Not Quite Sure Yet

Chapter 36

Dear Joey,

We pulled up my drive, Duke clutching his bags and trying to hold my waist at the same time. We had finished packing his stuff pretty briefly, trying to get the hell out of that house as soon as we could. Dukes parents didn't try to stop us, instead crossing their arms and glaring as we walked out of the door. Dukes tears had soon dried, his eyes instead filling with laughter as I made fun if his parents. Which, okay, probably wasn't the most sensitive thing to do, but it worked. Duke was smiling again and laughing, so it was okay. I didn't offend him or his asshole family.

"Are you sure your Mom won't mind me staying with you?" Duke asked as we walked up the drive. I had taken a couple of bags off him, ignoring his complains of "I'm strong enough!". I rolled my eyes, obviously Mom won't mind. She'll be over the fucking moon.

"Mind?" I snorted, rolling my eyes. "She won't ever let you leave."

Duke laughed lightly. "Yeah, your Mom's great." He had a fond look on his face and I chuckled. Duke and Mom got along really well. Like, really, really well, to the point I think they may as well be dating.

But I'd rather my Mom didn't kiss the lips I've kissed. And thinking about them makes me feel sick. So maybe not.

I pushed the front door open, listening to Duke babble away about some movie he wanted to see. I heard my Mom talking to someone as we entered and I held a finger up to Duke, asking his to wait a second.

"Mom?" I called out, confused.

"In the kitchen, honey." She yelled back, her voice slightly higher than usual. "There's someone here to see you."

Duke shot me a confused look, and I replied with a shrug, not having a clue who would be here to talk to me. I could only imagine it was a teacher of some sort, but I wasn't failing any of my classes. I gestured for Duke to follow me, walking quietly towards the kitchen. I could make out a male voice a long with my mother's, sounding fairly happy. I sighed. I was not in the mood to make idle chit chat with some old stuffy.

I strolled into the kitchen, Duke behind me still clutching onto his bags and helmet, with a bored expression on my face.

The man was facing away from me, but as soon as I smelt th cologne, and saw the cropped dark hair and smart suit, I recognized him instantly.

"Dad?" I asked, surprised. I hadn't seen him in months, and here he was, in my new town, sat in my new kitchen, talking to my mom.

He spun around, eyes lighting up when he saw me. His body jerked forward, as if to hug me, but soon remembered my hatred for general human contact and slapped me on the back instead. Rolling my eyes, I pulled his body forward and wrapped my arms around him. He was stiff with shock for a moment, before returning the gesture enthusiastically, choking down what sounded like a sob. I caught moms eye over dad's shoulder, and she was grinning like an idiot, beaming with happiness. I smirked.

"I haven't seen you in ages." I mumbled, genuinely glad to see him. After your death, he came round nearly every day, hell, he cared enough to make me write these letters. And to go from seeing him all the time to not seeing him at all, well, it hurts. It was a relief to hug him, really.

Dad stepped backwards and held me by my shoulders, inspecting my appearance while Mom got up and hugged Duke hello.

"You look good." He said gruffly. "Happy." I saw his eyes shine with happy tears and I laughed at his sensitive soul.

"I'm happy." I offered. "You looked more put together if that was fucking possible."

Dad chuckled then pointed his finger at me. "Language, young man."