PYKE
Parker and Xandry are holding their abdomen and throwing their heads back at the sofa as they laugh like idiots. I shake my head in amusement and also of annoyance while watching them laughing at me. The entire house is filled with their barks of laughter.
I’m glad that Xandry visited me and apologized to Camila. I forgave him, and there’s no reason to dwell on the past since I have Camila in my life now.
My phone chimes in my grasp, a confirmation of my order I did online a few minutes ago. And the reason why the two idiots laugh their asses out at me.
As promised, Parker reminds me that I fell worse than him. I plead guilty, and I can’t deny it because in less than two months I’m already engaged to Camila, compared to him and Emily of more than a year relationship.
“Christ, Pyke! No wonder you punched me like there’s no tomorrow which it hurt like hell by the way. If it wasn’t my fault you got punches from me, too.” Xandry is still wiping his tears away.
“I told you, brother. I told you so!” Parker’s face as red as a tomato as he points at me.
It’s my fault that they’re laughing right now because I asked them earlier if what would the girls like in a ring. I don’t know that I can design my own by the diamond cut, carat, shape, color, setting, and the metal type.
A smile spread across my lips when I see the confirmation of my order. I don’t even notice the two idiots are already hovering at my back. I quickly lock my phone, facing it down.
“What you both want?” I face them, cocking my brow.
“Wow, for someone who’d just burnt down his business yet you still managed to buy a ring worth—”
“Ready?” Dad walks in before Xandry can finish what he’s about to say. I even want to kiss Dad’s cheek for saving my ass from these two crazy idiots.
“Dad, do you know that Pyke proposed to Cam?” Parker laughs again.
“You sound like an eleven years old boy who caught his brother reading porn mag, Parker.” I roll my eyes.
“I caught you once, bro.” Xandry laughs.
I scowl at him. He just reminds me when I first saw a porn mag. I can still remember my reaction that night. My eyes widened and my cock instantly hardened, which shocked the hell out of me. I licked my dry lips and felt my brain stop functioning while my gaze locked at the magazine’s page.
“You two leave him alone. You Xandry should get a serious relationship.” Dad walks to the door, expecting us to follow him.
“Are you all coming or not?” Mom walks in next. “Xandry, you’re the only single left, honey. Try dating seriously. Stop that manwhoring venture you and Pyke did before.”
“Auntie.” Xandry groans, scratching his head.
“Let’s go, guys,” Parker says, looking at me.
I can sense the worry and tension in him. I give him a short nod, assuring him that everything will be fine.
We ride in the same SUV as my parents. I hear Parker breaths deeply several times. He constantly bounces his knees and rubs his hands against his jeans.
“You okay, bro?” I ask when we’re almost near to our destination.
“I’m fine,” Parker answers, but obviously he’s not.
“Everything will be fine, Park. Just relax, you might pee on your seat,” Xandry jokes.
“I remember Parker did that, he kept drinking OJ while we’re in the car. When the school gangsters confronted us, Park peed in his pants out of fear. Those kids were bully.”
“I punched one of them when I met him in junior high. I was bigger than him at that time.” Parker looks antsy.
“You beat that kid pretty good, Park. His parents almost gripped your throat,” Dad says, looking relax than Parker. I know he’s excited about today.
“That kid’s parents didn’t look like they really care about their kid, Paul,” Mom recalls.
“Yeah, I bumped into his father. He still manages the same printing shop though,” Dad says.
“Uncle, are you sure it’s okay I’ll come with you?” Xandry asks which is sandwiched in a seat with me and Parker.
“Of course, son. You can come with us. We will meet the lawyer there too.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
***
“You’re not gonna faint, are you?” Xandry pats Parker’s shoulder when he notices him fidgeting. Parker even shoves his hands into his pockets after hopping out of the SUV.
“I’m fine, asshole.”
“I don’t think you are. Just relax. I’m sure he’s excited to see you in person.” I speak to lessen his nervousness. I guess he doesn’t want to disappoint his father.
“What if—”
“No more what if, honey. Let’s get inside,” Mom cuts in.
The prison complex has twelve-foot high perimeter walls with patrol guards that have alert and hard as stone expressions.
The first iron gate opens. My heart flutters as we go through some series of inspections. Dad is able to pull some strings that allow us to visit without a limited number of visitors. We follow Mom and Dad together with the lawyer as they enter the visiting room with an ivory-colored wall and dark grey floor. Guards post in each corner of the room. The built-in rectangular shape tables have long metal benches on both sides in good two meters apart.
I, Parker, and Xandry stop half-way when a chained man wearing a grey coverall arrives with two wardens guarding him. I instantly recognize who he is, so as Xandry and Parker. His head shaved bald. He looks intimidating with a full goatee, same as Dad’s height but bulkier than any of us.
“Are you ready?” I ask Parker who’s still staring fixedly at his father who’s now talking to Dad and Mom. Surprisingly, he looks calm and collected.
Suddenly, his gaze lands on us. I can see the shock looked in his eyes from where we are standing, but I also see the anticipation in his gaze. His lips curve into a smile, then he blinks repeatedly.
“Let’s go?” Xandry pats Parker who’s standing frozen on his feet.
“Park?”
Parker doesn’t say a word until we reach the table of our parents. They both stare at each other for a good minute. I can clearly see the happiness in those blue eyes as he stares at Parker.
Parker’s shoulders shake as he walks closer to his father. He launches himself into Uncle Perry, hugging him like there is no tomorrow.
I find myself blinking as I try to hold the tears that form in my eyes. Mom is already crying sitting on the bench. Dad’s lips are press together as he watches his brother hugging his son tightly for the first time in two decades. There is a huge relief in Dad’s expression.
I look down, finally, the tears fall from my eyes. I wipe it away, looking back at them. Uncle Perry meets my gaze. He’s already crying based on his red and teary eyes. He smiles, gesturing his hand to let me come closer to him. I walk closer without hesitation. His arms are wide open to welcome me, and finally, I hug him tighter.
“You’re a big guy now, Pyke.” His voice is deeper than Dad.
“Yes, Uncle. I’m glad to meet you.”
“Thank you, son. Thank you for treating Parker like your brother.”
“He’s my best friend, too, and will always be my brother.”
“I’ll hope to see you again, Pyke. Congratulations!”
“H-huh?” My mouth gapes.
“I heard you’re engaged.”
“Yeah, thank you, Uncle. She’s a wonderful woman, and I’d love you to meet her soon.” I grin ear to ear. I’m still not used to being an engaged man, but hell if it doesn’t make my heart flutters.
“Soon, son. Soon. That must be Phoenix’s son.”
“Yeah, the notorious playboy,” I chuckle.
“I’m glad I came because I might regret not meeting the man who brought Parker to life. Your son is a good guy, Uncle,” Xandry says after hugging Uncle Perry.
“Thank you, son.”
We give them time to talk since this is their first meeting after twenty-two years.
I’m so happy to meet him. There is something inside me that lightens up. It’s a huge relief that I meet another family member that almost gone and forgotten. I know Parker feels it, too. He’s been asking Dad about his father, and I know he has so many questions that only his father can answer them.
They both laugh at something Parker shares with his Dad. Uncle Perry grips Parker’s shoulder quite often and nods. Parker mentions about his fiancée and being soon to be a father.
“So, when is the wedding of the century?”
My head snaps to my left. “You’re not my best man, asshole,” I whisper to Xandry.
“I know, but I wouldn’t care to be a flower boy.”
“Flower boy?”
“A ring bearer then?”
“Not a chance.”
“Wow, you really change, Pyke. Are you sure you don’t want another pussy?”
“For Christ’s sake,” I hiss, laughing inwardly.
“Just kidding.”
“You should be.”
“Really, I’m happy for you. I got a brand new car, by the way.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Camry.”
I bark out laughing causing everyone to look and glare at us, including the guards who eye us suspiciously.
***
“Love!” Camila snakes her arms around my neck, kissing me hungrily. She instantly wraps her legs around my waist as I pick her up inside her apartment, kicking the door with my foot.
I’m instantly a boner. “I love how excited you are to see me, Babe,” I say into her mouth.
“Jesus!” Camila’s brother, Levi groans.
I place her down to her feet and grin sheepishly. “Sorry. I wasn’t aware of someone’s with her.”
“Are you two always like this?” He sounds annoyed and amused.
“Yeah, wanna know the details?”
“Christ!” He waves his hand to drop it.
“How’s your practice, Levi?”
“Great, hopefully, we’ll get the title back.”
“You’ll win, dude. Are you staying with her for tonight?”
“Are you trying to kick me out?” His brow raises.
“Nah. We can take you to—”
“To where?” Camila glares at me. “Don’t you dare take him to the nightclub!”
“Who says I’m taking him there, Babe. He’s only seventeen. I was planning to take him to the football game.”
“Really?” Levi almost squeals in excitement.
“Yeah, me, my brother, Parker, Xandry, Kyland, and Camila.”
“No, Love. You go with them. I’ll stay and FaceTime with Mom. Don’t allow him to drink, Pyke Kennan!”
“Babe, I’ll kick his ass if he even tries. Trust me.” I caress Camila’s face, kissing her lips quickly.
“Really?” She smiles.
“Yes, I care about him, too.” I give her another kiss on her eyes, nose, and lips.
“You two, please. I am still a minor,” Levi butts in, rolling his eyes.
“Go take a shower, Levi.
“I’m done. You two, don’t make out when I’m around.”
“You are bossy, aren’t you? I’m not making any promises,” I say, making him groan.
“Let’s go to your apartment,” Camila suggested.
“Where is your mother?”
“With Auntie.”
“Good. What do you have in mind, Babe?”
“You’ll gonna love it.” She winks and smiles with mischief. Hmm… I bet.