TUCKER #2
Josh sips from his bottle of beer and offers me a grin. “All good here, man. Business is good, the baby is growing. Everything in life is excellent.”
I smile back and clink my bottle of beer against Josh’s. He and Caitlyn had some issues when they first got together -- namely, Caitlyn’s manipulative, psycho ex -- but with him out of the picture, and a baby on the way, they two are completely loved up.
Much like my other brothers, who have all recently gotten serious with their partners. Soon, I’m going to have a brood of nieces and nephews.
It isn’t long before the rest of the Braddocks arrive -- Sebastian and his partner Lana, Antony and his partner Erin, and finally Ryan and his partner Alicia.
“How are the kids doing?” I ask, inquiring of Sebastian’s son Noah, Antony’s twins, Elizabeth and Aaron, as well as Alicia’s younger siblings.
Knowing the party is likely to get rowdy, I haven’t invited my younger nieces and nephews, though I have promised to throw a beach party for them when I’m back from the surfing contest in Cali.
But, for tonight, Alicia’s older siblings Jackie and Ben, with the help of Lana’s cousin Monica, are looking after all the youngsters.
Erin smiles and strokes her rounded stomach. “Excited for a family sleepover, as you can imagine.”
I laugh thinking of the next generation of Braddocks already causing trouble and me teaching them how to talk to chicks and how to surf. “And how are you? Everything okay with the baby?”
Erin’s smile broadens. “Yes, it’s all perfect.”
While I wait for more guests to turn up, I chat with my brothers and their partners. Everyone is doing well, and for once, even Ryan seems in a good mood.
Slowly, more and more people start arriving, so we turn up the volume of the music and the drinks start flowing freely.
It’s nearing ten-thirty when Ryan approaches me with Antony. I’m expecting my brothers to tell me they’re heading home for the night, but instead, Ryan says, “Do you think you should start winding things down?”
I roar with laughter for a moment until I realize he’s being serious. “What the hell for? The party’s just getting started!” I raise a shot of tequila to my lips and down it in one.
Ryan scowls. “After last time, I thought you’d be more careful. We don’t want the cops turning up.”
“You need to lighten up bro,” I say, thrusting a shot of tequila at Ryan, who places it back down on the counter.
“Maybe, but you need to calm down Tucker.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t you ever get tired of living with a stick up your ass?”
Ryan’s scowl deepens. “Don’t you ever get tired of causing a scene?”
I laugh hollowly. “As far as I can see, you’re the one causing a scene. I told you, if you don’t like my party, you can go home. No one is forcing you to be here.”
“Believe me, I’d rather be at home with my family, but someone needs to keep you in line.”
“I’m your family too, or have you forgotten?” I couldn’t help myself. I’m sick of Ryan’s bullshit. He’s always so eager to remind me of our family bond when it suits him. But when I need something, I'm a burden. I’m not pulling my weight.
“Tucker, why don’t we all just calm down,” Antony says, reaching out to lay his hand on my shoulder.
I shrug him off. “I am calm. It’s you and Ryan who’re causing a scene. In fact, I think it’s best if you leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re sending everyone else home too,” Ryan says, and then signals to my other brothers for support.
Sebastian and Joshua join Ryan and Antony.
“Come on, Tuck. You’ve had your fun. Let’s call it a night,” Sebastian says evenly.
I frown in response. “Oh god, now Ryan’s gotten to you, too. You used to be fun, Seb. What happened?”
“Life changes, people grow up. I have a family to think about now.”
Ah, so that’s how it is? Now he’s been reunited with his high school sweetheart Lana, and he’s discovered he’s the father of Lana’s son, Noah. Sebastian -- like Ryan and Antony -- has forgotten what it’s like to have fun.
I turn to Josh, my eyes narrowed. “What about you? Now you’ve gotten Caitlyn knocked up, are you going to start telling me I should be smoking a pipe on the porch and reminiscing about the good ol’ days?”
Josh shrugs. “I like a good time as much as anyone else, but it’s getting late--”
“It’s barely even eleven. The night is still young. Grab a drink and chill.”
“No,” Ryan says, gripping my shoulder firmly. “It’s time to bring this party to an end and send everyone home.”
“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m ending the party now,” I grind out.
Ryan’s grip on my shoulder tightens, and his other hand reaches out for my wrist. I shove him off, and he crashes into the counter.
“You’ve gone too far!” my brother bellows.
“No! You’ve gone too far. You always bang on about how important family is, but it’s only important when it matters to you.
If someone else wants or needs something, you only agree if it suits your vision.
I’m sick of it, and I’m sick of you. This is my house, remember?
Get the fuck out or I’m calling the cops. ”
Ryan’s lips curl into a sneer. “Go for it. Who do you think they’re going to believe -- me, the successful businessman? Or you, the guy who was recently arrested for possession?”
I pull back my fist, ready to slam it into Ryan’s face, but before I can swing the punch, Joshua grabs me tightly and drags me away. Antony and Sebastian pull Ryan outside, and I notice their partners hurrying out, too.
Eyes bore into me as Josh takes me out onto the deck. He casts Caitlyn a quick, reassuring glance before the two of us disappear.
“God, I cannot believe him,” I seethe as we drop down onto the sun loungers.
“You know what Ryan’s like, he always thinks he knows best. It’s not worth getting worked up over though,” Josh says evenly. “Don’t keep proving him right, Tucker.”
My eyes narrow. “The hell does that mean?”
“I’m not having a dig at you. I’m just saying, Ryan wouldn’t even have an argument against you if you didn’t keep giving him ammunition to use.”
“I thought you were on my side?!” I demand, but the fight has drained my body and I sigh. I rake my hands through my long, dark hair.
“I am. I am. But you can’t go around shoving people and trying to punch them.”
I let out a derisive snort. “Dude deserved it.”
Josh smirks. “Be that as it may, it only leads to more trouble. You need to learn to rise above his taunts.”
Not wanting to fight with Josh, as we usually have a good relationship, I begrudgingly agree. “Yeah, maybe.”
My brother and I hang out on the deck for a little bit longer, until we hear a gentle tap on the glass patio door and turn to see Caitlyn standing there hesitantly.
I pull open the sliding door. “Hey, come join us.”
Caitlyn smiles but shakes her head. “Thanks, but I’m getting pretty tired. I just thought you’d want to know Ryan and the others have gone.”
“Thanks,” I say, standing up and then offering my hand to Josh to help him to his feet.
“I think we’re gonna call it a night too,” he says.
“Okay, thanks for coming,” I say, pulling my brother into an embrace.
After hugging Josh, I hug Caitlyn too, and then the three of us leave the deck, and cross the room to the front door. Curious glances follow me, but as I walk with my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law, I shout out, “Don’t worry folks, the party isn’t over yet.”
If Josh has any opinions on me continuing with the party after what happened with Ryan, he doesn’t voice them, and instead simply wishes me a good time and says he will call the following day.
As Josh and Caitlyn get into their car, and drive away, I pull my phone out of my pocket.
If Ryan thought the party was ‘out of hand’ before, boy I’m going to give him something to really lose his shit over.
I pop some pills then send out a message on social media, tagging my location, inviting anyone who wants to come join the party.
East Hampton is where it’s at, and it’s full of people who are up for a good time -- many of whom Ryan probably views as wasters -- and my social media blast should have all of them flocking here within the hour.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s fuck shit up!”