Chasing Second Chances: Finn & Sawyer

Chapter Six

Sawyer

This week has been kicking my ass. After my major screw up with the application to the camp, I tried everything I could to avoid the topic. Moreso after hearing Miles and Ivy tell me that Sara brought them to the stadium where the camp was being held and how amazing it was. Hearing all this just broke my heart even more but I knew I had to talk to him eventually and explain to him how I failed him…again. It kind of helped that I’ve been working most nights this week at Nash’s, a bar that opened up in the middle of the town. Bartending at least brought in a lot of tips, so the cash was helpful with what we needed around the house.

I was finishing up the dishes from lunch this afternoon, I looked around the home we built. Finding this place was amazing, pure luck really. It’s a four bedroom two bath townhouse with an open floorplan downstairs. My master bedroom was the only one on the bottom floor, but half the time I slept upstairs just to be close to the kids incase something happened.

The kitchen was perfect. The granite tops and the kitchen island are just what I always envisioned it would be. We had everything we could want set up for the most part. We were able to get some nice furniture that we found on sale to help put together this house and make it into a home. Pictures of all of us littered the walls and one was most important that sat on top of the fireplace mantle in the living room, and that picture was a picture of our mom, dad, Aiden and I right before they died. I looked at that picture every day and read the note that I had tucked behind the frame, the last letter my mom wrote for me before she died.

I opened the fridge to make sure the white wine was chilling as well as to make sure we had enough juice for the kids because when we had girls’ night, we also took in the kids too to give the guys a break and well, I have Ivy and Miles so it helps that they all keep each other occupied.

“Mommy, when is everyone coming over?” Ivy asked as she climbed up on the stool by the island, “Can I have some strawberries?”

“Of course baby. Miles, did you want anything?” with a resounding hell yeah, he came running into the kitchen, opening the fridge and taking out the milk so he can have cereal. “And they should be here soon.”

“Do I have to be with them?” Miles wined as he poured his coco puffs into the bowl and topped it with milk.

“Miles, you know just until the twins and Mark sleep and half the time, we put them to bed as soon as they come. Ellie, Ivy, and Lucas all pretty much entertain themselves. If it makes you feel better, you all can go into my room upstairs and watch a movie after we put the twins to bed. They will be knocked out in no time.”

“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes and walked away carrying the bowl with him into the living room. I seriously cannot wait for Aiden to come home. The distance between him and Miles was affecting Miles pretty bad. I knew he missed his dad, but he also needed an older guy or someone to look up to when Aiden wasn’t around. They guys have tried, but everything they do just doesn’t help.

He kept talking about this guy Frank that took him to the stadium with Sara all week. It must have been one of their assistants that helped out. At least he got to skate a bit. My phone rang and I couldn’t help but smile, picking up the facetime call.

“Good evening brother.” I said in my best Damon Salvatore impression I could muster.

“You watch that show way too much. How many times have you seen the series?”

“Like four but I still refuse to watch the last season.”

“Why?”

“Because that means it’s over and I’m not ready to accept that reality. How is everything going over there?”

“Same bullshit different day. Missing the kids pretty damn bad.”

“Any word on the whole deployment thing?” the doorbell rang and a stampede of little feet echoed through the halls as the laughter from the girls rang high. The kids ran to the playroom that’s on the first floor, with the twins slightly behind them, trying to keep up. Ray, Summer, holding baby Mark, Ava and Jo came around the corner into the kitchen, carrying bags of food and drinks and started to set everything up on the table.

“Who ya talking to? Anyone hot and interesting?” Ava smirked as she sauntered over to where I was standing, plucking the phone from my hands, “Oh…it’s just you.”

“Nice to see you too Ava.” He laughed, “How is everything going?”

“Well, the fellowship is almost done, but I’m still not one hundred percent sure what I want to do.”

“Why not do both?”

She stood there, silent for a moment before her eyes lit up like fireworks on the fourth of July, “You are a genius! I can take this to the office and pitch it to bossman. When you come home, I am so setting you up with someone as a thank you.”

“You’ve been trying to set this one over here up for the past month with no success so let’s not push it.” He laughed.

“This is why I hate you. You’re a dick.”

“Only to my sisters. Hey fucker! Why do you do this every time?” Aiden yelled on the phone.

“Let me talk to my girl.” I heard him say on the phone, making me roll my eyes. He has always called me his girl ever since we first met and no matter how many times I tell him nothing will happen he doesn’t stop so I basically have given up. Ava rolled her eyes and tossed me the phone.

“Hi Felix.” I smiled nicely at him, “How are you?”

“Missing my girl. How are you Dove?”

“I’m not your girl.”

“For now. But game on when I get home.” He grinned and I internally groaned.

“What if I’m dating someone by then?”

“Then I’ll have to fight for you.”

“She’s spoken for you weirdo.” Summer said as she snatched the phone from me, “put the better looking Marine back on the phone.” He mumbled some not so nice words and gave the phone back to Aiden, thank god.

“Sorry about him.”

“He needs to stop Aid.”

“I know. I’ll talk to him. But I just wanted to check in and see how everything’s going and wonder if I can talk to Miles. Also, what does Summer mean you’re spoken for.”

“Of course and things here are good.” I looked over to Jo and nodded my head as she went to the other room to get him. “And who the hell knows what she means.”

“I do, but for some strange reason, every time you’re around he isn’t and when he is, you’re not. It’s like the Greek Gods don’t want you two to meet…yet.” She winked.

“You’re a nut.” I laughed, turning my attention back to Aiden.

“Did you apply to that job yet?”

“I broke down and reapplied…again. Just waiting for a call if I ever get one.” I huffed out a breath thinking about it. I know I asked Ava a while ago to have them pull my application when I first arrived but it’s time that I settle down. Working two jobs is literally going to kill me while I try to raise two kids. Miles came running into the room and snatched the phone out of my hands talking a million miles a minute about everything that has happened in the past week. Since he went to work with Sara the first day, he has been going back and coming home with even more stories. I was actually getting a bit jealous.

“That’s good. I’m glad you’re finally listening to everyone. Why not have Sara put in a good word for you?”

“I want to do this on my own with no help that way, I know it’s all me and not the influence of others.” I said as I glared at all the girls who looked away, guilty, knowing they would do something along those lines.

“I get it, being stubborn as per usual.”

“Not stubborn, just independent.”

“Well, once I get more info, I will let you know. The check just got sent out today so hopefully you’ll get it by the end of next week. Love you sis, don’t work too hard.”

“Love you too Aid. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Will do, tell Miles sorry I didn’t talk to him. I’ll try again tomorrow but I gotta go.” And he hung up the phone before I could say anything else. It always happens like that, well not always, but most of the time, you know, fighting for your life and all. I’m just glad that on the base they have really good reception.

“So, we have some things to go over.” Ray grinned as she went to the fridge and took out the four bottles of wine I had chilling, opening all four and giving all of us except for Jo a bottle.

“Hey, I want one.” She pouted.

“You’re underage.” Ray glared.

“Not like you guys did worse. I know the bigger grownups let you guys’ drink when you were sixteen.” She glared right back and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You can share with me.” I winked at her, “When I was your age, I would sneak out with my friends and get s**t faced. My brother couldn’t stop me. I would rather you do it with us where we can make sure you’re safe.

“You make a valid point…” Summer said slowly, “Yeah! Jo, you can share with us.”

“You make it sound like I never drank with you guys before.” She rolled her eyes, making us laugh.

“Where are the boys?” We all sat at the table and started to munch on some food and listen to some old school early 2000’s music, just relaxing and it was nice. It was great to finally have friends where I can do this and not be scared of who’s going to walk through that door.

“They are at Finn’s place. They’re trying to decide where to have the bachelor party even though I told them it was useless because Jordan’s not a bachelor.” Summer smirked, “But if they are having one, then I sure as f**k am having a bachelorette party.”

“Already on it!” Ava pipped up, “Ray and I book the spa for all of us, including Hannah, Bella and Taylor and the masseuses are going to be hot men, shirtless with oiled bodies. There will be buckets under the table for our drool ladies.”

“Who’s Taylor?”

“Tristian’s daughter. She’s been in California for boarding school but she’s coming home to visit her dad around the time of the wedding before going back to stay with her mom.” Ray’s face fell.

“Did you guys ever find out what happened?” Jo questioned.

“No, they are keeping hush about it. Mom thinks that Riley cheated on Tristian with some guy out in California the last time they were out there and that’s why he came home alone. Hannah thinks that Tristian did something but is trying to save himself. But whatever it is that ended them made them end it mutually.” Ray explained out loud.

“Well, Tristian is pretty hot. Maybe I’ll go for it.” Ava laughed out loud, making all of us laugh.

“He is a DILF but never tell any of the boys that, we will never hear the end of it.” Summer smirked.

“So, wedding is in what, two months?” I brought up. I was anxious about this wedding. It was so sudden that they brought me into their group of friends with open arms but even though they have been more than welcoming, I was surprised when Summer asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. According to her, she said it seemed like she already knew me from everything Ava spoke, so when I officially moved here, they did everything possible to make it seem like I was always here.

“Yep! We rented this cute little barn on this open field about seven hours away from here and they are also providing room and board there and whoever doesn’t fit will get rooms in a nearby hotel and get shuttled. We have the rooms all set up for the most part. The kids will be split into two rooms with Jo watching the girls and Archer watching the boys.”

“Good. The last thing I need is to be around him right now.” She rolled her eyes and the faces of the other three fell, disappointment written all over them.

“What even happened?” Ray asked, grabbing her hand, “I know you two have been hush about the breakup but you can talk to us. You two were so strong for over a year.”

Jo’s eyes started to water but she instantly blinked them away, trying to remain strong but we all could see right through her. She was hurting and hurting bad. From what the girls told me, her and Archer were secretly see each other for a few months before they came out to their families.

“We just want different things. He wants to go to school on the East coast and jump start his career and aim for the pros.” She sighed out.

“But…didn’t you say you were going to go to school with him? Didn’t you apply at the same colleges?” Ava asked, making Summer and Ray’s eyes go a bit large, surprised.

“I applied at the same schools he did but he didn’t know that. He assumed that I was applying at places around here, which I was, but those weren’t the only ones obviously. I wanted to surprise him. We were supposed to study for our finals and well, I went to go to his place with an acceptance letter to Boston University, you know the school he decided to go to without talking to me…I mean, I’m not upset. He needs to go where he needs to but I wanted to surprise him with this. He talked to me about being together for the long haul, marriage and everything I have always dreamt of, so I was excited to show him my acceptance letter but before I could show him, he said that it wasn’t fair to me to be strung along, to be in long distance when I could be living my life. I tried to tell him he was my life and everything I wanted but he ended it before I could say anything. He wasn’t fighting for us anymore so why should I? I walked out.” She shrugged.

I took her hand in mine and squeezed, making her look at me and I could see the tears, the hurt flooding her face, “I know you love him. I know you want to be with him and you believe you two are meant to be, but you both are so young and have so much to live for. Don’t let this hold you down. Live your life the best you can. You have years to find someone. Who knows, he might not even be the one for you.”

“But what if he is?”

“Then maybe right now is not the right time. Maybe right now, you two are meant to grow and live your lives the way you want before finding one another again. Take it one day at a time. Follow your own dreams and if your dreams lead you back together again, then that’s amazing, but who knows, maybe someone better is out there for you that will make your heart soar.” She looked at me and gave me a small smile and hugged me, thanking me for my kind words.

What they didn’t know, I thought that the guy I was with when I was her age was my everything but I was so wrong. I used the words Sara told me and hopefully, I can take that advice, maybe one day, I will find that person that makes my heart soar into the sky. At that moment, the gorgeous man with dark brown hair and blue eyes from earlier this week came into my mind and my heart skipped a beat. Memories of me touching myself to his memory ran through my head, making me shudder as I regained my composure.

If only I could just see him again and apologize for my behavior and we can start over.