messy hair and in my hoodie swallowing her body whole.
And at that moment I think I fell a little harder.
Her phone pings which breaks us both out of her trance and I shut the dryer off because of her screams.
"Shut up!" She slaps my hand continuously "He got her a ring!"
Don't tell me this idiot proposed
Sage practically shoved the photo of Victoria's hand in my face and the size of that thing concerns me more than anything. How much did he actually blow on this with an amateur boxer's salary. I know Miles and he didn't like to show he was struggling which is why I usually babysit instead of having him hire a sitter. While I'm at it, I fill the fridge with stuff he's missing and spoil Bria rotten on holidays even though he refuses.
In the background rose petals are spilled on the floor spelling out Will You Be My Girlfriend and I watch Sage fawn over the sentimental action.
"It's about damn time," I say with pride even though I had nothing to do with this happening. I probably wouldn't have thought of something like that which hurts my ego in a way.
"Those two were literally made for each other," she beamed in delight as she texted Victoria back in all caps.
I can tell she was truly happy for her best friend and in the midst of all that happiness, she wanted something like that too.
End of Chapter
Heyy guys I have one full month off of school so updates will be more frequent. Thank you so so so so much for sticking around despite my inconsistencies.
I'm so excited because the next chapter is finally what you've all been dying for.
QOTD: What did you get for Christmas??
I got clothes and money ( :