She isn't wrong, but I lose all sense of control when it comes to her.
I'm fucking crazy for her.
Chapter four
Via
2017
"V, are you still there?"
"Yeah," my voice shakes as I listen to the chaos unfolding outside these walls that I'd like to pretend are keeping me safe, but I know that's just a facade. Nothing can protect me from this reality.
"Well, it was supposed to be a surprise…" Ander sighed, and I could basically feel his frustration with Liam and my parents radiating through the phone. "I'm on my way to see you. I wanted to surprise you. I'm almost there—"
"How? You have work!" I cut him off.
"I took care of it, baby. I needed to see you. I miss you, and I'm not missing your birthday. I never miss your birthday. I sure as hell am not starting now." Emotions are pouring in, and a slight smile pulls at the corner of my lips. Ander always goes above and beyond to make me feel special.
"Ander. . ." I say his name with a smile, unsure what to say to express how he makes me feel inside.
Like I'm. . . Important. Worthy. Loveable.
You know, the things I never felt from my own family. Just the thought causes a tear to spring to my eye, but I hold it back.
"I'm not coming there if he's there, V. I can't promise I'll be able to hold back if he's on one of his typical war paths, and you don't need more shit today. Grab Natalie and meet us at Izzy's house. I brought Jett and Abbie with me. Jett wants to see Izzy, and Abbie is excited to see Natty."
I release a breath, and that trader tear falls from my grasp, so I swat it away quickly.
"I love you, Ander."
"I love you too, Rosie. I'll see you soon."
We end the call, and I breathe before opening the bathroom door. The screaming match is still happening in the rest of the house, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I need to check on Natty and get her out of here.
As I walk out of the hallway bathroom, I notice the mess instantly. Broken dishes are scattered throughout the kitchen, and spaghetti is painted against the walls.
Liam has my dad pinned to the far left wall of the dining area just off the kitchen. He's in our dad's face, yelling so loudly that I can't even make out the incoherent words that he's spewing. Liam has Dad's hands pinned and his body pressed against him. Dad is fighting against Liam's hold on him, but Liam is so wound up that he doesn't seem to be phased by Dad's resistance.
My mom stands behind Liam, pulling at his arms and yelling at him, trying to get him to free my dad from his grasp. As the seconds tick by, her screams grow louder, piercing through the already present tension in the air.
I suck in a deep breath to steady myself, disgusted at the sights before me.
I step closer, and Liam's and my Dad's words to each other become more distinguishable. Liam is in his face and still has him pinned, but my dad isn't backing down.
"Son, I have had it with your shit!" My dad yells.
Liam's face morphs into a maniacal grin as if he's enjoying this.
"My shit? I need money! I'm your son, aren't I? Or that's what you like to pretend. Aren't parents supposed to help their children?"
Their fights are always over money. My parents cut Liam off financially and stopped giving to him a while back when they realized they were only supporting his habits and not helping him. Liam hasn't made it easy. This is typically how it goes until one of them gives in and gives him his way. Hence why, it continues.
Since Liam has moved out on his own, he's taken up drugs and jail as his favorite pastime. My parents have finally been introduced to the side of Liam that he reserved for only me for so long.
His anger is no longer only my burden to take on. We are all receptive to his verbal and physical outbursts now. I hate it for all of us, but I hate it mainly for my sister Natty. I promised myself I'd take on all his anger to save her.
I wish this meant my parents finally saw the damage this had caused me over the years, but they couldn't be more blind.
