Can't Fight Fate

Chapter eight

Dylan

The car ride was awkward as we started to make our way to my mom and dad's. Mom decided to have this elaborate dinner made for my official return home. She was more excited than anyone about my decision, telling me that she finally felt whole again. It was always my mom and I against the world growing up until dad came into our lives. It was a whirlwind of drama but in the end, it all came together. I had the family I wanted. I had my mom, my dad and now, my brother, but something inside me always felt missing, is missing.

The reason the ride was awkward? The goddess sitting next to me. Yes, goddess, but I would never let her know that. I was stunned when I first saw her with the sun shining behind her. It was at that moment I knew how stupid I was and regret started to wash over me.

What would have happened if we had given it a shot? Would we be together now? Where would we be living? But that was too late because she was fuckin' engaged. ENGAGED.

“So, is your fiancé coming over for dinner tonight?” I finally spoke, breaking the silence that was between us. She looked at me with her side eyes as I turned to face her. A hint of despair and sadness appeared, but was soon replaced by something else, and she suddenly seemed lost.

“No. He’s working tonight.”

“Oh. Tell me how you guys met?” she pursed her lips at me and just stared, questioning why I was asking, “If we are going to be roommates for the next couple months until my house is done, we might as well work on the whole friend’s thing. Right? So, Raegan, let’s get to know each other and be friends.”

“And the first thing you want to know is about my fiancé?”

“I assume he’s going to be around quite a bit, right?”

“He’s a very busy person.”

“I see. Well, tell me about him.”

She sighed and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears, “He’s a really great guy. He’s been there for me through some of the toughest times in my life and I don’t know what I would do without him. He means a lot to me.”

“He sounds like a good guy.”

“He is. He really is.”

Silence.

“When can I meet him?”

She jerked her head back slightly, taken back by what I just asked. Surprised was the emotion that was on her face and then a sudden furrow of her brow, “You want to meet him?”

“Well, yeah. You’re like a sister to me, Ray. I need to make sure this guy is good for you.”

“You have no right to judge. No right to do this.” She argued back, snapping her head to look out the window. I wanted to kick myself in the ass. Sister? Yeah right. She is the furthest thing I see as a sister. But I said it to convince myself. I needed to tell myself that she is just like my sister, because if she was getting married, what right did I have to pursue her? I may be an ass and go for the things I want, but I’m not one to ruin relationships, I’m not that much of an asshole.

“I just want to be a part of your life. Is that so much to ask?”

“You lost that chance when you left and never came home.”

“I was busy.”

“I’m sure, but the season only lasts so long.”

“There’s more to it than that.”

“And honestly, I don’t care. I’ve heard the stories, Dylan. Famous All-American going for the NFL and his many girls. Your priorities were always football and you neglected your family. I don’t give a rat’s ass about you ignoring me. I’m a big girl and my life doesn’t revolve around you as much as you may believe, but you ignored your parents, your brother and the others around here. You claimed to be family, so forgive me when I look at you with nothing but distaste. You had a chance to keep up with your relationships and you threw it away. Your mom and dad and the others may forgive you, but others won’t.”

“Are you part of the others or are you able to forgive me?”

“Neither. I have moved on from the notion of having you in my life, as a brother, friend or otherwise.”

The conversation that was supposed to help open us up turned awkward. Thank god we pulled up to mom and dad’s house, but what I didn’t expect was the welcoming committee to meet me at the front door. I didn’t even get a chance to walk up the driveway before my mom came barreling into my arms, suffocating me with the tightest hug, crying into my chest.

“My baby is home.” She cried, squeezing the life slowly from my body.

“Hey mom.” I said as I bent my head down and kissed the top of her head, embracing her back. “I missed you.”

“I missed you more. I am so happy you’re finally home. For good, right?” she looked up at me with hope in her eyes. That gleam told me she desperately wanted me to say those words back. It was the look that she gave my dad whenever she wanted something.

“I hope so.” I chuckled as she released me. Dad, Eli and Tristian came up to me and hugged me, welcoming me back home. I looked over their shoulders and saw Bella and Riley coming up to Raegan, hugging her and whispering something in her ear, making me curious as to what could be so important. She nodded at them and gave them a forced smile.

“Come on son, let’s go inside. Dinner is almost ready. We have a lot of catching up to do.” Dad said, gripping my shoulder as we walked back in. “It is really good to have you home.”

We got inside and the smell instantly hit my nose and I couldn’t have been more excited about being home. Mom’s cooking was always the best and it was something I missed. Eating out all the time or having cereal just doesn’t do it anymore. The smell of homemade beef pot roast was making my mouth water. The aroma of garlic bread drew me into the kitchen, eyeing the new addition that wasn’t there four years ago.

“When did you guys put in the mini bar?” I c****d my eyebrow, interested as I walked over to it and grabbed a bottle of my dad’s most expensive whiskey.

“Last year. It was the first thing we added when we started to do remodeling. Nice, right?” Dad said proudly. He pulled out four rock glasses as I poured the whiskey for the guys.

“You’re rude.” Bella said, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes, “Maybe we wanted some too?”

“You don’t drink whiskey.” Eli said, but what I saw was fear in his eyes. He was always a bit scared of her and I laughed, remembering the banter between the two growing up. She reminded me of Raegan and I knew instantly where she got her attitude from. Like mother, like daughter.

“I’ll take tequila.” Raegan said, pushing past us and instantly going for the bottle of patron.

“Dyl…” mom said quietly as I took the glass in my hand. I froze, knowing what she was telling me.

“Mom, one drink is fine.” I gave her a small smile and she just looked at me worried, but she let it go.

“One drink?” Raegan asked, scoffing. “Gone soft Dylan. Can’t handle it anymore? Playboy All-American can’t handle his liquor anymore?” I knew she was egging me on. Normally, it wouldn’t work, but that twinge inside my chest was telling me not to give into it. I shot the whiskey back and slammed the glass down.

“Something like that.” I gritted out, not looking at her. I know she doesn’t know what happened. She doesn’t need to know. No one but Tristian, mom, and dad needed to know what happened that night, but that didn’t stop the pain in my chest. What would I do right now to down that entire bottle of tequila for more reasons than one. “Dinner almost ready?”

The silence in the room was broken by mom, “Uh, yeah, ten more minutes.”

“Cool. I’m going out back really quick. I’ll be back.” I started to walk away before Tristian came jogging up to me.

“You okay man?” He asked as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, walking with me outside. “You shot that back pretty quick.”

“Yeah, I did. What I wouldn’t do right now for the whole bottle. But being home, it’s bittersweet.” I made a side smile as we stopped on the back porch, making sure the door was closed so no one could hear us. “I fuckin told her she was like my sister.” I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Dumbass.” He took a swig of the whiskey in his cup, “It’s going to be a long night.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You haven’t been around the girls when they break out the tequila.” He laughed, “Let’s just say, we all might get lucky tonight.” He winked.

“You guys yeah, she will call Levi.” And knowing she would be in bed with him at the end of the night just plain fuckin sucked.

“Just remember, not everything is what it seems.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I just have this feeling.” He took another swig of his whiskey, drowning the last bit of it, “I haven’t said anything to anyone. I know the girls were talking about it on and off and all of us talked about it after they announced their engagement, but I honestly think there’s something going on.”

I didn’t say anything. I put my hands in my pockets and stared out into the backyard that I grew to love and miss all at the same time. Nothing back here has changed. The patio was still the same, just refinished from being used year after year. I could see the entrance in the woods from the path all of us kids started when we started exploring. I remember finding a small lake in the middle of the woods. It was my escape from everything that came with my name. The expectations. The plans. The talking. I remember Fin and Raegan coming with me a couple of times just to make sure I was okay. Yeah, I was the oldest of all the kids, but I wasn’t a d**k. Contrary to what others may believe, I am quite close to Fin, well, used to be. We haven’t really talked much after the whole Archer situation. I don’t blame him. It's just another relationship I have to mend.

“Dinner.” Riley said as she opened the door, grinning at Tristian.

“How much have you had to drink?” Tristian c****d his eyebrow at her, smirking. I rolled my eyes, knowing why he was asking.

“Let’s just say, we are already done with the second bottle of tequila.” She laughed.

“How are the other three?”

My curiosity peaked. “Well, Hannah and Bella are tipsy but Raegan is starting to get hammered.”

“Isn’t she still underage?”

“She turns 21 in a couple of weeks.” I said, remembering that the twin’s birthday was coming soon. I remember talking to Fin about it a couple of years back, him wanting me to take him out in New York City to the best bars and getting him drunk. That’s not happening, I guess, but we can try to enjoy his time here if he comes home.

“That’s right. Well, let’s go in before they get upset that they are waiting for us.”

We headed inside and just as I expected, Raegan was drunk. Her face was flushed as she held the glass of what looked like tequila and orange juice and she walked over to me. She stumbled a bit, forcing me to catch her so she wouldn’t fall. I took the glass out of her hands and handed it to Riley, who drank the rest of it with ease.

“Hey.” She slurred, smiling up at me, “Thanks for catching me.”

“I would catch you anytime, you know that.”

“Yep! That’s what siblings do, right?” I nodded my head, trying not to show any emotion. I shifted my eyes as the adults were watching us, our interaction. Mixed reactions were aimed at us. Happiness, hurt, confusion, guilt, pain. “Why aren’t you drinking? I heard you were big in the bottle when you were in college.”

“Oh you did, didn’t you? Let’s just say, someone needs to be responsible tonight. Come on, let’s sit down and get some food in ya.” I brought her to the table and sat her next to me so I could keep an eye on her. Word vomit was a popular thing with this family and I can tell it’s hereditary.

“Austin, Tristian and dad talked about your drinking. They said that when you come home next that you would drink them out of the bottle.” She giggled.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“You could out drink them.” She rolled her eyes.

“Maybe in the past.” I said quietly, only my dad hearing what I said. I looked up at him and sadness washed over with a splash of disappointment.

“When did you become mister responsible? You are supposed to be the fun one out of us, the rebel.” She spoke as she hiccupped.

“Yeah, well, it’s time to grow up.”

The disappointment of how internally f****d up I was because of a dumbass decision I made during a dark time.

“So, Raegan. Tell us, are you excited about starting your new job soon?” Hannah asked.

“Yep! I still need to get my classroom set up but I am excited!”

“Classroom?” I asked.

“Yep! I help kids.” She grinned, “I’m working there until I finish my Master’s.”

“Which school?”

“That is none of your concern. You would stalk me! Like the stalker. You know, the stalker that stalks people.”

“Raegan.” Eli snapped, “Stop. This isn’t the time.”

“Okay pops. Got it!” I just looked between the two confused. Stalker? What the hell? All I could do was nod and not say anything. I wanted to figure out what they were talking about and when I looked at Eli, he just shook his head at me, telling me to drop it. So I did. It’s not my business anyway. If it were, someone would have told me.