TO BE LOVED
:: xv, sherwood, nevada ( part 2 )

Thomas and Jennifer had just pulled up in front of his parents' house. After turning the truck off, he just sat there. His chest slowly rose and dropped, due to his steadily but nervous breathing. Jj's eyes diverted towards him and once again she reached her hand, but she didn't place it on his shoulder, she placed it on his hand, the one that was gripping the steering wheel.

"You don't have to go in."

Thomas glanced towards her hand that rested on his and gently pulled away. He let out a deep sigh, "Don't do that." He then began to get out the truck and proceed to the front door.

She followed him and as she approached the door behind him, it swung open.

There stood Thomas' father in front of him. Thomas just walked passed him, heading inside with jj following behind. He wasn't even sure if he wanted a hug nor his father.

Soon the door closed behind them and his mother came into view. She had a bright smile on as she approached her son. Thomas wasn't even sure if he wanted a hug from her either, but she did it anyway. She hugged him and he didn't hug her back.

The first thought to come to mind of his father, "How's Dean?"

Thomas lightly scoffed, "How's dean? That's it? You're asking about someone who isn't here while I'm five feet away from you."

"I just want to know how my son is."

His mother chimed in, "He means sons." She wanted to lighten the mood ever so quickly, "So, is this your girlfriend?" She gestured towards Jennifer.

He glanced at jj for a millisecond, "No. Coworker."

His father began to sit in his favorite chair, "Honestly, I thought it was that pretty girl who came in a few days ago."

Now his father finally got his attention, "What girl?"

"Pretty, medium height, blonde hair." He did his best to remember, "Kept asking about the Sherwood killer."

Thomas walked closer, "Was she a reporter?"

His mom shook her head, "She didn't seem like one."

The room soon fell silent and then quickly picked up again.

"Is he still using?" Thomas' father asked.

"Sober. No thanks to you."

Jj wasn't sure of what to make of this interaction. She just knew something was going to pop off soon, just waiting for the other shoe to drop, considering what Thomas told her about his relationship with his parents.

His father slowly stood up from his chair, "I did my best with you boys. I'm the reason you're where you are now."

Another scoff left Thomas' lips, "You're the reason why Dean is where he is right now. For me, I'm where I am because of Dave." Thomas continued, "He got me through school, he helped me out. Till this day, he's a better father, better man, then you'll ever be."

His father just laughed, "Is that right?"

His mother stood up, "Boys . . "

"Don't." His eyes stayed glued to his dad, but his words were directed towards his mom.

"You don't speak to your mother like that." His tone began to get angry.

So did Thomas', "Where was that attitude when she was feeding him drugs? Nowhere cause you left that responsibility to a seventeen year old."

His dad began to walk closer, "You took him away. You brainwashed him into hating us."

Thomas walked closer as well, "And you nearly killed him by not interfering."

The two just stared at each other and then the next second, his father's fist met his face. Thomas gripped his dad's shirt roughly pushed him back across the room into a wall. All he felt was rage in that moment. He wanted to do his worst but was stopped from something he could never come back from inside of him.

"Thomas, he's not worth it." Jj spoke, "Walk away."

It took a minute or two for that to register with him but he eventually, roughly let go of his father. After one more intense stare, Thomas turned on his heels and began to head to the front door with jj.

The two exited the house and made their way to the truck.

Thomas shifted around a bit as he stood outside, "Head to the hotel without me."

Jj caught the keys he tossed her way, "You sure?"

"Yeah."

With that, jj was on her way to the hotel and Thomas began heading the other direction. He wanted to get out of his mind, escape reality for a few. So he headed straight to a local bar.

• • •

He walked on in and scanned the big room as he did so. He headed to the bar and found a good spot to stand as he waved down a bartender.

The bartender soon approached, "What can I get for you?"

"Exactly what I have." Thomas glanced next to him and found Chrissy standing next to him with a drink in one hand. She smiled his way, then mentioned one more thing to the bartender, "And two shots of tequila."

"Late night drinking too, huh?" His eyes stayed ahead.

"I'm not gonna even ask about your face." She then brought the glass up to her lips and finished the drink she already had.

The two continued from there, drinking and laughing. This is exactly what Thomas needed. Chrissy kept calling rounds, him drinking way more than her. But it wasn't his fault, she was urging it and he was too drunk enough to not realize.

Eventually he began stumbling around and Chrissy took him into her own hands. She took him to her house. She got him to her car, then drove. She was somewhat drunk but not as bad as him.

Once they reached her driveway, she helped him to the door and inside. The only reason she urged him to keep drinking is because she saw he needed a laugh —— needed to let go for awhile.

As soon as her front door closed, he went and kissed her. He then pulled away and slid his back against the front door as he sat on the floor.

"I hate my parents." His words were slurred, "And I didn't go after you in high school cause I made . . a pact with my brother."

Chrissy squatted down in front of him, "I respect that, tommy."

"Y-your ex husband is stupid."

"And why's that?"

He had no idea what he was saying, "He fumbled the bag. I would've fought for you . . ." He caressed her cheek, "If you were my wife."

She lightly chuckled, "Is that so?"

He just stared into her eyes and let out a sigh, "Will you marry me?"

"W-what?"

He repeated, "Will you marry me?"

She immediately stood up, "You're not sober right now. You don't mean that."

He stumbled standing up but eventually got to his feet, "You came back into my life and that has to mean something. Maybe we're getting our chance."

"Ask me again."

His lips were moving faster than his brain was processing. He was talking without thinking and he had no control over that. He just spit out whatever in that moment. And in the next, the two eventually went to bed.

The question was, would he change his mind in the morning when he's sober? Because, he not only had Emily to think about.

to be continued . . .

a/n:
ngl, this took a turn. this is
not what I had planned originally
but here we are lol.