Monkey Wrench

Chapter 15

Oliver's POV

Damn.

This person.

This person makes me feel comforted yet safe yet alive but all at different times even though it could be at the same time. What the fuck is going on?

Dax is afraid of failing me which probably means they're afraid of losing me. I feel at home with them.

I kinda always have. Is this why? Because we were meant to be together? Did I always have these feelings?

Well I guess it takes another traumatic event to bring feelings out whether good or bad. In this case, I guess it was needed for the good to come out.

Now that my brain figured that out, I start to fall asleep to the sounds of Dax sleeping nuzzled into me.

I wake up to a knock on the door. I look up making sure to not wake up Dakota. It's mom, Pops, and Oakley.

With extreme grogginess, I ask, "What's up?"

Oakley answers right away without hesitation, "Dakota said we should talk when Sky and Wren get here."

I nudge Dax so they can wake up. They look up at me confused. "Sky and Wren are here."

Dakota says weakly, "Guess it's time to talk," then rubbing their hands down their face. We both readjust to a sitting position. Not sounding as weak anymore but more so exhausted, "Where are they?"

Oakley's the first to talk again, "Waiting room. Didn't want to startle you guys right away."

I quickly jump into the conversation, "Good call."

With green eyes looking extremely serious, "Well, now that we're awake, go get them."

"On it," said with a defeated tone.

With a parenting supportive but discipline tone of voice, Pops starts, "Dakota, you can cool it down a bit."

"So we're supposed to just be okay with the fact that Sky's been playing us this whole time?"

"No, but we'll take care of that at a later time. I'm still over you."

"Fine."

I rest my head on Dax's shoulder and intertwine my hand with theirs. I can feel some of their tenseness ebb away.

Like immediately after Oakley gets back, Dr. Ripley steps in, "Hey guys. I know I've been understanding and lenient on some of the rules, but this is way too many people. I can't allow this. This is a safety issue."

Pops begins to speak out of turn, "It's a safety issue regardless. When you have an escaped convict, rival gangs, hate crimes, and domestic violence, this is actually a safer option. Unless you have a conference room on unit, everything happens in this room.

"Dad, you may have said too much."

Dr. Ripley totally taken aback, "What the hell is going on?"

"My father's an escaped convict. That was verified when you verified that I was injected with Frost Growth. He's the only one who could access that." Dax holds my hand tighter.

"And, you just stumbled into a gang rivalry on top of that," they point to their dad and Sky who are glaring at each other.

"Okay that explains that but doesn't explain why these people are here or the rest of it," interrogates Dr. Ripley.

Dakota breaks the awkward silence, "Wren's mafia."

But, no one dares answers the rest of those questions and everyone avoids looking at Dr. Ripley. I finally look up at mom. She looks back at me. We both know he's not going to let this go. Mom can't do this. She experienced far worse than me. Everyone else knows it's not their place to talk. I look at Dakota. They can sense what I'm about to do. They put their arm around me for support and just nod. So many things spoken, but everything was quiet, silent. But, we knew what our silent conversation was.

I look at Dr. Ripley to start answering his questions, "Guess it's time."

"I'm all ears."

"Short story. My father is worse than a dick who deserves to die. Sky here is apparently mom's brother and has helped us in the past with some safety issues."

"I know my share of ugly family members. I'll set up the conference room. Next time, talk to me first." He doesn't even wait for a response before he leaves.

"Nice going dad," Dax jabs.

Pops is bewildered, "What? I got us to stay didn't I?"

"By oversharing on a part that wasn't yours to share."

I didn't even know I was shaking. That's probably why Dax started grilling Pops. I don't even know anymore. This is all too much, but I've got to stay focused. I start to lean back and I can feel Dax remove their arm from around me and grab my hand.

I hear my mom starting to say something, but I have to try really hard to focus on it . . . Guys out. We'll deal with this later. Oakley get the Doctor . . . And, that's all I'm able to make out.

I don't know what happened. I don't know what's going on.

I'm

just

not

there