An Upcoming Star

Seventeen

Jack's PoV

I drove for hours just thinking that I didn't get home until sun was halfway in the air. I checked the time to see it was 7 am and I sighed. I pulled up at the house and all the cars were still there. I turned off the engine but sat in the car for a few minutes before seeing the front door open. I saw Bree walk out with a blanket wrapped around her. I sighed and got out of the car and slowly made my way towards her. It wasn't until I was a few steps away from her that I saw how red and puffy her eyes were.

She ran to me and wrapped her arms around my waist and cried into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and put one my hands on her head and held her close into me. I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back softly.

"I didn't think you'd come home. I was so worried, Jack. Don't ever do that to me again."
"Never little one. I'll always come back for you. Always."

I looked towards the house and saw mom, mum and dad standing there. Bree let go of me and turned to see them. She looked at me worryingly and I rubbed her cheek tenderly. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. She got my message and walked inside. I turned back to the car and opened the door. I leaned and grabbed my phone. I walked around the trunk and grabbed the dirty clothes I had on before I changed into the fresh set. I closed the trunk and locked the car again.

I walked towards the house and they were still standing there. I walked up the steps and brushed past them to go inside the house. I heard chatter coming from all around the house so I made my way up to my room and walked in. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a second before walking over to my bed. I plugged in my phone to charge and walked over to my desk. I looked at the photo and mom, dad and I when I was younger and I felt my eyes water. I picked it up and stood up.

My breathing increased rapidly and I finally lost all control over my emotions and threw the photo frame off my wall and it smashed. I picked up anything I could find and started flinging them across the room, shattering in the process, as the tears streamed down my face. The door bursted open but I slid down the wall and hugged my legs close to me as I cried not caring that my hands were bleeding from the broken glass.

Rachel's PoV

Everyone was talking to one another at breakfast trying to take their minds off everything that's happening but I sat away from them. Lucy walked over and hugged my front behind and my shoulder softly.

"Everything will be okay."

Everyone stopped talking we heard glass shattering and roaring. Lucy immediately let go and we both looked over at everyone to see them looking at us. Lucy turned to me in confusion.

"Jack."

The second his name left my mouth Serv was out the door and Conor, Jill and I weren't far behind. We ran up the stairs as fast as we could and ran down the hall to Jack's room. Conor went in first and I followed behind him and gasped. Glass was shattered everywhere and I mean everywhere. None of us had shoes on and I threw on a pair of Jack's runners. I looked around for Jack and saw in the corner with blood streaming down his arms. I ran to him and knelt down in front of him.

"Oh Jack."

I turned back to the three and Jill already had the first aid kit in her hands. She made her way to me and handed it to me. She sat down beside Jack and pulled him into her as I cleaned his hands.

He eventually wore himself out and fell asleep in Jill's arms as I continued to disinfect and cover his wounds. Conor and Serv were cleaning up all the glass on the floor.

"Here Rach, I'll finish cleaning his hands and you sit here. My ass is already numb."

I smiled and chuckled at Jill as she made faces. She carefully slipped out from Jack and I sat in her place. Jack immediately snuggled into my embrace and I kissed the top of his head.

About twenty minutes later everyone was out of the room and it was just Jack and I. I got Conor to pick him up so I could put him in the bed so he could sleep comfortably. I laid next to him and he rested his head on my chest. I ran my fingers through his hair and sighed.

"I'm sorry for the first time I hurt you, for the times I lied to you, and for every other reason you're so angry at me. I know my apologies don't mean shit to you, but aside from that, all I can do is promise to try to be better in the future, if there is one. I love you Jack. Blood or not, you're still my son and forever will be."

I kissed his forehead one last time and carefully untangled myself from him. I fixed the blanket around her and rubbed his cheek softly before walking out of the room. I closed the door behind me and let out a deep breath.

Bree's PoV

I sat down on the porch swing with my guitar in hand. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath as I began strumming. I looked around the garden and all these memories were playing and it made me smile.

And all I remember is your back
Walking towards the airport, leaving us all in your past
I traveled fifteen hundred miles to see you
Begged you to want me, but you didn't want to

I looked down at the guitar and felt a lump grow in my throat as I sang.

But piece by piece he collected me
Up off the ground where you abandoned things, yeah
Piece by piece he filled the holes
That you burned in me at six years old
And you know,
He never walks away
He never asks for money,
He takes care of me
He loves me
Piece by piece he restored my faith
That a man can be kind and a father could... stay

I had to reread the email just to make sure I was reading it correct but I was. I got called up to the u20's national team for the World Cup Qualifiers. I ran down the stairs to tell moms. I stopped abruptly when I saw dad standing in the living room in his army uniform and my world just came crumbling down in a second.

And all of your words fall flat
I made something of myself and now you wanna come back
But your love—it isn't free, it has to be earned
Back then I didn't have anything you needed so I was worthless

I looked towards the driveway and could clearly see Jack and I standing there while silently. Dad was putting his bags into the jeep that came to pick him up for his army duty abroad. Jack walked inside without saying goodbye and I watched him walk away.

But piece by piece he collected me
Up off the ground, where you abandoned things, yeah
Piece by piece he filled the holes
That you burned in me at six years old
And you know,
He never walks away
He never asks for money,
He takes care of me
'Cause he loves me
Piece by piece he restored my faith
That a man can be kind and a father could stay

I looked towards the stands after the final whistle and saw grandpa Serv and Stephen standing there side by side in their USA jersey's. They both turned at the same time and I saw 'Bronze 2' on their backs. I ran towards them and climbed the railing to get to them. They both hugged me close as I cried into their shoulders.

Piece by piece I fell far from the tree
I will never leave her like you left me
And she will never have to wonder her worth
Because unlike you I'm going to put her first
And you know,
He'll never walk away,
He'll never break her heart
He'll take care of things,
He'll love her
And piece by piece he'll restore my faith
That a man can be kind and a father should be great.

I finished strumming and shut my eyes tight. I felt the tears fall down my cheek and I sighed. I felt the swing creak next to me and I opened my eyes to see Jack. He looked at me sadly before reaching up and wiping my cheeks. I leaned into his touch and started crying as he pulled me into his embrace.

"I'm here. I'm always gonna be here for you. I love you Bree."