Smoked Success

50.

Tyler is beating up Andrew. How did Andrew know I'm here? Why is he even bothering coming here on Christmas eve? Why would he even try to talk to me after what he's done?

"Tyler and Andrew. Enough." I sigh, sick of their behavior. "Whatever it is you're fighting about, it's not worth it."

"What do you mean it's not worth it? After all you've gone through because of him?" Tyler snaps, angry. He slowly gets up, and he's bleeding. So is Andrew. "How does he even have the audacity to show up here?"

"You had to know sooner or later." I sigh and close my eyes for a moment. I then help Andrew up, as much as he's done a lot to me, he's human after all. "Tyler, Richard doesn't exist."

"What do you mean Richard doesn't exist?" He asks, glaring at Andrew.

"All that time, I've been actually dating Andrew." I admit, helping Andrew to the couch. "We broke up about a month ago, though."

"You've been lying to me for him?" Tyler questions, pointing at Andrew. Mom's gotten him a pack of freezes peas so he can put it where Andrew punched him.

"Look, I'm not proud of my actions, but what's happened has happened." I state. Tyler just ignores me and goes up, mom follows him. I'm really glad the rest of our family is having a night out. I look at Andrew, "how did you find me?"

"I'm your boss, I can get any information I want about you and your family." Andrew replies, smiling as I wipe off the blood on his face.

"What did you come here for?" I ask him, ignoring his lame comments about himself.

"I want to explain the misunderstanding that happened a month ago." He states, taking a deep breath. "Please, this time, give me a chance."

"Tell me one reason I should." I look at my phone, to see if there are any notifications from any human being.

"Because I know we both miss doing this," he says and gets closer to me. He then kisses me, oh man I do miss that. His kiss is as usual, firm. I can smell his cologne, oh my god I'm so stupid.

"Fine." I clench my jaw. I'm sitting on his lap while he's on the couch it looks so wrong.

"Lana and I aren't dating. At all. Actually she has a wife now." Andrew explains, looking me straight in the eyes. Wait, Lana is lesbian. Wow. "The only reason I spent so much time with her is to know about my son, Anthony. It's the only person I want to retain from our relationship."

"Lana's lesbian?" I ask him and he nods. "And you two aren't hooking up?" He nods again.

"The only reason you didn't know that is because you wouldn't let me speak. And knowing you hate Lana, you wouldn't believe her." He explains, smiling even though the alcohol is burning his skin. "I just, I want you to know that I love you more than anything."

"I love you, Andrew." And we kiss again. "I'm so sorry for not trusting you."

"You had the right to think I was being unfaithful." His smile fades away. "The only reason she's still working in Haddad and Co. is because she doesn't have enough money for Anthony."

"That's so-" I start but have zero words to express my shock. "I'm so sorry."

"Jess, it's fine." He smiles, "now am I forgiven?"

How is he so chill after all that happened? It's like someone gave him therapy or something. I'm glad he's not mad, though.

"Of course you're." I chuckle. "But I think you should make amends with Tyler."

"Yeah, I'll do that later." He nods, "now let's cuddle and do what we'd do before."

"Good morning sis," Tyler shows up at the balcony. I'm smoking at the moment. "Can we talk?"

"Sure." I blow out smoke and keep looking at the landscape. Maryland is just as pretty as New York.  Except, our house is huge here.

"Andrew talked to me, this morning," he starts, looking at his wristwatch. I cut him off.

"Look, if you hate him, just tell me." I roll my eyes, not wanting to hear his judgment.

"He's a good guy. He cares about people and most importantly, he makes you happy." Tyler smiles. "I never thought my sister would be son in love with anyone."

"Oh come here," I open my arms and we hug, the brotherly way. "How's it going with Rachel?" Yeah, Tyler broke up with Amanda last year, long distance wasn't working out with them. I think he started dating Rachel three months ago.

"Her best friend told me Rachel's happy. I think it's not going fast, but I don't mind. There's no good in being in a hurry." Tyler chuckles, looking at his phone and shows me some pictures, "this was two month ago, in Prague."

"You're so cute together." I keep on swiping through the pictures. On my phone this time, I show him some of my pictures with Andrew. "Speaking of my boyfriend, where is he?"

"He's, um, running some errands." Tyler sort of hesitates, weird. "I'm pretty sure he'll be back soon. Now let's call Angelina to see how she's doing with Jake."

We're back in New York, it feels great, you know, to not live in a cold war anymore. The relationship between Lana and I is weird, we're not friends, we just talk when I want something from her or when she wants my opinion on something. It's superficial but I'm happy with it.

Angelina enjoyed her Christmas with Jake. He didn't hurt her or get drunk, it's great to see him getting his life together.

Andrew just arrived from Lebanon yesterday, he had this thing with his family, especially his grandmother. He wanted to talk to her about everything. He stayed there for like three weeks.

Anthony's been staying at ours for the moment. Lana's moving and she doesn't want to trouble Anthony with all of its mess. Anthony and Angelina have been organizing Angelina's birthday party with my mom, they want to surprise me.

We're supposedly telling Angelina the truth this birthday. I hope she doesn't get way too shocked, or way too sad. I love her as much as Kristen would've loved her.

Andrew's asked us all to attend a meeting with him, he has an announcement which no one knows about. I know nothing but Andrew claims it's big.

I'm getting ready for my meeting, making sure my laptop's charged for notes, in case there are any. I'm interrupted by a tall brunette with blue eyes. Her outfit choice can tell that she's in university.

"Hi, are you Jessica Styles?" Her accent seems from Texas or something. Why would she like to talk to me?

"Yes, I am. But whatever it is that you have to tell me should wait for half an hour." I tell her, standing up. "I've got a meeting."

"Miss Styles, please, I need to talk to you." She begs, I don't even know that woman's name what on earth.

"My boss won't approve my tardiness." I tell her, "let's talk tomorrow or something, you know where my office is."

"What if I tell you my name's Christina Styles?" She looks at me, challenging.