Chapter 12
Cas
After dropping Emmy and Hayleigh off at the party, I returned home to collect Scruff. I noticed when walking into the house that it seems eerily quiet. I used to love coming home to the calm and peace, but now, without Emmy here it just doesn’t feel right. I get Scruff in the truck and head to my parents’ house, deciding to drop in on them and see how they’re doing.
I don’t expect Cole's truck in the driveway when I pull up. “Come on Scruff, let's go see Grandma and Grandpa”
I chuckle to myself at the ridiculousness of calling my parents that for the dog, but Emmy has recently been calling me Scruff’s pawrent and I can’t seem to get it out of my head. I walk through the door and see Cole in the kitchen with our parents, his voice low. My mum notices me first, and then she notices Scruff. Immediately, she’s down on the floor, cooing and ahhing over him.
“Yeah, mum I’m great, thanks for asking! I love you too!”
She chuckles to herself and looks up at me “Oh stop being such a silly sod. He’s just jealous isn’t he Scruffy Wuffy! You’re so cute, yes you are,”
I shake my head and turn to my dad, but he’s got his eyes fixed on mum with a soppy smile on his face, it’s always been this way, that man adores his wife. I briefly have a vision of Emmy and me in a kitchen just like this one doing the same thing and for once, it doesn’t scare me.
Then I turn to Cole and notice he’s not even looking up, his head is in his hands and he looks miserable.
“Cole, what’s wrong man?”
he snorts humourlessly and looks up at me and I’m shocked to see he looks like absolute shit.
“What’s wrong with me? I think the better question would be asking what is right with me?”
I look to my mum and dad for insight into what’s going on. Mum shakes her head slightly and Dad walks over to Cole and puts his hand on his shoulder, “Come on son, it won’t do you any good moping about. Speak to your brother, you’ve already had my mum's and your mum's thoughts on the issue. Feel free to stay here tonight or I’m sure CJ has room, just don’t be going back to the site and staying there.”
Cole looks up at dad and pales
“Yep, you didn’t think I’d find out? I might be getting on in years, Cole, but I’m not stupid. You fix what’s going on or I’ll be forced to let your mum meddle.”
Mum walks over to us, hugs us and whispers in my ear “It’s Tracey, again. Look after him tonight”, then they leave us in the kitchen.
I go to the fridge, pull two beers out, hand one to Cole, and then take a seat at the kitchen island. I wait about 5 minutes for Cole to speak but he doesn’t bother, so I decide to.
“Wanna talk about it?”
He looks up at me and shakes his head no. I nod my head in understanding but there is no way he isn’t opening up to me.
“Is it Tracey again?”
he nods yes “Is it to do with Lacey as well?”
I knew that Tracey had been giving him a hard time because of his friendship with Lacey.
He takes a long swig from his beer bottle before speaking “It’s fucked up and I don’t think you’re the best person for me to be speaking to about it”
for some reason he isn’t looking me in the eyes.
“Come on, Cole, I may be your baby brother, but you can tell me anything.”
I started to feel anxious. What the hell could be worrying him so much? Then he drops the biggest bombshell ever.
“She told me she’s pregnant and if I don’t stop seeing Lacey for good and cut her out my life she isn’t willing to keep the baby, and in her words, play second fiddle to some silly slut”
he drains the rest of his beer and my jaw drops.
Then I’m pissed off “How fucking dare she! Cole, you and Lacey have been friends since you were kids! I mean, we all thought for a while that you two would finally end up together. She’s part of the family man, and you can’t just cut her off like that!”
He slams his beer bottle down and grabs his hair with both hands, making it stick out in all directions. “Don’t you think I know that CJ? There isn’t a chance in hell that I’d ever cut Lacey out of my life!”
he sits back down and his shoulders slump “but that isn’t even the kicker here CJ”
I pass him the rest of my beer and he swills it down, seems like he needs it more than me “the thing is, fuck this is so difficult! The thing is…she’s fucking lying to me! I know for a fact there is no baby!”
I’m careful with my words so I don’t set him off “Cole, I don’t mean to sound like a dick but how can you possibly know she’s lying?”
his head is now buried in his arms and is voice is muffled.
“I can’t have kids CJ. That’s how I know she’s lying”
he lifts his face to look at me and it breaks my fucking heart seeing my big brother so broken and upset.
I’m stunned into silence, I didn’t even know “H-how do you know man? Shit I’m so sorry Cole”
I go over and pull my big brother into a hug and just let him breakdown and cry.
Finally, he sits up, “Mum and dad know, obviously, it happened when I was younger, it was an accident. It was the reason I’ve only ever stayed friends with Lace. That girl was born to be a mother, and there was no way I could ever take that away from her.”
I go to argue there are ways now, but he pins me with a glare, “don’t make me regret telling you this, CJ. You keep this to yourself and don’t share it with anyone, understand?”
I nod my head yes. I would do pretty much anything for my brothers; I know they would for me. “Anyway, enough of the feelings now. I’m going home to tell Tracey the truth and see what she says. We’re probably gonna end it and I’ll go on with the rest of my life like I usually do,”
he starts to walk out of the kitchen. He stops “Emmy is one of the good ones CJ, don’t fuck it up” then he’s gone, all the while leaving me stood there reeling at the fact my brother has been keeping this secret and trying his hardest to still smile through it. One thing is for sure though, I don’t plan on fucking up with Emmy.
After spending a few hours with my parents, I went home and messaged my brothers in the group chat.
CJ
Guys I hope you haven’t forgotten I need your help tonight with taxi duty for Emmy and her friends?
Rafe
Are they hot? *Mr Bean wiggling his eyebrows gif*
Ethan
Rafe you’re such a child. Yes, CJ we’ll be there just let us know the time and place
Rafe
Don’t pull that bullshit 6 minutes older twin crap Ethan! Plus, you were asking me earlier if any of them were hot!
Ethan
*Ru Paul middle finger gif* Not my fault you’re immature Rafe *smiling emoji*
CJ
Anyway…back to my point are you still helping me tonight or not? *Rolling eyes emoji*
Nate
Yes
Archie
Yeah, no probs bro but I too would like to know if any of them are hot? *Crying laughing emoji*
Nate
Jesus Archie! Don’t egg the twins on! *Face palming emoji*
CJ
Thanks Nate! Archie thanks for letting me know you’re free but don’t be hitting on any of Emmy’s friends!
Archie
Ok *rolling eyes emoji* but is Emmy single???? *Devil emoji*
Nate
Don’t be a dick Arch you know CJ’s in love with her *heart eyes emoji*
Rafe
What he said ^^^^ *kissy face emoji*
Ethan
I second what he said ^^^^ *egg plant emoji* *water emoji*
Cole
I can’t make it CJ, but I agree with the above…you’re totally in love. Peace out speaks tomorrow.
Archie
Ok so no on the Emmy is single then? *Laughing face emoji*
CJ
I hate you all…. *Hating grinch emoji*
I throw my phone down on the table. I’ve got about an hour before I have to pick Emmy up and I’m sitting here bored stiff. What the hell did I used to do before Emmy moved in? I used to go to the club a few nights a week, but even now I don’t feel the urge I used to have to get on stage. My phone buzzes, I pick it up and see an unknown number, so I swipe across to answer it, thinking it will be something to do with work.
“Hello”, there’s silence on the other end “Listen, I’m not really into heavy breathing phone calls”
Before I put the phone down, I hear a woman laugh.
“Oh, Casper, you haven’t changed with your sense of humour”
I freeze, the blood draining from my face. Stephanie. “Casper, are you there?”
“What do you want?”
I can’t help the coldness that seeps into my voice, but the last thing I need now is to speak to her and for her to think I’m giving her a way in.
“I was just thinking about you. I just wanted to ring and see how you were doing?”
I laughed at that, she had to be kidding!
“Well, I’m great. Going to pick up my girlfriend actually, so if you don’t mind, I need to get going.”
Before I can put the phone down, though, “Wait Casper! I heard you were seeing someone new. I hope she’s being good to you. I just wanted you to know I’ve been thinking about you and us…”
I cut her off, “There is no us, Stephanie. You saw to that when you slept with someone else and had his baby. Goodbye.”
I throw it down as if it’s burned me. Why the hell would she be ringing me now after all these years? I can’t help but think something is off and that doesn’t settle right with me.
Around half past 10, my phone buzzed again, and part of me didn’t want to look at the phone, but then I knew I was waiting to pick Emmy up. I turn my phone around and see Emmy’s name across the screen, and I can’t help but feel the smile that stretches on my face.
I pick it up and swipe to answer it “Hello beautiful”
but the voice that answers me isn’t Emmy’s.
“Aww, that’s so sweet, and I think you’re handsome, but I’m a taken woman.”
It takes me a second to realise it’s Hayleigh.
“Hayleigh...shit sorry! Is everything ok with Em?”
I hear her chuckle on the end of the phone “Oh yeah she’s absolutely fine…I mean she’s as pissed as a fart but yeah she’s just dandy!”
I laugh imagining Emmy right now and tell Hayleigh I’ll be setting off and shoot a text to my brothers.
CJ
The ladies are ready…don’t make me regret this *face palming emoji*
I don’t need to read their replies, I’ll have a look tomorrow. Right now, my main priority is going to get Emmy. I hop in my truck and drive to her, but when I pull up it's utter carnage.
I get out and find Hayleigh, the only sober one, “Where is she?”
Hayleigh steps aside, and Emmy giggles while holding a long rectangular box on the floor. She hiccups, burps and then bursts into laughter again. That is, until she sees me, her eyes widen, and she covers her mouth with her hand. She attempts to stand, and Hayleigh helps her up, walks in front of her and puts her back to me.
At first, I think she’s pissed off to see me but then she whispers shouts, rather loudly, to Hayleigh.
“Ohmygod! I totally just burped in front of Cas!!! Do you think he heard me?”
Hayleigh looks over Emmy’s should at me and rolls her eyes then turns back to her friend “No, not a chance he heard you. I’m going home now that Pete’s come to get me so you go on home with Cas”
she wraps her arms around Emmy “Thank you so much for tonight, you truly are the best friend anyone could have”
then she goes to where Pete is waiting. I lift my hand in a wave that he doesn’t return, huh, fair enough.
I turn to Emmy, her back is still facing me, so I tap her on the shoulder. She slowly turns around with a sheepish look, hugging that box. I nod towards the box in her hands, “Is that a present for me, Em?”
She blushes furiously and shakes her head no. My lips twitch in a smile, “Ok. Well, let’s get you home?”
She nods yes and sways to my truck.
I help her in and then step up and reach over her to clip in her seatbelt. When I go to step back down, I turn my head and look at her, our faces dangerously close, her breathing has picked up. It would be so easy to kiss her on the lips now but I don’t want to do that while she’s drunk, so I settle for kissing her cheek. Her eyes are closed when I pull back. When I turn around, I notice my brothers with their trucks trying to wrangle the drunken women between them. I see Rafe getting felt up by the bride's mother and burst out laughing. I shout to him “Have a good night, Rafe!”
The look he gives me is murderous, serves him right.
**********
When we get home, I help Emmy out of the truck and she’s giggling like crazy, she makes her way into the house, but she can’t even walk straight. She makes a beeline for the kitchen and puts the box she had with her on the kitchen island.
Turning round to face me, a grin plastered on her face, she slurs “I’m hungry.”
I nod, “Ok…what do you want to eat, Em?”
She bursts out laughing at me, and I wait for her to finish.
With tears in her eyes she waves her hand in front of her face “I-I…phew, oh…my…gosh! That sounded so…so s-sexual Cas!”
then she dissolves into fits of giggles again.
Well at least she isn’t a nasty drunk. I leave her to her giggle fit and get about making her a crisp sandwich and a hot cup of tea. I put it in front of her and noticed she sat on the stool’s edge. For a minute, I worried she would fall off and hit her head. I move in behind her, grab the side of her legs, and then scoot her forward onto the seat properly. Immediately she stills and stops giggling at me, I don’t want her to freak out on me.
“Relax Em. I don’t want you to fall”
she mutters something like “too late”, but I can’t be sure. She grabs the sandwich I made her and stuffs her face. She’s adorable like this, with her hair all messy and completely carefree.
She looks up at me and I nod towards the box, “So…are you going to tell me what’s in the box?”
She nodded yes and gestured for me to open it. When I flip the lid of the box I still…that is not what I was expecting… at all! She starts laughing again “Em, is that what I think it is?”
she nods, her cheeks blushing wildly “w-why have you given it a face?”
we both burst out laughing, because in the box is rather large chocolate cock replica.
“Don’t laugh at me Cas! I had no idea we would be making chocolate cocks! Then our conversation played on my mind where I had to tell you I didn’t have a dick fetish! So, I thought drawing a face on it would make it cute!”
she finished her sandwich, but then she suddenly looked up at me with sheer panic on her face before she bolted upstairs.
It takes me a few seconds to realise she was about to be sick. I take the steps two at a time and head to the bathroom. I knock on but don’t hear anything.
“Are you ok?”
Nothing, I try the handle.
“Go away Cas…please you can’t…”
then I hear her retching and decide against whatever she says. I push open the door and rush to her, grabbing her hair, holding it up, and rubbing circles on her back.
“Shh it’s ok Em…that’s it gets it all up”
she groans into the toilet. After about 15 minutes she sits up and I flush the toilet for her. She sits back, splayed out on the floor, so I take that as my chance to grab a wash cloth, run it under the tap, and then swipe it across her head and mouth. I clean it off and rinse it again, then help her up, “Come on Em, let’s get you to bed”, she mumbles, her agreement. She reaches her bed and starts to strip off and I nearly break my neck turning around to give her privacy.
She giggles, her voice soft as she says “Such a gentleman Cas. You can turn back around now,”
I slowly turn to see she’s lying in bed. I sit on the edge and run the wash cloth over her forehead, her eyes close and she drifts asleep. She looks so beautiful and peaceful. Before I head to bed, I leave her some water and painkillers in the morning.
*********
I wake up early and check on Emmy, she’s fast asleep so I decide to leave her a little bit longer and take Scruff out on a run. I tighten the new waist lead I got him, and we set off at a good pace. I’ve been out an hour, when I decide to head back, hopefully Emmy will be awake by now. I am going to invite her to my parents’ house today for our Sunday Dinner. I grab my phone out of my pocket and message my brothers.
Cas
Hope everyone got home ok last night. Especially you Rafe you looked like you were having fun *crying laughing emoji*
Rafe
*middle finger emoji* she wouldn’t stop feeling me up Cas! Not funny!
Ethan
Kind of is funny though #grab-a-granny #gilfs-R-Us
Nate
Most definitely is funny Rafe! #Rafethegrannytamer
Archie
Don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life *crying laughing emoji*
Rafe
Really? Hashtags? What are you all…12! Grow up!
Cole
#someonessensitive
Rafe
Cole, you don’t even know what a hashtag is you’re so old!
Cole
Not as old as the woman feeling you up last night #micdrop!
Rafe
Cole you weren’t even there!!! CJ was there a reason for starting this convo or did you just want to torture me some more?
CJ
#changingthesubject
CJ
Sorry I couldn’t resist!!! Yes actually, I was thinking of inviting Emmy to Sunday Dinner today. Do you think it would come off as a big deal? Also, mum and dad would be ok with it wouldn’t they?
Archie
Our baby brother is growing up *crying face emoji* #firstlove
Nate
That’s a big deal! You must be serious we never bring girls round to the rents!
Cole
Lacey is literally there most weekends??
Ethan
Lacey doesn’t count Cole she’s practically our sister anyway…you just need to put a ring on it! #meant-to-be
Cole
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with Rafe! Enough of the hashtags now
Cole
CJ, I think it’s great you’re going to bring Emmy and you know for a fact mum and dad won’t mind, they’ll love her.
CJ
Thanks guys! I’m gonna ask her!
Archie
If she says no…I’m free * devil emoji*
I get home, clean Scruff and go inside but it’s silent. I creep upstairs and move to Emmy’s door, cracking it open, I peer inside and see she is still asleep. I go to close the door but hear her croaky voice “Cas?”
I open the door wider and move inside, sitting on the edge of the bed, “Morning sleepyhead, how are you feeling?”
She shakes her head and then lifts her hand to it, groaning “Shh, please don’t shout, Cas. Everything hurts and I feel sick.”
I chuckle at her “I’ll bring you up something to drink and some toast”
she hums then her eyes open wide and she covers her face with her hands and all I can hear is her mumble “don’t look at me I look like a panda!”
I get some toast and coffee together and bring it to her on a tray, Scruff at my heels following me. As soon as I open the door, he dashes in and jumps on her bed, diving around her head and licking her face. She giggles like mad, but she settles him down and he twists and turns until he gets comfortable.
“I brought you some coffee and toast”, she smiles at me “, Thanks Cas, you didn’t have to do this for me. I’m so embarrassed.”
I see that she’s cleaned up, and her hair has been brushed, but she’s still beautiful.
I shift from one foot to the other and Emmy notices “Is something wrong, Cas?”
“Hhm? What? No, nothing is wrong. It’s just it's Sunday Dinner at my parents’ house today with my family”
“Oh, that sounds nice. I hope you have fun”
“Do you like Sunday Dinner?”
I inwardly cringe. My palms are sweating, and I don’t know why I’m finding it so difficult to ask her if she wants to come with me, but this feels like it’s a step further, a step towards something more, something real and I worry she isn’t ready for that.
“Erm, I guess I do, yeah.”
She chews her toast and looks anywhere but at me. Maybe she wants me to go?
“Me too. Ok, well I’ll just leave you to it, then, I guess.”
I turn away, and I hear her sigh, and it sounds like she’s so sad “Unless…”
“Yeah?”
she looks at me hopefully.
“Unless you want to come with me? I mean I already planned on asking you, but I chickened out last minute”
“I mean yeah I’d love to, of course I would, but…are you…are you sure?”
I hate how unsure she sounds.
“Of course, I’m sure. I’ll leave you to get ready. We need to be there for noon,”
she nods at me, and I head off to shower. Before I jump in the shower, I fire off a text to my mum to let her know to set a place for Emmy and the message I get back is a string of heart emojis and I can’t even be mad at her for it.
It’s a quarter to noon and I pull up to my parents' driveway, Scruff is in the back barking like mad because he realises where he is. I look over at Emmy and see she’s silently freaking out. I see the curtains twitch and know my family is watching us from the other side, thankfully Emmy hasn’t seen.
“You ready to go in?”
she turns to look at me, her eyes wide.
“What if they don’t like me, Cas? I mean, you asked me out on a date, and we haven’t even gotten that far yet. Now I’m meeting your parents, and if they don’t like me, what does that mean for me? I mean that probably means I’ll have to move out and oh my god I am going to have to find a new job and…”
I grab her hand and rub slow circles on the inside of her wrist “Em look at me. Relax, ok? My parents and my brothers will love you, plus there’s no pressure, right now we’re just two friends going to enjoy some food that’s all. Ok?”
she smiles at me, that blinding beautiful smile and I know she’s going to be just fine.
“Hang on, did you say your brothers? So, it isn’t just your parents I’m meeting?”
I rub her wrist once more “No pressure, Em. Now stay there, please, while I open your door.”
I get out and round my truck to get Emmy out and then Scruff. I guess this is what happiness feels like.