Chapter 36
" Is your name WiFi? Because I'm really feeling a connection right now. "
Rochelle Quinn's POV:
"If you don't knock on that door right now, I'm going to put your head through it." I threatened in the most serious way possible, widening my eyes in warning.
Ivan visibly gulped, scratching his hands anxiously.
"Fuck this." I muttered, stepping forward and hitting the door as hard as I could.
It opened almost instantly, I crossed my arms.
"Rocky?" Jesse looked shocked to see me standing outside his home. He held a baby in his hands, or more like a toddler.
She couldn't be more than 4 years old.
"Hey, Jess" My voice came out quietly, not being able to hide the pain and regret in my voice.
Shit.
"Whats u- 'Van?" If Jesse didn't looked shocked before, he definately did now as he took in the sight of his childhood boyfriend.
But Ivi looked heartbroken at the sight of the child, he blatantly refused to look at Jesse. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come." And then he took off down the street, not sparing us a second glance.
"You should've told me you had a kid, I wouldn't have brought him back." Fuck. I need a smoke, or a drink, or just something to stop the ache in my head at hurting Ivan.
"Rocky? I.." His eyebrows furrowed, making me confused. "I don't understand. Bandit..She's Emily's daughter. Not mine. I'm gay, Rock. I...I waited for him; He's the only person I've ever wanted."
"Emily's daughter?" I repeated, my eyes examined the child as I realised how much she resembled Jesse's sister. "Where's Emily then?"
Jesse paused, a wave of pain consuming his dark eyes. "She died 3 years ago. Just after she had Bandit."
My heart clenched, my mouth dried instantly. "Oh Jess. I'm sorry, I didn't know."
He shook his head, "It doesn't matter now. Just, Van. I.." He bit his lip, eyes clenching shut. "I never realized how much I wanted to see him again."
I gazed down the street Ivan had disappeared down, my mind suddenly realising where he was going.
"Give me 30 minutes and we'll be back."
*****
"I knew you'd be here."
I sat down next to him, resting my arms on my knees.
He pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal a set of rolled up joints and a lighter.
I smiled, grabbing one before he could even offer. I took the lighter in my hand and held the joint in my mouth, lighting it. I inhaled the fumes as a rush of relaxation hit me, instantly calming my racing heart.
Ivan lay back and took a few drags of his joint, obviously savoring the taste.
Damn I missed times like this.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not addicted to marijuana or smoking.
I do it because I like it, not because someone else wants to me.
"It's not his kid, you know?" I spoke quietly, watching his reaction carefully.
He didn't show any visible differences, but he brought the joint to his mouth and took a few more drags.
"Emily died." I looked at the ground as I spoke, not being able to hide the pain in my tone. She was a good friend to all of us, I wasn't even there to say goodbye to her.
Ivan's eyes watered at that, he bit his lip in a bid to stop the tears falling.
"The kid...her names Bandit. She was Emily's." My voice hardened, anger shooting through my veins. "I'm not going to let you punish Jesse when he's been waiting for you since he was 14. It's still him, isn't it?"
"It'll always be him." Ivan gulped, "It's always been him."
"Ivan, you're basically my brother and I love you so that's why I'm saying get the fuck up and go and see him. He deserves to be happy and so do you."
"Okay." We both stayed silent as we finished our joints, standing up and going back in the direction we came in.
Standing at the door again, I waited for Ivan's to knock on it.
Fuck this.
I grabbed the handle, walking into the house with Ivan following me.
It looked the exact same as it did when we were children.
The memories hit me instantly.
This house held secrets that I could never forget.
The long night talks, the safe refuge, the parties.
I walked into the living room as though I never left, smirking as Zach looked up at me from couch with a massive grin on his face.
"Is your name WiFi? Because I'm really feeling a connection right now." He moved his eyebrows, standing up and grabbing my hand, pulling me into one of them bro hugs.
"Not anymore, Z, I go by Rocky now." I joked, a smile illuminating my face.
Zach's face lit up when he noticed Ivan stood behind me, "Ivan, long time no see. How've you been, bro?" He fucked off the bro hug and just pulled him into a normal one.
"Pretty good I guess. What about you man? How've you been?"
We heard Jesse's voice before we saw him, I heard Ivan suck in a breath.
"Zach, stop making so much noise. Bandits sleeping." He walked into the dining room, he stopped walking as soon as he noticed us stood there.
" 'Van." Jess managed to let out, dropping the clothes in his hands.
My breathing hitched, waiting for someone else to talk.
Ivan pushed past me, melting into Jesse's embrace as if things had never changed. The brunette held Ivan's head to him, letting Ivi burrow his head into his shoulder.
"I thought you forgot about me." Ivan muttered, his voice muffled by his sobs and the clothes.
Jesse shook his head, closing his eyes. His voice came out in a whisper. "Never."
I looked back to Zach, who smiled at seeing his little brother so content.
"Come on." I whispered, pulling his sleeve but he wouldn't move.
"Zach move." I dragged him into the kitchen, leaving them alone.
"You want a drink?" He asked instantly, grabbing a bottle of Jack and pouring himself a glass.
"Yeah, go on then." I leaned back onto the mantle, accepting the cup with ease as he handed it to me.
"I miss her you know." He stared into the dark liquid, swirling it around in the cup.
"It gets easier." I tell him with certainty, welcoming the burning liquid onto my taste buds.
"Rowan isn't dead, Rock. Your little brothers still alive, my little sister isn't."
I sent him a small, pitiful smile. "But your little brother is still alive, and he needs you."
"I have a feeling my brother will be just fine now." He half-smiled.
"So do I." I grinned, the silence between Zach and I allowed us to hear the quiet mumbles from the next room.
"They deserve to be happy, after all they've dealt with." Zach commented idly, not realising the full extent of his words
"Bessie! Oncle Bess!!" I froze as a little demon of hell ran into the room, arms wide open with drool running down her chin.
I hate kids.
"Bandit." Jesse froze, eyes widening as he studied Ivan's reaction.
He kneeled down, picking up the child.
He smiled slightly, showing his infamous grin. "Hello Bandit, I'm your Uncle Ivi."
She blinked at him, stopping wriggling in his arms at his soothing voice.
Her small hand surged forward, caressing his cheek in wonder.
"Oncle Bess loves Oncle Ivi?" She asked hopefully, the big brown eyes widening in astonishment.
Fuck hating kids, I like this one.
Jesse placed his hand on the small of Ivan's back, not moving his gaze from his niece.
"Very much so."
I have a feeling that they'll be okay.
My cell buzzed, disrupting the scene. I apologised instantly, taking the cell from my pocket and looking at the message.
Kenz â¤ï¸x
Your social workers here. She wants to see you! x
I ignored the kiss at the end, shaking off the wave of happiness that flew through my veins at the very gesture.
Jenny's at my house.
Well shit.
___________
Thanks for reading!
All my love,
Laska xx