The Harper Family: Colliding Paths (Wattpad Version)

Coping without Dyson

Decker

After Dyson moved out, it wasn't the same at home. Dad wouldn't say much while Mom worried. I picked up extra shifts at the bakery to avoid going home.

Pax gave me every disgusting job he could find. I didn't care. It's not like I didn't deserve it. When the family approached me, I gave them excuses for not talking.

I cleaned both bathrooms before cleaning the dining area. I emptied the trash, tossed it into the dumpster behind the bakery, and returned to wash my hands.

"Hey, Decker," Pax said.

"Yeah." I grabbed a paper towel and dried my hands.

"Do you want to help me package bread?"

"I should mop the floors before people complain." I thumbed at the dining area.

"The floors can wait."

"Okay." I followed Pax to a metal table and sat on a stool.

Pax grabbed a metal tray of bread loaves and set it on the table. He showed me how to package the bread and left me with it. I stuffed bags with bread loaves, twisted the tops, and put a tie around them. It wasn't bad and manageable.

"What are you doing here?" An annoying voice asked.

Great. I ignored the troll and kept packaging the bread.

"Didn't you hear me?"

"Nope."

"Shouldn't you scrub toilets?"

"Shouldn't you wear a muzzle?"

Kenzie slid onto a stool across from me and glared at me.

"Nice look. Too bad it didn't improve your face." I smirked.

"How does it feel to lack ambition?" Kenzie smirked.

"You tell me."

Kenzie screwed up her face. "You're a dipshit. How did you sweet talk Pax into letting you handle food?"

"I didn't. Pax offered." I shrugged.

"I think Pax has lost his mind."

"I heard that!" Pax brought a tray and placed it in front of Kenzie. "Stop running your pie hole and get to work. I'm not paying you to socialize."

"You don't pay me. Your parents do."

"My parents are retiring."

"Great."

Pax raised a brow. I smiled as Decker glanced at us. Pax turned on his heel and left the kitchen. Decker and I laughed.

"Why do you give Pax a hard time?" Decker asked me.

"It's not like Pax doesn't give one back." I shrugged. "So, why are you here? Don't you have a home?"

"Yeah, but I would rather be here."

Kenzie cocked her head. "Still haven't talked to your brother?"

I shook my head and pursed my lips.

"Give your brother time. I'm sure he'll come around."

"It wouldn't be bad if I knew where Dyson was. It's like he disappeared into thin air."

"Sometimes, I wish Marla would pull a Houdini act. But then Mercedes intervenes."

"Isn't that a strange way to treat your sister?"

"My sister is a bitch."

"Tell me how you really feel."