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- 11/04/2014
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Thwarted - 40. Chapter Forty
Mark shoved the car in park and turned to Gary.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to the hotel? I can’t guarantee this won’t get ugly.” All of them had been fairly quiet during the trip down. He’d appreciated Gary and Diane not needing to make conversation. He’d been lost in his own thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to handle the upcoming meeting with his dad and had finally decided to play it by ear. He doubted Dad was going to welcome him with open arms, but maybe he’d at least be a bit mellower considering the circumstances.
“We’re sure.” Gary gave him a reassuring smile. “We’re not going to let you go through this alone.”
Mark nodded. He didn’t know what he could say that wouldn’t sound trite. He swallowed hard and got out of the car, pocketing the keys. He opened the door for Diane while Gary came around the front.
“Thank you, Mark.”
“You’re welcome.” He forced a smile and led the way up the walkway. He paused at the door, part of him wanting to just get back in the car and drive home. Almost as though Gary could sense his desire to flee, he reached up and squeezed Mark’s shoulder. Steeling himself for what was no doubt going to be a tense situation, Mark lifted his fist and rapped it against the door before waiting. No way was he going to walk in, his parent’s house or not.
The door swung open and relief flooded him at the sight of Brent.
“Mark, you made it.”
Mark raised an eyebrow at the somewhat cool greeting. He knew things were tense with Jackie, but he’d thought him and Brent were okay.
“Yeah.” Mark stepped inside as Brent moved back. Brent looked past him and Mark turned to smile at Gary and Diane before shutting the door and turning back to his brother-in-law. “Brent, I’d like you to meet Gary and Diane, Trey’s parents. Gary and Diane, this is Brent, my brother-in-law.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Gary held out his hand.
“Same to you.” Brent shook it before turning his attention back to Mark.
“You okay?” Mark was actually a bit worried about Brent, he seemed off.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s just been tense.” Brent looked away and grimaced. “Just so you know, Jackie is still on the warpath.”
Mark sighed. It all made sense now. Jackie was still pissed at him for seeing Trey off before coming down. She was probably even going to be more pissed that Gary and Diane were with him. He didn’t even want to guess how his dad would react.
“I’m not surprised.” Mark turned to face his in-laws. “Are you absolutely sure you want to be here.”
“Mark, you’re family. You’re not getting rid of us.” Diane’s voice brooked no argument and Gary just nodded.
“Ok.” He took a deep breath. “Guess it’s time to go face the firing squad.” He didn’t bother asking Brent where his dad and sister were, most likely they were in the living room. He headed there, Gary and Diane on his heels. He found them both exactly where he expected them to be. What surprised him was them talking like they’d never been apart. They both looked up as he walked into the room.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up.” Jackie stood and crossed her arms over her chest.
Mark ignored her jibe and instead faced the man who’d stood the same time as his sister had.
“Hello, Dad.”
“Mark. I expected you to be here earlier.” There was no warmth in his voice, but Mark hadn’t expected there to be. “I see you brought other people into my home without even doing the courtesy of asking first. Am I expected to put them up tonight as well?”
“No, Dad. In fact, you won’t be putting me up either; I’ve already gotten a hotel room.” Mark squared his shoulders and looked his dad in the eyes, anything else and David Bailey would say he was weak. “Dad, I’d like to introduce you to Gary and Diane Weston. Gary and Diane, meet my father, David Bailey.”
His dad stayed where he was, merely nodded towards Gary and Diane. The slight to Trey’s parents made him grind his teeth. He turned his head to look at Gary and Diane. Gary’s jaw was clenched and Diane was glaring daggers at his dad.
“Who are they and what gives you the right to bring them into my home?”
Mark clenched his hands into fists. He’d known his dad was an asshole, but he used to hide it in front of other people. Apparently he no longer cared. Warm fingers wrapped around one of his hands and he looked over to see Diane standing next to him, her small hands holding onto his fist. He took a deep breath and looked back at his dad, just as a hand landed on his shoulder. He knew without looking it was Gary.
“They’re Trey’s parents and they’re here to support me.” He decided against adding more, but his dad apparently wasn’t ready to let it go.
“And who the fuck is Trey.”
“I’ll tell you who Trey is, Daddy.” Jackie stepped closer to their father and slid her hand into the crook of his arm.
Daddy? When the fuck had she started calling him Daddy?
“Jackie....“ Mark put as much warning into his voice as he could.
“Trey is the reason Mark waited to come down here.” Jackie frowned. “Trey is the reason that Mark is suddenly too good for everyone else.” Jackie looked up at their father and smiled. “You want to know who Trey is, Daddy?”
“Jackie, don’t. That’s enough.” Brent was suddenly beside him, but Mark doubted Jackie was going to listen to her husband.
Mark wanted to leave, before shit hit the fan, but his feet felt like lead. He couldn’t move. Even knowing what his sister was about to do, he couldn’t do anything to stop it.
“I forget, Mark. Is Trey just your boyfriend”—Jackie’s lips twisted into a sneer—“or is he your fiancé now?”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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