I love my sister. She is always in some shit. I just fist bump that bitch. We finish eating and head outside to a cab. Let the games begin. I notice Tyler and Colby still haven’t cheered up, so I walk up to Tyler, purposely shaking my hips, and jump in his arms. “Hey, when we get back here, remember you get to see what is under these clothes.” I lay a wet, messy kiss on him, hoping that will get him out of his funk. Colby is a little harder to manage, and I just am worried about my man. I lean back and see a bit of a smile coming out. Good . . . job done.
We hit several bars and end up at a karaoke bar. Both guys have scowled, growled, and verbally threatened any man who has come within fifty feet of us. It is kind of cute. I know that this bar will be trouble. Brielle is really egging Colby on, but he is being a douche. My sister can sing, and no doubt she will have me dancing. I wink at Tyler, and he shakes his head at me. I think he has had enough.
Chapter 24
Tyler
I am thinking this was a bad idea. It is a train wreck waiting to happen. Colby and Brielle have been sheltered at home for a while, and she is really letting loose tonight, and he isn’t dealing well. Addison isn’t doing anything to discourage her, and I am stuck in the middle. As soon as we walked in this bar, I had a bad feeling. I go up to the bar and order beers for Colby and me, while Brielle and Addison make their way up to the front. No doubt Brielle is signing up to sing.
“Colby, you need to chill. The girls are having fun, and no harm will come from it.”
“Whatever, Tyler. You worry about your relationship, and I will deal with my marriage the way I see fit.”
Damn. He is being a bitch. I just look at him and shake my head. “Your funeral, bro. Keep it up, and Brielle will bury your ass.”
Right then I hear Brielle’s voice cut through the crowd, and when the music begins, I know it is on like Donkey Kong. And of course, Addison is right next to her. “The Monster” by Eminem and Rihanna is playing. First, Brielle can rap that shit, too. Second, my girl is finding a way to shake her ass. I don’t necessarily like the show they are putting on, but they aren’t doing anything wrong. The assholes hooting and hollering at our women are pissing me off, but I can’t blame them. Now Colby, he is a ticking time bomb. His jaw is ticking, and he is pissed off. I don’t get a chance to stop him before he pushes his way to the front and reaches the stage. He stands there staring at both of them with his arms across his chest. He should know that just eggs them on, so now I have both sisters shaking their asses and more douchebags noticing them. Fuck, can’t we just have a normal night out.
I make my way to the front of the bar right as Colby reaches up and grabs Brielle and hauls her off the stage. Addison follows them down, scrambling to catch up. I turn around and lead them out the door into the packed walkways of this place. Sheesh, it is like fitting sardines in a can. Brielle is fuming, and Addison is even more pissed off.
“What the fuck?” Colby roars. “All you needed was a pole and dollar bills being thrown at you to feel at home.” No he didn’t.
Brielle and Addison swoop in on him at the same time. I try to be the voice of reason, “Hey guys, can we take this street fight somewhere more private? It will give everyone a chance to calm down and think before speaking.”
Both girls turn around and walk arm in arm towards the exit. I walk up to Colby and whisper, “Rein it in. Now.” We both follow our women out to wait for a cab. Once we get inside, all hell breaks loose. And my poor cousin is catching it from all sides.
“I can’t believe you just did that, let alone said that to me,” yells Brielle.
“You are an asshole. I don’t know who pissed in your Wheaties this morning, but maybe you need someone to remind you what you have in a wife; one who loves you and would not treat you like shit on the bottom of her shoe,” says Addison.
Then Colby opens his mouth, addressing Addison. “You are one to talk. You have Tyler jumping through hoops just to be graced with your presence. Yeah, he made a lot of mistakes, but let’s face it, so did you. I know what I have in a wife . . . one who wouldn’t lie to me about having my kid, and one who wouldn’t take any time for granted with me, because we don’t know what happens tomorrow. So before you get all high and mighty, Addison, take a fucking look in the mirror.” I hear Brielle gasp, and then he turns on her. “You are a wife, mother, business owner, and lady. Getting up there acting like some two-bit whore really makes me proud. Hope our daughter doesn’t follow in your footsteps.” Ah, hell. Before I can jump in, Brielle handles it.
“First off, fucktard . . . don’t speak to my sister that way. This is their issue to work out, and I have told you that for weeks now. And, don’t you ever call me a two-bit whore again. I am a wife, a mother, and business owner. And I sure as hell am a lady until backed into a corner. I am a damn good wife and mother, and don’t you forget it. But don’t forget I am a twenty-three year old woman, too. My kids are home and safe. I am with my family . . . having drinks and having fun. Or I was; until my rude ass, jealous husband decided to have a pissing contest in the middle of downtown Orlando. I have never done anything to make you think otherwise, so just chill out. You would be damn lucky if our daughter turns out like me, remember that.” Her eyes are flashing in anger, and I can tell it is going to be a long night for Colby. I can’t let what he said to Addison go.
“Colby, you need to apologize to both your wife and Addison, and let me tell you now, family or not, you talk to my girl like that again, we will have problems.” Addison, shaking her head, just looks at me, and I can tell she is deep in thought. After Colby apologizes, we all lose ourselves in deep thought. We make it back to the hotel, and Addison hugs Brielle and whispers, “Sorry.” What is she sorry for?
We all go to our rooms, and I chuckle thinking what Colby is in for. For once, it isn’t me on Brielle’s bad side, and it serves his ass right. Addison is still quiet and starts getting ready for bed. I strip down, climb into bed, and pull her down. Once I have her cradled in my arms, I can feel her relax.
“Talk to me, Addy.”
“He was right. I have made you walk on water for me, and yet I have done nothing for you. I am to blame, too, for our situation. I just don’t know how you let that go.”
Yeah, this was a conversation that I didn’t want to have. We had left the past behind, so I thought. I explain to her the best I can. “Yes, you are at fault. I didn’t want to ever bring that up because it makes me a dick . . . or a bigger dick, rather. I left, Addison. Multiple times, I get that. I figure I carry more blame out of both of us, and we left it behind. We worked through our shit, and we are trying to build a future. How is bringing up who is more at fault going to help with that?”
She sits up and grabs my face. “Not acknowledging your feelings, and not holding me accountable for my wrongs is not going about it the right way. I do love you, and I had a lot of pain and anger directed at you. But you have every right to have the same emotions towards me. I didn’t handle things correctly, and then I took the coward’s way and didn’t step up and tell the truth. I caused a wall between us with my guilt from not telling you, and you did the same. I also caused tension between Brielle and Colby because he has watched this whole thing and has been there to pick up the pieces for all of us, but he hasn’t been able to speak up. It all came out tonight. It didn’t come out in the correct way, and I bet he is regretting every word he said. But it has been brewing for a while, and I ignored it hoping it would go away. I wanted to play the victim, because then I didn’t have to admit my wrongs. I am telling you now, Tyler, I am sorry. I will work for your forgiveness.” She has tears running down her face, but I really needed to hear that.
“I know, Addison. I admit that it was hard not to confront you about it. When you told me on the phone that I had nothing to worry about, it killed me. When I found out you acted like it was no big deal and let everyone think Mitch was the father, I don’t know your reasons and I don’t want to know. There was no excuse for either of us, but we
have to keep moving forward and make it work. I want this, I want us, and I will fight for it every day.”
“Oh, baby.” She sighs. “No more fighting for it, we are here. We are together, and we will work together for us and for our family.” She cuddles back to my side, and I look at the bedside clock.
“Hey, Lil’ Bit, it is the next day, so it is time for my question. Together or married?” She laughs, and I sigh. “It is too early to ask for coffee, so I need a real answer.”
“Together, for now. Marriage for always. Is that simple enough?”
Not really. “Explain, please.”
She pulls me down to her and says, “We are together for now . . . getting us back, getting used to our family and our new circumstances. When I tell you yes to marriage, it will mean forever.” It isn’t the answer I want, but I will take it.
“Got it. Sweet dreams, my beautiful girl.” I kiss her head and tuck her in next to my side.
When we all met the next morning for breakfast, it was tense. I could tell Colby and Brielle had talked and probably worked out their issues. Addison was still harboring guilt, and I just wanted it over. We climbed in the rental car, and nobody was really talking. Leave it to Brielle. She picked up her iPod, plugged it in, and blared “Drunk Last Night” by Eli Young Band, and we all started laughing.
The rest of the weekend went well . . . no more fights, no more drunken outbursts. Our women got drunk, had fun, and we sat back and protected them like we were supposed to. Everyone was ready to get back home to real life. When the hell did we grow up?
October 2017
Tyler
Things had been great. The rest of summer passed, and the girls were getting bigger every day. We constantly spend time together and had parties by the pool Brielle and Colby put in their backyard. His little Princess, Riley, didn’t believe in swimming in the lake. Funny thing is, Mitch and Max were always there and fit in perfectly. I was actually starting to think of him as a friend. It helped that he was now seeing Addison’s friend, Kayleigh, and they were pretty serious.
It is hard to believe the twins are almost six months old. Dustin and Cambree started back to school, and we are getting into our routines. Colby and Brielle are out for the night for their anniversary, so we have all four kids here, and it has been a challenge. I ask Addison “the question” every morning, and I get the same answer. I will wear that girl down.
Colby and Brielle walk in the front door, and I laugh. We all beg for a night out away from real life, and within an hour we all want to come home. We have the best reality and never really want to escape it. We are so blessed. I look up and see it is right before eleven and know we will all be up waiting on Cambree and Dustin’s curfew. They are staying here tonight. I bring out the beer and wine. I am rewarded by a soul-melting kiss from my woman. Damn.
We sit around chatting and lose track of time. My phone beeps with an incoming text message.
Cambree: I am going to call you in a minute. Do not let my sisters know it is me. Explain when I talk to you.
Shit. When my phone rings, I pick it up and walk into the kitchen getting Colby’s attention to follow me. Thank goodness Addison and Brielle are bottle deep in wine. I answer to Cambree’s tears. “You have to come get Dustin. He is drunk and has already gotten in one fight. Please, don’t tell Brielle and Addison right now. Just come get him.” She rattles off an address. I hang up and explain to Colby, and make a split-second decision. I walk out and tell them that the alarm company from the shop called, and we need to go check it out. I hate lying to them, and from Colby’s expression he does, too, but we both know it is our only option right now.
We both head out, and all Colby can repeat is, “Shit.” You think? He goes on to tell me how Dustin basically became a totally different kid while I was gone. His soccer skills have made scouts come to his games, and being only a junior in high school, that is a big accomplishment. Colby tells me he has almost come to blows with him more than once with the way he treats all the Parker girls. This isn’t like Dustin, and mixed with alcohol, it is a remedy for disaster. We finally get to the party, and it is packed with teenagers. When did I get so old?
I see Cambree sitting outside and tell her to go to her car. We make our way inside to collect Dustin. He is drunk and belligerent. Colby immediately grabs him by the back of his neck and talks to him where nobody can hear. I see Dustin’s face crumble, and he follows us out without a fight. Colby takes his keys and puts him in the passenger seat. Before sliding in behind the wheel, he tells both kids they are going to his house, so we can get them in before Brielle and Addison can see them. He tells me to follow him and help him get Dustin in.
Once we pull up at their house and Dustin gets out and makes his way inside, I ask Colby, “What is that about?”
Colby just shakes his head. “He doesn’t know where he fits in. Those girls love him and have probably spoiled him too much. But he has assholes for parents, and with marriages and babies, he is feeling lost. He doesn’t know why his parents aren’t around, and he is hurting. He won’t admit it, but this is his way of making sure we still care. We aren’t saying a word to Brielle or Addison. They would feel responsible for his behavior, and I am not putting that on my wife.”
“I hear you . . . loud and clear.” We hop in my car and head back to Addison’s. We tell them it was a false alarm, and we passed the kids on the way in, and they were heading to their house. I have a bad feeling about this lie, but what’s done is done. I just hope this was a one-time thing, and the shit doesn’t keep happening. We won’t be able to keep it from them if it becomes a habit.
Chapter 25
Addison
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and I don’t know what to do. I am not willing to go to my parents with Dustin and Cambree without the twins, but I won’t take them around Brent. My parents have only seen them once briefly when they were born. Dustin is pitching a fit to go see my parents, Cambree not so much. I can’t blame Dustin because he doesn’t understand the circumstances around this. How do you just tell your sixteen-year-old brother that your parents are assholes, who allowed their trusted advisor to molest their daughter and then allowed all four of their kids to be raised by their grandparents? Yeah, not a great conversation starter. Tyler hasn’t said he wouldn’t go with me, but I know he doesn’t want to. Most of all, I don’t want my kids around Brent, and I don’t trust Tyler not to start a scene. Hell, I don’t know if I could keep calm.
Brielle told me to have them here, and she and Colby, kids, and his parents would go to the beach for the holiday, but I don’t want to do that. I want to spend the holiday with my family, all of them, minus my parents. I decided to speak with Dustin and Cambree.
“Hey guys, how would you feel about doing Thanksgiving here, and then I will talk to the parents and maybe we can meet them over the weekend?” I am trying for a compromise.
Cambree says, “That is great for me. I don’t know if I will make it for the weekend, though. I wasn’t planning on going to their house.” I know Brielle had a conversation with her, but didn’t really explain everything. Cambree is smart, and I think she figured out enough.
“Great. You all get what you want but me. I would like to see my parents on the holiday, so maybe I will go by myself. First, Brielle doesn’t have anything to do with them, then you Addison, now Cambree. Fuck this!” Dustin screams at me. Before I can react, Tyler has walked in and grabbed Dustin.
“Watch how you talk to them, and watch what you say, D. I am warning you. Get your shit together.” When Tyler lets Dustin go, he storms out the door. Cambree jumps up to follow Dustin, and I know she can calm him down.
I agree with Tyler, but I am glad Brielle wasn’t here to see that. While she would be upset with Dustin, she would be livid with Tyler. You just don’t mess with Dustin. He seriously needs to get his shit together. He is becoming my dad, and I don’t like that.
“I don’t know what to do, Tyler. He wants to see his parents, I un
derstand. But I am not separating my family for them. They did everything wrong as parents, and I won’t do the same.”
“I know, baby. You are amazing as a mom. Dustin will come around. He is a sixteen-year-old punk right now. Cambree will calm him down. We will have Thanksgiving here, and then he can see them Saturday or something. Don’t stress yourself out. You and Brielle are still their legal guardians, so it is up to y’all.”
I nod in agreement. It doesn’t make me feel any better about my brother hurting. I just need to realize this is out of my control. I tell Tyler I am going upstairs to call Brielle and fill her in. That conversation was pleasant. She tried again to insist her family would go somewhere else, and I told her no way in hell. Then I told her ass she better get the menu decided.
Thanksgiving Day
The dinner was great. Dustin had calmed down somewhat and was sort of pleasant. When the phone rang after dinner and it was my father letting me know they were less than ten minutes away to pick up the kids for the rest of the weekend, I was shocked. I told him to stop at the diner, and I would bring the kids to them. I hung up the phone and explained the situation. It makes it awkward for them to come to the ranch we all lived on. It wasn’t so much a working ranch or farm, just a lot of acreage that Brielle and I built our houses on. There was allotted space for Cambree and Dustin if they chose that.
Cambree immediately tells us she isn’t going. She has plans and practice, but I know it is something else. I am still stunned how in the hell this happened. Dustin speaks up, “I planned it with them. They are my parents, and I don’t think it is fair that I can’t spend my break with them. Obviously Brent agreed because he arranged this.” His smirk and smartass tone doesn’t help the situation he created.
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 27