Carnal House

Green.-Fox

I didn't expect feeling this level of jealousy, hearing Ash with Ryker last night had me seeing red. I had planned this so that she could be the happiest with her life. She had glowed every time she was reading a why choose book and I knew back then that I couldn't make her happy on my own, I wouldn't be enough.

I knew it and I dealt with it, and I regretted that I wasn't her first. It didn't matter what I wanted though, it is all about her and letting her discover what she likes, what she desires more than anything else.

If I hadn't heard them last night it wouldn't have taken much to know what had happened between them, she was completely different today, kissing each of us in the kitchen after breakfast before sauntering to the study for her weekly video chat with Leah. Their laughter filtered through the house, I didn't expect her to keep anything from Leah, they had been born the same day, in the same hospital and had somehow found each other again in daycare, then school. Leah is her singular constant, rightfully so.

“She seems to be doing well this morning.” Connor commented with a knowing look at Ash, who, stoic as ever just stared back. I respected him more for it, even if I hated him just a little bit.

“Hey, guys.” Ryker said from the kitchen door. “Leah wants to talk to you. All of you.” She looked apologetic for a second, then it cleared. “I am gonna go take a shower, have fun.”

She grinned and turned on her heel, her footsteps fading as she padded up the stairs. We all filed into the study, turning the laptop around to face the front of the desk, Ash and I stood while the twins sat in the leather chairs.

“Hey, prick. Long time no see.”

“Leah, always a pleasure.” I said and meant it. She was good for Ryker, and I appreciated everything that she did for her, especially after Ryker tore me a new one for what I had done all those years ago thinking that I was protecting her.

“Is she gone?” Ash moved to close the door, nodding to her when he came back.

“Ok, boys. So, I know everything, and no Connor I will not tell you,” Connor’s face fell. “Ryker thinks that this is me giving you the hurt her and I will kill you speech, and while I have been rehearsing it to perfection for years, it will be a hollow promise.” She stops and clears her throat.

“What's going on Leah.” I asked crossing my arms, not at all liking where this was going.

“The worst that I will be able to do is haunt you. I am dying, I have a tumor in my brain the size of a walnut, and it is growing fast.” Connor leaned forward listening intently. “Inoperable and taking my motor functions with it. I haven't told her yet, and I will not do it over the computer. I need you all to plan for me to come there in a couple of weeks, plan the most amazing weekend ever.” She looks at me intently. We would make it as amazing as possible, for them both, we would give them nothing less.

“I am glad that you finally have your head out of your ass when it comes to her. Do not f**k it up, any of you, because our girl is about to lose her person, and she is going to need all of you to replace me. No, there is nothing you can do for me except to take care of her, and yes, I have everything planned for when I die. She will not need to worry about doing anything aside from my final request. There will be a letter, and she will give my eulogy. I have left nothing to chance, and I expect every single one of you to be front row with her.” We all nodded, I cannot imagine a world for her where Leah did not exist, this could break her.

“I know that I am putting you all in a position to have to keep something from her, and I am sorry about that, but I need your help. I need our last weekend together to sustain her for a long time, I plan to go out on my own terms by my own hand. I will not have her thinking that she needs to take care of me when I can no longer shower alone or eat without shaking so much I cannot grip a f*****g fork.” Her anger is palpable, and understandable.

“I don’t expect you all to mourn me with her, except for you Fox, but be ready for a bit of a shitstorm after the funeral. My parents will be there trying to be the center of attention, soaking up the sympathy, do not let them Fox. When the time comes escort them out and when my father tries to fight it, make sure he regrets it ok?” I nod my head once, after my father had told me once what Leah’s home life was like and why she was always at our house I wanted a solid shot at her father, and Leah knew it. Because I had told her so, at the time she begged me not to, now I had the green light.

“Michael will be there to take dad in for disturbing the peace, you won't have any issues.” She looks at each of us in turn. “When I said that I know everything, I know everything, if you aren't in this a hundred percent with her then you need to bow out now.”

“They wouldn't be here right now if they weren't in it till the very end.” I said. I had chosen my friends carefully, left nothing up to chance where she was concerned.

“I will see you soon, prick. Do not let me down.” I nod at her once before the screen goes dark. There was no way that a man as terrible as Ansel Thomas drew the line at molesting his daughter, there was sure to be other dirt to dig up on him.

“Let’s put together a weekend for them to remember, and let’s make sure that we can do better than just putting her father in jail for the night.”

I told them the bare minimum of the type of man he was and sent them off on their way, contemplating the massive minefield Leah just laid at our feet. Not only did she want us to take her place for Ryker, she wanted us to lie to her for a while. I did not like it and I knew the others didn’t either.

Fuck.