It's been a few days since the whole "your dad isn't your dad" situation and Alyssa has been staying with us ever since.
In all honesty, I sometimes forget that she's here. She's pretty quiet, she spends most of her time working on homework or playing with Oreo.
Anytime Axton and I make food, she always insists on doing the dishes since she feels bad about staying with us.
We always tell her that it's no big deal but she never listens.
It's honestly cool having someone else in the house with us because as much as Axton and I don't mind each other's company, it's nice having someone else to talk to other than my brother.
She's like our little sister.
Asher has been blowing up all of our phones ever since that day but every time he calls or texts we just reply with "she's fine" or "stop worrying so much".
Asher has been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember but it doesn't mean I'm going to defend him for what he did.
Both Jess and I finally decided to meet up with him today.
So here we are, waiting for the fucker to walk into the cafe so we can scream at him.
Just kidding, I'm trying to be civil.
"He's 20 fucking minutes late," Jess mutters.
I look at my watch and the time reads 2:50 pm.
"Asher's always late, just give him till 3, and then we'll leave." I shrug.
I think out of us both, Jess is more pissed at Asher than I am.
Alyssa is best friends with his sisters so he's extremely overprotective of her.
"There he is," I say as we both look up and watch as Asher makes his way over to our table.
Jesus, he looks horrible.
He's wearing all black, he seems more pale than usual, thinner, the bags under his eyes are darker, and he seems restless.
Once he sits down, we all just awkwardly stare at each other.
Fuck, I don't know how to start a conversation!
That's Jesse's thing.
"How's my sister?" Asher whispers while looking down at his lap.
"She's fine." Jesse and I say at the same time.
"Oh...okay." He mumbles.
God, he sounds so broken.
"Why didn't you tell her?" Jesse says, getting straight to the point.
"I- I don't know."
"That's not an answer Ash."
"I didn't want her to leave me too." He mutters.
"What are you talking about?"
"When I found out, I was gonna tell her but...after losing my mom, I knew that if I told her, she would go looking for her dad. I was scared that if she found her dad, she would learn to love him and end up moving in with him and leave me behind." His voice breaks.
"I fucking hate my dad. Alyssa is the only thing that's kept me from losing my fucking mind. She keeps me sane. I already lost my mom...I didn't want to lose her too." He says as tears run down his face.
Oh god, now I feel bad.
"Asher-"
"She hates me, doesn't she?" He asks.
"She doesn't hate you, she just feels...betrayed," I say.
"She has every right to hate me."
"How's your dad taking this?" Jess asks.
"He was shocked. When she left, he went back to his office and locked himself in there. I heard him throwing shit all over the place and yelling. Macy was also shocked, I mean she had no words. Alyssa slapped her really hard and called her a whore. My dad was more pissed at the fact that I knew about Alyssa's dad rather than Alyssa finding out the truth."
"How did you find out?" I ask.
"I found Alyssa's real birth certificate. It had someone else's signature."
"How long have you known?"
"About 2 years."
"Look man, for now, Alyssa just wants space. So she'll be staying with Ax and me until she has figured out what she wants to do. Trust me when I tell you that she's doing fine." I explain.
"I know, I know. Thank you guys...for taking care of her."
"We didn't do it for you," Jess says.
Jeez, not one ounce of remorse from this man.
He's pissed.
"How are you doing man?" I ask.
"I feel like shit." He answers bluntly.
"You look like shit," Jesse mutters.
"Jess...shut up." I roll my eyes.
"Did she reach out to her dad yet?" He asks.
Jess and I look at each other for a sec before he nods.
"No." He answers.
What?!
"Oh."
"Dude, you need to take a shower." I blurt.
"Really Xan, that's what you're worried about?" Jesse lets out a quiet chuckle.
"Sorry. Bad timing." I mumble.
"I don't know what to do guys. I feel lost." Asher says.
"If I were you, I would start planning what you're gonna say to Alyssa. She may be mad at you but we all know she doesn't hold grudges for long." Jesse says.
"Yeah and just lay low. Take care of yourself and just be patient with her. She's in good hands." I reassure.
"Yeah, you're right, I'm gonna go. Please tell Alyssa I said hi." He says before placing a few dollars on the table to pay for his coffee and then leaves.
"I kinda feel bad for him," I mumble.
"I don't. He did this to himself and Alyssa." Jess scoffs.
"Jeez, dude, what's up your ass today? Why are you being such a prick?" I snap.
"What the fuck does that mean?"
"It means that you've been acting like a dick ever since we've stepped into the cafe."
"No, I haven't."
"Yes, you have. You were literally giving our waiter a death glare because he was pouring your coffee 'too slow'." I explain.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I've just been really stressed. The boys haven't spoken to me ever since I told them I lost the card. I fucked everything up." He groans before burying his head in his hands.
"It was an honest mistake dude. Don't beat yourself up over it."
"You don't get it, man! I fucked up our chance of being signed to a record label!" He raises his voice which causes some people to look at us.
"Calm down Jess. You'll figure it out." I say before awkwardly patting him on the shoulder and walking out of the diner.
I wish we could go back to Hawaii.
When things were fucking normal.
I took out my phone to call Arya for the 7th time in the last three days.
Ever since our last phone call, she hasn't bothered calling or texting me and I'm starting to worry.
I know for a fact that that doctor said something to her that's made her distant all of a sudden.
I've tried going to the hospital and her job but she hasn't been to either.
I leave her another voicemail and send her a text before heading home.
"I swear this fucking dog likes you guys better than me." Axton scoffs.
As soon as I step out of the elevator I notice Alyssa, Ryan, and Oreo snuggled up on one side of the couch and Axton on the other.
"He's a lady's man." Alyssa laughs while rubbing the dog's belly.
"Traitor," Axton mutters.
"How did lunch go with Jess and Ash-" I quickly cover Axton's mouth.
I give him the "shut the hell up" look.
Alyssa doesn't know that I met up with Asher.
"Lunch with Jess was fine," I said quickly.
When I look down at Alyssa, she looks between Axton and me wearily before setting her attention back on the dog.
Axton nods his head towards the kitchen and I follow him.
"Dude!" I whisper-yell.
"Sorry! I forgot." He defends.
"Whatever. Lunch was fine. Asher looks like shit and he misses Alyssa like crazy."
"Makes sense. They're like best friends."
"Yeah. Did she say if she wanted to talk to him yet?" I ask.
"Nope. She's mainly been talking about how nervous she is about meeting her dad."
"Okay."
"Any news with Arya?" He asks.
"Ugh no. It's driving me crazy! I wish she would at least tell me if she were okay or not." I groan.
"Ryan told me that Arya has been distant with her too. So it's not just you. I think she just needs some space and the only thing you can do is give it to her. Stop calling her and wait for her to call you." He says.
"Yeah...you're right."
"Plus, school starts in a couple of days and I doubt Arya will miss class so you'll see her then."
"Yeah," I mumble and I feel him mess up my hair before heading back to the living room.
I need to hit the fucking gym.
Once we go back, football season will officially be starting.
This means less free time and more time in the weight room and running plays.
I can't fucking wait for the games.
The stands are full of the cheering student body.
Competing with top schools for the championship.
College scouts...
Fuck.
I forgot about that.
Sports are my only chance of going to college so I have to play my best.
NO FUCKING DISTRACTIONS.
"Hey!" I let out a quiet yelp.
"You scared me Lyss." I hold my chest.
"My bad." She laughs.
"What's up?"
"Do you wanna go for a walk?" She asks nervously.
"Uh sure. May I ask why?"
"I think Ryan and Axton want some...privacy."
"Oh god. Grab your jacket and we'll go."
She nods before heading up to her room.
"Try not to have a fucking kid while we're gone," I warn Axton and Ryan.
"Pfft says you Mr.30-pack of condoms." Ryan scoffs.
"Ha!" Axton laughs.
Alyssa comes down and we both make our way downstairs.
"I wanna show you something." She says before grabbing my wrist and dragging me down the street.
"Alyssa, slow down!" I laugh.
"Sorry." She giggles before letting me go.
"Where are we going anyway?"
"A garden that my mom used to take me to as a kid."
"Oh wow. I am honored."
I watch her suddenly stop, staring at something across the street.
"What's wrong?"
"Uh isn't that Arya?" She asks and I immediately whip my head and turn the other way.
"What the-"
It is Arya.
AND ANOTHER FUCKING GUY.
I clench my fists when I see him lean in for a hug and kiss her on the cheek.
So this is why she hasn't been replying to me.
Fuck my life.
-----------Author's Note----------
Uh oh...trouble in paradise for our favorite couple????
Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!
-Pradabagg
-Word Count: 1654