Chapter 20

       I knew I had a bit of a problem with going to Fusion, Spruceworth's most popular bar, every time I had something on my mind. I should stay away at times, but right now, I needed something to take my mind off of everything.

      I lost count on how many drinks I've had but thankfully, I was a heavyweight so I didn't get drunk easily.

       Someone sat down beside me at the counter and I looked over to see Holden. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "You're not even allowed in bars."

       "I am," Holden said. "I just can't order any alcoholic drinks. And I'm here because Cleo, your girlfriend, asked me to find out since you're not answering her calls. What's going on?"

       "Oh, nothing," I said sarcastically. "Just how Cassidy is completely and utterly ruining my life. She faked her death for five years and it took me so long to open up to someone, she kept our daughter a secret for years, she caused the explosion trying to kill you, and she killed her ex-boyfriend."

       "Whoa, can... can you repeat the second last one?" Holden asked.

       I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "She caused the explosion knowing that you, Julian, and Noah were there. She wants to hurt you three for some crazy reason."

       "And... She killed her ex-boyfriend?" Holden asked. "Why? H-How?"

       "She shot him," I said. "Because he wanted to break up with her. That's why she faked her own death. The police was starting to suspect her, so she went into hiding. And now, nobody knows where she is. She took off."

       "If the police knows she caused the explosion, then she's probably not going to come back, right?" Holden asked.

       "Honestly, I don't even know," I said. "If she some has sort of vendetta, she's probably going to come back, especially if nothing stopped her before. I already told Shaw, by the way. I thought he should know since he's your boyfriend."

       "At least someone accepts it," Holden muttered. "Mom and Dad still aren't okay with it and they probably won't ever be."

       "You know what I'm going to do?" I asked. I downed the rest of my drink before slamming the glass down on the counter. "I'm going to talk to them."

       "Josh, no, not when you're drunk," Holden said.

       "I'm not drunk," I said. "I don't get drunk easily and I've only had... I actually don't know how many drinks, but I'm not drunk."

        "Okay, but the alcohol seems to be making you a lot more angry than normal and you shouldn't go talking to Mom and Dad when you're angry," Holden said. "In fact, you shouldn't talk to Mom and Dad at all because they're not going to listen."

       "Shouldn't I?" I asked before getting off of the stool I was on. Holden didn't even try to stop me as I walked out of the bar to head to our parents' house.

       Maybe I shouldn't talk to them while in the state I was in, but I really wanted them to stop ignoring Holden and thinking his relationship isn't going to last with Shaw.

       It was obvious Shaw really cared about Holden, and their seven year age difference shouldn't mean a thing.

       When I got to my parents' house, I knocked on the door really hoping they were home. Thankfully, they both were. Mom was the one who answered the door and she smiled slightly before letting me in the house. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

       "I need to talk to you and Dad," I said.

       "What's up?" Dad asked from his spot on the couch.

       "I'm just wondering why you're still not giving Holden and Shaw a chance," I said. "Holden's your son and you already treated him like crap a lot."

       "Josh," Mom said in a warning voice. "We never treated Holden like crap. We never treated any of our sons like crap."

       "Okay, let's say you don't," I said. "That doesn't mean that you can't accept the relationship he's in. You guys have been there for Shaw ever since his mom passed away and his life went down hill, but then you turn on him as soon as he starts dating Holden."

       "That's because we know the type of person Shaw is," Dad said, standing up and walking over. "He know the type of damage Shaw can cause."

       "Are you serious?" I asked. "Shaw rushed into the city hall when it was on fire to save Holden's life. You want to know someone who can cause damage? Cassidy. You know what she did to me and you still wanted me to get back together with her."

       "You were mourning her for years," Mom said. "Of course we did. You want you to be happy."

       "And you don't want Holden to be happy?" I asked.

       "That's not the same thing," Dad said.

       "Yes, it is the same thing," I said. "No, actually, you're right. It's not. My situation is worse because I told you that Cassidy shot Joel and you told me to overlook that. And if I recall, Shaw hasn't tried to kill anybody."

       "Okay, but..." Dad began, but I interrupted him.

       "You do know that Cassidy was the one who caused the explosion, right?" I asked. "Want to know why she did it? Because Holden, Julian, and Noah were in there. She wanted to kill them."

       "She what?!" Mom exclaimed.

       "Yeah," I said. "Now does Holden dating Shaw really seem that bad when I dated a literal murderer. My daughter's mother is a murderer, so you can't give Holden shit about dating Shaw, no matter how much you don't like it."

       "Your relationship with Cassidy has nothing to do with Holden and Shaw," Dad said. "We can still disapprove their relationship."

       I scoffed. "Unbelievable. Holden was right. I shouldn't have tried talking to you."

       "Josh..." Mom said, but I just ignored her and walked to the front door.

       However, before I could leave their house, I turned to face them. "Oh, by the way, Holden's vision is a lot better," I said. "Not that you would care because you don't even want to talk to him until he and Shaw break up."

       "It's going to happen eventually, Josh," Dad said. "You can't seriously be defending their relationship."

       "I am and I will continue doing so because I know how happy Shaw is making Holden," I said before leaving the house, slamming the door shut.

       I didn't get it at all. Shaw literally risked his life to save Holden, and Mom and Dad were just overlooking that. 

       I didn't know if they were ever going to be okay with it.

       I headed to my house and as soon as I got there, I regretted going to the bar and leaving both Guinevere and Celeste with Cleo. Guinevere was whining because she was hungry, and Celeste wouldn't stop crying even though Cleo was holding her.

       I walked over to Celeste and carefully took her from Cleo. "Hi," I said softly.

       Celeste looked up at me, her sobs slowly dying before she snuggled into me.

       "I'm sorry I was gone for a while," I said to Cleo. "I just can't get everything off my mind."

       "Josh, it's fine," Cleo said. "You've been hit with a bunch of shocking news. If it was me in your situation, I would act the same way."

       Guinevere walked over to me and started patting my leg. "Daddy, can I have something to eat?" she asked.

       Cleo bent down so she was at Guinevere's level. "How about I make you your favourite sandwich?" she asked.

       "Okay!" Guinevere said before following Cleo to the kitchen.

       I couldn't help but smile lightly as I watched Cleo make a sandwich for Guinevere. I honestly was a bit worried Guinevere wouldn't like Cleo since she was my girlfriend and Cassidy was nowhere to be found, but Guinevere loved Cleo a whole lot.

       Guinevere basically loved everyone in my life, so I wasn't complaining.

_________________

I think this will probably be the shortest Spruceworth book and it will most likely end on chapter 25.

But then we get the next book of my newest son woo. Did I even say who's getting the book yet? If not, oh well, here's a gif of the two protagonists:

OH and (again idk if i said this yet) but there no longer is going to be a third victim from the explosion. I decided to have mercy on their soul and keep them alive. And now you'll all wonder who it really was because I ain't saying it.