April Fools Prank Gone Wrong

Chapter 15 : Coming home

Chapter 15

Later...

Riker POV

I was sitting in my car in the backseat, staring at the DNA form. I'd been staring at it for a few hours now.

After this morning, I'd driven to a gas station so they couldn't bug me anymore. And I was just sitting there, staring at the letter all day long.

And I'd realized something.

I'd realized how much I'm screwing up my life. This is like my last chance to fix things. If I don't go back home soon, I might be out of the band forever. If I don't fix my drinking problem, I could end up killing myself. And I could lose Kenzie too.

I decided I needed to do something. So I drove back to the hotel. Nobody was there. I packed up everything I owned, and put it in my car. I quit my job at the hotel, and said goodbye to Chris. And then I drove home. By the time I got there, it was dark out. I shut off my car, and just sat there in the dark, debating in my head if I'm really ready to do this. I knew the answer was yes, but I just couldn't seem to get myself out of the car. I was frozen in my seat.

I took a few deeps breaths, and just tried to clear my head a little bit.

I need to do this.

I slowly got out of my car, and walked up to the front door silently. But I froze there too. At least I'm a little closer this time...

I slowly raised my hand, and knocked on the door. I figured everyone was probably having dinner about now.
I saw dad through the window, walking down the hall toward the front door.

It just had to be dad...

The door opened, and I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. I couldn't get my voice to work.

"Did you take the test?" Dad asked.

"Um... No... Um... If you say you're my real dad, then I believe you. I don't need to see the proof. I believe you. And I'm really sorry for not believing you in the first place. It must feel pretty awful to have your own son saying he doesn't think he's your son... I'm sorry for doing that, and I'm sorry for breaking my contract and walking out. I was stupid for doing that."

I was starting to sweat from the nerves. But I truly meant everything I said.

"So why are you here?" Dad asked.

"Um... Rydel said that I was allowed to come back if I signed another contract and stuff. So I quit my job, packed up my stuff, and came back here..."

"Alright... You can come back."

"Thanks, dad."

I hugged him really tight. He put his arm around me, and walked me inside. To my surprise, everyone wasn't eating dinner. They were in the living room.

"Oh my god, Riker, you're back!" Rydel said, jumping up to hug me.

I hugged her back tightly. She pulled away, and then smacked my arm really hard.

"Ow! What was that for!?"

"Don't you ever just disappear like that! Me and Kenzie were so worried about you!"

"Ow..."

I rubbed my arm a little bit.

"Mom, we have to help Riker," Rydel said, pretty much getting everyone's attention.

"How?" Mom asked.

"He has an alcohol problem."

Thanks, Rydel...

All eyes were on me now. Alright, now I'm uncomfortable...

"Alright, I think we need to have a family meeting," dad said.

I sighed, and sat down on the couch.

"What's been going on, Riker?" Mom asked.

"Well, I sort of... I'm kind of addicted to alcohol now... I would drink every night because I got free drinks since I worked there... And I would get drunk a lot..."

"You should go to the Alcoholic's Anonymous club at the church that's like 5 minutes away," Rocky said.

"No. Please don't make me go to anything that's related to rehab."

"Riker, you need to get better," mom said.

"Well then let me stay here and get better. I'll get better here where nobody will have to know. I don't want any of our fans to find out, even though we don't have very many."

"Riker," mom said, giving me a look.

"No. Look, I promise, I'll do anything you want, just please let me stay here while I get better."

"You can have one chance, Riker, but if it's not working, then we're making you go to some professional program."

"Ok, ok..."

"I'm finding you a counselor. And we need to get all the alcohol out of the house," mom said.

I sighed.

Later...

Riker POV

I was finally back in my own bed. My siblings had helped me bring in my stuff from my car. I was having trouble falling asleep because I was craving a drink. And I was beginning to sweat. A lot. And my head was starting to hurt really bad. 

I sat up, and went downstairs. Dad was still awake, and was sitting at the kitchen counter.

"What are you still doing up? It's midnight," dad said.

"I can't sleep. I feel sick."

Dad made me come sit next to him.

"What's wrong?"

"I feel so hot and sweaty. My head hurts, and it keeps getting worse and worse. And my hands are shaking a little, and I have no idea why."

"Riker, it's from alcohol withdrawal."

I sighed.

"Well how do I feel better? Can I please have a drink?"

"Absolutely not, unless that drink is water. You can go take aspirin, but there's not really much you can do. You just need to wait it out. And your mother got you a counselor, who will be here every day to talk to you and check in on how you're doing."

I groaned. I hate this...

"Go take some aspirin for your head, and then try to get some sleep."

"Fine..."

I went upstairs to the bathroom, and took the medicine. I got back in bed, but I threw the covers off. I'm sweating so much right now.

My stomach was starting to hurt. I turned on my side, and closed my eyes, trying desperately to fall asleep so I wouldn't have to feel miserable anymore.