Christmas with the Gerard's

15

5 days till Christmas 

It’s been almost a whole week since Avery announced to our family that I was Toby’s lover and I have been staying at Theo’s flat with Phoebe, while Theo tries to convince the family that I am not sleeping with my brother-in-law. Not that I for one second think my family actually believe it, but in all fairness the evidence against me is damning. Toby apparently started to act weird again after I came back home. The calls and texts started the day after I arrived home, strangely enough so did the threatening texts I had been receiving, then there was the fact that apparently the woman Toby had been texting and calling was named as ‘C’ in his extra marital phone. And add to the plot that he somehow found a way to sneak that phone into my wardrobe and bam! He got them all line hook and sinker. It hurt me; it really did that my family didn’t immediately jump to my defense. And in that moment, I knew had made the right choice by running fourteen years ago. I seriously don’t even remember how I got to Theo’s flat, but I'm guessing after I passed out from the exhausting of crying and shock, Theo and Phoebe had hauled me into my car and brought me here. I was grateful for Theo, he was the only one sticking by me, other than Phoebe. Even Colton had left, so much for wanting to try a relationship. Bastard! I had wanted to leave here as soon as I woke up in Theo’s sofa, but they had convinced to stay and sort this out. I pick my phone up and call the one person I know can get me out of this. I dial the number and I’m greeted by voicemail, typical.  

“Call me when you get this please, you need to come clean. I will only keep your secret for so long.” I hang up and toss the phone on the pillow next to mine. I have been leaving the same voicemail since Monday night and I'm still to have a call back. I even thought about going home to explain it all but Phoebe advised it would be a bad idea and to let Theo handle it. Apparently, Avery had moved back home and was now in my room, while Ada and Nathan shared the spare one. Gabriel was sharing with Theo because Phoebe was staying with me. She hardly left my side, but when she did, she spent her time with Theo, thinking of ways to solve this latest drama.   

Bored and with nothing else to do, I take advantage that Phoebe and Theo went out shopping and I head out for a run. I head towards the local park; it’s been ages since I actually ran so I am super out of breath by the time I get there. I head to the water fountain and gulp as much water as I can, before going to sit on the empty swing set. It’s freezing cold, the park is deserted, only a few dog walkers here and there, but no one close enough to notice the tears flowing down my face. I must be f*****g cursed, that is the only explanation I can think of, for all the s**t going on in my life. I must have been a right cunt in my previous life to have been dealt such a fate. I look up into the dirty dark sky and exhale a long sigh. I find myself gently swinging the swing and soon I'm flying back and forth, the ends of my hair hitting my face when I fly forwards, making me giggle a little. Thank God there’s no one around to see this. I gather all my strength and as I reach the highest point of my flight I let go and jump forwards. My feet hit the floor at an awkward angle and I go flying through the grass, flailing like a kite in a storm I skid about for a few seconds, finally landing flat on my face. With a huff I lift my head and scan the park, luckily no witnesses to that disaster. I go on all fours and laugh at myself. I stand slowly and dust myself off, I turn and scream when I see Tomas standing behind me smirking. 

“Sorry Doll, didn’t mean to scare you.” He drawls and I stiffen. “I’m not here to hurt you Delia. I just came to talk. I hear you could use the company.” He walks towards the wooden bench and I follow him, what harm can it do to talk to him, maybe he will have some answers for me. I sit next to him and he shuffles closer. I look at him with a glare and he moves backward, his hands raised in defeat. 

“So, what did you want to talk about Tomas?” I say as I wrap my arms around me. 

“About you, everything that’s going on around you. You are like a storm you know Delia.” 

“Hum, you’re not the first person to say that about me. I don’t do it on purpose. I just want my family to believe me. I take it it’s all over town?” I ask and cringe when he takes a deep breath. 

“Yes, it is. Sorry, something like that would be impossible to hide. Not like your sister tried to hide it. She packed all his stuff and dumped it outside his offices in the town center. It was quite the scandal. But somehow it’s her reputation that has been shot to shit.” He says with a shrug. 

“How do you mean?”  

“Apparently, and I mean this is all hearsay, Nathan and Ada aren’t his children.” I laugh and he looks at me like I'm crazy. I gulp when I realize he’s serious.  

“Wait, you’re serious?” I ask and he nods. “f**k off, Avery is no cheater. Whoever came up with that is lying. She would never, ever do that to Toby. For some reason, she loves him.” 

“Well, that’s what people are saying.” He shrugs and I watch him, he looks nothing like the big-time drug dealer that Theo and Colton claim he is. He looks beat actually.  

“Tomas, are you a drug dealing pimp?” I blurt out and he chuckles. He turns to face me and offers me a small smile.  

“I wondered when that would come. Yes and no.” He says and turns forward, his elbows on his thighs and his head lowered onto his hands. He takes a deep breath and laughs dryly. “I have no choice. I’m not this big bad guy, I want to follow my dad’s footsteps and be mayor, I did go to uni and studied politics and have actually been very valuable to my father in the past. But I made a couple of stupid mistakes and someone is holding them over my head.” 

“Who.” 

“I can’t tell you that Delia, you’d be in trouble then.” 

“Does James know who the big boss is?” 

“Yes.” 

“Will he tell me?” 

“No.” 

“Why?” I whine 

“Do you have a death wish Delia? He’s already targeted one of your brother’s, you want him to get the rest?” 

“So, this boss is behind Theo’s attack? Interesting.” I say with a smile and Tomas shakes his head at me. 

“Whatever you are thinking of Delia, quit it now.” 

“No can do, whoever this person is, they know me and my family very well. Not that many people knew where Theo would be that day, or that he would be alone. Let alone my phone number seeing how only my family actually knew it, and not even all of them did. So how did some stranger get my number and started texting me?” I smell a well-planned trap. And for some reason I think Toby is behind it all.  

“Delia please, listen to me, do not try and find this guy. Nothing good will come of it. I promise things will work out, just go back to Kenling. “He grabs my hands and holds them for a while, I can see he is deep in thought and I too start thinking. I wouldn’t put it past Toby to be actually working with this drug boss to f**k me over. I know how far he would go to protect his secrets. After all, I have been on the end of his threats before. I need to find someone who will believe me and look into this drug boss and toby. I feel Tomas’ hands squeeze mine and he pulls them away. 

“I have to go Delia. Go home, please. Where you will be safe.” He stands and I grab his hand  

“Why aren’t you accepting Sally’s baby?” I ask and his screws his eyebrows.  

“Sally’s baby? What baby?” I can see the immediate confusion on his face.  

“Sally, Theo’s ex. She’s pregnant, she told Theo it’s your baby because she was cheating on him with you in the summer?” I tell him.  

“Delia, babe, I always wrap my meat up tight. Besides I slept with her like twice. She was sleeping with T...” He stops himself and curses before carrying on “Erm the big guy too. Oh s**t. I haven’t seen Sally in like a couple of weeks. Last I heard she was going to her sisters, but I don’t think...” He stops and looks at me. “s**t, I gotta go Delia. Catch up later” He literally sprints away from me and I sit there thinking about everything he has told me. He like me, is trapped. Being blackmailed into dealing. And Sally, what the hell is going on with that girl.  

By the time I get home, darkness has fallen and I’m freezing cold. I sat on that bench for hours, just crying and thinking. I walk up the stairs to Theo’s flat and as I reach the landing, I hear voices.  

“Look Colton” I can hear the disdain in Phoebe’s tone. “She hasn’t been here all day; f**k knows where she is, she didn’t take her stupid phone with her, and besides, what makes you think she would want to see you? Especially after you basically accused her of sleeping with Toby?” I have to give it to Pheebs, she is an awesome best friend! I feel a bit bad for Col, so I start up again when his words make me stop. My hand tightens on the banister and my breath hitches in my throat. 

“Of course, I had to make her think I would believe it! I had to make sure that piece of s**t was convinced we had all left her alone. God Phoebe, do you really think I wouldn’t try and save her from this? f**k I can’t believe Theo didn’t figure it out sooner, those texts she keeps getting. They all came from that burner phone that’s supposed to be hers, so unless Delia is threatening herself, we have our culprit.” I can’t believe he cracked it.  

“So how do we prove that the phone isn’t hers?”  

“I don’t know.” He says. But I do, I turn on my heel and go in search of the one who can end it all. It’s about time I take action instead of leaving voicemails.