Toxic

Toxic: Chapter #60 | Batch of Love

Zach's Past

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⚠️ Warning: ⚠️

This chapter contains mentions of dissociation, past abuse, past relationships, uncomfortable situations, minor injuries, minor sexual harassment, mild and brief violence and more. Take care!!

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Now that the wedding plans had been finalized and engagement photos were taken, it was time for our bachelor and bachelorette parties. I knew Abby and Adam had planned our parties and while originally, I had been quite anxious about it considering how I've always pictured such parties to include copious amounts of alcohol and promiscuous behavior, nerves were to be expected, but I also trusted my friends. Whatever they had planned would be geared towards Giana and myself, towards our likes and dislikes.

Both Gecko and Boa had wanted to come, and I had considered letting Boa come since he was old enough—in my opinion anyway—and there wouldn't be alcohol, but Gecko looked so bereft at the thought of being the only one who couldn't come.

Giana ended up saving the day by suggesting I have something special with my brothers before we went. I agreed and spent a full twenty four hours with my younger brothers. Gecko and Boa weren't happy about being left out but once I promised them that we could have a day together beforehand, they readily agreed, and I felt loads better about our parties. I took Boa and Gecko swimming, we played catch and then ended our day together with some video games, pizza and a movie. It was perfect and made it less difficult for me to have my bachelor party without them there.

Anyways, back to Adam and Abby. Like I said, I was nervous, and nerves were understandable, but I was sure that whatever they would choose for us would be amazing.

Adam planned my bachelor party and, with my consent, he invited Avery, Benji, Charlie, E-Z, Lu, and Rudi.

Abby planned Giana's bachelorette party and invited Addie, Jasmine, Lydia, Nadia, Viola, and ZuZu.

Unfortunately, Raven and Addie were taking a trip to see Raven's family before going back to school. Unlike Addie's parents, Raven's parents were ecstatic to hear their daughter had found someone she loved. Giana was okay with them not coming and I was able to see a bit of tension leave her.

I hadn't realized more than idly that Giana was nowhere near as close with those two as she was with the rest of the girls. I understood, what with me having dated Addie and I made sure to touch base with my soon to be wife, in order to make sure I was on the same page with my reasoning. I was.

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We decided that we would leave Friday morning and then all of us would return Sunday evening. Maybe some bachelor and bachelorette parties were only one night but we wanted to spend as much time with our friends as possible. I had been robbed of so many opportunities because of Jayden's possessiveness, and the way he forced me into isolation from everyone. I sometimes found myself shocked that I still had my friends and if I had the opportunity to spend time with them, then I grabbed hold of the opportunity with both hands.

There was one thing however, that I knew I needed to bring up to someone. I just didn't know whether to tell Adam, Lu or my brother, E-Z. After thinking it over, I pulled my brother aside after he had finished packing.

"E-Z?" I said softly.

He turned to face me, the mirror effect always a bit unsettling unless you grew up experiencing it. He quirked a brow and smiled, looking very much the epitome of our dad. "What's up, Z-Z?" he asked, tilting his head slightly to the left. (Z-Z was his nickname for me, one that he rarely used since he talked about as much as my dad did, if not just a tad more.)