doubled

|48|

I had been with the boys now two weeks.

I hadn't seen Calum, my mom, nor Macey.

Was I happy?

I don't know honestly.

I cried a lot

I slept with Luke every night- for some reason, he just made me feel better.

But Macey?

Oh- she was loving it

Due to her Snapchat story- her, mom, and Calum went on 'bonding trips' almost everyday.

They did escape rooms
They went to the movies
They went on shopping trips
They put make up on Calum
They went to build a bear
They finished the baby's room
They had movie nights

The list honestly goes on and on

So, in my mind- they were rewarding her.

What was the lesson being taught?

There's certainly was a lesson being taught

But not to Macey- more towards me

At this point- I didn't know how to view Calum anymore.

I thought back to what he told me on their wedding day

His vows to me- which I had a video of

"I vow to be the father figure you didn't have, I vow to make you worth something in your mind, I vow to always assure you of not only how beautiful you are but how beautiful your actions are."

He vowed to be the father figure I didn't have- but yet he was acting exactly how my biological father acted.

I sat in the kitchen alone- the boys were working the late shift.

I took the ring Calum gave me off- setting it onto the counter.

I felt the tear slip my cheek

And I went upstairs- I laid in bed- and cried myself to sleep

Cause I'm starting to realize

None of this is ever going to change

Ashton.

Calum, Luke, Mike and I finished out late shift.

"Macey's going to camp next week- so we'll come get Casey when she leaves- we just still don't want them to be together" he explained as we walked to our cars.

"Maybe you should come talk to her Calum- she's not too- stable" luke spoke slowly.

"Why not?" He asked, making us all exchange a few glances

"I mean- how would you feel if you were her and you had to watch your mom and her husband take her sister out to do fun things every night while she was forced to stay with the old- tired uncles" I spoke quietly.

"Shit- I never even thought to explain everything to her."

"I'll come tomorrow" he declared quickly.

We all nodded- going in separate directions.

We got home and went straight to the kitchen

We all got food- and as I set my water on the counter- I saw her ring.

"Oh fuck" I immediately cursed, picking it up.

All the guys looked- eyes widening

"Maybe she just took it off to wash her hands and forgot it-" "Luke, she sleeps with that fucking ring on." Michael spoke quickly.

"There's probably an explanation- We can talk to her tomorrow- let's not jump to conclusions." Luke spoke quickly.

So that's what we did.

We woke up the next morning in time for work- and Casey was up and dressed.

"What do you have planned today?" Michael questioned

"I got a job" she spoke- making Luke literally choke on his coffee.

"A job?" I questioned

She nodded lightly
"The coffee shop down the street" she smiled lightly- throwing a cardigan on.

We all looked at each other

"So- why did you get a job?" Luke questioned.

She shrugged
"Something to do with my life- making my own money" she spoke.

We all stared at her

"Honey- you don't exactly need money- we can buy you something if you want it-" "I know" she spoke quietly

"I just- I need to stop being dependent on people" she spoke.

"Casey, you're seventeen" Michael quickly spoke.

"I'll be eighteen in two weeks" she spoke.

"I just- need to focus on something other than school and the neighbors" she mumbled.

"Where's you ring?" I asked, seeing her look to her hands.

"My room" she spoke quietly.

"Does it still fit?" Luke asked, making her nod.

"I just-" she paused lightly, clearing her throat

"I really shouldn't be late on my first day- I'll see you guys later" she spoke- leaving before any of us could even begin to stop her.

"What the fuck is happening with this family"