AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What could be so wrong about that?
My mind is so full of questioning, overthinking, worrying, and calculating that I can hardly work. My father has yet to make a statement in response to mine. Honestly, I hope he never does. He should face trial and serve the time he’s sentenced.
He won’t find any mercy from me.
My phone flashes with a notification, and I glance down to see the message: Theo Virgil is going live on Instagram.
I’ve never moved so fast in my life. After quickly hitting the notification, the app opens on my phone, and just like that, I’m staring at my brother’s face.
But it’s not a picture. It’s a video, and it’s him at this very moment.
He looks nervous, quietly staring at the screen with a hint of a smile on his face.
“Oh man,” he stammers. “You’re all here.”
The sound of his voice brings tears to my eyes. I cover my mouth with my hand and watch as he addresses his fans. Propping my phone up against my coffee cup, I stare at him.
“How are you enjoying your tour?” he says, reading one of the questions. Leaning back in his chair, he bites his bottom lip as he stares up at the ceiling as if contemplating his answer. When he brings his attention back to the screen, he says, “I’ll be honest. It’s a dream come true. Even just playing at bars and small venues, I’m living the dream. I couldn’t be happier.”
Blinking again, another tear rolls down my cheek.
Just then, I remember the tour stop he has nearby, and I scurry to open my calendar on my computer to check the date. With relief, I notice that I haven't missed it. He’ll be here next week.
I can see him next week.
But then I glance back at the video on the screen, and I see how happy he is. He’s living his dream. Would it be wrong of me to invade that peace? He doesn’t owe me anything, but can I really see him play without invading his space?
It doesn’t seem fair.
Not to mention, I’m currently engaging in sexual acts with his ex-boyfriend. Hisfirstboyfriend. I know Dean hasn’t had contact with Isaac since the day I drove Dean away, but I know how much they meant to each other.
What if Dean was to Isaac then what Dean is to me now?
What if they see each other while Isaac is in town and reconnect?
Once again, I’m the infiltrator. The one that is breaking up friendships, relationships, and families. I’m the home-wrecker.
All the more reason to ignore all the voices and judgment of others. If I bring Dean into our marriage for real, I’m not wrecking our home. I’m healing it.
For once, I know how to fix things. And I know exactly what I need to do next.
Forty-One
Dean
“Dean!” Abby shouts from the living room as I walk into the house.
It’s nearly eleven when I decide to come see Briar. Caleb is at work, but at this point, I feel comfortable just walking into the house.
The night before last, when we got back from the nursing home, I just needed to be alone. Seeing my dad like that was a lot. I didn’t expect it to hit me so hard. Especially the moments when he looked at me as if he didn’t know me.
I knew this day was coming, but feeling its presence now is more than I can handle. A part of me wants to feel this pain alone. I want to grieve and be in anguish by myself so they don’t see the dark parts.
But at the same time, the way they covered me in love and support meant everything.
Abby bolts from the couch, wrapping her arms around my legs. “Hey,” I say, patting her head. “Where’s your mom?”
“Upstairs, I think,” she replies.
