38. Mayson
Mayson
T he drive to Mercer Island feels like déjà vu, especially since I wasn’t able to prepare.
Yet again, I’m being borderline kidnapped.
I put up a fight since my team is going to the Championships and I really don’t have the time between that and finals to be taking a trip home.
I try to physically and mentally prepare, but I don’t know what we’re walking into as far as our parents are concerned.
Or what they’re going to have to say to us.
One thing I do know is somehow Colin and I are united in this. It’s us against them, no matter what they try to say or do.
Rationally, I know I’m anything but rational and that I shouldn’t have forgiven him for half the shit he’s done to me, but somehow I have. I’m sure a therapist would have a field day with the two of us, but I’m choosing not to think about it too much.
All I know is that I like how it feels when we’re together. Even when we’re fighting and getting under each other’s skin, it feels good. And weirdly it always has.
We get out of the car after parking at our parents’ house. Colin grabs my hand, but I yank it away. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I thought ripping the Band-Aid off would be best.” He shrugs.
“I don’t think walking in hand and hand like little kids is ripping any Band-Aid off.”
“You’re right. As soon as they see us, I’ll stick my tongue down your throat.”
I push him as he laughs harder than necessary at his own joke.
We walk inside, while I try to keep some distance between us. Colin does everything he can to stay as close to me as possible.
Luckily, as we walk in, neither of our parents seem to notice. Colin tries to yank me to his bedroom, but I fight him off.
I would rather hide, but we walk through the beautifully decorated house.
There’s a large ornate Christmas tree in the front living room, garland and lights covering various surfaces.
You’d think my mom put in a lot of effort to make the place look this nice.
But I know better, and that it was really someone she hired to do all of this.
“I think it’s tacky,” Colin comments at the tree, standing closer to me than he probably should, his chest covering my back.
I like him being this close, and I’m not going to move. In fact, I lean back against him, just to feel more of him.
“Just say you hate Christmas,” I retort.
“Guess I’m just not a big holiday fan.” His head lowers to my shoulder, resting his chin there as he speaks. “Except Halloween, that’s become a new favorite of mine.”
“Yeah?” I turn my head to the side, our lips barely an inch apart. “Why’s that? ”
“Something about a mask seems to get my girl going.”
“That so?”
“Welcome home,” my mom’s voice calls out, and I jump away from Colin quickly, even though I can feel his annoyance instantly.
My mom and Walter are both walking into the living room where we’re standing. I don’t miss the look Walter gives his son. It’s obvious what Colin told me before is true, and probably even more so now if he just saw even a second of how we were standing.
He knows.
I can’t tell if my mom has any idea, but she’s also always been a good actress. I think that’s why she managed to land the perfect life she’d always dreamed of. Pretended like she fit in until she finally did.
“I feel like it’s been so long.” Mom pulls me into a hug that feels out of place. I narrow my eyes, and look over at Colin to see his reaction, but he’s currently in a stare off with Walter apparently.
“Uh, it’s only been like two weeks,” I tell her.
“Well I know, but you left so abruptly I feel like we didn’t get an actual goodbye.”
“And again, it was only for a couple weeks. You’ve been on vacation longer than that before.”
“Oh please, save the dramatics, Mayson,” my mom scolds and I roll my eyes.
“I don’t think I’m the one being dramatic,” I mumble.
Neither Colin or his dad have said anything, but of course my mom grabs onto her husband’s arm, drawing his attention away from his son. “Aren’t you just so glad they’re back, honey?”
“So glad. It’s nice to have the whole family under one roof,” Walter says, pointedly at Colin, who shifts on his feet .
“Yeah, nothing like being close with family.” Colin wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.
I try to push away, but his grip is ironclad.
“That’s the Christmas spirit.” My mom says, even though Christmas is still weeks away. But she seems just as oblivious as she always is.
The tension is so thick, but clearly she’s choosing to ignore it.
“Son, I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes, and we can let the girls catch up.”
I shake my head because they act like we’ve gone off to war for months. Not back to the fancy townhouse paid for at our fancy college just across town for a two weeks.
“Fine,” Colin agrees reluctantly, and I’m sure they’re going to go to Walter’s office for their ‘chat.’
As soon as they’re gone, the smile on my mom’s face drops and she glares at me. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What?” I rear back like she slapped me.
“I thought Walter was being ridiculous. When I told you I wanted you to be set up for life I did not mean with Colin.”
Guess I was wrong, she does know.
“Why not?” I sass because if she knows, I’m not going to deny it.
“Because he’s your brother, Mayson, what’s wrong with you?”
“ Stepbrother ,” I correct. “It’s not like we grew up together, we were in high school when you guys got married.”
“Still. He is not the one for you,” she insists.
“Yeah?” I plant my hands on my hips. “And why not? If his dad is good enough for you, why wouldn’t his son be good enough for me?”
I try not to cringe at my own statement, realizing how sick that sounds.
But, a part of me relishes the taboo element of it all.
I think back to what Colin said when he admitted he loves me.
We’re a better fit than I ever thought because no one else would be able to match my jagged edges with their own.
“I love Walter, but we all know how Colin is. That boy is not someone who would be able to give the life you deserve.”
“What life is that? The kind you live with your fake, rich friends and your super amazing, super rich husband?” I scoff.
“One where you’re happy. I don’t know how this started or why, but it ends now. Walter is telling Colin the same thing. It’s over for the two of you.”
I glare at her even harder, biting my tongue.
She may think that, but I have a feeling if that’s what Walter is talking to his son about, he’s not going to take it very well.
I’m sure Colin will fight back. For the first time, I think we’ll be fighting on the same side.
Because instead of it being us against each other. It’s us against them.