Justin's POV
While I rolled the window of my mother's car up and down, I couldn't stop thinking what the next hellish year had in store for me. I couldn't stop asking myself how we'd ended up like this, leaving our home to cross the state on our way to Palm Beach. Three months had passed since I'd gotten the terrible news that would change my life forever, the same news that would make me want to punch everything in sight, that would make me rant and rave like I was eleven instead of eighteen.
But what could I do? I wasn't an adult, not fully. I had 2 months before I go far away from a mother who only thought about herself, far from these strangers I'd end up living with, because from now on I would have to share my life with two people I knew nothing about — two men to make matters worse. I thought I was the only man in my mothers' life. But I guess not anymore.
"Can you stop doing that? You're getting on my nerves," my mother said as she put the keys in the ignition and started the car.
"I'm sorry, you doing this is getting on my nerves too but I barely say anything," I hissed back. The loud sigh I heard in reply was so routine, it didn't even surprise me.
How could she make me do this? Didn't she know that after what happened with my Dad, not to let another man in her life? Of course I do, she'd told me as we were leaving my hometown.
Seven years had passed since my parents split and nothing about their divorce had been conventional. It had been incredibly traumatic, but in the end, I'd gotten over it... Or, at least, I was trying to.
It was hard for me to adapt to change. I'm not timid, but I'm reserved about my private life, and having to share twenty-four hours of every day with two people I barely knew made me so anxious, I wanted to get out of the car and throw up.
"I still don't understand why you won't let me stay," I said, trying to convince her one last time. "I'm not a little kid. I know how to take care of myself. Plus, I'll be in college the end of summer, and I'll be living on my own in another state then. It's basically the same thing," I argued, trying to get her to see the light and knowing that everything I was saying was true.
"I'm not going to miss out on your last year of summer before going to college. I want to enjoy my son before he goes away to study. I told you a thousand times, Justin - - you're my child, I want you to be part of this new family. For God's sake! You really think I'm going to let you go that far away from me without a single adult?" she answered, keeping her eyes on the road and gesturing with her right hand.
My mother didn't understand how hard this was. She was starting a new life with a new husband she supposedly loved. But what about me? Does she still love me with this new man in her life?
"You don't get it, Mom. Did you ever stop to think that this is my last year of summer? That all my friends are here, my girlfriend, my job, my team? My whole life!" I shouted, trying to hold back my anger. The situation was getting the best of me.
I still regret not going with my mother on that damn cruise to the Caribbean. Because it was there, on a boat in the middle of the South Pacific, that she'd met the incredible, enigmatic Richard Williams.
If I could go back in time, I wouldn't hesitate a second to tell my mom yes when she showed up in the middle of march with two tickets so we could go on vacation together. They'd been a present from her best friend, Asia. The poor thing had just gotten divorced from her husband before the trip, so she gave them to my mother. But come on now mid-March? I was in the middle of exams, and the football team had back-to-back games. My team had just went to state first, and that hadn't happened as long as I could remember. It was one of the greatest moments in my life. Now, though, seeing the consequences of staying home, I'd happily give back my trophy, leave the team, and fail English Lit and French just to keep that wedding from ever happening.
Getting married on a ship? My mother was out of her mind! And going and doing it without telling me a single word! I found out when she got back, and she said it all happily, like marrying a billionaire in the middle of the ocean was the most normal thing in the world. The whole situation was surreal, and now she wanted to move to a mansion in Palm Beach. It wasn't even in my state! I had been born in Sems, even if my mom was from Alabama and my dad from New York. I didn't want to leave. It was everything I knew.
"Now, you have to realize I want what's best for you," my mother said, bringing me back to reality. "You know what we've been through. And I've finally found a good man who loves and respects me. I haven't felt this happy in a long time. And he can offer you a future we could never have dreamed of before. You can go to any college you like, Justin."
"But I don't want to go to some fancy college, Mom, and I don't want a stranger paying for it," I replied, feeling a shiver as I thought how, at the end of the month, I'd be starting at a new fancy college full of little rich kids.
"He's my husband, and you better get used to the idea," she added cuttingly.
"I'm never going to get used to the idea," I said, looking away from her face to the window.
My mother sighed again, and I wished the conversation would just end, I didn't want to go on talking with her.
"I get that you're going to miss Mia and all your friends, Justin, but look on the bright side, you're going to have a brother you always wanted!" she exclaimed.
I turned to her with a weary look.
"Her name is Maddie and I have always wanted another sibling." I said, hoping the conversation would come to an end. It didn't.
"You're going to love him. Cole is a sweetheart," she told me, smiling as she gazed down the highway. "He's mature, responsible, and he's probably dying to introduce you to all his pals. Every time I've been there and he's around, he's stayed in his room studying. You might even have the same tastes."
"Yeah, right. I'm sure he's crazy about Mark Twain." I rolled my eyes. "How old is he again?"
I knew, of course; all my mother had talked about for months was him and Richard. It was weird that for some reason Cole had never managed to find a way in his schedule to introduce himself. Moving in with a new family before I'd even met all the members of it, summed up how crazy this all was.
"He's a little older than you, but you're more mature than most guys your age. You'll get along just perfect."
Now she was kissing up to me. I still wasn't sure whether a guy who was twenty-three years old would really feel like showing me the city or letting me meet his friends. If I wanted to, which was a whole different question.
————————
"We're here," my mother announced.
I looked at the tall palm trees and the streets between the monumental mansions. Each house took up at half a block. Lots of were modern with glass walls and huge yards. I started to get worried as we continued up the road with the houses getting bigger and bigger.
At last we reached a set of immense gates, nine feet high, and when my mother pulled a small device out of the arm-rest and pushed the button, the gate started to open. She put the car in gear, and we went up a hill surrounded by tall pines that smelled like summer and the ocean.
"The house isn't as high up as the others in the development, which means we have the best view of the beach," she remarked with a big grin. I looked over at her, and it was if I didn't even know her. Did she not realize what was surrounding us? Could she not see that it was all just too much for me to handle?
I didn't have time to formulate the other questions I had aloud because we reached the house and the only thing I could think to say was "Wow."
It was like a sand color with a black-colored roof way up high. It had four stories at most, but it was hard to tell with all those balconies, and windows. In front of us was an impressive porch with the lights on — it was after eight — and that gave the place a fairy-tale aspect. The sun would go down soon, and the sky was filled with colors that marked a sharp contrast to the appearance of the place.
My mother turned off her motor after pulling around the fountain and parking in front of the steps that led to the main entrance. My first impression on getting out was that we'd come to the most luxurious house in all of Palm Beach.
Richard Williams appeared in the doorway just as I shut the door behind me. Behind him were three men in black and white suits.
My mother's new husband was dressed the same, as the few times I met him. Instead of a shirt and pants, he was wearing his normal penguin suit. His dark hair was combed back. I had to admit, I got what my mother saw in him — he was very handsome. I am good enough in my masculinity to admit that. He was tall, a good deal taller than my mother, and had maintained himself well. His face was harmonious, though the signs of age were unrecognizable, and no gray hairs made him a bit more attractive.
My mother walked over to him and hugged him. I took my time, walking around to the trunk to get my things.
Gloved hands appeared from nowhere, and I leapt back.
"I will take your things, Sir," one of the men in the black and white suits said.
"I can do it on my own, thanks," I responded, feeling very uncomfortable, not use to someone doing things for me.
The man looked at me as if I were out of my mind.
"Let Seth help you, Justin," I heard Richard say behind my back.
I released my suitcase slowly. "Whatever you say Samuel."
"I'm so happy to see you," that man continued, smiling affectionately. Next to him, my mother motioned for me to behave and smile.
"I can't say the same," I responded, stretching out a hand for him to shake. I knew what I'd done were terrible manners, but in that moment, he needed to know the truth.
I wanted to make it clear about how I was feeling, and what was concerning this change in me and my mothers' lives.
Richard didn't seem to be offended. He held my hand longer than necessary, and I felt strange. I wish he would let go!
"I know this is a very abrupt change in your life, Justin, but I want you to feel at home, to enjoy what I have to offer for you, and especially for you to accept me as part of your family... eventually." He added this last part when he noticed my incredulity. From his side, my mother's green eyes shot arrows at me.
All I could do was nod and step back so he'd let go of my hand. I don't like to show any intimacy, especially from someone I hardly knew. My mother had gotten married — great for her, bad for me. That didn't make that man anyone to me — not a father, not a stepfather, not anything like that.
I already had a dad, and he'd been enough for one lifetime. Wish I never met him at times.
"How about I show you around the house?" he proposed with a big smile, as far as possible from my coldness and bad mood.
"Come on, Justin," my mother said, taking my arm and giving me no choice but to walk beside her. Someone please come save me.
All the lights were on inside, so I didn't miss a single detail of this mansion that would have been too big for a family of twenty, let alone four. The ceilings were high, with exposed steel beams and big windows opening to the outside. A huge stairway in the middle of an immense room split in two on the upper floor. My mother and her husband took me all through the mansion, from the living room and the kitchen with its oversize island — which I knew my mother would be crazy about to the gym, the pool and a big library that made an impression on me.
"Your mother told me you love to read," Richard said, awakening me from my thoughts and amazement.
"Same as other people," I replied bitterly. I didn't like him being so friendly with me. I didn't like him talking to me at all.
"Justin," my mother said, looking me dead in the eyes. I knew she was having a hard time, but she will deal. I was going to have a whole bad summer, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Richard didn't seem to notice our silent exchange and went on smiling as if nothing was happening. Dumb motherfucker!
I was frustrated and uncomfortable. This was too much. I didn't know if I could ever get used to living in a place like this.
All at once, I needed to be alone, and I needed time.
"I'm tired. Can I see my room?" I asked in a less rude tone.
"Of course. On the left wing of the second floor is where you and Cole have your rooms. You can have anyone you want over, Cole won't mind. Plus you two will be sharing the game room from now on."
The game room? Really? I smiled the best I could to keep from thinking about how from now on I was going to have to live with Richard's son. All I knew about him was what my mother had told me — that he was twenty-three was studying at the University of Lynn, and was an outstanding prep. I mean, I made up that last part, but it had to be true.
As we walked the stairs, all I could think about was how from now on, I'd have two men I didn't know under the same roof. It had been seven years since a man — my father — was in my house. I'd gotten used to just me and my mom, just the two of us. My life had never been a bed of roses, especially during my first twelve years of life. The problems with my father had scarred me as well as my mother, but me more.
Once Dad was gone, Mom and I got by as best we could, managing to live like two regular everyday people, and as I grew older, my mother turned into my best friend. She gave me the freedom I wanted, and that was because she trusted me and I trusted her.
"Here's your room," my mother said, standing in front of a light brown door.
I looked at her and then at Richard. They seemed to be expecting something.
"Can I go in?" I asked when they didn't step aside.
"This room is my special present to you, Justin," my mother said, her eyes shining with excitement.
I looked at her warily, and when she stood back, I opened the door carefully, afraid of what I might find.
The first thing I noticed was the delicate scent of cologne and the sea. Then my eyes landed on the wall across from the door. It was made entirely of glass. The views were so spectacular. The whole ocean was visible from where I stood. Water, and the perfect moon, which was finished setting. It was incredible.
"Wow." I repeated from earlier. That was my new favorite phrase. My eyes now roved the rest of the room — it was huge. On the left-hand wall was a canopy bed with a big pile of navy blue cushions that coordinated with the soft white of the walls. The furniture was white and blue, too, and included a desk with a gigantic Mac, a beautiful sofa, a changing table with a mirror, and a big shelf with all my books. The things I were eyeing were so unreal.
Was all this really for me?
"You like?" my mother asked from behind me.
"It's incredible. Thank you," I answered, feeling grateful.
"I spent a few weeks working with a professional decorator. I wanted you to have everything you've ever wanted and I have never been able to give you." I could tell she was moved. As I looked at her, I knew I couldn't complain. A room like this is everyones dream and every mother's too.
I walked over and hugged her. It had been a few weeks since I'd done that or even touched her at all, and I was sure she needed it as much as I needed it.
"Thanks, Justin," she said in my ear, so only I could hear. "I swear I'll do everything in my power to make both of us happy."
"We will be, Mom," I told her, even though I knew it wasn't in my hands.
My mother let me go and I wiped off one of the tears that had slipped down her cheek, she nodded as her thank you and walked back to her new husband.
"We'll leave you to settle in," Richard said kindly.
I nodded, thanking him. Everything in that room represented him, and I was sort of happy, I guess. But it was money, nothing else.
I closed the door and noticed there wasn't a lock. The floor was wood, covered with a white rug so thick you could use it as a mattress. The bathroom was as big as my old bedroom and had a massaging shower, a bathtub, and a sink. I walked over to the window and looked outside. Below me I could see the backyard, the huge ass pool, and the gardens with their flowers and palm trees. I already knew it was my mothers idea to plant the flowers.
I left the bathroom and noticed the empty doorframe in the bathroom wall. Still in shock...
Crossing the room, I walked into what supposedly was the dream of any man, guy, or teenager: a closet full of clothes and shoes. It was stocked with clothing waiting to be worn. I exhaled a breath I'd been holding in for a long time and began to look through all the unbelievable fits. Everything was name-brand with the tags still on, and just a quick glance was enough to get a sense of how much they'd spent. My mother — or whoever had convinced her to blow all that money was crazy.
I couldn't shake that uneasy feeling that nothing was real, that soon I would wake up and I'd be back in my old room with my single bed and the same clothes as always. And worst of all, that was what I wanted with all my heart because this wasn't my life, it wasn't something I wanted. I wanted to go back home. I felt anxious.
As if he were reading my mind, my friend Dylan sent me a text just then.
Guessing you made it in okay? Missing you and the team sucks.
I smiled at the screen and sent him a photo from my dressing table. Right away I got back five emojis of money with angel wings.
Damn dude, you are rich rich.
I laughed and replied:
If it was up to me, I'd give it all to you.
Honestly I'd give anything to be home with everyone, at Maddie's place watching a movie or just hanging out on that gross couch in your bedroom.
Don't be so negative. You're rich now!
Fucking enjoy it!
But I wasn't rich. Richard was.
I sat my phone on the nightstand and opened my suitcases, taking out some shorts and a T-shirt. I didn't want to change how I was, and there was no way I was going to start wearing thousand-of-dollar clothes.
I got into the shower to wash off all the grime and discomfort from that long trip. I was happy not to be one of those guys who never took showers. After I was done, I got dressed in the clothes I'd picked out and decided to walk around the house and find something to eat.
It was weird, doing it by myself. I felt like an intruder. It would take me a while to get used to living here. In my old apartment, you just had to speak a little louder than normal to get someone to hear you, no matter what room they were in. Here, you could forget that.
I walked toward the kitchen, praying I wouldn't get lost. I was dying of hunger. My body desperately needed a meal. I stay away from junk food, while I play football.
When I turned the corner, I realized I wasn't alone.
Someone was digging through the fridge. All I could see of him was his dark hair. Just as I was about to say something, a deafening bark made me shriek like a scared little child.
I turned just as the head of black hair emerged from behind the refrigerator door to see who was causing such a racket.
But he wasn't what had frightened me. Next to the island in the kitchen was a black dog. A look in its eyes as if it wanted to eat me one morsel at a time. It was a Labrador, I thought, but I couldn't say. My eyes went from the dog to the boy standing beside it.
I looked with curiosity but also with surprise at who could only be Richard's son, Cole Williams. The first thing that came into my head when I saw him was those muscles. They were humongous, with veins coursing though his body, a complete contrast to his raven hair, which was damped with sweat. He must have just worked out because he had on grey sweatpants and a tight light orange compression shirt. My God, he was handsome, I had to admit that, but I didn't let what I was thinking distract me from who was in front of me: my new brother, the person I'd have to live with for a few months, the months that I sensed would be outright torture. And his dog went on growling at me as if it could guess at my thoughts.
"You're Cole, right?" I asked, trying to control my fear of that vicious animal that wouldn't stop growling. I was surprised and angry at the way he looked over at his pet and smiled.
"The one and only," he said and then looked back at me. "You must be the son of my father's new wife." I couldn't believe he would say it so coldly. He rolled his eyes. "So your name was...?" I couldn't help feeling shocked as he asked that question.
He didn't know my name? Our parents were married, my mother and I had moved, and he didn't even know what to call me?
Fuck. This. Guy.