𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 [𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

When we got back to the chateau, I carried my case of beer out of the boat and into the yard while everyone followed behind me. As they found either a place to crash, I decided to head home for a bit.

"I will be back in an hour. Dylan's making dinner and I told him I'd be home to eat." I watched JJ frown. I frowned back at him and backed away to my car. I could imagine how he felt like a 5th wheel. Realistically, that was why I lied about telling Dylan I'd be home for dinner. Even though everyone had somebody, things just felt a bit off to me. John B had Sarah, and it made our friendship feel so small in comparison to how things were before. Pope had Kiara who also had Sarah. JJ had John B, like he always did. In the moment, I realized how much living in Charleston had made an even bigger difference than I thought it did.

As I walked to my car, I heard someone jogging behind me, "Lou." John B called out for me. I stopped when I reached the side of the house and turned around to him, "You're coming back, right?" I looked past him to everyone else while I contemplated my answer.

I faked a smile, "Tonight, is a Pogue fellowship, after all." He wasn't buying it. "What?"

"What's wrong? We were all having a good time. I even recall seeing a smile or two from you as well."

"Nothing JB. Enjoy your first night home. I'll be back in a little while." He nodded as I went to leave again. When I got home, Dylan was standing at the grill flipping burgers.

"What are you doing home? I thought you were at John B's." He asked flipping the last burger and closing the lid.

"I knew you were cooking."

"No, you didn't." Dylan countered already knowing all my avoidance tactics. I rolled my eyes as my dad pulled up in front of the house. He looked surprised to see me too.

"I thought you were out for the day, Lou?" Were the first words my dad said to me. Apparently, everyone thought I was MIA from the house today. I shook my head no and hugged him as he came into arms reach. He took over watching the burgers while Dylan and I walked in the house to get plates and stuff.

My eyes lit up as I caught a glimpse of a yellow, cheesy substance on the stove. "You made mac and cheese too?" Mac and cheese was my absolute favorite. Dylan didn't answer but it felt like he had something to say that wasn't related to the mac and cheese.

He shuffled through the utensils a bit more, "So, is it the Sarah thing?" He asked mid-dig in the utensil drawer. I looked over to him as I sat the plates down on the counter.

"What?" I was trying so hard to play it off like I didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about.

"I know things were different before you left and were changing the last time you were here. Now that you're home, everything's actually different. I know it's hard to adjust to the new dynamic."

I guess if there was one person who knew all of my problems it was my lovely brother, "I feel like I'm the odd man out. But shouldn't Sarah feel like that? If I hadn't left, then there would've been no spot for her to fill." Then it hit me, "It sounds so stupid when I say it out loud."

"It's okay. It's just going to take some time to get used to the new stuff. Being here and hiding out isn't going to help things either. Things change and you've gotta learn to live with it." Dylan's soapbox faded as he looked out the kitchen window. His gaze sparked my interest, so I looked out the window too. Where JJ was walking up to my father at the grill. "But I don't think that'll ever change." He ended as he grabbed an extra fork and plate before he carried the utensils and plates outside, leaving me with the mac and cheese. I smiled to myself as I grabbed it to take outside. JJ didn't have to make his way down here, but he did.