Chapter 21 #2
“And on that note”—I stand—“I’m gonna go grab the boys.”
Margot lets out a whine that could rival Penelope’s when she’s overtired.
“Now I’m gonna be stuck here with them.” She hikes a thumb in the direction of Sawyer and Gus. Both look utterly offended. It makes me laugh.
“Actually, you only have to deal with Sawyer. I’m taking off, too,” Gus says.
“Wait, where are you heading?” Sawyer swivels his head, surprised.
“You know, I don’t have to tell you everything,” Gus says.
“What do you mean? Yes, you do. We’re brothers.”
Gus claps Sawyer on the back, hard. “Uh huh. Love you, too, you clingy motherfucker. Margot, take care of the big baby, will ya?”
“My first baby,” Margot jokes. “Hey, Daisy, do you think you could help me with the baby shower favors next week? I ordered custom M he’s trash,” my mother scoffs.
Yeah, you know what? I’ve changed my mind.
“You have no right talking about him like that. Not when he’s done more for each of your children than you ever will.
You hide behind this facade. Newsflash, everyone sees right through it!
Everyone in this town knows you’re a drunk.
” I look my dad dead in the eyes. “And you?” I huff, I lose my momentum when I realize I might never be able to articulate the kind of permanent pain he left me to suffer through.
“Daisy?” Hunter calls from the kitchen, unaffected by the brawl happening only feet from him. “I need help on the last question. They’re asking about the Crusades.”
“Be right there!” I assure him. I lower my voice again.
“The only reason I’m still attached to you in any way is because of those boys.
And you know damn fucking well that without me, you’d be screwed with them and the business.
Leave me alone.” I rush out of the living room, not bothering to wait for a response.
Neither of my parents acknowledge me further when they enter the kitchen. They quickly and quietly greet Hunter before retreating to their bedroom. I only breathe when I finally hear the lock click.
When I check my phone and see the dozens of missed calls and panicked texts, I realize that Gus is probably halfway across town already.
I quickly shoot him a text, summarizing as best as I can while also attempting to keep the events casual enough that he doesn’t bust down the door to find my parents.
I try to help Hunter with half of my mind focused elsewhere. I check on Chase upstairs after we’re finished. Going through the monotonous motions helps ease my brain a little, but my nerves never fully settle.
It’s a combination of things, the mention of Thanksgiving last year and what that time of year means to me, my parents bursting my small bubble of happiness with August and the boys.
I’m trapped. I’ve gotten myself so deep in this hole that I might never get out.
All I wanted to do was get out.