Always Attract (Chapter 41)
Title: Always Attract (Chapter 41)
Rating: R
Word Count: 1,632
Chapter Summary: Faith tries to figure Luke out and Katie gives Reid a present.
“Jesus Christ Faith. Why don’t you say that a little louder, I don’t think the whole town heard you,” Luke said as he dragged his sister into a corner.
“How long has this been going on? How many times have you two…”
“Faith, I’m not going to have this conversation with you. Whatever you think you’ve figured out, you haven’t. You know absolutely nothing about the situation.”
“The situation? Holy fuck Luke. This isn’t an episode of Jersey Shore. I think you sleeping with a guy when you’re engaged to another one, is a little bit more than a “situation”.”
“Faith,” Luke said shaking his head, “it’s not what you think.”
“Was this payback?” she asked carefully.
“What?” Luke said, feeling thoroughly confused.
“You know…..Noah cheated on you, so you cheated on him.”
Luke began shaking his head. “No. That’s not…..”
“You’re not mom or dad Luke. You don’t just cheat on someone you say you love.”
“I know.”
“Did you guys hook up in Chicago?”
“Noah and I were broken up. Reid…..” Luke trailed off trying to find the right words. “Reid was……...unexpected.”
“You two slept together in Chicago,” she said as more of a statement than a question. Luke didn’t answer her so she took that as a yes. “Ooookay. That explains the awkwardness. Have you two, you know….done anything while he’s been here?”
“Faith….just let it go. I’m not going to do this…I can’t.”
“Luke, I’m just trying to help.”
“I don’t need it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment to get to.”
“I thought you wanted me to go with you,” she yelled as he walked away. “Fine. Then be that way you stubborn ass.” Men.
**********
Holden was sitting at the kitchen table. He had been up doing chores since six that morning. He finally decided to take a break, so he settled down in his chair to have some lunch. He was about to take a bite of his sandwich, when Faith burst through the door and fell into the seat across from him with a dramatic sigh. Holden looked up at her and watched expectedly. “Problem Faith?”
“Luke.”
“What about him?” he asked, taking a drink of his lemonade.
“Oh nothing,” she sighed. “I just think he’s screwing that doctor.”
Holden choked as he was mid drink and inadvertently spit the lemonade across the table all over Faith.
“Ewww! Dad!!!”
“I’m sorry,” he said, getting paper towels to dry her off. “I wasn’t…..I just wasn’t expecting that.”
After toweling her off, he settled back into his chair and refocused his attention back towards his daughter. “Okay, first off….never used the word ‘screwing’ in my presence again, okay? It hurts daddy’s head.” She rolled her eyes. “Secondly….why do you think Luke is umm….how do I-? Why do you think Luke is having relations with Dr. Oliver?”
“Interesting that you assume that, ‘that doctor’ is Dr. Oliver,” she said, eyes gleaming towards Holden. “What do you know?”
“Me? I don’t know anything. I just assumed that’s who you’re talking about. I mean, Luke did bring him to the wedding and….”
“And they were practically fondling each other on the dance floor. “
“Faith. Please don’t say fondling either. Now, again, why do you think what you said is what’s going on?”
“Because Luke and I ran in to him today…..and I’m perceptive. The way they were just staring at each other. I asked Luke if something happened when they were in Chicago and he didn’t say anything. That’s a big red flag itself. I’m not sure if something’s happened since then, but I’m willing to guess it has. He didn’t really defend himself when I said that he’s not a cheater.”
“So, you think they’re together?”
“No. Luke’s with Noah obviously. Geez dad, keep up.” This time it was Holden’s turn to roll his eyes. “Plus, hot doctor seemed…upset with Luke….and then Luke was upset afterwards.”
“I’m not sure what’s going on with anything anymore Faith.”
“It’s obvious Luke has feelings for him. I mean, he wouldn’t just sleep with some guy while he’s engaged to Noah….even if the bastard deserves it,” she said bitterly.
“Faith.”
“Oh, let me guess….’and don’t say bastard either’. Jesus Christ dad, there’s not going to be any words left.”
“Honey, I have no problems with you saying Noah’s a bastard.”
“Oh…..okay,” she said smiling happily.
“I just didn’t know you felt that way about him.”
“Noah? I loved Noah. For a really long time actually. I mean, he was a part of our family. But cheating on Luke like that and not really acting like it was a big deal or anything. It just made me think about their whole relationship, you know? Maybe I was too young or naïve to understand what everything meant, but looking back, he never really treated Luke like how he should have. There were times, but Luke doesn’t just deserve someone’s love ‘sometimes’, he deserves it all the time.”
Holden smiled and spoke gently to his daughter. “You’re right honey. He does.”
“What do you think about Dr. Oliver?” she asked Holden curiously.
“I think he’s a bit…..different.”
“Hot.”
“Slightly abrasive.”
“Really hot.”
“Kind of distant…..socially awkward.”
“Really fucking hot.”
“Honest.”
“Yeah,” Faith said thoughtfully. “Honest.”
She paused for a slight moment. “Do you think Luke really loves Noah?”
Holden shook his head. “I don’t know sweetheart. He says he does.”
“Yeah, but do you think he does?”
Holden looked at her for a minute before responding. “No. I don’t think he does. You know, when Luke got back from Chicago, he seemed…..almost worse than he was when he left. I thought it was being home again, being in the same town as Noah that was causing it, but….”
“But maybe it wasn’t about Noah at all.”
“I’m beginning to wonder.”
“So, why would he get back together with Noah?”
“Comfort….predictability…..it’s……familiar.”
“Why wouldn’t him and Dr. Oliver just try a long distance relationship. Why do you think they broke things off?”
“I don’t know Faith,” Holden said sighing. “We don’t even know exactly what happened between them.”
“Okay, but Dr. Oliver’s here now and the way Luke was looking at him earlier, it was obvious that whatever did happen….it’s not over. What do you think Luke’s going to do?”
Holden started softly laughing. “Faith, the day I understand your brother’s reasoning behind things is the day that I no longer raise horses. Speaking of which…..I have to get back to work.” He got up from the table and leaned down to place a kiss on the top of her head. “Bye dad.”
“Bye Faith.”
‘Alright Luke,’ Faith thought to herself. ‘If you don’t want to talk about you and Dr. Oliver, then I’m just going to have to get him to talk.’
**********
The door of the apartment swung open and Katie walked in to find Casey, passed out, lying face down on her living room couch. She glanced up and made eye contact with her roommate, who was sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich so big it should be illegal. “Reid,” she said, glancing back down to Casey. “Why is my nephew sleeping on our couch.”
“He’s coming down from a high.”
Katie perked up. “High. What kind of high?”
“Caffeine. Lots earlier, then a gigantic soda at the movies, along with a crap load of candy…..so, sugar too, I guess.”
“And, he just decided to pass out…..here,” she said pointing down. Reid just shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve never seen someone come down so fast. One minute, he was all bouncing around like the freaking Energizer bunny, and then the next, he could barely walk.”
“Well that was nice of you to bring him back here,” she said smiling.
“Eh,” was all the response he could muster. He waved his hand in the air, like it was no big deal, but Katie knew better.
“Okay, so, Jacob and I have something for you, but I don’t want you to think it’s corny or anything.”
“Oh god, now I know it’s bad. What is it?”
Katie walked over to the table, with Jacob in tow. She reached in her bag and pulled out a wrapped square package. She set it in front of Reid and bit her lower lip, watching him nervously. He looked at her warily, but removed the wrapping paper anyway. It was a framed picture of Katie and Jacob. He looked up at her with a blank expression.
“I know you don’t really speak to your family and well….it’s not like you have umm….friends, I just…..I wanted you to know, that no matter what happens, you’ll always have me and Jacob. We’re your family….and your ours.”
Reid swallowed the thick lump that was rising in his throat. He looked across to a glowing Katie and a lively Jacob.
“Oh, one more thing,” she said, almost forgetting. She reached down in her bag and pulled out a container. Inside was a single cupcake which she placed in front of Reid. She put a solitary candle on top and took out a match to light it.
“Make a wish.”
Reid looked up at her, unable to hide the smile that formed on his face. He knew what his wish was going to be, but even if it failed to come true, he still had the two people sitting across from him. He couldn’t believe the events that led to meeting Katie and Jacob Snyder and despite his frustration by how he came to be in Oakdale, he now wouldn’t change a thing. Katie was right. No matter what, they were still his and he was theirs. A family. Reid leaned forward and blew out the lone candle. He looked back up at Katie, who was beaming.
“Happy Birthday Reid.”
Rating: R
Word Count: 1,632
Chapter Summary: Faith tries to figure Luke out and Katie gives Reid a present.
“Jesus Christ Faith. Why don’t you say that a little louder, I don’t think the whole town heard you,” Luke said as he dragged his sister into a corner.
“How long has this been going on? How many times have you two…”
“Faith, I’m not going to have this conversation with you. Whatever you think you’ve figured out, you haven’t. You know absolutely nothing about the situation.”
“The situation? Holy fuck Luke. This isn’t an episode of Jersey Shore. I think you sleeping with a guy when you’re engaged to another one, is a little bit more than a “situation”.”
“Faith,” Luke said shaking his head, “it’s not what you think.”
“Was this payback?” she asked carefully.
“What?” Luke said, feeling thoroughly confused.
“You know…..Noah cheated on you, so you cheated on him.”
Luke began shaking his head. “No. That’s not…..”
“You’re not mom or dad Luke. You don’t just cheat on someone you say you love.”
“I know.”
“Did you guys hook up in Chicago?”
“Noah and I were broken up. Reid…..” Luke trailed off trying to find the right words. “Reid was……...unexpected.”
“You two slept together in Chicago,” she said as more of a statement than a question. Luke didn’t answer her so she took that as a yes. “Ooookay. That explains the awkwardness. Have you two, you know….done anything while he’s been here?”
“Faith….just let it go. I’m not going to do this…I can’t.”
“Luke, I’m just trying to help.”
“I don’t need it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment to get to.”
“I thought you wanted me to go with you,” she yelled as he walked away. “Fine. Then be that way you stubborn ass.” Men.
**********
Holden was sitting at the kitchen table. He had been up doing chores since six that morning. He finally decided to take a break, so he settled down in his chair to have some lunch. He was about to take a bite of his sandwich, when Faith burst through the door and fell into the seat across from him with a dramatic sigh. Holden looked up at her and watched expectedly. “Problem Faith?”
“Luke.”
“What about him?” he asked, taking a drink of his lemonade.
“Oh nothing,” she sighed. “I just think he’s screwing that doctor.”
Holden choked as he was mid drink and inadvertently spit the lemonade across the table all over Faith.
“Ewww! Dad!!!”
“I’m sorry,” he said, getting paper towels to dry her off. “I wasn’t…..I just wasn’t expecting that.”
After toweling her off, he settled back into his chair and refocused his attention back towards his daughter. “Okay, first off….never used the word ‘screwing’ in my presence again, okay? It hurts daddy’s head.” She rolled her eyes. “Secondly….why do you think Luke is umm….how do I-? Why do you think Luke is having relations with Dr. Oliver?”
“Interesting that you assume that, ‘that doctor’ is Dr. Oliver,” she said, eyes gleaming towards Holden. “What do you know?”
“Me? I don’t know anything. I just assumed that’s who you’re talking about. I mean, Luke did bring him to the wedding and….”
“And they were practically fondling each other on the dance floor. “
“Faith. Please don’t say fondling either. Now, again, why do you think what you said is what’s going on?”
“Because Luke and I ran in to him today…..and I’m perceptive. The way they were just staring at each other. I asked Luke if something happened when they were in Chicago and he didn’t say anything. That’s a big red flag itself. I’m not sure if something’s happened since then, but I’m willing to guess it has. He didn’t really defend himself when I said that he’s not a cheater.”
“So, you think they’re together?”
“No. Luke’s with Noah obviously. Geez dad, keep up.” This time it was Holden’s turn to roll his eyes. “Plus, hot doctor seemed…upset with Luke….and then Luke was upset afterwards.”
“I’m not sure what’s going on with anything anymore Faith.”
“It’s obvious Luke has feelings for him. I mean, he wouldn’t just sleep with some guy while he’s engaged to Noah….even if the bastard deserves it,” she said bitterly.
“Faith.”
“Oh, let me guess….’and don’t say bastard either’. Jesus Christ dad, there’s not going to be any words left.”
“Honey, I have no problems with you saying Noah’s a bastard.”
“Oh…..okay,” she said smiling happily.
“I just didn’t know you felt that way about him.”
“Noah? I loved Noah. For a really long time actually. I mean, he was a part of our family. But cheating on Luke like that and not really acting like it was a big deal or anything. It just made me think about their whole relationship, you know? Maybe I was too young or naïve to understand what everything meant, but looking back, he never really treated Luke like how he should have. There were times, but Luke doesn’t just deserve someone’s love ‘sometimes’, he deserves it all the time.”
Holden smiled and spoke gently to his daughter. “You’re right honey. He does.”
“What do you think about Dr. Oliver?” she asked Holden curiously.
“I think he’s a bit…..different.”
“Hot.”
“Slightly abrasive.”
“Really hot.”
“Kind of distant…..socially awkward.”
“Really fucking hot.”
“Honest.”
“Yeah,” Faith said thoughtfully. “Honest.”
She paused for a slight moment. “Do you think Luke really loves Noah?”
Holden shook his head. “I don’t know sweetheart. He says he does.”
“Yeah, but do you think he does?”
Holden looked at her for a minute before responding. “No. I don’t think he does. You know, when Luke got back from Chicago, he seemed…..almost worse than he was when he left. I thought it was being home again, being in the same town as Noah that was causing it, but….”
“But maybe it wasn’t about Noah at all.”
“I’m beginning to wonder.”
“So, why would he get back together with Noah?”
“Comfort….predictability…..it’s……familiar.”
“Why wouldn’t him and Dr. Oliver just try a long distance relationship. Why do you think they broke things off?”
“I don’t know Faith,” Holden said sighing. “We don’t even know exactly what happened between them.”
“Okay, but Dr. Oliver’s here now and the way Luke was looking at him earlier, it was obvious that whatever did happen….it’s not over. What do you think Luke’s going to do?”
Holden started softly laughing. “Faith, the day I understand your brother’s reasoning behind things is the day that I no longer raise horses. Speaking of which…..I have to get back to work.” He got up from the table and leaned down to place a kiss on the top of her head. “Bye dad.”
“Bye Faith.”
‘Alright Luke,’ Faith thought to herself. ‘If you don’t want to talk about you and Dr. Oliver, then I’m just going to have to get him to talk.’
**********
The door of the apartment swung open and Katie walked in to find Casey, passed out, lying face down on her living room couch. She glanced up and made eye contact with her roommate, who was sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich so big it should be illegal. “Reid,” she said, glancing back down to Casey. “Why is my nephew sleeping on our couch.”
“He’s coming down from a high.”
Katie perked up. “High. What kind of high?”
“Caffeine. Lots earlier, then a gigantic soda at the movies, along with a crap load of candy…..so, sugar too, I guess.”
“And, he just decided to pass out…..here,” she said pointing down. Reid just shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve never seen someone come down so fast. One minute, he was all bouncing around like the freaking Energizer bunny, and then the next, he could barely walk.”
“Well that was nice of you to bring him back here,” she said smiling.
“Eh,” was all the response he could muster. He waved his hand in the air, like it was no big deal, but Katie knew better.
“Okay, so, Jacob and I have something for you, but I don’t want you to think it’s corny or anything.”
“Oh god, now I know it’s bad. What is it?”
Katie walked over to the table, with Jacob in tow. She reached in her bag and pulled out a wrapped square package. She set it in front of Reid and bit her lower lip, watching him nervously. He looked at her warily, but removed the wrapping paper anyway. It was a framed picture of Katie and Jacob. He looked up at her with a blank expression.
“I know you don’t really speak to your family and well….it’s not like you have umm….friends, I just…..I wanted you to know, that no matter what happens, you’ll always have me and Jacob. We’re your family….and your ours.”
Reid swallowed the thick lump that was rising in his throat. He looked across to a glowing Katie and a lively Jacob.
“Oh, one more thing,” she said, almost forgetting. She reached down in her bag and pulled out a container. Inside was a single cupcake which she placed in front of Reid. She put a solitary candle on top and took out a match to light it.
“Make a wish.”
Reid looked up at her, unable to hide the smile that formed on his face. He knew what his wish was going to be, but even if it failed to come true, he still had the two people sitting across from him. He couldn’t believe the events that led to meeting Katie and Jacob Snyder and despite his frustration by how he came to be in Oakdale, he now wouldn’t change a thing. Katie was right. No matter what, they were still his and he was theirs. A family. Reid leaned forward and blew out the lone candle. He looked back up at Katie, who was beaming.
“Happy Birthday Reid.”