Die In California

38

Devyn's POV:

I couldn't believe what I'd heard. In fact, I thought it was all a lie. A well-twisted lie, to get him in with the group. It had to be; there was no way that I could've inherited that money from my mom (Nathan claimed it was a pretty big sum). We used to live comfortably, but we were never really affluent - like the guys are now. So if I did inherit anything, then I doubted it would be much, since my father took it all when he fucked off. 
Yet Nathan said otherwise. 
Hell, I struggled to believe that my mom even had a sister. I was rendered speechless.

"I- uh, I understand that this might be a lot to take in. I-I can't even begin to put myself in your shoes. This sounds unbelievable. But I wanted to do the right thing and tell you, since apparently my mom wasn't big enough to do that. An' it's okay if you want some space to think and things, I'll go an'- yeah, leave you to think. But you can always text me, or something, if you'd like. But, yeah, I-uh, I'm really sorry about my messed up mom, an' I hope that we can stay in touch?"

It took me a few moments to come to my senses and be able to generate the words, my mouth continuously opening and closing like a mindless goldfish. "I- y-yeah, yeah, of course. And thank you. Thank you for telling me, that's really honest of you, an' I appreciate it. Uh- yeah, I'm happy to- to stay in touch. It just- I-I don't even know what to think right now." I stuttered before trailing off into an awkward laugh.

It was true; everything seemed to be so much more overwhelming. Firstly, I found out about possible long-lost family members (one of which was jailed for fraud, and stealing my money). Secondly, I'd been given a cheque that I couldn't bring myself to even look at, in fear of how much money would be written on it. How had this happened to me? Good shit never happens to me, only the worst shit. Why me? And why now?

Nathan nodded in understanding and stood up, politely taking his mug to the sink to rinse it out. "I'll give you some space to think." He gently smiled and grabbed his beanie off the kitchen island counter. He seemed to be a nice guy, and definitely well raised. It was just a question of how? If his mom had really done the shit he claimed she had, how had he turned out to be so polite and well mannered?

"No, no. You've come all this way. I- uh, I could probably use the company, and distraction, anyway, if you don't mind staying. We could get to know each other?" I awkwardly suggested, mirroring his actions by taking my own mug to the sink.
"If you're sure, that would be great! Thank you." He smiled, setting his beanie back down. I nodded with a smile and led him through to the lounge, the two of us sitting on the couch and settling into small talk.

I was still in a state of shock, but talking with Nathan seemed to ground me, the two of us finding comfort in sharing childhood stories. We told each other about our different lives growing up, trying to piece parts together where we could've known about each other. But our parents must have been so hung up on not being in each other's lives that they really did do everything to stay apart. Even at the family parties, one of them would use an excuse not to go.

We shared our fondest memories from our childhoods, when our lives were actually pretty great for once. Despite our fucked up families, we still had those good memories of when things were okay, of when everything was all happy smiles and laughter. When did things turn so south? When did things fuck up, and why? Why did it have to happen to us?

Nathan and I lost track of time as we shared stories and listened intently to each other, so I offered Nathan the spare bedroom and some of Kells' clothes (he was taller than JP - like most men - but shorter than Kells, so it would have to do). I made sure he was settled in, then retreated back to my own room for the night, having finally gotten used to being in my bed again.