My Best Friend's Brother

14: Family Bonding

Karter

It's been a long day today. Thank God tomorrow is Saturday, I can relax. I check the time and it's 8:15 pm. I decide to change into comfortable clothes and make myself something to eat. I throw in a frozen pizza into the oven and head upstairs to change into some sweats and a shirt, or no shirt.

I finally decided not to wear a shirt since it's comfortable like that. Plus, the house is really warm and cozy so I don't need to cover myself up. I head downstairs, turn on the telly and get my pizza out of the oven.

As I start to eat my mind drifts off to Marie. I haven't seen her since Grace’s birthday last week. I kind of miss her. I did call her two days ago to ask her if she needed help with anything, she told me she was fine and we ended up talking for an hour. Why do I always think about her? And miss her so much all the time? What is wrong with me? I never even felt this way about Stacy before.

As I finish dinner, I wash my plate and put it aside. Suddenly my phone vibrates indicating I got a text. I grab my phone, hoping Marie is the one who texted me.

Ems:

Kar, mum and dad are over here with me right now. So, if you're not too tired want to Skype?

I quickly respond "Sure let me get my laptop" and set my phone down.

I return with my laptop and set it on the table. I quickly open Skype to see Emily online. Almost immediately I receive a call from Emily. I answer, and Emily's face comes into view.

"Karter!" Emily exclaims.

"Hi Emily"

"Mum! Dad! Come on, Karter is here" soon my parents come into view.

"Karter! It's been so long since I've seen you. I miss you baby. You're taking care of yourMf, right?" My mum asks.

"Yes, mum I am."

"Karter, how are you son? How's work?" my dad questions.

"I'm good dad. Work is tiring from time to time but I enjoy it!" I reply with a smile. 

"What time is it there?" dad asks.

"Almost 9 pm." I answer.

"Did you have dinner Kar?" Mum asked

"Yes, mum I did!" I answer. 

"So, how's Marie?" My mum asks with a smirk.

"Mum, I don't know what Emily told you, Marie and I are just friends. She's good. She likes London now"

"Your type of girl huh Kar?" Emily says.

"Sweetheart, Marie's a great girl. She cares about others more then she cares about herMf and not to mention she's extremely beautiful" My mum says.

I smile at the thought of Marie, “Your point mum?" I ask.

My dad speaks up, "Kar, we don't want to bring the past up, but what happened, happened. No one Daviderves that especially not you but you can't keep living like this. I know I know, you're an adult, almost 30 and your mother and I can't really force you or to do anything but we worry about you son. This lifestyle, it isn't healthy. One day you're going to wake up and feel so alone. I know what's it like to have my heartbroken, we all do. I had given up on love to Kar, when I was about your age but then I realized that I can't give up on love, just because of the fear of getting my heart broken again" he pauses and smiles at my mum and places his hand on top of hers," And I'm glad I didn't give up on love cause if I had, this beautiful woman would have not been my wife today. You and Emily would have never existed. Kar, you really can't give up on love so easily" I sigh, knowing everything my father just said is right.

"Dad, I understand what you're trying to say, I just don't want to get hurt again."

"Kar, you have to start dating again. It'll be good for you baby" my mum says.

"Yeah I guess" I say.

"You should ask Marie out!" Emily suddenly suggests.

"What? No!" I quickly respond.

"Karter, tell me honestly, do you like Marie or not?" My mum asks me seriously.

I do, no I don't. I think about her all the time. Who am I kidding, I do? Should I tell my parents? Should I ask Marie out-

"Do you Kar?" My dad asks interrupting my thoughts.

I swallow a lump in my throat, “I think I do"

"Then ask her out!" Emily suggests.

"Kar. If you like Marie, ask her out. You can't let a girl like her slip away." Mum adds.

"But like, what she says no?" I ask nervously.

"Aww Kar is nervous!" Emily says.

"Karter, why would she reject a guy like you? She wouldn't Karter. You should just ask her out already!" Mum says.

"I'm not giving anything away; M is my best friend and no one knows her better than I do. Trust me when I say this, she's not going to reject you!" Emily says.

"So, you all think I should ask her out?" I ask.

"Yes, Karter! Marie is a wonderful girl. You should ask her out and see where things go." My mum says.

"Well, okay. I guess I will. " I say.

"Don't over think it too much okay?" Emily says.

"Yeah okay. Speaking of Marie, how come neither of you told me she has a wonderful voice?" I ask.

"Right? She does! You should really sign her to your label Kar." My suggests.

"I offered but she didn't agree. She said she's confused."

"She might agree later on" mum says.

"How's your job coming along Em?" I ask. 

"Oh, stressful tiring. Same old, Same Old." She sighs. 

Marie

Today was a long day. After almost a month we had finished the choreography for Ellie's album Delirium, we showed it to her today and she loved it. Thank God, I feel so relieved. Her tour is starting in a month so all the dancers who're going with her are starting practice from Monday. Since Ellie doesn't require many people only 8 people are going, which is a good thing since we're already short on people.

I get out of my thoughts once Claire stops in front of my apartment building.

"Thanks Claire" I say and hug her.

"No problem, see you on Monday M!" She says, with that I exit the car and wave at her.

As soon as I enter my apartment, I just drop my stuff and just fall on the couch. I check the clock and it's 8:00 pm. Thank God no work for two days. I can sleep in and chill. I'm so tired. I decide to get up and change into my pajamas.

Once I changed, I go and heat some leftover Lasagna from yesterday. With my Lasagna and coke, I take a seat in front of the couch. I open my laptop and quickly go through my emails and put it aside. I turn on the tv and start browsing through channels.

Once I'm done with dinner, I go to the kitchen to wash the dishes. As I was washing the dishes my mind drifted to Karter. I haven't seen him in a week, since Grace’s birthday. We talked on the phone two days ago but that's different. I miss him. I should ask him if he wants to hang out or something. I love spending time with him.

I leave the kitchen and sit back on the couch. Suddenly my phone starts ringing I pick it up to see my mum calling. I smile, I haven't talked to her in a week. I press answer.

"Hi Mom!"

"M! How are you sweetie? I miss you."

"I'm good mom. I miss you too. How's Gracie?"

"She's good. Just misses her sister. M, if you aren't too tired how bout we Skype? We haven't skyped once since you left!"

I smile, "Sure mom. Let me call you on Skype" my mum hangs up.

I put my phone aside and pick up my laptop from the coffee table in front of me.

I see my mum is online on Skype and I give her a call. Soon she answers and my mum comes to view.

"Hi Honey! Oh, look at you, you look skinner. Have you not been eating properly?"

I smile at my mum's concern, "Mom I have. Dancing just makes you lose weight fast!"

"Good, because you better not be dieting or starving yourMf"

"No Mom. Where's Gracie?" I ask.

"Oh, Hold on! Lemme take you to her" Mom says and she gets up with the laptop.

She sits down on the couch; Gracie is sitting on a man's lap. Wait that's my dad. What is my dad doing there? My mum sets the laptop down and sits on the couch next to my dad and Gracie.

"Hi honey. How are you? I miss you sweetheart!" My dad speaks up.

"Dad I'm good. I miss you too. What are you doing at Mom's house?" I ask.

Gracie notices me and speaks, "M! I miss you! Come back!" I smile at her.

"I miss you too Gracie!" I exclaim.

"Your mom and I wanted to talk to you about something M" my dad start and looks at my mum.

"Marie, your dad and I realized that our divorce was very hard on you and we've put a lot pressure on you since then and we're sorry. I understand that you always believed that your dad and I would be together forever, but sweetheart you've got to understand that sometimes people fall out of laugh but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, we've shared some amazing moments together your father and I and we're grateful for all those moments but now it's time to move on. We've also decided we're going to stop this stupid custody fight over Gracie. She'll be staying with me Monday to Friday and the weekends with your father. We're sorry M we put you in such an uncomfortable situation, we decided to have a mutual understanding between us. We're sorry Marie, but we don't want you to be mad or upset that our marriage is over, don't, no matter what we're your parents and we will love both you and Gracie forever, unconditionally." My mum says. 

I let out a sigh, “I understand you guys. I'm glad that this stupid custody battle is over. I guess once you guys got divorced, I was so convinced that love doesn't exist and the fact that you guys were already seeing other people just ticked me off. But now, I've realized that people fall out of love and no matter what I love you guys forever!" I smile at my mum and dad.

"We love you too M!" My Dad says.

"I love you also Marie!" Gracie exclaims suddenly. I laugh at my baby sister.

"I love you most Gracie! I miss you!" I say.

"How's everything coming along Marie? Your mom was just telling me that your new job is great!" My dad says.

"It is. I love it here. The people are so nice. Guys there's something you should know. I got another job offer." I say.

"Really? Another studio in London?" My mum asks.

"No, for a record deal. For singing" I say.

"M! That's amazing! You always wanted to be a singer. How did this happen?" My dad asks.

"I told you guys that Karter owns Bang Records and a week ago he heard me sing one of my own songs. He told me I sounded great and offered me a deal. He said the offer is always open and there is no pressure. I've always wanted to be a singer. But I don't know. What if I mess up? Or turn into a diva?" I ask.

"M, this is your decision. However, we all know you have a great voice and this has been your dream. You should take it M. Your father and I raised you right, I doubt you would change due to fame and success" my mum says.

"I might take it and see how it works out?" I say.

"Whatever you decide. Just keep us updated!" My dad says smiling.

"So, what exactly is going on with you and Karter?" My mum wiggles her eyebrows at me.

"Nothing mum I swear" I say.

"He's a Allan, so I'm sure he's a well-mannered, polite young man but if he hurts my little girl, he's dead!" I smile at my father's protectiveness.

"Nothing’s going on guys I swear. I mean I think I like him; I doubt he likes me so."

"Nonsense Marie. I bet he likes you too, I can't wait to meet him!" My mom exclaims.

"How's your job coming around guys?" I ask changing the topic successfully.

We talked for a while longer till around 10 when I started yawning and my parents suggested I slept.

I did my night routine and lay down in bed with a smile on my face, happy that my parents worked this. I soon started thinking about Karter and drifted off to sleep.