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Chapter 27

Oliver

Normally I enjoy this holiday. Thanksgiving is a time for being with family and friends. To appreciate what you have and those in your life. To show those you love how much they mean to you. This thanksgiving sucks! I'm not happy with certain members of my family, I'm arguing with my friends and the woman I love is with my rival. How could this get any worse? I had to ask.

Dinner is always held at my parents house. All of us are invited, we all bring a dish since my mother doesn't cook and half the time forgets things. It just makes it easier for everyone. As usual I'm bringing the turkey, Kate does the potatoes, Dylan does vegetables, Mason and Melanie are doing dessert and cranberries while my mother has rolls. I'm always wondered how she got the easiest thing to do.

Kate and Dylan have been with me a lot the last few days since we met with Quinn. I feel like I left a part of myself in his office when I left Abby there. I hate this I don't want to see my mother or Avery, who I'm sure will be there. A huge chunk of this is their fault why Abby is stuck with Quinn. I've only been able to call her on Kate's phone as everyone thinks my phone might be getting traced. I hope the cops find Ethan before I do.

"Hey sweetheart! I just wanted to call you before we head over to my parents house. I hope you're okay. Call Kate when you get this message please. I need to hear your voice. I love you." I leave her a message and hand the phone back to Kate. I really hate her not being here with me.

"She's probably in the shower or maybe she's cooking and can't grab the phone. She'll call you back when she can." Kate reassures me rubbing my arm as I nod slowly. I know Abby will call back. I trust her, I don't trust Quinn. Not with her. Abby does which is why we are here. Separated and unable to be together.

"We should get going. Grace will be expecting us soon. I grabbed some whiskey and beer just in case we need it." Dylan says with a smile. He knows this is going to suck without Abby.

Dylan's phone goes off right as we're getting everything together to walk out the door. Setting down the armful of alcohol and food he checks his phone. I watch him curse and angrily text a message back. There's been only one person who has pissed him off this much lately and we have tried to not bring her up but it seems Avery is getting more persistent about getting her foot into my bed.

"Sorry Ollie. Your mom invited her today. I keep telling her you don't want anything to do with her but she's insisting that you do. I don't know what else to say to her." Dylan shrugs. He's in a tough spot. Avery was friends with Kate for years, we all hung out together. This isn't on him.

"I'll deal with her and my mother. Don't worry Dylan it's not on you. I need to just tell them both before it gets any worse." I understand how he feels. If it was Kate.... well Kate's never been this desperate, but if it was I'd be feeling responsible too.

We get into the car and head to the house. The house I grew up in. The same house I made so many great memories in with my friends and family. The one I now can't stand stepping foot in because I don't want anything to do with my parents. I was guilted into coming today, there's no other reason I'm here.

As we come up the street we can see a load of paparazzi outside the gate of the house. Who the fuck called these assholes?  I wonder as we drive past and enter the code to get in. While the window is down for the driver I can hear some of the questions being yelled to me.

"Oliver how do you feel now that your ex girlfriend is sleeping with Quinn Jackson?" Fuck! Word is out. Thanks Quinn! Fucker!

"Oliver how are the wedding plans going with Avery?" They aren't!

"Oliver word is Abby stole from you too, would you comment on this?" God dammit! That's it.

I'm done with faking this bullshit. I know where the shit is coming from and I'm sick of it. "Stop the car inside the gate!"

"What are you doing Ollie?" Dylan asks. I hear the weariness in his voice.

I don't answer though and crawl out of the car and walk over to the closed gate with the press screaming at me. I smile and wave as Dylan approaches my side. He takes my arms and whispers, "Abby needs to stay a secret Ollie. You want her safe remember?"

I nod but I can kill part of this bull they're talking about right now. "Apparently none of you have families to celebrate with today!" Fuckers! I've really had enough of the press. "To answer a few questions so you can get to your families. There are no wedding plans. Avery Solomon and I are not together. I won't be with her... ever! I'm not with anyone, single and staying that way! Please stop with the rumors."

In uproar of questions came flying at me over this. I hold up my hand and stop them. "Look, I'm happy for Abby, she is a great person. I hope things are good for her. She's got a great head on her shoulders and I trust her to be doing the right thing always. Stop looking for dirt on her, there isn't any. As far as Avery, she's a fucking lunatic that you can't believe anything she says! Sorry Dylan. It's the truth. Avery Solomon made up everything about her and I. I will not listen to any more questions about it. If you print or put out any rumors about Avery and myself, I will sue your asses and drain every fucking dime you have and then I will come after your jobs and make sure you don't work again."

"I think they get it Oliver." I look at Dylan and see I may have pushed a little too far with what I said about Avery, but I've had enough of her lies and screwing with my life. I nod and turn around going back to the car. I get in with Dylan right behind me. Those vultures outside will still be there when we come out I'm sure.

"Feel better? Abby sent me a text." Kate says and leaves me hanging with that.

Kate

I watch the boys get out and talk to the press. I'm not going out there. I don't like the spotlight and definitely not the press. They are the worst on Ollie and I hate seeing him so worked up all the time over the stuff they say about him. Some are very nice but the majority are rude and cruel. I'm just glad it's not me. I hear Oliver speak about Avery and Abby, I know this is hard for him but harder on Dylan. I wait and see I have a message on my phone.

Abby finally got through. I'm reading the message as the boys get in the car. I wish I had gotten this before we left the house. Ollie is going to be pissed over this! I look at them and realize I can't let them go in not knowing this. Taking a breath I have to break the news.

"Ollie, I got a message from Abby." I tell him and he waits for more. "She's here. Mother invited Quinn to dinner. Apparently he brought a date." I explain and watch Ollie lose it.

His eyes get big while his face turns red with anger. The expression on his face is down right scary. I wouldn't want him mad at me, not like this. This is beyond anything I've ever seen in him. I reach for his hand but he yanks it away. Maybe I shouldn't have told him. Dylan doesn't look much better. I know these two are going to end up fighting before the night is done and I'm not completely sure it won't be with each other.

"He what? Is he completely fucking stupid? We want Abby safe away from me, so Ethan goes away.  What the fuck is he thinking!?" Oliver goes off.

"I don't know, Ollie. Maybe Abby wanted to see you, this was an easy way. She's his date tonight, not yours." I try but even hearing it from myself it doesn't sound good.

"Really Kate? Do you honestly think that makes this okay in any way?" Dylan asks and I shrink in the seats. Nothing about this is okay. I know that.

"I was trying to help! At least we got a heads up before we walked into house!" I say and see Oliver's face.

"This was planned by mother? She knows Quinn and I have been on the outs for years now. He's never been invited to thanksgiving before but he got an invite this year. Why?" Oliver looks at both of us and we all know the answer. Somehow she knows Abby is staying with Quinn. The question is how?

"Who told her? You think her and Quinn are working together on this?" Dylan asks as we get out of the car.

"No I think he got setup just like we did but he agreed for a reason all his own. Abby's a pawn for both of them to get to me." Oliver says opening the door. "Play along. I'm not gonna be nice."

Oh shit, not again!

We walk into the mansion and head straight for the kitchen. Dropping off our food we go back towards the parlor where we can hear voices talking. Coming to the doorway I see Avery sitting there all smiles next to Grace while Quinn is sitting with Abby, his arm around her and her head is facing her lap. This isn't going to end well tonight.

"Happy Thanksgiving everyone!" Dylan announces us as we walk in.

I look at Abby then back to Ollie. I see their eyes meet and smiles slowly appear on both their faces. This is good, then Quinn stands up offering his hand to Ollie. Blocking Ollie from coming closer to Abby. Uh oh, I watch with bated breath as Oliver decides whether to accept the offered hand. It's only when Abby joins Quinn, does Oliver take his hand.

"Ollie, it's good to see you again. I haven't seen you since the fundraiser. You obviously know my girl, Abby." Quinn winks and I roll my eyes. Every time it happens. Quinn is going to blow this if he keeps flirting with me just to upset Dylan.

"Yes. Abby it's good to see you." Oliver says coolly. Okay he's handling this well enough. I watch Oliver lean into Abby and kiss her cheek. He whispers softly something I don't catch but it makes Abby blush and cover her cheeks. What the hell did he say?

"It's good to see you too. Kate, Dylan!" Abby smiles at us then while holding onto Oliver's hand as she hugs each of us.

"Well I have to say Oliver you're certainly handling this well." Grace speaks up. "Obviously this tramp wasn't as important to you as you thought. Although I do have to question your taste in women, Quinn. I thought it was better than this. But she's out of my pocketbook and your trouble now." I think both Oliver and Quinn might kill her tonight. The look on both their faces is pure rage.

"Mother!" Oliver turns on her with Quinn holding him back.

"Oliver it's alright, we're all good." Quinn pushes at Oliver to hold him back. "I know exactly what I've gotten into and it's my pleasure to have Abby in my life. Grace, I don't think you know what you lost."

"I'm completely aware, darling. I'm actually surprised you have the audacity to bring her here given you know that she's not welcome in my home." Grace is just being cruel now. "I'm sure you can understand that, Abby. I'm sure you aren't so naive to believe that after everything you've done, you would be remotely welcome here. I don't want the spectacle brought into my home that seems to follow you."

"But you want the spectacle that bitch brings? Lady, have you got your wires crossed!" Melanie say as she and Mason arrive.

"Ah, the other tramp has arrived! Avery dear, remind me to have my home disinfected after they leave. I don't want to contract anything." Grace is downright hateful now.

"Why were we invited, if all you want to do is put us down?" Melanie asks taking Abby's hand into her own to soothe her. Oliver is right next to Abby his arm around her as well, while Quinn is in front of the two ready to start his own verbal abuse on Grace.

"I invited the boys and Avery, not you. That was their misjudgment in bringing you." Grace corrects her.

God this is uncomfortable. These are my friends and my mother is tearing into both of them so cruelly. I don't understand why she's being this way about either of them. I'm thinking that was the point she wanted to make. That we're all family and Abby and Melanie are outsiders to this. My mother doesn't accept them or want them and will do anything in her power to make it clear they aren't one of us.

"Come on love, why don't I take you lovely ladies home with me. I can whip up something just as tasty for us." Quinn says turning and seeing Oliver holding Abby. "I'm asking you politely Ollie, to let go of her."

Quinn's face says it all. Oliver is going to blow their cover if he doesn't watch it. Quinn knows this as well as I do. Oliver slowly removes his hand and steps away from Abby. I can see just how hard this is for him. Abby isn't taking this much better. She simply wants Ollie. It's so hard to watch this. Quinn escorts both Melanie and Abby to the door then turns one last time.

"I'm very disappointed in you Grace. I thought you were more hospitable than this. You raised two magnificent children and accepted these two as your own growing up. What the hell happened to you to become such a cold, ladder climbing bitch?" Quinn stated, before walking out not waiting for an answer.

My mother says nothing but raises her chin defiantly and purses her lips. Her temper is boiling just below the surface. One more hit to her ego and she's going to explode. All of us know it. We've seen it enough times over the years to know when to duck and hide. I reach over and take Ollie's hand, he's not faring much better. I know watching Abby leave was hard on him but for now he has to keep up appearances.

"Now we can move forward with the wedding plans at last." I close my eyes and shake my head. My mother never learns to stop pushing. Just as Oliver opens his mouth to go after her, my father walks in with a woman on his arm.

"Happy Thanksgiving kids! I'd like you all to meet Beverly." He smiles right at my mother and adds a dig just for good measure. "My date for the evening."

Oh shit! I face palm myself and wish I'd stayed home. Is it too late to leave with Quinn? I wonder hoping I can sneak out and away without notice. This is the worst thanksgiving ever. I guess Murphy's Law has hit us once again.

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