Chapter 24
Xavier
“Wait, what?” Riley asks Corrine.
“You heard me,” she responds before shoving the picture she saw of my parents into her sister’s hand. “Our parents clearly knew each other.”
“Can we backtrack to the fact that Xavier’s parents were involved with Lockhart’s brother? Where is that album you told us about on the phone?” Sebastian interrupts.
Corrine springs up from the couch, rushing into the guest bedroom.
Sebastian looks over at me raising an eyebrow, “You okay, Xavier?”
“I, I’m fine…I guess. Fuck, man, I don’t even know. This whole thing has thrown me for a loop.”
Corrine returns with a thick photo album and flips to a specific page before handing it to Sebastian. Riley leans over, pointing out everyone on the page. I sit there in silence while they all converse. I don’t need to see the photo again. Corrine showed me when I took her to pick it up earlier today. I don’t know if I am angry, relieved, or just plain confused. So many things from my childhood make sense but leave me with even more empty holes.
I look nothing like my father. Is this why we were never close? I always felt I never had the traditional father-son relationship that other boys around me had with their dads. Did my mom have an affair? Does my dad even know?
Suddenly, I felt Corrine’s hand squeeze my leg. I don’t cringe away like I usually would. I don’t remember much from last night besides bits and pieces, but whatever happened, I now don’t mind her touch. She’s gentle but not looking at me as if I’m weak. Like I’m something that needs to be fixed. It’s kind of… nice.
“Did you hear what I said?” she asks me.
“No, I didn’t.” I run both my hands down my face. “I’m sorry, I’m kind of out of it.”
Riley chimes in, “That's understandable, Xavier. I think we are all a little overwhelmed.”
Corrine and Riley both nod their heads at each other in understanding.
“I was just asking if you wanted me to be there when you talk to your mom?” Corrine asks.
I contemplated that for a minute before shaking my head. “I think I need to do this alone. I’m unsure, but I don’t want her to feel attacked, and I need all the facts. I think I’m going to go see her on Wednesday when my dad isn't home.”
My dad golfs every Wednesday with his friends. My mom is usually home working in her garden or reading one of those mushy romance novels women like.
“Okay, if you change your mind, let me know,” she replies squeezing my leg again before retracting her hand and leaving me wishing it was still there. What the fuck is happening to me?
“I wish we could find out more sooner, but I understand the need to tread lightly on this subject. Riley, maybe you or Corrine could bring up the conversation with your parents again in hopes they remember anything else? Without alerting them, of course.” Sebastian looks at his wife expectantly.
“Of course I will,” she says lightly.
“Good girl,” he replies before kissing her.
I roll my eyes and hear Corrine giggle. She stops when I look at her like she’s afraid of my reaction, so I wiggle my eyebrows at her flirtatiously. She laughs louder this time, covering her mouth with her hand, when Sebastian and Riley break apart and look at her confused.
“I think we should all get out this Friday night. I have an event earlier that day, but maybe we can head to the club to dance again after? I think everyone would agree. We could use a little fun break, yeah?” Corrine says, looking at us all.
The thought of dancing with people all around me, touching and bumping makes me cringe. But then I remember the last time I was at the club with Corrine. Watching her dance. The way her body moved. I could watch her dance like that all night long. My dick hardens in my pants so I cross my leg up, hoping nobody else can see.
“I’m in,” I say, causing everyone to look at me with their mouths gaping open.
“So are we,” Riley exclaims excitedly.
Sebastian just grunts. The club is not his scene, but I know he will go if it means making his wife happy.
“Okay well, we should get out of here. Are you all packed sister? We can drop you off on the way.” Riley asks.
“Oh, umm, yeah, " she says before looking at me. I don’t know what to say. Suddenly, the room feels small, and everyone is staring at me. She gets up quickly and rushes to the guest bedroom to grab her things. Riley follows.
Was I supposed to say something? Should I have offered to take her home? I’m wondering furiously to myself as I stand up. Sebastian’s hand falls on my shoulder. “I'm glad to see you both are still alive,” he says low.
“Yeah, uh, definitely alive. Alive. Yeah.” I’m aware I’m not making much sense but Sebastian just smirks at me before grabbing Riley’s hip and steering her towards the door.
Corrine comes up to me. “So I’ll see you this weekend?”
“Yeah, sure,” I reply casually.
This is awkward. I know she can feel it too.
“Okay, well bye?” I can’t tell if it's a statement or a question but I grab her hand and pull her closer to me leaving a small gap between our bodies.
“Thanks for last night,” I say before kissing her forehead.
Her brows raise. “Umm, you're welcome,” she says confusedly before turning and grabbing her bag.
The door closes behind her and I fall back onto my couch with a groan. Did I just thank her for last night? What the fuck is wrong with me? I feel like an awkward teenager who just received his first blow job. Way to go, Xavier, you really have a way with the ladies.