Living Famous (Emerson Series #2)

11.

"Anger, resentment and jealousy doesn't change the heart of others, it only changes yours."
— Shannon Alder

Song: Don't Start Now by Dua Lipa

We landed in Texas yesterday evening, and since then, my parents have been reconnecting with old friends. Unfortunately for me, they're still close with Tyler's family, and we're headed to their house now. I was promised Tyler wouldn't be there, or I would absolutely refuse to come.

"Hi guys! Come on in!" Mrs. Kinsey tells us, greeting us at the door. All four of us walk inside, and kind of huddle around the foyer. "Please, take a seat. Dinner is almost ready."

We all sit down in the living room, and it's really quiet. Mr. Kinsey is seated in his recliner, and nobody is saying a word. Suddenly, the front door opens, and it's like my worst nightmare come true.

"Mom? Who's car is in the driveway?" Tyler's voice rings through, as he steps into the living room. His eyes land on mine, and they widen, his jaw dropping. "Rae."

"Ty." I respond, a blank look on my face.

I look around, and see everyone is watching us. With a sigh, I push myself up from my seat, and storm past Tyler, hoping he doesn't follow me. I walk outside, and lean against their porch railing.

"Rae." His voice comes from behind me. I squeeze my eyes shut, keeping my back to him. "Can we talk, please?"

I let out a humorless laugh. "What the hell is there to talk about, Tyler?"

"For starters, what happened before you left earlier this year." He says, leaning on the railing next to me.

"If you have so much to say, then say it." I snap, not looking at him.

"I heard. I heard what you did, before you moved. I heard what I made you do. I... I tried to go to the hospital, but your parents refused to let me in."

"Why the fuck would you go to the hospital? When you knew it was your fault." I snap, finally looking at him.

"Because whatever it is you're so certain I did, I promise you, it's not what happened." He tells me, and I laugh.

"Really? Tell me, what actually happened?" I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for his answer.

"I didn't cheat on you, especially not with Trish. I don't know why she told you that, but that's not what happened. Yeah, I was a fucking prick and a dumbass, and I wanted your dad to get me into a good school, but I did love you, and I did not cheat on you."

"I don't believe you. Don't ever say you loved me, because we both know you're incapable of love." I scoff.

"I did love you. When I heard what happened, I lost it. I lost my fucking mind, and I couldn't even see if you were okay. I had to wait for tabloids to even get some sort of closure that you were okay. But then I heard your dad paid off some people to keep it out of the news. Your mom let my mom know what happened, that's the only way I knew you were okay."

"Hypothetically, let's say you didn't cheat on me. Why would Trish say you did? And why with her?"

"Because she was jealous, Rae. I fell for you, but she had fallen for me. She knew you and her were close, so she told you all these lies, knowing you would believe her. She told me after you left, and I was so fucking pissed."

"It doesn't really change anything. I was in love with you, and you used me. You used me to get ahead in the game. You used me to get to my dad." I grit out through clenched teeth.

"Yeah, yeah I did do that. I didn't mean to use you. I got so caught up in my future, and I didn't realize what I had done until it was too late. I loved you, Rae. I did. I'm so sorry for what I did to you."

"I lost myself for a long time after you. I've finally found myself and surrounded myself with people who actually care. I'm not going back. So, if you're looking for forgiveness, fine. I forgive you. But I want absolutely nothing to do with you." I tell him, and walk back inside.

Everyone is sat around the dining room table, and of course the only two seats left empty, are next to each other. Great. Ty and I awkwardly sit down, and it's quiet.

"So, did you know that the place where most donuts are consumed is Canada?" Ashton randomly pops off with, and I can't help but laugh. Awkward tension, successfully broken.

"Uh no, I did not know that. Thank you, Ashton." My dad says, looking amused. I can always count on Ashton to make me laugh. Ashton smiles at me, and I return it. He's always hated Ty, and he's always had my back.

Thankfully, there's only two more days here, and then we leave. I'm excited for California. I think I've decided to tell Grayson how I feel when I see him again. But I'm also excited to see my dads side of the family, since my mom doesn't really have family.

Uncle Austin will be there too though, with Aunt Holly and Uncle Justin and Aunt Cara, and all of our cousins. I have six cousins on my moms side. Austin and Holly have three boys and one girl, Jared, Liam, Max, and Hannah. Then Justin and Cara have two girls, Sara and Casey.

Jared and Sara are both my age, seventeen. Liam and Casey are Ashton's age, fifteen. Max is twelve, and Hannah is four. I love all of them, and I'm so excited to see them. And I couldn't even probably tell you all of the cousins on my dads side.

There's Nick and Abby who have Jana and Jay who are twins and nineteen. Carter I don't even know, I don't see him often. Tyler and Lydia have a baby named Ashlyn who is five months old. And I'm not sure about the rest.

Suffice to say though, it's going to be one hell of a family reunion.