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10/9/2020 - You finally get to meet Mr. Winters :) Originally, I had a bonus chapter about him coming home that I have since lost. I recall his name being something with a C, but since I can't find that chapter nor can I fully remember, I basically have re-written his character. 

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I wasn't able to get much sleep last night. After West left, thoughts swirled around my head all night and I only got an hour or two of shut eye. Some of it is partly due to the anxiety I feel towards my dad coming home this morning. 

A knock at the door spikes that anxiety as I quickly glance out the window of my bedroom and see an Uber drive off. Marcus Winters is home. 

Getting out of bed, I go downstairs and try to calm my pounding heart. I haven't seen my dad in over two weeks, and last time he was home it was only for a few days. 

The sound of the door unlocking fills my ears as I jump down the final step, noting that Toby and Gray are still passed out on the couch where West dropped them last night. Seconds later, dad walks inside with a small luggage bag. He first notices Toby and Gray in the living room, and I see him pause for a second or two as he takes in the sight. Then, he chuckles with a small head shake and fully comes inside, closing the door behind him.

He then glances my way and almost instantly a huge smile breaks out on his face. He's never been one to smile with his teeth, since when he grew up his family didn't have the money to provide him braces, but his close-mouthed smiles have always been enough to convey his happiness. 

He sets his luggage down as he smiles at me, opening his arms as I hesitantly walk closer.

"There's my girl."

"Hi dad." 

And even though I harbor resentment for the way he's chosen to raise me and Toby, I can't hide the warmth in my heart from seeing him. I go into his open arms and revel in the familiar feeling of his fatherly hug. He holds me for a few moments, squeezing me tight before we pull apart. 

"I missed you, sweetheart," he signs. 

My face melts into a warm smile when he signs his greeting back. A part of me was worried he would have forgotten a lot of ASL with how long he's been away and how little he and I have FaceTimed. 

"You too, dad." 

"So, do I dare ask why those two are passed out on the couch?" He asks as he picks up his luggage.

I chuckle, "Let's just say that they had a fun night."

Dad chuckles, "Well come on, have you had breakfast?"

I shake my head and he starts on his way to the kitchen.

"There's this amazing bagel place down the road from my apartment in New York. I was spending so much money there every morning that I ended up perfecting their breakfast bagel to make for myself, come on I'll make it for you."  

His mention of New York turns my mood a little sour and the sweet feelings of him coming home begin to disperse as I remember that he's never here. This is his first time home this month. I eye the stairs, debating just going back to my room, but West's final words to me last night flash across my mind. 

You lost one parent, and I know it probably feels like you've lost both...but you still have him, Raine.

With his words replaying in my brain, I follow Dad down the hallway littered with pictures and to the kitchen. He walks swiftly, refusing to glance at the pictures on the walls, his shoulders almost relaxing when he reaches the kitchen and out of the hallway of memories. I sit on one of the barstools, recalling what West said about Toby's, eh, moment with a barstool at the party. 

"How have you been, sweetheart?" Dad asks as he surveys the contents in the fridge, pulling out some cheese, eggs, and bacon. 

He starts reorganizing a few items in the fridge and it sends a sudden burst of anger through my chest. The fridge is organized to how I like it. It should stay that way considering I'm always the one cooking. Considering he's never home. He can't just come back and act like he's going to stay when I know he won't. 

"Fine."

As he makes us breakfast, also making two extra bagels for Toby and Gray, I stay silent. Soon enough, we hear a couple of loud, pained groans from the living room.

"Raine!" Toby groans, his voice gradually getting louder as he comes towards the kitchen, "Whatever you're cooking smells amazing, but could you maybe not turn the vent fan on high? It's killing my head and- Dad?" 

Toby stops short when he reaches the kitchen, hair a mess and clothes all tattered from his fun night, but his eyes are light with excited surprise. 

"Son!" Dad exclaims, quickly setting the spatula down as he walks over to Toby and engulf him in a bear hug.

"I totally forgot you were flying in this morning!" Toby says, face broken out in a smile, but he then cringes when his headache hits him and he massages his temple. 

"Crazy night, huh?" Dad asks with a small smirk.

"You don't know the half of it."

"Take a seat, breakfast will be done soon and you can tell me about it."

Toby doesn't hesitate and instantly sits down next to me, and before he can go into his story, Gray comes into the kitchen massaging his own head with his eyes shut tight in pain.

"Why is that vent fan so god damn loud... my head is killing me and- Marcus?" He stops short, much like Toby, and eyes our dad with wide eyes.

Dad made it clear for all of our friends to call him by his first name, fed up with so many corporate officials referring to him as "Mr. Winters.". He said that when he's home, he doesn't want to feel like he's in the office. 

"Gray! Come on in, I'm just cooking up some breakfast bagels," Dad says with a smile, pointing the spatula to the last barstool at the counter. 

As Dad finishes up our breakfast and dishes it out, Gray and Toby animatedly tell him about their night. They leave out the parts that caused West to get them away from the endless drinks, only relaying the fun parts. Running the table in Beer Pong, taking the Aux for an hour and having the best playlists, and how they even made up a new drink they call 'Savage Breeze.' 

"Ah, and is that what did you two in?" Dad asks as he hands them both some water, sliding me a cup of coffee. 

Toby nearly chugs the whole thing before he nods, Gray doing the same.

"Can't even taste the alcohol, and that's what made it dangerous."

"Couldn't have been all the shots you were taking," I sign sarcastically, and Toby nudges me playfully. 

Dad has never minded the teenage drinking too much. Of course, he doesn't fully condone it, but he's under the mindset that Toby should learn his limit before college so that he doesn't get into any bad situation once he leaves home. Dad grew up in a small, country town where they partied every weekend, so he understands. After what happened with Warren, he was more strict about it, but I made the decision not to go to any parties and he backed off of Toby. 

"Where's Tyler? I assume he was with you two last night, yeah?" Dad asks.

"He was, but I don't fully remember where he ended up..." Toby says sheepishly.

Dad eyes him for a second with a strict, parental look on his face. 

"Toby... you know how I feel about you drinking. You've got to learn your limits, son, and you need to look out for your friends too. You should have fun, but you need to play it safe. You know that."

Though I know he's right, that small anger in my chest multiples as he scolds Toby. The one day he comes home after Toby had a night of partying and he thinks he can just jump in and have some sort of parental advice. Where was that advice all of the other times Toby's come home blackout drunk? He's acting like he's here for us, yet he's only here when it's convenient for him.

I suddenly have an overwhelming desire to get out of the house and go somewhere. Gray finishes his food and says a quick goodbye to all of us before heading out, and Dad brings all of our dishes to the sink. My phone buzzes on the counter. I grab it and see a text from Alyse, so I quickly swipe across the screen to unlock it and see what she said.

My Main Bitch: Wanna go to the library to study for that history test?

I send her a quick text back saying yes and not a minute later she responds.

My Main Bitch: okay awesome, now we just need a ride.

I let out a small breath at the excuse to get out of the house for a while.

"What are you doing today, Raine?" Toby asks as he goes to the cabinet for some Ibuprofen.

"Looks like I'll be studying with Alyse at the library."  

"Why don't you two study here?" Dad offers.

I choose to ignore him and keep my eyes on Toby. 

"Toby, can you drive me and Alyse?" 

"I can drive you two," Dad says before Toby has the chance. 

"No!" Toby quickly says at the mentioning of Alyse, clearing his throat when we both look at him awkwardly for his outburst.

"I mean, no that's okay I can drive. What time?"

"An hour?" 

"Toby, you said you wanted to go to the movies last we talked. Why don't I drive? I can grab Alyse on the way and drop her and Raine off at the library."

I scowl at his idea. It makes the most logical sense.

"Sounds good, let me go shower," Toby says, and we both head upstairs to get ready.

I get ready before he does, so I sit down on my bed as I wait for him and scroll through TikTok to pass the time. 

I click on my contacts to text Alyse rather than just going to my messages, and as I scroll through to find her name, I find a contact that was definitely not there before.

Loverboy

I gap at my screen as I read his name, and I quickly select the contact. I thought we had both forgotten about that embarrassing nickname I came up with the other day at lunch. Or at least I had strongly hoped we had forgotten about it. He must have snagged my phone and put his number in. 

I narrow my eyes at his number and click on the message icon without thinking. I type down a text and send it before I can properly think through what I'm doing.

Me: Aren't you smooth

I place my phone on my bedside table as I wait for it to buzz to signal his text back. About five minutes later I get the telltale buzz and quickly grab my phone.

Loverboy: I'll assume this is Sunshine, took you long enough to find my contact. Maybe I should have just gone with my name

Me: 'West' would have saved me some embarrassment... how long ago did you put it in my phone?

Loverboy: When you came over and met Casper and my mom

I furrow my brow as I try to recollect when he would have even had the time, and I recall going to the bathroom after checking my phone and leaving it unlocked on the bed. Right next to West.

Me: Oh...

Loverboy: I bet you even kept the name.

I glance at his contact name written across the top of the screen and mentally slap myself. Changing his name should have been the first thing I did. With lightning speed, I go to his contact and re-type his name.

East: Has a nice ring to it, don't ya think? 

I don't respond right away, and he sends another.

East: And from your lack of a response, I'm going to guess I was right.

Me: Three texts in a row? If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone is desperate.

East: So what's my new name?

I laugh at the fact he basically ignored my jeer at him.

Me: "East"

I can practically picture his smirk dropping into a scowl.

East: Haha.

Me: Admit it, that was clever

East: Again, leave the nicknames to me Sunshine. But anyways, how was it last night after I left? Toby and Gray cause you any trouble?

Me: Nah, they were passed out until my dad got home this morning.

East: Things going okay with him?

Me: I guess, but I'm really just trying to get out of the house at this point

East: Well that sounds like a hint, what are you doing today?

"Raine! Let's go!" Toby hollers from his room.

My head snaps up and I quickly walk towards his door, putting my phone back in my pocket. I wait by Toby's door as he grabs his shoes, but as he passes me he stops and looks at me weirdly.

"Why are you smiling like that?" He asks cautiously.

My eyebrows scrunch together, and I feel the smile I wasn't aware of fall. I shrug and turn to walk down the stairs, a blush rising on my cheeks. 

"You two ready?" Dad asks once Toby and I come downstairs.

I brush past him and out the front door, headed to his Toyota Corolla that he never drives since he's never home. It sort of just sits in our driveway until he's back to drive it. I would, but I still don't have my license. We pull up to Alyse's house a short five minutes later, the whole car ride filled with Toby and Dad chatting about the movie they are going to go see. 

When she comes outside, she does a doubletake at the car in her driveway and the man driving. She's met my dad plenty of times before, but I forgot to text her that he came home today. 

"Hi Marcus, I didn't realize you were coming home today," she greets kindly as she gets into the car, sending me a look of confusion.

He smiles at her through the rear view mirror, "My flight landed at 10:30 this morning, it's good to see you Alyse."

"You too." 

He drives us to the library and drops us off, Alyse really being the only one saying goodbye as we head inside. 

"So...your dad is home," Alyse says cautiously.

I nod.

"And you seem to be acting slightly cold towards him."

I nod again.

"Isn't it a good thing that he's home?"

"I guess."

"Raine." Alyse says, causing me to stop and turn to her. "What's wrong? Aren't you glad he's home? It's been a couple of weeks since you've seen him."

I heave a heavy sigh and shrug at her.

"I don't know. I was happy at first, hugging and greeting him. But, I guess it sunk in that despite him coming home, he was gone for a long time. He's always gone for a long time. I just don't want to jump into his arms and welcome him back, you know? If I do that, then he faces no penalty for being away."

Alyse keeps up with my ASL and her face drops into a frown. 

"But shouldn't you cherish the time you have with him now?"

I knew she wouldn't understand. I don't respond to her and instead continue on my way into the library. She sighs behind me but quickly follows, jogging a few steps to match my stride. The sliding doors open as we get closer and we walk into the warmth of the library. The scent of books fills me and it calms my misplaced annoyance at Alyse. 

"I'm sorry, Raine," she says, "I know it's tough for you. I just see how happy Toby is seeing him and I guess I just want that for you, too."

I glance at her and can't help but give a small smile. "Thank you. Also, I saw you ogling Toby in the car." 

Alyse blushes at the change in topic, "Well he looked good." 

"He wanted to drive us before my dad jumped in and offered."

Alyse perks up, "Yeah?"

I nod, "Yeah."

"Well maybe he just wanted to get out of the house."

"Oh come on, he wanted to see you."

"I heard he tried to get with someone last night," Alyse says solemnly, refusing to get her hopes up. "I left early when I saw him talking to some girl."

I snort, "Not a someone, but a something."

Alyse furrows her brow and I clarify.

"West said Toby was starting to 'get it on' with a barstool before he left."

"I think I suddenly forgot ASL. Did you say a barstool?" 

I laugh, getting shushed by a passing librarian as we walk around the shelves of books and to the study section in the back. 

"Yes, a barstool."

"Should I be happy or worried?"

I laugh again as we reach the study tables, setting my backpack down in the empty seat next to me. 

"Happy."

"Yeah, because for once he decided not to sleep with another girl," Alyse mutters as she sits down.

I frown deeply and feel my heart break for her. He does like her, I know it. He's just...confused, but they are going to get married someday. And when they do, I'm going to have a plane fly across the sky at their wedding spelling out 'I told you so!'

"West brought him and Gray home last night, they both passed out on the couch."

Alyse wiggles her brows, "West did? He stay for long?"

I glance down at my notebook and bite my lip to hide the smile that wants to appear.

"Oh my god! You just looked away and smiled! Something happened, tell me everything." Alyse exclaims as quietly as she can since the same librarian who shushed us earlier is patrolling just a few yards away.

"Nothing happened, Alyse. But-" I pause, smiling a little shyly, "I did tell him about my mom."  

"Wow," Alyse says, eyes widening, "How'd he react?"

"Really, really well, actually. I sort of started to cry, you know I haven't told anyone about my mom since Gray became our friends, and telling him was really emotional."

Alyse reads my hands with giddy eyes, hanging on to every sign.

"And as soon as West saw me starting to cry, he wiped away a tear and then hugged me."

She squeals, nearly jumping in her seat. "Raine! Are you kidding me! That is so sweet!" 

I chuckle at her, "It was a nice gesture, yeah." 

"Do you still believe that he doesn't have an interest in you?"

"I believe he was being there for a friend." 

"Sunshine?"

The both of our heads snap up at the familiar, deep voice. I nearly fall out of my seat in surprise when I see West standing a few feet away from our table, emerging from a row of books with a confused smile. My face suddenly gets incredibly hot when I realize there's a good chance he just heard/read that entire conversation.

"So this is what you were doing today." He says, crossing his arms.

My face flushes as I realize I totally forgot to text him back. I give him a sheepish smile and get out my phone, typing a quick sentence.

His phone buzzes a second later and he pulls it from his pocket confusedly. He reads it over and blows slight air through his nose that could be considered a small laugh.

"'I'm going to the library.' Thanks for telling me." He jokingly reads aloud.

"At least I responded."

He chuckles, "A little late don't you think?" 

I glance over at Alyse who's watching our interaction with a smirk she's failing to keep hidden.

"Why don't you sit with us, West?" She offers, gesturing to the open seat across from me.

"I don't know, Alyse. Sunshine here seemed to withhold the invite," he says, sending me a cocky smile. 

I roll my eyes at him, "I got caught up with my dad."

West frowns and pulls out the open seat that has my backpack, causing me to take it off and place it down next to me. He sets down the books he was holding. 

I snort at what I see and raise a brow at him. "I didn't know you were into the Magic Tree House."

He glances at the books and scratches his neck. "They're for Casper."

"Pretty soon he'll be reading The Hunger Games," I sign, spelling out the title. 

West chuckles, "I see some sort of English major in his future. The kid can't stop reading. I'm trying to get him to go play some sort of sport to help him make some friends, but he always tells me that he has plenty of fictional friends."

I smile slightly, "Sometimes fictional friends are easier to have."

"Speak from experience, Sunshine?" 

His normal response suddenly has my heart stopping from the analytical look in his eye. Without realizing, I was alluding to Warren and the friendship I thought we had. The friendship that ended with me in my current situation.

"I thought you were taking care of Casper this morning?" I sign, changing the subject. 

"My mom got home early and sent me here to get some books for him." 

"Who's Casper?" Alyse all of the sudden asks.

I look back at West and his eyes finally look away from me to land on Alyse. 

"My little brother."

She recoils in shock. "You have a little brother?"

"Why is that so hard for people to believe?" He asks almost to himself.

"Because no one can believe that West Love is such a softie when it comes to his family."

He chuckles, "And I expect you to keep that little secret, Sunshine. My reputation is on the line here."

"And if I don't?"

West cocks his head for a moment or two. "I'd think of something."

"What would you do?" I ask, "Send me a hard glare and a slap on the wrist?"

He smirks, "Don't forget I spent over half a year in juvie, Sunshine."

Though his comment was meant to be playful, it's actually quite true. A part of me had forgotten, or at least has found it much less important to who West is. The worries that swarmed around that part of his life when I first met him have slowly started to go away and I find myself thinking about it less and less. 

"What happened to 'I'd never hurt you'?" I sign back playfully. "Does that still apply?" 

West's smirk turns into a small smile at my response.

"That always applies." 

"Should I leave you two alone, or...?" Alyse asks from her seat across from us.

We both glance over to her. Me with a blush and West with a smirk. She's eyes me down when West looks away from her and to his phone that just buzzed. A clear look of 'okay, whatever that was, you are so telling me more about it later.' 

"No, let's get back to studying." I respond. "West, you're in history too, right?"

He nods, "With Mrs. Jenkins?"

Alyse and I nod.

"Want to study with us?" Alyse offers.

West glances at me and shrugs, "Sure, Casper can wait another hour for his books. Maybe this way he'll actually venture to the TV and turn on baseball or something." 

"There's nothing wrong with him preferring books over sports."

West shrugs, "No there isn't, but the kid doesn't even know what a Grand Slam is, Sunshine."

I snort, "Give him a book about baseball then."

West perks up at that idea, "You know what? That's not a bad idea. I'll be right back."

West gets up from the table to go back through the endless shelves of books, and Alyse and I start studying for our History test. He comes back a short fifteen minutes later and studies with us. After about two hours, Alyse's phone buzzes and she checks it with a sigh. 

"I hate to cut this short, but that was my mom. I've gotta head home." 

"We did a lot, I think this is a good time to finish anyways. I'll text Toby."

"I can take you two home," West offers and I glance up at him. "There's no point in making Toby drive all the way out here when I'm already here." He says, standing up.

"It's only a, like, five minute drive for him."

"And it won't be any longer for me because I'm already out here." West retaliates. "Come on, I've got everything I need."

"Thanks West," Alyse smiles.

He glances at her over his shoulder, "No problem."

We load into his Jeep, and I decide to sit in the front with West. He turns the key, and I'm smart enough to cover my ears before his music can start blasting out of the speakers. Once they do, the only thing overpowering the music is Alyse yelling a single, four lettered word.

West starts laughing as he turns it down, as do I and we glance back at Alyse.

"What the hell, guys?!" 

West looks at me, "You could have warned her."

"I was too busy covering my own ears."

We both turn back around as our laughter dies down and West pulls out of the library parking lot.

"Where do you live, Alyse?" He asks, glancing at her through the rear view mirror.

"Do you know where the elementary school is?" She asks.

He nods, "My brother goes there."

"I live across the street." 

All of the sudden, a car comes speeding down the road and cuts West off. He has to slam on his brakes in order to avoid a crash, also needing to quickly turn the wheel that nearly has the Jeep spinning out of control if he didn't get a good hold on it. Before I can fly forward with the momentum of the car, West's arm comes out to block me. When he pulls over to the side of the road, his gaze snaps to me; his dark eyes flickering with worry.

"Are you okay?" 

I nod and he takes in a deep breath, eyeing the car down with rage in his eyes. I catch a fleeting glimpse of it and my own blood boils when I see the black Audi speed away, license plate spelling out 'BALLER'.

Warren.

"Looks like someone is trying to get back at me for slashing his tires," West mutters.

"So that was you?" 

"Not important. You sure you're okay?" He asks again.

I give him a small smile, "I'm okay." 

"I'm good too, thanks for asking." Alyse mutters from the back.

West turns around to her, "I was getting to that."

"No I get it. You had to make sure she was okay first to keep up that whole 'I'd never hurt you' thing."

My eyes widen and I quickly spin around in my seat to stare at Alyse who simply smirks at me. I discreetly glance at West to gauge his reaction, but he looks amused as he pulls back onto the road.

We drop Alyse off and then West heads towards my house, turning up the CD he previously had playing as he softly sings along. I fiddle in my seat as we pull into my driveway, noticing my dads car parked behind Toby's truck signaling that they're back from the movie. 

"So how is it with him home?" West asks as he shuts off the music.

I sigh deeply and shrug, pulling out my phone since I'm unsure West will keep up with my rambling thoughts.

 'It was fine when he first got home. I was happy to see him, but then he started rearranging things in the fridge and I suddenly got angry. I know that sounds stupid, maybe it is, but he just instantly started acting like he could do whatever he wants here. Like Toby and I haven't found a rhythm that works for us without him.'

I hand West my phone when I finish, gnawing on the inside of my cheek as he reads it over.

"That doesn't sound stupid, Raine."

'It may be hard to take your advice.' I type.

West smiles sadly at me, "I know."

I sigh and unbuckle, grabbing my backpack from the floor as I force open the stuck passenger door to his Jeep. West, however, shuts the Jeep off and gets out too, which leads to me sending him a confused look.

West discreetly nods to the living room window, "Someone seems to be watching us. And it may be a little rude of me to leave without introducing myself." 

I divert my eyes to the window and see my dad trying to hide behind the curtains as he stares at me and West. When he notices my gaze on him, he jumps and quickly backs away from the window. 

When West and I walk inside, he's 'casually' sitting in one of the recliners to a TV that is still booting up. I raise a brow at him as I drop my backpack off by the door, stepping to the side for West to come inside. At the sight of him, Dad quickly stands from the recliner and walks over to us with his eyes slightly narrowed. 

"Hey sweetheart, who's this?" 

"This is West, he just came to our school a couple of weeks ago."

Dad slowly nods and then glances at West. "She just introduced you and said that you're new to the school."

I want to face-palm when he interprets for West. West raises a brow and glances down at me before clearing his throat.

"Yes sir. I know..." West says, trailing off awkwardly.

Dad's eyes widen in surprise. "Oh, you do?"

"I've been teaching him ASL, and he's actually picking it up really quickly." 

"I asked Raine to teach me for an English essay where we have to write about something that intrigues us," West explains further. "She's a really good teacher." 

"Well," Dad starts curtly, "She was forced to learn it rather quickly, so she knows a lot." 

I snap my eyes to him and narrow them a considerable amount. I subtly shake my head when Dad catches my gaze, letting him know not to say a single thing more. I risk a glance at West who looks lost in his own thoughts before his gaze narrows and his jaw clicks. When he feels my eyes on him, however, he quickly shakes that look away and smiles at my dad.

"She does. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Winters, but I should probably be going. My little brother is going to kill me if I don't get him those books soon."  

He sticks out his hand for Dad to take and I swear my heart nearly stops when there's an awkward few seconds of zero movement on my dads part. But then I let out my nervous breath when he finally takes West's hand in a short, stiff handshake.

"You too," he says curtly.

West clears his throat and glances at me, sending a small smile my way as he opens the front door. 

"I'll see you around Sunshine, thanks for the tip about that baseball book. I'll let you know how he likes it." 

Once he leaves, Dad's blue eyes shift to me and I see hints of annoyance in them which just fuel my earlier anger towards him. He was clearly quite rude to West, who has done nothing to deserve it, and now wants to pin some of that annoyance on me.

"Who was that?"

"He literally just introduced himself. That was West." 

He cross his arms and his skepticism seeps into his voice. "You never told me you made any new friends." 

"You never call so I never got the chance," I retort, brushing past him and towards the steps. I walk up the stairs, stomping my feet with more force than necessary to get across my annoyance, and even throw my door shut once I get to my room.

---

10/9/2020 - And there you have it, Marcus Winters finally made an appearance after nearly 5 years. Since his character was brand new, I honestly struggled writing him in. I hope I did okay, but this chapter took me almost 6 hours to edit and I was getting tired towards the end. (I even made a tiktok during it which you can find on my Instagram). What did y'all think of this chapter?