Raven (Nolan Rayburn fanfic)

Nine.

It was the next day, the two had exchanged goodbyes the previous night after Raven realized she needed to get home before curfew and Nolan drove her home.

Nolan skipped school the next day because Luke need extra help at the shop. Part of him was glad he didn't need to see Raven at school, he was nervous about seeing her after their intimate embrace the night before.

"Nolan! Help me with this engine!" Luke called out, getting Nolan's attention.

Nolan jogged over. "What's up?" He squatted next to the older man.

"It's not running right, and I think you finally deserve to move on from washing bird shit off of boats. Don't fuck it up, idiot." Luke said, standing.

Nolan felt a smile form on his face, he had been waiting for the day he got to start helping with engines. "I won't, asshole." The two laughed and Luke left Nolan to work. Nolan grabbed some tools and got to work. Nolan winced after he bumped his face with a wrench, it was still sore from the previous night. I swear Bryce is the biggest ass on earth.
Nolan finished up for the day and exchanged goodbyes with Luke. He got in his truck and drove away. He turned on the radio and a country love song came on. Nolan hated country, but he left it on, the lyrics reminded him of Raven. God why does every little fucking thing remind me of her.
He made his way to his house, he had a family dinner in half an hour.

***

Walking inside, he found a house full of family. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and to his surprise, his mother. Making eye contact with his mom, she smiled. The feeling wasn't mutual. "Nolan, baby. It's good to see you!" She reaches out to hug him, but Nolan backed away.

"Where the hell have you been? The last time I saw you was two months ago." He whispered, trying not to make a scene.

"Your momma had some stuff to work out, but I'm back now." She said, the smell of alcohol radiating off of her. Nolan rolled his eyes and pushed past her, making his way over to his aunt.

"Nolan! You look great!" His aunt, Georgia, exclaimed.

Nolan smiled, "Thank you, how are you? How's Jason?" Jason was Nolan's uncle and Georgia's husband.

"Oh we are both doing fantastic, thank you for asking. How are you? You look happier than the last time I saw you." She said, grabbing a beer from a nearby cooler.

"I'm good, I've been promoted at work so that's cool." He said. Do I really seem happier? Nolan couldn't help but wonder if that had anything to do with Raven.

"Oh that is just fantastic, hey say hi to Luke for me. I'm glad he took you in, that job seems good for you. Gave you some muscles too, jeez!" Georgia teased, opening her can.

Nolan shook his head and laughed, "Hey was Sarah able to make it?" Sarah was Nolan's cousin, the two became close a few months ago after they bonded during a family outing.

"Yes she was, I think she's out on the porch with the little ones." She explained, pointing towards the porch.

Nolan nodded and thanked his aunt, then made his way to the porch. "Hey, Sarah." Sarah looked up and smiled, Georgia's two kids messing around next to her. Nolan sat down on a deck chair next to her.

"Hey Nolan, what's up with your face?" She motioned for the two kids to go play in the yard and they ran away to wrestle in the lawn.

"It's nothing, how's college?" Nolan asked, looking out at the ocean. It was Sarah's first year of college, she was a year older than Nolan.

"It's shitty, but I met this guy in one of my classes and I guess we're dating now so that's cool." She said, sounding giddy when she mentioned the boy she had met. "Not like you care, you find love oh so boring." She added on, teasing.

Nolan wasn't one for sharing information about his personal life but he felt like her could share some with Sarah. "Well, I guess I've met this girl..." he began.

"Oh my god Nolan Rayburn actually has feelings for someone!!" Sarah squealed, making Nolan laugh and shake his head. Sarah was always one to tease. "Tell me all about her, right now." She demanded, excited to hear about the new girl in Nolan's life.

"Well we aren't dating, not yet, I mean, buts she's beautiful and kind, confident and smart as hell. She's the kind of girl that makes heads turn when she walks in a room, she's amazing. She's been through a lot lately, though." Nolan explained, instantly blushing, he didn't mean to go that much into detail.

Sarah squealed again, "Oh my god you sound like you're in love with the girl! She sounds amazing, when do I get to meet her?"

"I'm not in love, jeez!" Nolan exclaimed, defensively, "And you can meet her IF you promise not to embarrass me." He added.

"Whatever you are so in love, and I won't embarrass you too much." She smiled, sipping on her coke.

***

Nolan's family sat around the outdoor dinner table, chatting away. It was now dark out and some tiki torches illuminated the crowd. Nolan couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. His family, who he reluctantly admitted was a pretty good one, had taken him in when had absolutely nothing. He was also thankful that he had met Raven, the girl he couldn't help but wish was sitting next to him. God my family would love her.

"Alright everyone, I'd like to make a toast." His uncle, Walter, stood up. "Thank you all for joining together today, I'm glad we all still keep the tradition of family dinners going. Not only are we all here for dinner," he motioned at Nolan's aunt, Sherry, to stand next to him, "but we also asked you to gather today because Sherry and I have a special announcement!" He exclaimed, looking happier than Nolan had ever seen him.
The whole table went quiet, all curious about what the news was.

"Walter and I just wanted to let you know... I'm pregnant!!!" Sherry yelled, grabbing Walters hand, their fingers intertwining. The whole table went crazy, applauding and standing up. The cheery sound of men and women exclaiming "Oh my god!" And "Congratulations!"

Nolan made his way over, "Congrats, Walter." They shook hands, Walter's usual hard exterior completely covered by a huge grin and tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, Nolan." Walter pulled him in for a brief hug and Nolan smiled.

After most of the guests had left, Nolan made his way back inside. "Nolan." He heard his uncle Thomas call from the living room.

Nolan walked in and sat on the old blue couch inside, "what's up, old man?" He smirked.

"Hey I'm only 38, lay off asshole." Thomas joked, "seriously though, I have something to say."

Nolan nodded and let the man continue, "I know this last year has been tough for you, but you have grown so much since I first met you. I guess I just want to let you know that it's okay to miss him. We all miss him. I know he wasn't the best father to you, but I know you cared for him and his death must have been hard on you." Thomas said, his voice softer than its usual gruff tone.

Nolan was shocked, his uncle was never one to open up like that. "Thank you, Thomas. I know I was a complete pain in the ass when we first met and I'm thankful you didn't give up on me. I miss my dad, yes, but I think I'm finally okay. I'm feeling actually happy with my life right now." Nolan explained, returning the openness his uncle had just given him before.

Thomas nodded, "Well I'm gonna watch some football so get outta here, freak." Nolan laughed and stood up, making his way to his room.
Nolan laid on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Today was a good day.