This chapter contains spoilers for the book, 1998. Leroy explains himself.

It took me a solid ten fucking minutes to realise that the pounding that threatened to give me an aneurism, wasn't in my head, but it was in fact, the door. I sat up, squinting through the dim light of the dorm room. The thin curtains were cracked enough to let in the morning sunlight but it was manageable considering I was sporting a major hangover.

The pounding on the door continued and I slurred some sort of incoherent nonsense in an attempt to let them know that I was coming. The double bed in the corner of the room was far more appealing, it held warmth, the option of sleep and the cover of comforters that could shield me from hurricane Dallas who was forcing me into this sit down with Mom and Dad this morning. Yeah, not even copious amounts of alcohol and tequila shots could make me forget that the two of them were due to arrive at some point today.

It'd been a few months since College started. I still hadn't talked to Dad. Despite the fact that he 'allowed' me to go to the college that I wanted to attend, things had been off since he verbally abused my girlfriend in his kitchen and tried to dictate the decisions that I made. Whatever. Mom said that he had some things that he wanted to talk about and I agreed to hear him out. I had a feeling that it was more to do with the fact that she wanted Dallas and I to visit for thanksgiving and wanted us to make peace before then. We would have been in Archwood either way since Dallas would never let Nathan spend it alone.

I stumbled across the room, bumping into the desk beside the door because I could barely see through a haze of possible alcohol poising and general fatigue. The chain lock put up a fight, refusing to slide for a moment or two. But eventually it came right after I'd sworn and cursed the damn thing. I twisted the handle lock as well and pulled the door open to find my beautiful blonde babe on the other side with a coffee and a small clear take away cup filled with green gunk.

She tip toed and gave me a kiss on the cheek before she stepped past me and set her items down. She looked exquisite as usual. It was a miracle that I could open my eyes long enough to see her high waist flowing leather skirt and loose turtle neck sweater which was so long in the sleeves that it hid her cute hands. She rested a hand on her hip, the other one leaned on the surface of the desk as she stared at me with that expectant expression.

"Morning baby," I rasped, the end almost being cut off with a yawn. The heel of my hand rubbed at the sleep in my eyes in an attempt to moisten them so that I could blink without it feeling as though my lids were made of sandpaper. "You look perfect this morning."

She continued to stare at me as she shook her head with exasperation. "Do you always answer the door as naked as the day you were born?"

I glanced down and sure enough, there was my dick.

Hanging out in all its glory.

Whoops.

"I knew it was you," I grinned at Dallas who picked up the clear cup of green gunk and handed it to me. "What is this?"

"You knew it was me, but you didn't know that you were naked," she slapped me on the bum as she wandered over to the set of drawers under the window and began digging through the top one. The one with all the Calvin's in it. "That is a hangover cure. The man at the smoothie bar swears on it. He even told me that he'd give me a full refund if it didn't work."

She threw a pair of underwear at me and shut the drawer again. It dawned on me that she slept here last night. I was sure that I remembered her climbing into bed beside me and offering to be the big spoon. I winced when it came flooding back in pitiful shameful bursts of reminders. I'd been a bit of a write off. Complaining about the nerves over Dad, whinging about Dallas forcing me into a cab at one in the morning. Moaning about the fact that the woman in my life had all of the reigns and there was nothing I could do except nod and agree because let's face it, I'd be lost without them.

"I'm not drinking this shit," I said, setting the cup back on the desk so that I could step into the Calvin's. She rolled her eyes and marched back towards me. "Dallas, no. It looks like Shrek had the shits."

"Just throw it back," she shrugged her shoulders and sniffed the drink. She couldn't even hide how her brows furrowed when she smelled the cups contents. "Sort of like you were doing with all of the tequila last night."

I cackled, it was a strangled noise that didn't much resemble a laugh like it was meant to. It sounded more as if I was expressing disgust. Which was fitting seen as when I thought about tequila, the bottom of my stomach turned and I felt as if I was going to be sick. I took the lid off and tossed the straw into the paper shredding container and took a whiff of the cups contents. I gagged for effect.

"Stop being a whimp," Dallas sat on the edge of the bed and kicked her pumps off. She's more of a trainers sort of girl but she's dressed up and she looks perfect. "Just chug it back. Come on. You drink those horrible protein smoothies."

"Those aren't horrible," I pointed at her. "I get the good flavours. Like chocolate or raspberry. This smells like fucking garden mulch. Did you sleep here last night?"

She nodded and pulled her legs up into a criss cross position, flashing her black lace underwear. I raised a brow and began to think of a much tastier way to get over my hangover.

Of course, she caught on and shook her head as she pushed her skirt down. "Nope. I'm not showering again. Drink that. And yes I did sleep here last night, little spoon," she teased. "I left early to get changed and grab the coffee. Which is a chaser by the way. So drink the green stuff and then have the coffee. Get it over with."

"Ugh fine," I sniffed it again and contemplated throwing it out the window for a moment. But I thought better of it and lifted it up, swallowing the thick green crap as fast as I could. It certainly wasn't one of those situations where it tasted better than it looked. It was fucking rancid. But I finished the lot and let my tongue fall out of my mouth as I flustered about and complained.

"Drink the coffee," Dallas stood up and handed the cup over. She took the now empty clear one and tossed it in the bin while I threw back the hot coffee. It did help, but I felt as if I could still feel a thick green gunk coating my tongue.

"I need to shower and brush my teeth," I said after I'd finished the coffee. She nodded and fell down into the bed to wait.

So I wandered off and grabbed a towel before I hit the showers across the hall. I fucking hated that we had communal showers. I mean, it was private stalls and all that but we still couldn't shower together. Dallas and I. First of all, it was against the rules. Second, she was too loud when I had her bent over under the hot water. I couldn't wait until we had our own place. We were aiming to rent an apartment together soon. Possibly somewhere between CalArts and UCLA.

When I came back from the shower, she was on her stomach, her skirt barely covered the curves of her butt and I flicked the lock on the door and dropped the towel before I crawled over her frame on the bed and nuzzled her neck.

"Dray," she whined with a smile in her voice. "You're dripping on me."

I slipped my hands under her front, feeling her soft skin under the sweater while I kissed her nape. "Mmmm we should fix that," I said. "You should be the one dripping on me."

She gasped as I flipped her over and pinned her arms above her head. She didn't protest, instead she wound her legs around my waist and our mouths met in a hot, feverish kiss that had me pulling her skirt up and her underwear down. She was right. That drink did work. I felt rejuvenated and energised and I was about to show her just how much stamina I still had after a night out.

But just as I'd pushed her underwear down to her ankles, there was a loud bang on the door and both of us paused, glaring in it's direction with frustration. "We can ignore it for five minutes," I whispered, letting my fingers do the persuading for me. "If it's important, they'll wait. Or come back. I don't care."

Her mouth made a little O shape as she threw her head back and I was sure that I could have convinced her to go with me on this, except for the repeated knocking and the voice of Mom which followed. "Dray honey, are you in there?"

Dallas sat up and pushed me so hard that I rolled off the bed and fell on to the floor. Still butt naked of course. She stared at me with panic as she pulled her panties back up under her skirt. "Say something," she mouthed, gesturing at the door as she stood up and straightened herself up.

I stood as well and sighed with exasperation. Dray junior was standing at attention. He could take an eye out and Dallas couldn't help but giggle as I shook my hips from side to side. "Stop it," she whisper shouted and slapped me across the shoulder. She was still smothering a laugh though. "Answer the door!"

"What? Like this?"

Another knock. "Dray?" And then Mom's voice lowered a little. "I'm sure that he's in there. I can hear something."

"Yeah hang on," I shouted back and started pulling my Calvin's back on. I pulled on a pair of joggers and a long sleeve shirt and finally pulled open the door to find Mom and Dad waiting.

Dad was his usual stoic self, but he did smile and give me a handshake. I'd wiped my hand on a towel but I didn't tell him what I'd been doing with it just a few moments earlier.

Mom must have seen our exchange as a miracle because she held her chest and grinned between both of us as I ushered them inside. Dallas said hello. She was polite and sweet but you could never mistake her for being a push over. She held her own without being obnoxious. Dad offered her his hand as well and the four of us stood in the small dorm room in an awkward circle.

"We thought you must have left," Mom said, smoothing down her shoulder length waves.

"Na," I folded my arms and shrugged. "I just had to change. I was about to get balls deep but whatever. It can wait."

From the corner of my eye, I could see Dallas covering her face with her hands. Mom went beet red and Dad just stared at me with . . . disappointment, indifference? I wasn't sure. It was hard to tell.

"I am so sorry," Dallas clasped her hands together and sincerely apologised to the two of them. I didn't know what for. It wouldn't take a genius to figure out what was going on. What else in this small room could have caused a delay like that. Never mind.

"Don't apologise," Mom said with a clipped tone, aimed at me. "You'd think that it wouldn't surprise us at this point."

"You would think so," I agreed.

Dad cleared his throat and folded his arms across his chest. As usual, the old man had his black button up shirt on with the sleeves at his elbows and a crisp pair of slacks on. I gave him a lot of shit about his age but he was doing alright. Mom as well, she looked elegant in a pair of tight cream pants with a cashmere coat and an expensive pair of leather boots. She wasn't materialistic, but she'd loved clothes even when she couldn't afford them from anywhere except the thrift stores.

"Are we going out to eat or," Dad stared at the three of us.

Mom nodded. "Right. We should talk."

"I'll get going," Dallas said and I widened my eyes in her direction. She was just going to leave me with this alone?! I shifted and swallowed and that familiar need for a cigarette came on.

She went to step through the circle and head for the door when Mom reached out and gently gripped her arm. "Dallas, you should join us. We want to talk to you as well."

She seemed uncertain as she peered up at me. But there was no chance that I'd suggest she leave. So I nodded. Perhaps even gave her a pleading expression. It wasn't that I was afraid of Mom and Dad or what they had to tell me or talk to me about. She just made it easier. No matter what I went through, it was easier when I had her rational thinking or soothing words or caring hugs.

"I just didn't want to intrude," she said with uncertainty.

But this time, it was Dad who spoke up. "Please join us."

It was quiet for a beat but she nodded and stepped into place beside me, wrapping her arm around my waist. Mom shrugged with raised brows and gave us a questioning look. "So where should we eat?"

"I know where we should go."

We arrived at a restaurant about ten minutes from Campus. It wasn't fine dining but it was decent. It reminded me of a gallery. Concrete floors, art hanging on the deep purple walls. Climbing vines wrapped around large columns that were spread out through the establishment. The tables were wooden, the backs of the chairs were thin steel patterns and the aroma of hot food, coffee and flowers was an interesting but pleasant combination. I knew that Mom would appreciate it. I didn't care much for the aesthetic of the place but the burgers here were the best that I'd tasted in California so far.

We slid into one of the booths on the outer edge of the restaurant. It offered privacy, which I figured we might need a little of. Dad still had to have his talk. It was hard to imagine him apologising so I was prepared to hear some sort of half assed excuse about what reason he could have had for being such a prick. Mom and Dad sat opposite, Dallas sat beside me and I held her hand under the table, rubbing my thumb across the top of her hand while we ordered.

The conversation was light while we waited for our meals. Mom wanted to hear all about what Dallas had been up to and how her dancing was going. I almost copped an elbow in the rib when I said that the private dances were giving her a lot of practice.

Dad was more talkative than I'd expected him to be. He had a lot of interest in how the season was going at UCLA. He even said that he was keen to stick around for a week and attend the next game. Which had me surprised but I went along with it and told him that I'd be happy for him to come and watch. It wasn't a strain to keep the topics flowing. Conversation wasn't something that I struggled with. But there was an underlying hint of tension just for the simple fact that we hadn't spoken in months. Still, the longer that we sat in the booth and swapped stories about what was happening here and back at home, the more relaxed things became.

The waitress delivered our meals and I could tell Dad was biting his tongue about the fact that I had a burger and fries. But what he was unaware of, was the fact that I had one of these burgers once a month, if that. And Dallas stole the fries and ate them after she'd polished off her salad. It was our thing now. Mom smiled and swirled her fettuccine around her fork while she commented on how wonderful it smelled.

"So I suppose we should cut to the chase," Dad said, cutting into his panini.

"Cut to the chase?" I raised a brow. "We've been together for over an hour. Come on then. Let's hear it."

He rolled his eyes but turned his attention to Dallas. "I'd like to start with an apology," he said, sincerity in his features. "Dallas, I'll admit that my first impression of you wasn't— well it wasn't great. Drayton had just split up with his wench of a girlfriend and the next thing I know, I'm watching security footage of you arriving home with Grayson one evening and leaving with my son a few hours later."

Dallas nodded as she crunched her iceberg lettuce and swallowed. "That would have looked a little off," she agreed with a light laugh.

Dad nodded. "I guess when I realised that things were getting more serious between you both, I worried about the fact that Drayton wanted to follow you. He started to shrug off our college plans and started talking about UCLA. I felt defensive about the whole thing. And when I insulted you in the kitchen that morning, you have to understand that it wasn't about you and who you were. It was me, losing my temper and taking it out on you because you were right. I shouldn't have been attempting to control Drayton's future like that."

Mom looked as if she was about to burst into tears. Her gaze glistened as she watched Dad pouring his heart out. He didn't break his contact with Dallas at all during his speech. He was genuine and polite. She seemed content and nodded with a wide smile, forgiveness granted, just like that it would seem. I wasn't persuaded quite the same.

"So why were you trying to control me then?" I leaned back in the seat and shrugged, waiting for my turn. Surely if that was what he could pull out for Dallas, then I would get a decent attempt at an explanation too.

He angled more towards me and clasped his hands in front of him. "I've told you about your Grandfather before? Right?"

"Yeah," I responded with uncertainty. "Grandma and Grandpa. Died when I was little."

"You and— you and Abigail weren't even one," Mom stammered over her words. Not that I could blame her. No matter how much time passed, hearing her name was like a knife twisting into a wound that won't heal. Dad didn't let her dwell for long before he was talking again.

"Yeah well, you won't remember them. But they loved you. A lot," Dad said, swallowing hard as he stared at the surface of the table. "Dad was a quarterback. Just like me. Just like you. And he used to be so positive that you'd join the sport. He was certain of it. And the morning that he died, he said to me, that he would love to see you go to the same school as we both had."

My throat felt a little tighter now. And no doubt about it, Mom was sobbing into a tissue while Dallas squeezed herself closer to me at the table.

"So I promised him. I told him that his Grandson would attend Baylor and follow tradition. It was the last conversation that we had before he and Mom died in the house explosion."

The air was thick with tension and Mom moved closer to Dad, rubbing his shoulder while he kept his head down. This poor bastard had been through so damn much. I knew that his parents had died. But I never knew much about it. We didn't talk about it. I'd just known from the time that I was small, that they weren't around. I guess I understood more now. Dad didn't like talking about Abigail either.

"Dad," I said. "Why didn't you just tell me? I would have gone to Baylor if I knew all of that."

He glanced up and slowly nodded. "I know. I didn't want you to go for that reason. I wanted you to want to go. That probably sounds a little bit ridiculous. But I just didn't want to resort to those kinds of tactics. It felt childish. As ironic as that is after the way that I coped when you told me you were going to UCLA.

"Your Mom helped with the perspective a little bit," he continued. "She reminded me that my Dad would never have wanted to see us argue over College. He'd have been proud of your success and your choices no matter which school you chose. Just like he was proud of me even when I knocked up my eighteen year old girlfriend."

Mom giggled through a sob. She wiped at a few tears that slipped down her cheeks. Even Dallas was getting emotional. She was yet to cry but I could tell that she was feeling a bit overwhelmed with how hard she held my hand. The food in front of me no longer seemed as appetising as it did before.

"You look like him," Dad said after a quiet beat. Mom nodded in agreement. I'd seen photos of Grandpa before. He was in the NFL but the photos weren't the best quality considering it was such a long time ago. "You look so much like him that sometimes it's just hard to see you without seeing him. But that's not your fault and son, I am deeply sorry that I didn't handle their loss, or your sisters very well."

There was no chance that I could hold that against him. None of us handled losing Abigail well. And to find out how horrible his parents death had been and how close he was to them, well it all made a little more sense as to what his hang up had been with me attending Baylor. As far as I was concerned, it was forgotten.

"Well," I smiled at the three of them. "If you've got time, I'd love to hear more about my grandparents? If you don't mind?"