middle of nowhere • jack avery

xxxv

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

"You did not."

Reagan deadpanned as she caught sight of the opened family album placed in the middle of the carpet.

All the attention was suddenly on her and Logan was the first to comprehend. Suddenly, his affronted face turned into an evil grin and he replied with, "But we did."

That was when she realized that on the living room floor was not just one book, but all of their family picture albums, surround by six boys who practically had demon horns extending from their heads at the sight of her mortification.

(Except Jonah. He was the only one that looked apologetic).

"Is that," Jack started, "What I think it is?"

Before anyone could say anything, Reagan darted forward to get the open book but Corbyn was quick to pull the stack of other albums away from her reach.

"Why are you embarrassed, Ri?" Logan mused, "You we adorable as a kid!"

Even Daniel couldn't help himself from
laughing in response and Reagan snarled, "Fuck off."

Because truth was, even Reagan's own father couldn't deny this, she was downright ugly as a child.

Self-chopped bob and bangs, home sewn dressed made by a four year old, and tooth gap wider than a mile. It didn't help that she purposely pulled funny faces at the camera and cute was not a word to describe it.

If there was a stereotype for hillbilly children, she definitely was the image of it.

That photo album was the bane of her existence and the thought of Jack seeing it was enough to make her entire body turn red.

"I've never regretted not burning this as much as I do now," She scoffed, reaching for the pile of books Corbyn was hugging to his chest but when she did, Corbyn laughed and leaned away from her, "Hand it over or I'll burn you instead!"

Reagan couldn't put any actual heat to her threat because the chime on front door sounded out and they watched as Ronald and Greg walked into the living room.

Everyone suddenly straightened up within a second and pretended like no one was on the brink of homicide a few seconds prior.

"Were home," Ronald announced meekly, lopsided smile on his face, and Reagan chuckled.

"Hi, dad."

"Any updates on the bus?" Logan asked, standing up and dusting himself of to help the other men with the bags of god knows what they were carrying.

"Well," Greg replied, "We got lucky we found a mechanic who also happens to be a locksmith," He deadpanned and sent his son an unimpressed look.

"Yay," Logan sheepishly smiled in response.

"But other than that," Ronald continued, "We only need the alternator and the bus will be running in no time!"

To their surprise, all of the kids sat on the living room replied with "No!" or a disappointed "Awww," in response.

Reagan's own chest seemed to tighten at the thought.

Greg walks over to the landline just as Logan asked, "When will the alternator arrive?"

"Yeah, see that's the problem..." Greg sighed, "Supposedly yesterday."

Suddenly, he placed a finger over his lips which shushed everyone's hushed conversations in the background. There were a few audible rings from the telephone and he said, "Yes, hello this is Greg Paul. I was going to ask for a follow up on the alternator order?"

There was a long pause until, "What... I don't understand."

Everyone was dead silent.

"There must be a mistake," He chuckled, voice growing a little aggravated, "I didn't cancel the order."

Suddenly, Reagan felt someone nudge her and she looked over to see Jack looking back at her with wide, hopeful eyes.

"There must be a mistake. I did not cancel—yes, please do check your records," Greg ran a hand over his face, obviously upset, and he sighed as he listened to the response. There was a long pause, presumably as the woman was trying to explain, and after a few long seconds he replied with, "Can I just renew the order? Okay, thank you... When will it arrive?"

"Never," Jack whispered to himself and Reagan was pretty sure no one else was meant to hear. She chuckled.

"Okay, thank you... I'll follow it up in a few days... Yes, thank you, goodbye."

Everyone held their breath as Greg took his time sighing when he placed the telephone down.

"Well?" Logan urged, obviously impatient.

"It's coming July sixth."

Suddenly, loud cheers erupted from the room in unison as the boys stood up and jumped on couches. Reagan spared a look at Jack who looked back at her with a solemn smile.

"What happened?" Logan asked and everyone's cheers muted down.

"Well," Greg said, "Apparently there was a mix up and the order got cancelled. The man I was having the transaction with just left his job a few days ago so there isn't much of a way to ask what happened."

"Well damn," Corbyn chuckled, "Best news I've heard all day."

Greg looked at them with an even gaze, "You guys know that we have a schedule, right? This will set us back two weeks."

"Lighten up, Greg," Jack said and that response shouldn't have shocked the man if only it came from anyone else.

"I'll be damned," He laughed, "Even you want to stay in Oregon now? What happened?"

"Reagan," Zach snorted under his breath and all of the boys slapped him upside the head in perfect unison because Ronald is right there. Jack looked absolutely mortified.

Ronald missed it but Greg didn't. He chuckled with a knowing smirk.

"Okay, that's good, because we don't have much options," He continued, "Still, we shouldn't overstay our welcome."

"Nonsense," Ronald piped up, smiling brightly, "The house hasn't been this lively in a while and I'm thankful."

this is short i am sori
drama coming s00n :c
ALSO PSA I HAVE BEEN USING HAYLEY LU AS A FACE CLAIM WAAAAY BEFORE FIVE FEET APART EVEN BEGAN FILMING SKCIOREN CUE THE UPCOMING SWARM OF STORIES WITH HER AS A FC
also since im (trying) to be active in wattpad, pls give me good stories to read (and what they're about preferrably) and u can rec ur own stories toooo i wanna appreciate ur work the same way u do for me <3