Life's Misadventures |Cashby & Kellic|

Chapter 1

Austin's POV

It was kind of scary going back home.  I hadn't really been back in a while. I'd been busy with the team, the season, practices and so forth. Then with home being a little over two hours away made it just that much harder to get there. It was wrong of me to put everything else before my family, but I just never had the time to get back here. I should have come home before this, though, especially considering my dad was now dying.   I didn't know how I was going to handle this. I felt like a terrible son.

When I pulled into the driveway of the old house and let out a sigh. I told Maggie I'd meet her and catch up for a bit before we went to the hospital.  She was excited to see me, despite everything going on.  I grabbed the duffle bag I had full of my things before I headed up the stairs and into the house.

"Maggie!?" 

"In here, Sweetie," she shouted from the kitchen.

I walked to the kitchen, "Hey, how are things?"

Maggie gave me a tired smile. "All things considered? I guess I'm okay."

"Sorry I haven't been home in a while."

She came over and gave me a tight hug. "You're here now and that's all that matters."

I hugged her back, "I'm glad I could get here."

"Me too," she said before she started crying.

"Hey, hey things are going to be okay," I said quietly.

"I can't lose him," she sobbed.

I held her tightly, "Me either. I'm sorry this is all happening so suddenly."

Maggie didn't say anything and pulled away, she grabbed a dish towel and dabbed at her eyes. 

"We're going to get this all figured out and my dad's gonna be fine," I told her. I wanted to stay positive through this.

She nodded. "I really don't know, Austin."

"Don't be so negative." 

Maggie sighed. "Where's Stephanie?"

"Home." 

"She didn't come with?"

"Uh she's busy," I said with a shrug.

"Oh," she said. "Well come on, I just made some lunch."

"What did you make?"

"Your favorite."

"Awesome."  

She smiled and handed me a plate. "Here, you look like you haven't eaten in months."

"I have to stay in shape, you know that right?" 

"I am aware, but as your step mother, I can't let you look like you're starving to death."

"I do not look like I'm starving."

"Austin, you're skin and bones," she said and pinched my side.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not. Steph makes sure I have big, healthy meals."

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Austin Carlile."

"Oops." 

She glared. "Eat."

"Alright, alright."

Maggie took a seat next to me at the table and smiled. "It's going to be so nice having both of my boys in the house again."

"Kellin's coming, that's right," I said trying not to sound bitter. It wasn't that I didn't like him, it was just that he thought the world revolved around him. It was always the Kellin show when he was around. He thought he was so great because he was in a band and was touring the world. It just made me want to punch him in the face.  He was obnoxious with his stupid little bad boy attitude.