Twenty Three
October Twenty-First
Whitney
“It looks nice in here.”
Whitney walked through the living room, taking in the decorations.
“Thank you.”
Brittanya stirred a spoon through a pitcher of juice.
Whitney glanced around. “Where’s the alcohol?”
She’d requested no alcohol at her party. With Fade and Orion in the same room, she didn’t need anything fueling their already volatile behavior.
Brittanya turned toward her, smirking. “In the dryer.”
She opened it, revealing a few bottles tucked into blankets.
“Smart thinking.”
Whitney grinned. “But I do want my first drink spiked. You know, since I’m the birthday girl and all.”
She nudged Brittanya playfully.
“I get it.”
Brittanya set the pitcher on the counter next to the finger foods she’d arranged. She wanted this night simple and short. This was a test, one she wasn’t sure Fade and Orion would pass. “Uh, Iris and Rowena won’t be joining us. They left for the night.”
Whitney rolled her eyes. “Didn’t think our roommates wanted to celebrate an old bat like me anyway. Is everyone else coming?”
“Max said Shianne wasn’t feeling well, so they’re staying home.”
“Ugh.”
Whitney sighed. “It’d be easier to keep those two away from each other if there were more people around.”
“You want me to invite Emma and Thomas?”
Whitney laughed. “No. I don’t think they’d know how to handle the kind of excitement that might break out tonight.”
Brittanya tilted her head. “Well, if I need to, I can use my body to distract your brother.”
Whitney’s eyes widened. “Damn it, Brittanya, you have a crush on my brother?!”
She shrugged, smiling mischievously. “He’s cute.”
“What? Someone finally caught your eye, and it’s my brother? I didn’t know tall, skinny, and pale was your type.”
Before Brittanya could respond, a knock sounded at the door. Whitney beamed and hurried over. “Baby!”
She threw her arms around Fade as he stepped inside, and he wrapped her up just as tightly. He handed her a gift bag with paper poking out the top.
“Thank you,”
she murmured, kissing him before disappearing down the hall to set the bag aside.
When she returned, Fade had settled onto the couch. “Where’s everyone else?”
he asked, scrolling through his phone.
“They’re on their way,”
Brittanya called from the kitchen, smiling.
Laughter echoed from outside just before another knock, and Brittanya raced to open the door. Zeppelin, Wolfgang, and Juniper filed in, their energy filling the space. “Hi, guys!”
June grinned, hugging Whitney tightly.
“Happy birthday,”
Wolfgang said, nodding before following June into the backyard to settle their dog.
Whitney turned to Fade, lowering her voice. “You remember your promise, right?”
He didn’t look up from his phone. “Yeah.”
She walked toward the window, spotting headlights pulling into the driveway. Her stomach flipped. “They’re here. Please.”
When she opened the door, she put on a bright smile. “Hey, guys!”
She hugged each of her brothers separately.
“Happy birthday,”
Aldous said warmly.
Brittanya appeared in the hallway, eyes locking onto Orion. “Can I see you down here for a second?”
Fade’s head snapped toward them, and Whitney held up a hand. “Don’t overreact. I know what it’s about.”
Fade
He was doing his best to behave. Every time Orion spoke, he ignored him. Hell, he ignored Aldous too because half the time, he still couldn’t tell them apart, not until they mentioned their jobs or Orion’s mouth started running. And when they moved seats or walked around, he’d have to figure it out all over again.
It was almost funny, if it wasn’t so goddamn exhausting.
Everyone knew about his ex sleeping with Orion. Everyone knew about Fade going to prison for beating the shit out of him afterward. And the fact that Orion had the same damn tattoos as his brother just made this whole thing harder.
The only thing keeping him from snapping was Whitney’s hand resting on the inside of his thigh. She was perfect. And every time he looked at her, he wondered how the hell someone like her was related to someone like Orion.
Then Wolfgang opened his mouth. “Fade and I meet up at the gym during the week. You guys should join.”
Oh, come on, man, Fade thought, trying not to groan out loud.
“Nah, I’m good,”
one of them said, probably Orion. Fade was starting to pick up that he spoke first, while Aldous kept quiet.
But then, of course, Orion couldn’t help himself. “He’s probably still mad that I slept with his ex.”
Fade ignored him. It was in the past. He was over it. Whitney’s fingers brushed his leg, a silent warning.
“Stop,”
she said firmly.
Orion stood, his smirk dangerous. “Too bad I won’t sleep with this fiancée, but with his track record, maybe I’ll get the next one.”
The room went silent and Wolfgang adjusted to the edge of his seat.
“Quit while you’re ahead Orion.”
Whitney barked.
Orion smirked and went on, “It’s not my fault he doesn’t know how to please or keep women. I’m not sure why my dumb sister is even–”
Fade’s vision went red. He was on his feet before he registered moving, slamming Orion against the wall so hard the studs cracked beneath the drywall.
“Fuck you!”
Fade snarled, his forearm pinning Orion’s chest and his fists gripping his shirt. “She’s not dumb! She’s your sister, and she’s trying to have a relationship with you — and you treat her like shit!”
Wolfgang grabbed Fade’s arms from behind, yanking him back as Aldous moved in to restrain Orion.
“Stop it!”
Whitney’s voice broke as she stepped between them, her eyes wide and pleading. “Aldous, please take Orion home.”
Her voice softened when she turned to Fade. “My room. Now.”
Whitney
She watched the fury leave Fade’s face as she held her pain and tears back. She was no longer mad, she was upset that she believed that they would make this work for her but nobody cared to try. Once again, she couldn't rely on the men in her life. She stood between him and the door. “All I wanted was you all to get along. I thought having this all go how I wanted, would make me happy. But now I feel like no one cares what I want. You guys showed that to me tonight.”
“Whitney.”
He stepped towards her. “I know I screwed up, but it won’t happen again.”
“That’s what you have said before and you keep proving me wrong.”
Her arms folded. “It’s been hell keeping you two off of each other, just as much as it is to ask you to get along. I won’t ever be happy doing this.”
Her engagement ring thickened between her fingers. “I can't do this.”
“I'm sorry, Whitney, you heard what he said about you. I–”
“Fade,”
She cut him off, “I asked the same from both of you, multiple times. I love you, but,”
Her throat swelled, “I can't do this anymore.”
Ice impaled her gut as she slid her engagement ring off.
Fade witnessing what she was trying to do, moved towards her again. “No, Whitney. I'm sorry.”
She stepped back into the door. “I love you! I’ll stop!”
He pleaded.
“I know you love me, but not enough to change.”
She held out her hand with the ring between two fingers. “Take this, I can’t marry you.”
He stared at her like he didn't hear her, eyes reddening, she watched his jaw pulse. “Fade–”
Her chin quivered as she grabbed his hand, setting the ring in it. “Because of today, I’m asking you both to not reach out to me.” Her eyelashes began to stick together, “Please don't contact me, don't go near each other and don't come over. I wish things could have turned out differently.”
He stood not believing what she was saying. “Then don’t do this.”
Fade begged her.
The tears fell from her eyes, but her anger made her voice crystal clear. “I love you Fade.”
His hand gripped the ring not wanting to possess it, “Then don’t do–.”
Whitney’s voice cracked, “Please leave.”
Her eyes dropped with tears as she stepped to the side, opening the door.
“Whitney, I love you. Give me a second–”
Her eyes pierced through him. “Leave!”
Voice echoing down the hall.
Fade’s shoulders dropped and his breathing stilled before he turned and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
Whitney locked it and sat on her bed, facing away from the door, heartbroken and then heard the front door slam shut, shaking the house.
********
“Sorry about earlier,”
Aldous said, closing the door behind her as she stepped into his apartment.
“You didn’t do anything,”
she whispered, her voice barely there. “Where’s Owen?”
“In his room. Sit and I’ll go grab him.”
He gestured toward the couch.
Whitney sank into the cushions, hugging the armrest and clutching her bag tightly in her lap. The sound of a door opening came from down the hall, and moments later Aldous reappeared with Orion trailing behind him.
“What now?”
Orion groaned, his irritation clear but the second his eyes landed on her face, he slowed. “Oh… shit.”
Whitney pushed her sunglasses up into her hair, revealing the rawness of her eyes and the streaks of smeared makeup. She didn’t bother wiping them away.
“Are you okay?”
Aldous asked softly.
“No.”
She shook her head, her voice breaking. “I’m not.”
Her knuckles pressed against her nose as fresh tears welled up. “Because of what’s been happening between you and Fade… I broke up with him.”
Her lip trembled as hot tears rolled freely down her face.
Orion sat heavily on the edge of the cushion across from her while Aldous lowered himself into the seat beside her.
“Well,”
Orion said, elbows braced on his knees, “it’s for the best. I was worried about you. That guy’s aggressive. You’ll be okay.”
Whitney’s head snapped up. “No, he’s not!”
The words came out sharp and immediate. “You just… you can’t stand him. And every single chance you got, you antagonized him. Even when he ignored you, you pushed harder.”
Orion raised his hands, defensive. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you then. I’m sorry?”
His tone was flippant and mocking.
Her eyes hardened. “I’ve never loved anyone like I love him. And you — you’re just as much the problem. So I need my space from you too, Orion.”
She stood abruptly, her voice steady even as her heart broke. “I’m done here. Aldous, can I talk to you outside? Alone?”
Aldous shot Orion a glance before following her out the door.
“What’s up?”
he asked quietly.
Whitney pressed her fingers against her forehead, her mind a storm. “I don’t know if Orion remembers or not, but if Fade gets into another fight, he can get kicked off the island. If it comes down to that… can you talk him out of it? Please?”
Aldous studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ve got you. Anything else?”
“No.”
She glanced down the path toward Fade’s apartment, the ache in her chest almost unbearable. “Thank you. I’m gonna go home.”
She turned toward her car, her voice soft and worn. “Bye, Aldous.”
Fade
He sat on the edge of his bed, the engagement ring rolling between his fingers. The weight of the day settled heavily on his chest, his mind a relentless loop of everything that had gone wrong.
He sniffled, the bitterness rising again. Owen. It always came back to him. Another engagement ruined.
Maybe if it hadn’t been her brother who’d wrecked the first one, this one would’ve lasted.
The anger simmered beneath his skin. He thought about going down there and beating the shit out of Owen. But what would it matter now?
It didn’t. The thought should’ve brought some kind of release, but there was nothing. Just a hollow ache.
His phone sat on the bed beside him. He picked it up, dialing Whitney’s number.
No answer. He called again. Straight to voicemail.
He didn’t sleep that night. The questions churned: Was it really him? Was it his anger? Could he ever be different?
By morning, the apartment felt like a graveyard. Her things were everywhere, the scent of her in his bathroom, her clothes mixed with his in the closet. The life they’d been building, now just remnants.
He spent the next two days in his bed, ignoring his phone and telling his work that he wasn’t feeling well so they would leave him alone.
October Twenty Fourth
Fade: Please talk to me.
October Twenty-Eighth
Whitney
Fade: I’m sorry, did you open your gift? Please call me.
“Who was that?”
Brittanya watched Whitney place her phone face down after sighing.
She raised her eyebrows. “Fade.”
Her bottom lip felt heavy. This last week on the island was the hardest one she had to live through, even before she came here.
“What does he want?”
She turned down the volume to the tv.
Whitney didn’t look up. “He wants me to call him.”
“Are you going to?”
She continued looking at the woven threads of the couch. “No.”
Brittanya finished her text and looked back at Whitney. “Why not?”
She didn’t want to say she regretted it. She lived ten years without her brothers and didn’t feel like they cared about her as much as she did them and that would be enough for her to choose Fade. But she wasn’t going to say that. She wasn’t going to say that it was eating her up, she couldn’t confess any of those things because it would make them real. “I don’t have anything to say to him.”
“I think if it is meant to be, it’ll work out.”
She softly smiled towards her roommate. “Do you want to go with me to grab some chicken tenders?”
As much as she didn’t want to eat, why was food so comforting to her? “Sure.”
October Twenty-Ninth
Aldous entered Whitney's apartment. “Thank you for coming over.”
She smiled at him.
“Well I still want to get to know you and have a relationship with you, even if you don’t want to have one with Orion.”
“I always liked you Aldous.”
She grabbed her snacks and positioned them between the two of them on the couch. “What do you want to watch?”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t get to choose often anyway.”
“Eh,”
Whitney selected a random show. “Not like we are interested in watching it.”
She set down her phone. “It’s not that I don’t want to have a relationship with Orion, it’s just that he hurt me. I don’t think he even likes me most of the time.”
“That’s not true.”
He tried to soften things and ate a chip.
Whitney tucked her hair behind her ear. “Then why does all of this hurt so bad?”
“Because you’re grieving. We showed up and literally turned your world upside down within a month of being back in your life.”
Staring at the cushion she flicked the few crumbs resting on it, onto the floor, “I just miss him.”
“Fade? Or Orion?”
Aldous looked at his phone and set it back down.
She met his eyes and paused. “Fade.”
“Do you miss him or the idea of him?”
She lifted her hands in disbelief. “Of course him.”
“Anger issues and all?”
Whitney rolled her eyes, annoyed that anger was all her brothers saw. “None of that really came out until Owen showed up.”
His voice stayed low, keeping her calm. “I just want you to be careful is all.”
He looked at his phone responding to a message.
Whitney watched the light against his face momentarily, “I know, I get that.”
“Are you doing okay?”
He looked up at her. “With everything though?”
“No.”
She fiddled with the snacks between them. “Days are hard, but life goes on. I’ve always tried to make the best of it and always got the shit end of it all.”
Aldous turned as Brittanya’s bedroom door sounded down the hall. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
She paused in the hallway. “I just wanted to grab a drink.”
“You’re fine.”
Whitney assured her. “We just were hanging out. You’re welcome to join us.”
She dried her damp eyes.
“What are you watching?”
She circled back into the living room with her oversized tee shirt and leggings.
“I’m not sure, we kind of just put something on as background noise. You’re free to change it.”
She suggested. “I’m going to go wash my face and get ready for bed.”
Whitney faked a smile and left the room.