Brielle is shocked but still hurt. Cambree looks at him disgustedly, “Who are you? I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, but you seriously need to re-evaluate your priorities and realize who has always been here for you.”
Colby is not so calm. “Go grab your bag, and Tyler and I will drop you off. You are behaving like a dick and have hurt your sister for the last fucking time, Dustin. When you get back, we will talk about this.”
Dustin, the idiot he is, doesn’t know when to stop. “You aren’t my dad, and they aren’t my mom. We won’t talk about shit when I get back.” Oh damn it! Shut up kid!
Colby moves with speed and grabs Dustin by his shirt. “I am not your dad, and they aren’t your mom. Got it. But we are the ones here day in and day out, the ones who have taught you wrong from right, though you aren’t applying it right now. We take care of you when you are sick, we are at every game cheering your spoiled ass on, and good or bad, we are there. So maybe you need to think about that while you are away.” I am proud that Colby hasn’t hit him yet, but Brielle has now stood up. She walks up and grabs Colby’s hands off Dustin. She just reaches up, kisses Dustin’s cheek, and tells him to have fun. I can tell her heart is breaking. This is a situation she has no control over, and she wants to fix it.
Dustin can’t let it go. He knows how much Brielle loves him, and I do believe he is trying to hurt us on purpose. He looks at Colby and then Tyler, and says, “Don’t forget, you are the same ones who pick my drunk ass up, lie to my sisters for me, and cover it up. Thanks for the ride, but I will take my own car.” Right now, it is dead silent in my house.
Brielle and I are shocked. Colby and Tyler are pissed at Dustin, and Cambree is just disgusted. I speak up, “You will not take your car. It is still in our name. I don’t know what incident you are talking about, but I will find out. If you aren’t mature enough to not drink when you are driving, then you won’t drive.”
Cambree says, “I will take his dumb ass.” I am not comfortable with that, but she whispers, “I won’t get out of the car, then I am going to Jessica’s. I will call when I get there.” I just nod. Nobody else here has gained the function to speak or react. I just look at Dustin and shake my head. I hope he can see the destruction he is causing.
Once they are out of the house, Brielle gains her composure. “Care to explain?” she asks while glaring at both Colby and Tyler.
Neither of them answers. Hell, they aren’t even making eye contact. I tell them, “Explain it while you both still have the ability to speak. I am not sure how much longer she will remain calm.”
Tyler cracks. He is still scared of my sister. It is amusing as hell to me. “The night of your anniversary, Cambree texted and called me. Dustin was at a party and had too much to drink and had gotten in a fight. We left and went and got him. Colby talked to him, and we agreed it was best to not worry either of you.” I get why they did it. I mean he is a sixteen year old. But it was still wrong.
Brielle is mad. Very, very mad. “So you lied to me? First, you lied about your supposed alarm call, then about my brother?” She is speaking directly to Colby. He is just looking at her and begging her to understand. The thing with Brielle is, when it comes to Dustin, there is no reasoning with her. She is like that with CJ and Riley, too. Thank God Cambree doesn’t do this shit to us.
“Belle, I talked to him. He was feeling lost, and I thought I fixed it. He hasn’t drank that I know of, but obviously he still is feeling a bit lost,” Colby is pleading with her.
I jump in, “B, he is a teenager. It isn’t the end of the world. At least he didn’t drive. Things could be worse. We know about this now. We can talk when he gets home.”
It is like she didn’t even hear me. “Lost about what, Colby?”
“He was trying to find his place. He doesn’t understand about your parents, and marriage, and babies around here. Plus, he is growing up and being scouted, and that is a lot of pressure.”
I can tell she has taken it to heart. “So, he was wondering where he fit in our family with all the changes, and you didn’t feel the need to share that with me? This is my fault. He is acting out because he isn’t feeling he is wanted. Damn it, Colby. I could have fixed this.” She is crying now. This is her biggest fear. She has overcome it so much, but she loves her family.
“No, this isn’t your fault. This is why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you feeling guilty. You do everything for him, and he knows it. He needs to realize it. I don’t want you feeling bad about something you have no control over. He is being a spoiled brat, and that has to change.” Wrong thing to say, man, I shout to myself. Brielle is not good with taking criticism about Dustin.
She just glares at him. If looks could kill that boy would be six feet under. “It is my fault because I took on the responsibility to always make him feel loved, secure, and wanted. You tell me he wasn’t feeling that way. I don’t know why you chose not to tell me how he was feeling. I cannot believe you thought this would be okay in any way. Oh wait, you were hoping you wouldn’t get caught. Typical, Colby, at least you didn’t hide your activities in a storage closet this time.” Oh . . . shit just got real. She is talking about the infamous blowjob when they were broken up. This shit is so old, and they have worked through it, but she has lost her mind.
I snap, “Enough, Brielle. That was tacky and uncalled for.”
“Fuck off, all of you.” And she storms out of my house. Colby is pissed, and at the same time he is hurt. I have seen them bicker and go back and forth, but never has she brought that up.
“Colby, she is not in the right frame of mind. You know how she gets about Dustin. With all his medical scares, and my parents, you know she isn’t rational.” I also think she isn’t rational because of the mention of Brent. That name can throw her in a tailspin and fuck with her head. I don’t mention this to Colby because it will kill him that he can’t fix it.
“I know. That shit really hurt, though,” he replies, and I can tell he is in pain.
“Just go sleep on it. We will figure this out. We will sort it out together, like we always do. She loves you and your family more than life.” He just looks at me and tries to smile. I feel for both of them at this moment. I know my sister didn’t mean a word of that, and she has come so far with her insecurities. But Colby basically told her what she suffered through was what Dustin was dealing with right now, and that gutted my little sister. I personally think Dustin is being a douche canoe and playing on Brielle’s emotions. He is good at that. Not that he is a bad kid, but he wants what he wants, and sometimes he doesn’t concern himself about others’ feelings. In other words, he is a teenager.
Once Colby leaves, Tyler turns to me. “I am sorry, Addison. I should have told you.”
“You did what you thought was best. I get it. I am not happy you lied, but you are a part of this family, and we all make decisions in the heat of the moment. I am not as blind as Brielle is to Dustin’s antics. Please, don’t lie. Just tell me, and we will deal.”
Damn, I have come a long way. I can tell it shocked him, too. He just grabs me and says, “Woman, get your fine ass to the bedroom, so I can apologize to you correctly.”
I head upstairs and turn back to look at him over my shoulder. “Damn, Tyler. When did you get so boring and have to have it in the bedroom? There were plenty of counters, tables, chairs, and floor space available.” The look he gives me lets me know I will pay dearly for that comment. Mission accomplished.
Chapter 26
Colby
Damn. That comment hurt. I know Brielle was speaking before thinking, and I would expect nothing else from my girl. But I honestly thought that was a part of our past that was over. It was a dickhead move on my part, but I thought we had exorcised those demons. I am hurt, but I am also pissed at her. Nobody is perfect in a relationship; we all make mistakes, just like life. She said that to hurt me, and she knew it would. If she expects me to just go apologize and try and make up with her, she has another thing co
ming. I love that woman to no end, but I need to reel my temper in, and she needs to be alone.
I am not prepared for what I see when I get to our home. She is not in our bedroom, but I can tell she has been here. Her clothes she was wearing are thrown on the floor, so I go searching for her. I find her curled up with our son, asleep, but can see the tear marks down her face. Damn if my gut doesn’t clutch. It takes all I have not to reach down, lift her up, and carry her back to our bedroom. I don’t though. She sought out our son for comfort, and if I can’t give her that tonight, then at least my little man can. Through all our marital disagreements and arguments, we have never slept apart, and it sucks. I never want to go to bed without her or with issues still surrounding us. In this case though, maybe it is best. I bend down and kiss her on the forehead, and our son, too. I check on our princess and make my way to our bedroom. I sure hope tomorrow shines brighter around here.
Brielle
I watch him walk out of CJ’s room, and my heart breaks a bit. He didn’t even try to wake me up. As soon as I said that vile comment at Addy’s, all I wanted to do was apologize. I have fought tooth and nail to overcome my feelings of insecurity, and with Colby’s love I have come so far. I hope I didn’t ruin us. I know that is a stupid thought, but that is my past rearing its ugly head. Why didn’t he try and wake me up? Is he that angry with me? I sigh and close my eyes with the tears seeping out again. I snuggle CJ closer and try to figure out what to do to make it up to him. When he finds out I once again shattered my phone by throwing it, he may just decide I am too much crazy to handle. Good thing he always gets me the insurance for my phone. I just keep telling myself it will be fine.
After a few hours of lying there and getting no sleep I decide to sneak down to the basement and listen to music and wait for him to get up. I always find peace in lyrics. I just hope he forgives me. We have an amazing life, and it means everything to me. I rack my brain trying to figure out exactly what to say to him.
Colby
Last night sucked. I slept for shit, and I missed my wife in my arms and in our bed. I swear to myself right then and now that no matter what, we will never sleep apart. I need her to breathe. I need her to live. I know she was angry, hurt, and frustrated with Dustin. That boy is going to be the death of us. Just then my phone goes off playing my vixen’s tone. I grab it and of course, a song link. I press play and can’t stop the grin that comes across my face listening to the lyrics. I come up with a plan of my own. “Stay, Stay, Stay” by Taylor Swift playing makes me get my ass up gear. I don’t know how she thought I was leaving over this. Crazy, beautiful girl.
I dig through my stuff until I find what I want. I take off down the stairs and am ready to shock the hell out of my girl. When I walk into the living room in my boxing head gear, I smirk at her. “What? The song calls for a football helmet, but I worked with what I have.” We both start laughing, and I know that no matter what, our love will always see us through.
I grab my girl and twirl her around the living room. She stops and says, “I am so sorry. That was a low blow and part of our past, and I should have kept it that way. Colby, you are my world. You are my heart, my soul. Please forgive me.”
I just kiss her senseless. She doesn’t ever have to doubt my love and commitment to her and our crazy, dysfunctional family. “Ditto,” I throw back at her. I can tell something else is on her mind. “Out with it, pretty girl.”
“I may have shattered my phone screen again.”
“Again? Really, Belle? You go through more phones than a brothel does condoms.” She starts laughing at me.
“Am I rubbing off on you?” she asks me. I know she means her smartass mouth, but I am determined to keep this bantering going.
“Oh, I have something you can rub on me.” I can’t keep a straight face. I love this girl. I pick her up, dip her back, and give her the kind of kiss that she says melts her panties. I don’t want any doubt in her mind what my payment will be. Right then the door slams, and Cambree walks in.
“Ummm . . . I know y’all have a T.V. You do know how you got those two kids up there right?” Cambree says as she heads to the kitchen.
“Yep, can you watch those two kids for a bit, Ms. Smart Ass?” I ask her.
“Really, trying for baby three? God, I am glad I am leaving for college in six months,” she says. She is playing with us; she loves her niece and nephew.
“If we get baby three at the phone store, then yep, that is what we are doing,” I tell her.
“Wow! Again, Brielle?” She knew exactly what I meant when I told her we were going to the phone store. I can’t help laughing at the shocked looked on Brielle’s face.
Cambree continues, “Hey sis. I have two words for you; Anger . . . management.”
Oh that snapped my sassy wife right out of her stupor. “Really, I have two words for you . . . Fu . . .” Before she can finish, I put my hands over her mouth and scoop her up to head out to the phone store. I can hear Cambree laughing the whole time, which causes Brielle to start laughing.
I lean down and tell her, “You, your siblings, our kids, and my cousin, this whole damn dysfunctional, amazing family . . . will be the death of me.”
“Well you better up your work-outs and watch what you eat, because if you aren’t around who is going to screen all of our daughter’s boyfriends?”
I know she is goading me, and that worked. “Don’t use plural when discussing our daughter and dating and boys. Better yet, don’t mention my princess and boys together, ever.” She just smiles her smile that I love. I am a goner.
Chapter 27
Cambree
I don’t know how to tell my sisters and brother that I got accepted to the University of Georgia. I had originally planned to follow in Brielle’s footsteps and go to UT and be the best damn Volunteer cheerleader there was, but I decided at the last minute that I wanted my own identity. I have always been known as one of the Parker siblings, and it is time to fly on my own. I know they will understand, but I don’t know if Dustin will. Even though Addison and Brielle have given up a lot to raise me, and Brielle graduated early from school so she could come home, they always tell me it is important to have my own identity. Dustin, we are so close in age, that we function more like twins and tend to get lost without each other.
I have no clue what is going on with him. He is self-destructing in front of my eyes. The drinking, partying, lying, and sleeping around is getting old. We have always been super close, and I can’t reach him. He isn’t exactly my biggest fan since I have started dating Adam either. They aren’t exactly friends. It could have everything to do with Adam’s ex-girlfriend cheating on him with my brother. Yep, my brother has turned into that guy. Brielle will have a shit fit if she knew the extent of his spiral into hell.
I also wish the whole secret with what happened between Brielle and my parents would just finally come out. I know they have tried to protect us from the ugliness of it, but Addy and Brielle just need to come out with it. They are trying to shelter us, always have. They just need to realize we aren’t little kids anymore and can handle the big bad world out there. I know what happened to Brielle only because I found the paperwork in my granddad’s office. I know the kind of people my parents are, and I thank God for my sisters, and grandparents every single day. Dustin still doesn’t understand. He thinks my sisters are control freaks, and while that is not farfetched, in this case it is much needed. Dustin is constantly trying to reach my dad. He wants his approval, his love. Colby and Tyler both have tried to fill that void, but it just isn’t the same. Each person reacts differently to situations, and I was lost for a bit. I finally figured out that I am the luckiest girl in the world to have been surrounded by so much love and guidance growing up. I know all of them would walk through fire for me, and I have accepted that you can’t control other people’s behavior, but you can control your reactions to it.
Yes, I went a bit crazy and got a bit defiant, but I still believe that was just hormones.
This summer I fell in love with a boy. Max. Funny thing is that he is Mitch’s brother. Yep, hot cop from Daytona, who played pretend baby daddy to the twins. Ironic isn’t it. Nobody knows, and I would like to keep it that way. He was a player, and I was putty in his hands. That is probably the main reason I want to go to UGA. He is going to UT, and the farther away we are from each other the better. He took my heart and my virginity. I am just glad he didn’t leave me with an STD. Once I found out he slept with my ex-best friend, Kamryn, and neither of them told me. I mean, I get it happened a while ago, and it wasn’t a relationship, but still I should have been told by one of them before I started a relationship with him. I am thankful he already left for college. We don’t have those awkward meetings where I want to claw his eyes out, yet at the same time mount him like a bull and try to hold on for eight seconds. I have issues, I know, but look at the house I grew up in.
He told me I was beautiful and made me feel special. How did I respond? I handed him my vagina on a silver, fucking platter with a side of my heart, and when he was done, he disposed of them. Maybe that isn’t fair, but once I had all the facts, nothing could change my mind to forget about him and move on. That is what I am trying to do with Adam. I just don’t have the same feelings for him that he does for me. That will come with time I am sure. We are going to the same school, so once we are away from everyone, we should be able to grow our relationship. I hope.
Chapter 28
December 2017
Tyler
Christmas time is in full force in this household. It is the twins’ first Christmas, I am back with Addison, and Dustin seems to be behaving. There is a definite strain between him and Brielle, but she keeps trying. The parents made this holiday easy . . . they decided to go on vacation, and Dustin has a soccer camp . . . so there will be no repeat of Thanksgiving. I continue to ask Addy every morning my question, and even if she never says marriage, we are now better than we have ever been.
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 28
