We were all sitting together in the living room when the doorbell rang. I was close to Cal, and I slid away instinctively. He didn’t think anything of it this time. I knew he didn’t.
Shannon walked through the door first, looking tired but happy, followed by the boys, then Maverick.
“Alright, where’s my boy?” Maverick said as he walked toward the living room, his voice booming. I stood up as he came into view, along with my brothers.
“Si!” All three of them yelled as they ran up and hugged me.
“Hey guys,” I said as I reveled in the hugs. Even though the boys were getting older, Taylor was nearly taller than me now, they still ran to me like little kids. It made me feel guilty for not being around more, for holding resentment at the fact they had a sober dad in Maverick, but I never resented them.
“Oh shit, you brought company with you,” Maverick said with a smile, though his eyes sharpened slightly. Cal stood up.
“Yeah, uh, you know Callum,” I said even more awkwardly as my dad gave me a half ass hug.
“Sure do. It’s good to see you again kid, you’ve come a hell of a long way since the last time I saw you in person,” Maverick said as he shook Cal’s hand.
”It’s good to see you too, sir,” Cal said firmly.
I knew Maverick put Cal’s back up. Hell, I think Scott did too. Cal had heard more than one shitty story about my life growing up with them, and I knew in his own way, he held some form of anger towards them. I knew it for a fact when I’d mention my panic attacks, and how a lot of times they were triggered by memories from my childhood with them.
”Alright, I’m starving, can we move this party to the table please?” Scott said, sensing the tension radiating off me.
”God, please,” I groaned.
We all walked over to the massive table in the dining room, and for the first time probably ever, sitting down for a meal with my entire family didn’t feel like a chore. It didn’t feel like I was wearing a mask to tolerate it. It felt real.
We sat around the table and ate. We chatted about the kids, what had been going on since I went back on the road, how the prom dress hunt went today.
“I’m telling you,” Taylor said around a mouthful of rice. “Coach says if we win regionals, scouts might come look at me.”
“That’s incredible, Tay,” I said, genuinely impressed. “You gotta send me the schedule. If I’m off, I’ll come down.”
“Really?” Taylor’s eyes lit up. “With the belt?”
“Maybe,” I laughed. “If Cal lets me borrow it.”
“Hey,” Cal interjected, stealing a dumpling off my plate. “That belt is legally mine right now. But I might make an exception.”
Life felt average. Like everything I’d dreamed of for so many years. And to make it even better, Cal was sitting next to me, and as always, he had his hand on my thigh underneath the table, keeping me grounded, keeping me sane.
After we all finished eating, Scott cleared his throat.
“Hey, Silas? Cal? Why don’t you two come to the den with me and Maverick? Need to catch up on some business stuff.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a summons.
Jayme and the twins got the hint immediately. “Come on boys,” Jayme said, standing up. “Let’s go see if we can find that movie you wanted to watch.”
This was happening. And fuck, it felt like I was starting to suffocate all over again.
We walked into the den, Scott’s sanctuary. It smelled of cedar and old books. Maverick took his usual spot in the big armchair, looking relaxed. Scott sat on the edge of his desk, and Cal and I sat on the leather loveseat.
“So,” Maverick started, leaning back, “what’s the word? Why are you two down here on an off week? Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“Just… needed a break,” I mumbled, my hands sweating.
“And you?” Maverick looked at Cal. “Surprised you aren’t up north with your folks.”
This was the opening. Scott looked at me, giving me a small nod.Go.
