Loving Oliver

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ２４ Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ Ｔｈｅ Ｇｙｍ... Ｙｏｕ Ｌｉｆｔ Ｂｉｇ Ｂｒｏ】

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　２４　Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ　Ｔｈｅ　Ｇｙｍ...　Ｙｏｕ　Ｌｉｆｔ　Ｂｉｇ　Ｂｒｏ】

Sam said we could talk more about it later and I reluctantly agreed. I knew he wanted me to report it but I wasn't ready.

For any of it.

He didn't push though instead offered to talk about seeing a therapist if I wanted.

We were letting it go for now, and moving forwards towards breakfast. I found myself taking a quick shower after Sam told me to get ready for the day and that he'd get breakfast ready for us.

He grunted out a "meet me downstairs in 20" before grabbing his boots and heading to his room.

I could tell what he'd learned was still weighing him but it wasn't stopping him.

Sam cared and it made all the difference. I release the sigh I hadn't realized I was holding and felt my chest become lighter.

Just a little.

When I finally made it downstairs in under the allotted twenty mins Sam had already had bacon cooking, eggs scrambled and was cutting up some fresh fruit at the island as Owen leaned against the island talking low to Sam.

It was a change in Owen's demeanor, his eyebrows scrunched, his lips turned down, and a serious look in his eyes that had my gait slowing to an awkward halt in front of them.

I had walked in on a serious conversation.

It took under five seconds for them to note my arrival before Owen pushed away from the counter and Sam to lean away and finish cutting the fruits.

Owen plastered on a fake smile but it was already to late to pretend. I'd seen the stressed look.

I made my way slowly to Owen's other side.

"Morning little Jones. Did you sleep good?" He offered good naturedly. I could tell he really cared for an answer. That was a very Owen thing I was learning. He never said or asked anything he didn't mean. Joking and teasing aside Owen was a very genuine person and he always cared enough to listen. Whether it was Aspen's boy problems, Sam's worried comments about me, or. anything I really had to say.

"Actually I did." I answer quietly as I lift myself onto the stool beside him catching Sam's look. I know by the way his eyes soften and linger on me that he knew I was referring to him sitting by my bedside until I fell asleep.

I knew the elephant was in the room somewhere. I had to say something before this got anymore awkward last night.

Fuck.

"Owen, I never did apologize for my behavior last night. I know your mom invited us to a nice dinner with friends thinking it would be a great time. I'm so sorry that it ended the way it did. I never meant to put her in that position." I didn't know how I could face Donna again.

It was silent for the briefest of brief moments before Owen took on a serious tone. Low and soft and all sorts of caring.

"Parker my mom was never mad at you. She was confused but she wasn't mad at you. She invited you and Sam over so that you guys could make more friends in town. The dinner was to welcome to town and introduce you to others who were new here too. We just didn't have any idea..." He clears his throat before he continues but I can look at him.

"I promise you she is anything but mad at you. In fact I bet that she's feeling guiltier than you are at the moment if that's even possible. What happened last night landed entirely on one and only adult. Judy. But I think you and your brother will talk about that later. I just don't want you walking around here feeling guilty for something you're not responsible for. Okay?" He finishes so softly.