Reunited

I22I

☆Lauren☆

I wake up with a cold washcloth on my forehead. My brothers are still yelling at each other and Henry sits by my side.

"There has to be something we can do!" Grayson yells to no one in particular.

"Don't you think I tried? Dad had this deal signed the second Lauren was born there's no way out of if and no loop holes either, believe me I looked. She's to marry Nick and hand half the business over," Liam explains.

We knew they had something planned nowhere did I begin to imagine that this would be the outcome. The whole reason my mom took me away with her was to avoid this exact situation. And it was all for nothing...

We hear the doorbell ring and everyone freezes. All of them answer the door together. "All the Brookes in one place, how lovely." My blood freezes to Mr. Carver's voice.

"You have a lot of nerve showing up here Roger, especially you," Liam spits out. I perk up in my seat. Nicks here? I spring off the couch and march towards the door.

"Well well well, if it isn't my future daughter inlaw," Roger says with a big fat smile on his face and I just want to slap it off of him. What surprises me more is Nick. He stood there all smug looking just like his father. It's almost like he's pleased to be doing this.

"How could you!" I choke out as a tears run down my cheek. His face falters but it's recovered just as quickly. "It's just business," he shrugs his shoulders like it's nothing , like I mean nothing.

 So much for "Just know I care about you."

God I can't even look at him. I stare at him wondering how he could do this to me. He starts to shift back and forth on his feet uncomfortably. "Why are you here?" Grayson spits out glaring at them.

"We need Lauren's signature on the contract then we'll be on our way," Mr.Carver says, pulling out a yellow folder. Liam scoffs and opens the door wider for them to come in. We walk to the dining room and Henry pulls out a chair for me to sit in. Nick takes the seat next to mine and my skin crawls from close proximity. I used to get butterflies in my stomach from being near him, now I'm just repulsed.

Mr. Carver hands a pen to Nick and he signs the contract with no hesitation. He slowly slides the pen across the table to me. I pick it up with shaky hands. I flinch in my seat when Grayson punches the wall. Henry whispers something to him and he composes himself.

I look down at the contract and freeze up. Is this really happening? Am I actually signing a contract? A teardrop falls down on the contract and some of the ink smears. Nick grabs my hand and I snatch it away. The nerve he has.

I angrily sign the contract and throw it at his face. I stand up as fast as I can and the chair goes flying back. "Laren wait!" I hear Nick call but I don't stop, I run up to my room instead.

I hear the door slam closed and I know Liam finally kicked them out. A couple of seconds later my door creaks open and they all walk in. "I'd like to be alone right now, if you don't mind," I tell them.

"Of course, just know we love you Lauren and we'll help and support you any way possible," Liam says. I nod and he ushers them out of my room. Owen and Evan linger behind and they make no movement of leaving. "We're triplets, you're stuck with us," Evan says and they both sit on my bed on either side of me.

Evan pulls me into his arms and the waterworks come once again. The last thing I remember before I fell asleep was being in Evan's arms and Owen rubbing my back. I don't know what I'd do without these two.

The whole weekend I didn't leave my room and no one made me. Sunday they brought Tana over in hopes of cheering me up. It just made me sadder having to explain the whole situation to her. Although I'm glad I did because she was really supportive and cheered me up the best she could.

Now it's Monday morning and I have to see his shitty face. I walked down stairs wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt. For a family who works hard to keep up their presentation I'm surprised Liam let me wear my outfit. Not like I'd change if he told me to anyways.

I pull my hood up and climb in the back of Graysons car. The car ride is silent. It's like they think I'll break any second. Well, they're not wrong...

Finally we make it to school and pull into a parking spot. "Listen Lauren, if anyone gives you shit especially Nick, come find us. Ok?" Grayson says turning around in his seat. "Wait, you said if someone gives you shit especially Nick...do other people know?" I ask.

They all glance at each other. "There was a news article about the...situation, not sure if everyone heard though but just letting you know so you're aware," Owen says softly.

Great. Just fucking great. Can this get any worse?

I swing my backpack over my shoulder and head into the lion's den. That's when the whispers start.

"Did you hear?"

"Nick and Lauren are engaged!?"

"I heard they are madly in love."

I laugh at that one. "Anybody got something to say!?" Evan roars. The hallway falls silent. "Well?" Owen says holding his arms out wide. People quickly avert their gazes and shuffle away.

"Thanks guys," I mumble. "No problemo Lolo, we gotta get to class. See ya later," Owen says and they all rush to class.

I head to my locker to get my books and of course the lock jams and it takes me a whole five minutes to open it. I slam it shut and head to class.

 I squeal when someone places their hand on my mouth and pulls me into a dark room from behind.

Whoever it is, finally lets me go and turns on the lights.

My heart sinks.

Nick...