6. Theo

CHAPTER 6

Theo

D ad had left for work earlier than normal this morning. He had walked into the room with his post-it notes in hand to leave like most days as I was out for the count, but today; I made him take a double take at the fact I was up and ready for the day ahead.He told me that the place was mine until late today.

“Not, ill, are you?” he uttered as he let me know about his plans, scrunching the post-it notes up and throwing them into the trash can. “I mean it’s early, son.”

“Not at all. Ready to start the day,” I said with a bright and cheery disposition. “Have a good day today and if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call. I can always bring whatever you need up to you.” I insisted. “Are you helping out The Retholds, today?” I questioned as I smoothed my hair out with a little wax in the mirror. “I mean just in case…”

“Yeah, son. I am,” he uttered, blinking twice as if having to straighten out the thoughts flying through his mind probably confused with my direct line of questioning. If I was honest, I hadn’t been that engaged with my Dad in his work as I should have been since being here. I’d taken note of where he’d been but letting him know I’d acknowledged that was a different thing all together. “I appreciate the offer. I’ll hopefully be home not too late though.”

“That’s no problem. I’ve plans anyway,” I replied before turning on my heel and slipping my hands in my pocket as I leaned back against the desk behind me. “A fresh start. See you later.” I waved to him as he walked out the door, looking confused and flustered as his eyebrows scrunched together and the lines on his brow furrowed in frustration. I’d obviously caused him to go deep into thought but he needn’t have worried about me at all, as now I’d cleared the way in my mind to get myself back on the right path.

Previously, I would have just wasted the day away, but not today. I was using the quiet, valuable time to my advantage. I was going to make sure that the vow I made the other day to take charge and make changes in my life hadn’t been for nothing. I sent a message to Bree just reaching out and apologizing for my awful behavior, and I could understand if she didn’t want to talk to me. I hadn’t had a reply yet, but the weight that I instantly felt released off my shoulders se the moment that I saw that delivered message.

It was the first step in the line of many that I had to make.

I’d spent the last few hours fine-tuning my CV and ensuring that it gave the best account of the type of person I was, even if it is in just a few short pages. I knew the job industry was tough—to get someone to glance and stop and take a chance on you from looking at a few key pages of information about your working life—even harder especially when you had career gaps as people in the industry called them or from my point of view times of crisis and despair.

I finally did a last minute read through before I decided I’d earned myself a short reprieve for lunch. This afternoon was going to be the hard part of searching for vacancies that were available in the local area, which I thought would be suitable to apply for. I knew I couldn’t be too picky with what I was looking for, but I had some skills that meant that I could weigh up which direction and line of career path I went down next.

I just hoped that there were some of those vacancies available in the area that piqued my interest otherwise I’d have to reevaluate my options.

Sometimes the most simple meals are the ones that hit the hardest in taste factors and make you wonder why you’ve gone so long since you’ve last eaten it. Tell me I’m not the only one who’s done it and wondered why you’ve waited so long to have it! I laughed at the fact honestly. I really fancied a loaded jacket potato with chilli, cheese and beans with a side of coleslaw and crispy onions. A concoction that most people would wrinkle their noses up to, but for me, I’d fight against a guy to get the last serving. It was a meal that just warms you up and has so many different levels to it whilst still having that simplistic taste.

When I’d finished eating and had managed to clean up the kitchen I’d ensured that I had got my head in the game and mindset in check. I was ready to start the job of scrolling through the various online positions when I was disturbed by the sudden alert of an incoming call. I go to reach for my phone off the side next to the computer screen where I’d left it earlier thinking it would most probably be my dad letting me know he had managed to finish earlier or something. It was only when I actually read the name staring back at me that a wave of confusion took hold and the instant line of questions started to assault my mind. What the hell would Anthony Richards be calling me for? Had something happened to Jesse and he’d asked for me? Was he in hospital or had something… I stopped and immediately halted that thought, silencing those words in my mind. I debated for all of ten seconds before I immediately connected the call knowing that it was unheard of for the times Jesse’s brother had ever reached out to me in the two years, we’d been together. If I was being truly honest, I’d probably be able to count them on one hand so for him to reach out to me there had to be something else going on. One thing was for certain though, the onslaught of questions could wait as I didn’t have the time to actually answer all those instant thoughts that hit me at once. I had to deal with the here and now and whatever Anthony needed of me.

“Anthony,” I began. “I didn’t expect to be hearing from you anytime in the future.” I quipped out suddenly realizing that was a bit harsh. “Is everything okay?”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d pick up honestly.” He cut in as I heard a guy in the background sigh loudly in the background against the distinct rumble of an engine. Where the hell were these guys going? Fuck… was Jesse actually hurt and I was right? “We need your help and we didn’t know who else to call. For some reason, we can’t get through to Jesse and he’s got a group out at Sugarloaf Knob Mountain and one of the girl’s mom’s well… she’s really ill, man,” he rambled out the words so quickly in a mission like he was worried that I’d cut the line or disappear on him. “We don’t know the wilderness guide walk and route up there to get to them. I mean we’ll keep calling through to the satellite phone but I’m worried if something has happened to it or he forgot it.”

I took in a large breath and considered exactly what Anthony was asking of me. That fate was calling our two paths to collide together once again. I knew the chances were I’d be pushed away by him. That he would hate me and hurt just looking at me even though my heart would love for him to jump my bones, but every ounce of anger he threw at me would be rightly deserved. I wasn’t doing this for anyone but this family who needed my support and weighed above anyone else. If this was my dad who was in hospital, I hoped he would do the same for me and throw all the pain away for this one person.

“I’ll help,” I instantly confirmed, closing down all the tabs on the computer screen in front of me. “I need to contact my dad and tell him what’s happening and then formulate a plan to get to you. Just send me the address.”

“We’ll be at your dad’s in fifteen.” Anthony confirmed. “I kinda guessed you’d agree anyway. Jesse normally had a big mouth on these kinda of details but for some reason Sugarloaf Knob Mountain remained a secret.” He chuckled as I shook my head. “I wonder why that is.” I let my mind drift at those thoughts before shaking my head at Anthony’s gruff tone echoing back through the speaker. “We’ll see you soon. We have a long drive I’m guessing and a lot of talking and catching up to do… especially around my little brother.”

“Well…,” I began.

“There’s no getting out of this,” Anthony interrupted, “I think it’s long overdue.”

“I guess it is…,” I mumbled under my breath as we cut the line and I decided on my plan of action.

My dad needed to know exactly what was happening so he wasn’t worried and I needed to pack as if I was going to be out in the wilderness for a few days as I know Anthony wouldn’t have thought outside of the box and logistically about getting this girl home. I was the exchange option in the car and therefore I needed to be prepared for all eventualities. It had given me a few crucial minutes as I rushed around the house gathering items to collect myself and to comprehend what had just happened in that call.

My ex’s brother was on his way to my dad’s house with a car full of people. People that I didn’t know. I would have a long journey and time with these people, and knowing Anthony he will make sure they get to know me. To top it all off by even taking the guys here and revealing this spot to them I could be completely screwing anything tiny that Jesse could value in me—if that could potentially even exist—as I would be directing them to my ex’s and I’s special secret place which he has obviously not revealed to anyone.It would be like twisting a dagger into his heart even though I was only trying to protect and make amends.

I really am a complete fuck up… but I couldn’t not help given the situation. I just hope Jesse see’s that point too.