by C. A. Rene
Huh? Who is paying our bill? I stand up from the table as Adri turns in her seat to get a look at the counter. I don’t see anyone until I look at the door and see long light brown dreads exiting. I smile and sit down.
“Who was it?” Adri asks.
“They must’ve left, I couldn’t see anyone.” I say with a shrug. I feel bad for lying to her but if Vin wanted us to know he paid he would’ve come to say so. I decide to keep his little secret.
“Anyways, continue.” I wave her on.
“Right, um... where was I?”
“You were all best friends at school.” I answer her, eager to know the rest.
“Yes, anyways we get to first grade and that is the year you can start enrolling for the science fair. It was a big thing for us and we wanted to do an erupting volcano.” She gets a far-off look in her eye, like she’s right back there. “Vin was easily the smartest of us, he figured out the formula for the lava, while Travis and I paper mached the volcano. We get the invite to the fair and we were so excited. So, we have to bring home forms to our parents to sign for permission to travel to Toronto, ya know? On those permission forms it had all our group members names. I don’t really know how Vin’s mom reacted but I do know how Bobby reacted. He read Vincent Greene and nearly blew their roof off. Travis said it was the scariest he had ever seen him.”
“What happened then?”
“Bobby is not a good person, clearly, instead of sitting Travis down and telling him who Vin is, he forbids him to go to the science fair. To top it off he also tells Travis that Vin and his mother were so poor they were practically homeless. He told him to stay away from Vin for good.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I practically scream, “what the fuck is wrong with this man?”
“It gets better, Bobby takes a trip to Sharla’s house that night and I’m guessing he paid her off. Vin was pulled from our elementary school the next day and they moved to Toronto.” She looks sad. “I missed Vin after that, our group was never the same. He was the bossy one telling us what to do, but we let him because his reasons had made sense, then all of a sudden we were missing that. Anyways, we don’t see Vin again until eighth grade.”
“They moved back? But what did Bobby do about it?”
“I’m not sure the specifics, but Sharla ended up buying the restaurant and coming back. Vin was completely different. He was mean and a bully but mind you, he did know that Travis was his half brother and he knew that was the reason they were shipped off. He grew to resent Travis the time he was away and as soon as he was back the hatred was forefront.”
“I get it, but why take it out on Travis?”
“Because I’m guessing Travis had the life he thought he should’ve had? It’s no secret that Sharla struggled to raise Vin with how little they had. Bobby never acknowledged him and I guess Sharla never took him to court over it. I wouldn’t want that man in my child’s life either to be honest.”
“Things are making more sense, I still don’t get why he took it out on Travis, or still is for that matter.”
“When Vin and Sharla came back to town, Travis still didn’t know that Vin was his half brother. None of us knew. I’m sure the adults all knew the gossip but we had never heard anything about it. It was Vin that told Travis in eighth grade, after he beat Travis to a pulp for the first time.”
“Oh no...” I say, covering my mouth with my hand.
“Travis obviously didn’t believe him and told Vin he was delusional and just wanted his life. It was a bad day.” She shakes her head, “when Travis went home that night and his mother saw his face she freaked out and asked him what happened. After Travis finished he said his mother remained so quiet he just knew everything Vin said was true.”
“I feel for them both, that is a hard situation. Their father is scum.”
“Complete scum.” Adri nods in agreement.
“So obviously that hatred is still going strong to this day.” I say, “but what happened with you and Travis?”
“I have loved Travis Greene since seventh grade, but I kept it to myself because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.” I nod because I had guessed as much. “It was ninth grade just before Christmas break that I thought we were going somewhere. We went to a party and it was stupid as fuck, so we decided to get drunk. Without getting into too much detail we ended up making out. Then, not even an hour later he goes into a room upstairs with an eleventh grade slut. I haven’t spoken to him since.”
“Wait, you didn’t even tell him he was being a douche? Or what he did?”
“He knew. That’s why he has never even tried to explain himself.” Her eyes start to water. “I thought I was also worth a fight, ya know? But he just let me go.”
“And he’s been a whore ever since?” I ask.
“Pretty much, I stay away from him but I hear shit. Today was the first day he’s spoken to me in two years.”
“Because of me, I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t know. Don’t worry about it. I do want to tell you to be careful about Vin. He’s mean, like really mean.” She says looking at me in earnest.
“There’s chemistry between us I won’t deny that. To be honest with you, I don’t think I can stay away. There’s just something about him that draws me in.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, but it is.
“Just promise me you’ll be careful and smart about the whole thing.”
“You got it, Doll.” I stick my fist out waiting for a bump. She raises her eyebrow and looks at me sceptically.
I shrug again and drop a fist, “Or not. Look, I will be smart, I always am.”
She nods and turns back to her float. We finish the rest of our food and leave. It’s been a long day and I just want to get home to process all I’ve learned. Also to pick apart my aunt Deb’s brain about it. She's best friends with Sharla after all.
I drop Adri home with the promise to pick her up in the morning. We exchange cell numbers and she leaves the car with a grin and a squeal. Trust me, I know what she’s feeling, this car makes me squeal too.
I pull up to my new life of wealth and privilege and see a cute red car parked near the garage. Don’t ask me to tell you what kind of car it is, it does look like that little car you find in the UK… I tried. I grab my bag out of the back seat and head inside the house. As soon as I’m dropping my bag in the foyer I hear female laughter from the kitchen. The husky laugh I hear sounds very familiar.
I enter the kitchen and see both my aunt Deb and Sharla sitting at the table.
“Hey honey, how was school?” Aunt Deb asks with a smile.
“It was good, most people are very kind here.” I reply.
“Did you meet Vincent?” Sharla asks.
“Yes, I did.” I nod, “I also met Travis.”
I don’t care at this point if I have no tact for mentioning that. I think both boys were screwed out of a relationship because all parents involved had their heads up their asses. Granted, Sharla has the least blame but there’s still the fact she kept information from Vin.
“Travis is a good boy.” Sharla says with a nod.
“They both are.” My aunt agrees.
“I also met a girl named Adrianna. We’ll be riding to school together.”
“Adrianna is a sweet girl. I’m glad for you hun.” My aunt says with what looks like a teary eye.
“Well, I’m going to go get started on homework. It was nice to see you again Sharla, and thanks for the coffee this morning.” I point towards my aunt, “make sure you get your payment.”
Sharla laughs and gives me the gun salute. I turn and head up the staircase when I hear my aunt.
“What payment? Am I being pimped or something?”
I chuckle and go to my room. I throw myself on my bed and try to digest further the amount of information I ingested today. Poor Travis and Vin, they are family but do not have the option to act that way. Thinking of family makes me think of my mother. She was my only family and I treasured her, I know I
have my aunt Deb and uncle Scott now but she was all I had then.
I know I don’t know them well but I want to help Travis and Vin reconnect. I want to help them heal and maybe begin to be friends. I don’t expect them to be brothers overnight. Am I trying to be a saviour and fix the damaged? Maybe. Am I doing it because I can’t fix my own damage? Probably.
I decide to do a little studying before dinner. I pull out my textbooks and lose myself in Mitosis and its' five stages.
“Ember! Dinner!” I hear my uncle Scott yell from the bottom of the stairs.
He’s home? What time is it?
I look at the alarm clock on my side table and see it’s been a few hours since I cracked these books open. I change out of my uniform quickly and head downstairs. I look out the front window by the front door and notice Sharla’s car is gone. Good, I need to do some digging.
I enter the kitchen to the smell of garlic toast and spaghetti. Makes me nostalgic for my mom’s meals. I swallow down the sudden feeling of grief and sit at the table, clearing the lump in my throat.
“Dinner smells great, thank you.” My uncle turns from his position at the stove, his shirt sleeves are rolled and he’s elbow deep stirring the pasta.
“Are you ever going to be a regular teenager? You know, being disrespectful and moody?” He asks with a wink and grin.
“Most definitely at some point.” I nod with a grin of my own.
“Thank God, I thought we were going to have to open you up and see if you were actually real.” He answers with a laugh. My aunt and I join in.
“Seriously though, you are amazing Ember and your mom clearly did a great job raising you.” My aunt says clearing her throat too.
“Thank you.” I offer a small smile.
I know she’s also going through her grieving process and it’s filled with guilt and regret. I reach my hand over to cover hers.
“Thank you.” I whisper, she offers me a watery smile.
My uncle comes to the table with a tray of garlic toast and my mouth waters.
“That smells so good!” I exclaim.
“Dig in.” He replies.
After we have all stuffed our faces and rubbing our full bellies I break the silence.
“I found out some drama today.” Straight to the point, Ember style.
“Tons of that around here.” Aunt Deb nods.
“About Travis and Vincent.” I clarify.
“Mmhmm.” My uncle hums.
“Half-brothers, with a ‘can’t keep his pants zipped ignore a son but raise another’ father, and ‘don’t tell the kids they’re related’ mothers.” I say with a finger to my chin.
My uncle bursts out laughing. “Nailed it.”
“Why did he do that?” I ask.
“Who, Bobby?” My uncle inquires.
“Yeah, why not acknowledge Vin? He’s his son too.”
“I can’t answer for him, but I would say he isn’t the most dependable guy around. The Robert you get to your face and the one behind your back are very different.” I can see he’s trying to keep his answer very diplomatic. “Anyone dealing with him knows never put your back to him. I tolerate him because he makes me a lot of money. But anything beyond a few games of golf and one meeting a month, I try to steer clear.”
“It must be difficult since aunt Deb and Sharla are best friends.” I dig a little deeper. Let’s see how far I can get.
“Not really, I don’t tend to bring Robert around the house. It’s just not necessary, and it’s no secret Sharla and Debra are close. They’ve been that way since middle school, so it doesn’t come up.” He shrugs, “besides, Robert is just business and Sharla is family.”
“Those brothers hate each other because their parents really took a bad situation and made it worse.” I say with disdain.
“I agree,” my aunt chimes in, “I tried so hard to convince Sharla to accept Travis for Vincent’s sake. But in the beginning she was so blinded by betrayal she couldn’t see past it to the bigger picture. Now, as much as she tries to encourage them to communicate the damage is done.”
“I see.” I reply.
“You ever hear the quote ‘the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children’?” Uncle Scott asks me.
“Yes, Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare.” I nod. I know my literature.
“Beauty and brains.” He snaps his fingers.
“And brawn too, apparently.” My aunt adds giving me a side eye.
“That too.” I nod in agreement. I won’t cover up my past and fighting was a part of it. MMA training is a part of who I am.
“Robert is a stubborn, emotional, and vindictive man. He makes rash decisions about how he is feeling at that moment, and unfortunately I believe his boys-both of them-have inherited one or more of those traits. That’s what’s making it impossible for them to see past their anger.” He looks me in the eye, “But I also believe one day someone or something will change that.”
The way he’s looking at me makes me think he could mean me. If that’s the case he would be terribly wrong. Today I made out with one brother while pinning for the other.
Speaking of, I should call Travis and explain about today and how I’m feeling. I don’t want to lead him on any further. I want to pursue Vin. I know that, I also know how fucked up I am when it comes to guys. I am attracted to guys who are just not good for me. I still don’t know Vin well enough, but his attitude and arrogance reminds me of the past few boyfriends I’ve had. If he is anything like them, I’m fucked.
I rise from the table and start collecting dishes. Rule of my mother’s house was if you didn’t cook you wash.
After the dishes are washed I head into the living room where my aunt and uncle are cuddled up on the couch. I don’t make any noise and just watch them for a bit. I never knew my father, not even his name and my mother refused to tell me about him. She always said he was bad news. Here, my aunt and uncle look so in love. I can see he adores her, it’s really unfortunate they couldn’t have children of their own.
“Hey guys, I’m gonna head up stairs and finish my homework then call it a night.” I say. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Okay honey, I’ll check in on you later.” My aunt Deb says with a smile.
“Night kid.” My uncle grins over his shoulder.
Chapter Five
I’m laying on my bed typing a text to Adri. I need Travis’ number so I can explain that I’m just not that into him.
Me: Hey!
Me: I need Travis’ #
Adri: I only have his house number.
Adri: He’s changed cells since the last time I talked to him.
Me: Ok cool, I’ll take it
Me: Thanks, bitch.
Adri: You got it, skank
I chuckle to myself as I press on the contact card she provided. The phone rings and I drum my fingers on my bed spread.
After the sixth ring Travis picks up.
“Yo.”
“Seriously? You answer your phone with ‘yo’?” I say with a chuckle.
“Yep. Who is this?”
“Ember.”
“Oh…oh! Hey, what’s up?” He stumbles, I can hear the shock in his voice. His voice is sexy, I will admit it but it’s missing that rasp that drives me crazy.
“I just wanted to call to talk about what happened in class today.”
“Like homework?” He’s asks, sounding slightly confused.
“If you have to ask that then I am totally right in how I’m feeling.”
“You mean the kiss.” He states.
“Yeah…”
“You’re not feeling it. Or me that is.” He says quietly.
“Look, I actually am attracted to you, and when we kissed I was really into it.” I sigh, “I’m going to be honest with you.”
“Okay…”
“I see us more as friends. Are you okay with that?” I ask.
“Yeah, I mean, I agree. I was into it too at the time but I’m kind of into someone else anyways.”
He says.
I bet he means Adri.
“Anyone I know?” I tease.
“You don’t know many yet, fool.”
I laugh, “It just better not be Marlana.”
“You fucked? I would never.”
“I’m here if you ever want to talk. And we can still hang out.” I say.
“Yeah let’s do that.”
“Okay Trav, I’m hitting the hay.”
“People still say that?” He teases.
“Oh, fuck off, goodnight.” I hang up.
I’m laying flat on my back looking at the ceiling. I wonder if Adri has Vin’s number.
I pull up our text convo and message her again.
Me: Hey, any chance you have Vin’s #?
Her reply is instant.
Adri: Did you let him down easy?
Me: Travis is into someone else anyway
Adri: Better not be any of the skank squad.
I laugh out loud at that one.
Me: LOL! He said he would never!
Adri: Here’s Vin’s cell. I’m off to shower, see you tomorrow.
Me: Thanks boo! ❤️
I stare at the contact card she sent me. What do I even say to him? He ditched me twice today with no explanation. He’s hurting I know that, deep inside. And to be faced with his brother everyday is no easy feat.
Me: Leaving me on that field to walk all the way to the school alone was cruel
I wait, it takes him a few minutes but he replies.
Vince: you’re a big girl, I’m sure you were good
That’s irritating. I’m typing my reply when another text comes through.
Vince: Sorry
Me: Sorry isn’t enough. You’ll have to make it up to me
Yeah, I’m still irritated but I want to flirt.
Vince: Whatever you want Em
Typical guy, not much of a texter. Even with so little said I’m smiling wide. Yeah, I know, I’m crazy about this one already.
He’s typing more:
…
Vince: Ma and I are coming to Aunt Deb’s on Friday for dinner
Me: Is this a usual thing?
Vince: Yeah
Vince: Can’t run from me
I giggle and throw myself on my bed. My phone chimes with a new message