25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Saturday morning, I wake up to shouting, and hesitantly make my way downstairs. It’s been quiet all week, so I’m surprised they’re yelling so early. Cole and I haven’t spoken to each other, or done anything more, since the incident in Chris’s bathroom. I think when we agreed it was done, we meant it. And we certainly ended it on a great note. One I haven’t been able to stop thinking about, which has only made it harder to not talk to him.
Chris and I have seen each other in passing, chatted here and there, but he’s gone out every night. I’ve been busy at the tattoo shop, getting the painting done, and searching for jobs when I’m not.
I follow the voices to the kitchen, unable to hear what’s being said until I reach it. I find Chris shouting at Cole, who’s leaning against the counter, jaw clenched. He’s watching Chris, but nothing tells me he’s mad. Maybe a little stressed or concerned. Seems like he’s allowing Chris to let out his frustrations, which is a normal Cole thing to do. Did they talk things out? That would be awesome.
I told myself I wouldn’t get involved with their arguments, but after Chris admitted what he’s mad about, I feel an obligation to stop them from fighting. As his friend, I need to help him through this and stop him from being a dick to his dad for something they very well could work through.
In my head, this isn’t about me sticking up for Cole anymore. It’s stopping Chris from making a mistake and ruining his relationship with his father.
“—you don’t even know him,” Chris shouts, running a hand through his hair.
As if he can sense me, Cole lifts his head. Our eyes meet.
“Enough, Christopher,” he demands.
Chris follows his gaze and looks at me.
He’s pissed. And looking at me like I did something wrong.
Did he find out?
No way. He’d be furious if he found out. He’d be hitting someone. Me, most likely. He’d have barged into my room and woke me up. His temper isn’t anything new. And with how bloodshot his eyes are, he’s either drunk or tired. Maybe both. It’s barely ten in the morning. Whatever he’s mad about, it has nothing to do with me and Cole.
“You go in my room last night?” Chris barks, taking a few steps toward me.
I look from him to Cole, back to Chris. “No. Why?”
“Don’t, Chris—”
“Because I’m missing something,” Chris shouts.
My eyes widen, and I sneak another look at Cole, who’s shaking his head. When I bring my gaze back to Chris, I say, “And you think I took it?” I ask, pointing to myself.
He holds his arms out wide. “No one else here.”
Well, that pisses me off. Pisses me right the fuck off for so many reasons. He’s so fucked up that he thinks I would steal something from him? Me?
“You think I took whatever the fuck is missing?” I bark back, stepping into the kitchen further. He nods. Cole watches us carefully. Probably about to jump in to break up the fight that may break out.
Growing up, Chris and I argued often. Never over serious stuff, but the same way brothers would. Cole always let us work it out and only stepped in when he had to. Like when it got physical, which happened a handful of times.
“Yep,” Chris snaps, dropping his arms to his sides.
I huff out a disbelieving laugh, running a hand through my hair.
“Maybe you should check with all the girls you fuck around with, Chris. Pretty sure I heard one of them in here the other night.”
It was the first time I’d heard someone bring a girl back here. Not that I heard them having sex, but I heard giggling. I’m sure Cole doesn’t care if Chris brings people here, as long as he isn’t throwing parties, and they aren’t being disrespectful.
“There wasn’t anyone here last night but you!”
“Why the fuck would I take anything from you?” I shout. “What even is it? What do you think I took?”
“Money,” Chris growls.
That knocks the fucking air out of me, and I take a stumbling step back.
“You’re fucking joking. You think I took money from you? After everything, you think I stole money from you?” I try to hold back the fact I’m hurt by this, because what the fuck? Instead, I focus on the anger, because there’s definitely a lot of anger here. All of which I’ve kept locked away. For years and years. And no, not all of it is because of Chris. But lately, he’s been a big part of it. I have enough shit going on, and coming to stay here was supposed to help. Was supposed to make things better. But all he’s doing is stressing me the fuck out with his drinking, never being home for me to talk to or hang out with, and just being a fucking dick all around.
“Christopher, I already told you it wasn’t him,” Cole says impatiently.
Chris whirls back to face his father. “How the fuck would you know? You don’t know him.”
Ah, so that’s what I walked into.
“Because I know,” Cole says. “It wasn’t Bryson.”
Chris shakes his head, huffing out a laugh. “If it wasn’t him, it was you.”
“Neither of us took your fucking money, Christopher!” Cole barks.
I roll my lips between my teeth, taking another step back. I’ve never heard Cole yell at Chris like that before.
“Why the fuck are you sticking up for him anyway, Dad? You didn’t even want him here!”
And it’s those words that have my head spinning. I dart my gaze to Cole, who’s looking at me wide-eyed. It makes sense he wouldn’t want me here. I mean, not after what happened between us. I can’t be offended by this. I am offended by it. Hurt actually. More than I’d like to admit, even though I have no right to be.
I didn’t want to come here either. I even told him that.
So, stop being a bitch, Bryson. It’s not that big of a deal.
“That’s not what I said,” Cole says carefully.
“Actually, I remember the conversation clearly. You told me you didn’t want him here.”
“I said it was a bad idea,” Cole argues back, but keeps his tone calm.
Well, shit. He’s not wrong. Still hurts though.
“I’m going to go,” I say, turning on my heel.
“No,” Cole barks out, the same time Chris shouts, “Good idea.”
I glance over my shoulder, noting Cole took a step forward like he was ready to chase after me had I left.
He shakes his head, turning his attention to his son. “I think you need to find somewhere to go for the day, Christopher.”
Chris chokes out a disbelieving sound. “Me? You’re kicking me out?” he shouts, taking a few steps towards Cole.
I’ve never seen them fight like this before. Don’t think they’ve ever been physical. It’s a bad idea on Chris’s part. I don’t think Cole would hit his kid, but if Chris goes after him…
Cole could lay him out.
I turn enough to see them, preparing myself to pull them apart if I have to. I won’t let them hit each other. That’ll only make this a hundred times worse than it already is.
“I’m not kicking you out of this house, I just think we need some space. Your drinking is out of control. It’s ten o’clock on a Saturday morning, Christopher. You’re an adult. Why aren’t you acting like one?”
“So is he, and you aren’t kicking him out!” Chris screams, pointing at me.
“He isn’t drunk all the fucking time!” Cole gets in Christopher’s face. “You probably blew the money at the bar and can’t fucking remember!”
Chris grins right in Cole’s face, but nothing about it is happy. It’s a big fuck you. “Fucking excuse me for having a little fun.”
“Having a little fun is going out once a week, not getting trashed every goddamn night,” Cole says, stepping back.
They hold each other’s stare for a long time. I’m holding my breath, watching them. Chris scoffs and takes a step back. I finally fucking breathe.
“Fuck you,” he says to his father before turning his attention on me. “And fuck you too, Bryson.”
He shoulders past me, leaving out the front door.
Cole shakes his head
“Cole—”
“Don’t,” he barks, storming past me. “Just don’t.” He rushes up the stairs, only to return a few minutes later fully dressed. He leaves too, and here I am in a house that no one seems to want me in.
This is fucking great.