Loving my Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 7 - Grounded (part 2)

After finishing the pancakes and helping to clear up Blaine announced he was leaving for a work. He said bye to mom, then Arloe and Rae and Jasper. Then, me.

"Bye Weaver..." he pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, "text me beautiful..." I smiled but quickly caught myself I didn't want mom or my siblings to notice anything weird. As soon as he left dad shouted from the living room.

"WEAVER!"

Shit.

I walk down the stairs silently praying that mom and dad won't chew me up and spit me out. In fact I think I'd rather them do that than play the 'we are very disappointed' card. When I reach the sitting room they are both stood behind the kitchen breakfast bar.

"Take a seat" dad says. I sit down and get comfy, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans before looking up at them.

"Weaver, you might think we overreacted but we reacted in the only way possible. You are our daughter and the minute we realised you'd been gone for almost 13 hours we panicked. The world is not a kind place, I know you are smart and responsible but what you did last night was stupid and reckless. Yeah, you can argue all you like that you were safe with Blaine but we did not know that. What I am trying to say Weaver is that you are smart enough and responsible enough to leave a note, text or call. And if you were with Blaine why didn't he call?" Dad rants.

"Papa, I never meant to worry you and I promise in future I will leave a note, but dad, I'm not a child anymore. I'm going to college in less than 2 months. You can't bubble wrap me forever." I say quietly.

"I know Weaver, but you have to understand that worrying is in my job description as a parent. You are usually so responsible, you always tell us where you are going and when you'll be back. What changed?" He says accusingly.

I know I shouldn't have but I got defensive. "Nothing changed. I just forgot. Like how YOU did on my 17th Birthday...." my dads face becomes angered. He opens his mouth to retaliate but I beat him too it. "You know what dad, I'm going to Jackson's. When you realise it was an accident and I didn't do it on purpose. Call Me. For now? I'm going to Jackson's. He said he'd help me study!"

I stand up and walk to the front door quickly grabbing my book bag, then pulling on my vans before walking out and slamming the door.

"Weaver.... Weaver..." the sound of my mother exiting our house and catching up makes me stop and turn.

"I know what you did was an accident. What you did last night for the first time I had done every other day since I turned 13. I know I panicked but I knew you'd be ok because you were a smart girl. The reason your father panicked is because he has made many enemies in his career, many of whom have made threats to our family. Give him 20 minutes to cool down and he will be calling you. But I just want you to know he wasn't shouting at you because he blamed you. He blamed himself."

I look at my mom in shock. This was the first time I'd ever heard of threats being made against my family. The idea of it terrifies me. Obviously they were empty threats because nothing has ever happened... or at least of which I know of.

"Mom, I honestly didn't mean to frighten either of you. I hate when I fight with you because I love you both so much it hurts to argue." I give her a hug.

"It's ok sweetie. I called Jackson, he is coming to pick you up. In fact he is here now!" Jackson pulls up to the sidewalk in his new yellow Chevrolet Camero. Since he became chief of surgery at his hospital he has all the money he could ever dream of.

I wave goodbye to mom before getting in the car. Mom walks around to the drivers side to talk to Jackson.

"Hey Jackson, bring her home before 10:30 please."

"Sure Grace. Don't want Matteo freaking out again and launching a manhunt!" He smirks at me. Him and Dad have always had this beef. They really don't get along. I think it stems from the fact that Jackson is like a father to me and dad always feels kinda threatened. Before we met dad jackson was the one that helped mom out when they lived in Spain. He took us to daycare, gave Arloe treatment both times he was sick, undoubtedly saving his life. Jackson moved over to the US about 6 months after we did saying something about missing his extended family plus he had a job offer as chief of surgery at a big New York hospital.

"Oh just shut it Jacky!" My mom said before walking away.

"So kiddo, how's life? Oh, besides the fact that your dad is a control freak and organised a manhunt for you this morning?" He laughs before putting the car in gear and driving to his home.

"Fine I guess." I reply shortly.

"I heard you were with Blaine?" He questions whilst raising his eyebrows, obviously fishing for drama.

"Well you heard right... Jacky!" I say in a sickly sweet voice before returning to normal "he is going to Harvard also, we were just comparing notes about college and then the next thing it was morning so we went and got breakfast before he drove me home. No big deal!" Jackson gives me that 'do you think I'm stupid look?'

"Oh, are you sure you weren't comparing saliva? You know I've had a bet on with your mum and dad since about Christmas that you two would get together. Your dad on the other hand said you would never... guess I know you better than him huh" I can never hide anything from Jackson, he is the uncle that will listen to everything you have to say and understand when you don't want to tell your parents.

"Well, I don't know what is happening. We kissed. Once. Then fell asleep on the beach. Then got breakfast. That's all Jacky!" I say looking down at my hands.