Chapter 3: Changed.

Nathan was all dressed up to go somewhere. His hair was quite messy, and his striking blue eyes were just as I remembered them. I guess some things never change. He wore black pants, a white baggy top that read Fuck This World, and a red hoodie. He pocketed his hands, carrying a nonchalant attitude, behaving like Dom’s words didn’t matter.

“Nathan, why weren’t you at the airport, and why didn’t you return any of my calls?” Dom asked him.

For a moment, our eyes met. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I waved at him. Of course, he snubbed me and gave me a really evil look before turning back to Dom.

“Come to the airport to do what, Dad? Welcome your perfect son that isn’t even your son?”

“Mind your words, Nathan.” Dominic gritted his teeth.

“Sorry, Dad. I guess I’m not Jay.” He said, then left, entering his car and driving off.

Well, he must still really hate me.

I went inside the mansion. It was more beautiful than when I left. I looked around, lost in its glory, not even realizing my name was being called.

“Jay!”

I turned to see Agnes, my nanny from when I was young.

“Agnes!” I smiled at her.

“Welcome home,” she said, smiling back.

I went upstairs to my room, and it was exactly how I had left it.

“I figured you wouldn’t want anyone touching your things, so I instructed everyone not to touch or change it until you came back and said you wanted to,” Mom said.

I hadn’t realized they were back from the mall. This was really nice—having my things in check and not tampered with.

“Thanks, Mom.” I hugged her.

“You’re welcome, baby.” She released me, then paused at the doorway and turned to me.

“I heard about Nathan. Some people take time—a lot of time—to heal. Don’t worry, he’ll come around.”

“I hope so. Yeah, Mom.”

“Also, dinner is in a while. Please don’t be late. Oh—and your dad said I should greet you.”

She gave me a smile, then walked out.

I got settled in, changed into something more comfortable, and then called Luke before heading downstairs.

“Hey, baby,” Luke said, placing his phone down and resting on his kitchen counter. He was shirtless.

“Hey, boo,” I said.

“How is Boston and everything?” he asked.

“It’s fine so far. Yeah.”

“I told you everything would be fine,” he said.

“Or maybe things just haven’t gone bad yet.”

“Yeah.” Luke left the counter and went to his sink.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” he asked back.

I squinted at the screen. I couldn’t really see. “I don’t know.”

“I’m cooking, silly.”

“Whoa, cooking what?” I asked, sitting up.

“Lasagna.”

“No!” I cried out. “You’re evil! You know how much I love your lasagna, and you’re cooking it without me being there with you.”

Luke was a really good cook, and his lasagnas were a ten out of ten. I wasn’t physically with him, but I could picture the smell and taste… hmm.

“Sorry, baby.”

Okay, I will forgive you only if you bring some when you decide to come over.”

“Fine,” he chuckled.

“I wish I was there with you, slowing your cooking down by disturbing you.”

He smiled. “I’m sure you do.”

He stopped what he was doing and walked closer to the camera. I could see his abs more clearly.

“Gosh, I feel like kissing you right now and cuddling you.”

Luke smiled at my words. “I do too.”

I looked at the time on my phone—it was almost dinner.

“Um, Luke, I have to go. I don’t want to be late for dinner on the first day back,” I said.

“Okay. Just greet everyone for me. I love you.”

“I love you more.”

I cut the call and left my room for the dining room.

When I got there, cobalt blue balloons were tied up irregularly, scattered everywhere, with a handmade Welcome Home JAY banner made with glitter, cardboard, crayon, and some watercolors. I smiled wide seeing it.

“Do you like it?” Em’s tiny voice sounded from behind me.

“Of course I do, Em,” I replied.

“I made and did it all on my own. No one helped,” she said proudly, her voice filled with confidence. It was pretty obvious this was the work of a five-year-old. No one could argue that.

“I’m sure you did.” I gave her a hug. “Thanks, Em.”

I held her hand and walked her to the dining table. As we sat down together, she made sure to sit right beside me.

“Isn’t he coming?” Mom asked Dominic.

He just nodded no as an answer. I knew they were talking about Nathan.

“Luke said I should greet everyone,” I announced.

“Oh, that’s sweet of him. Send my greetings to him as well,” Mom said.

“Likewise, me,” Dom added.

And Jake didn’t reply because he was busy with his phone—probably texting Riley.

We all began to eat, dish after dish. It was a lot of food. A lot of food.

In the middle of dinner, I started hearing sounds—surprisingly, moaning sounds. The sound grew louder and louder. I was sitting at the edge, near the exit, so I was the only one hearing it at first. I ignored it until it got so loud that everyone could hear it.

Then stormed in Nathan and a girl, aggressively kissing each other and their body all over themselves. He was already shirtless, and the girl's top was off. The moment I saw that, I turned to Em beside me and covered her eyes. I didn’t want her seeing what she wasn’t supposed to. Her nanny quickly took her upstairs to her room.

Shortly after, Mom shouted, “Nathan!”

At the sound of her voice, the girl instantly pushed Nathan away. It was obvious they hadn’t expected us to still be having dinner.

“Oh shit,” Nathan said.

“You told me no one would be at home,” the girl snapped, putting her hand over her bra, trying to cover herself.

“Agnes, please, could you see Miss Bridge out?” Mom said. Agnes quickly escorted Miss Bridge away.

“I’m sorry, Lia. I truly didn’t know—” Nathan began, but the girl cut him off as she walked out. He was clearly drunk

“Fuck you,” she said angrily.

“Nathan, what’s the meaning of this?” Dom demanded, getting up and moving closer to him. He was clearly frustrated.

Nathan didn’t say a word.

“You first bailed on going to the airport. Then you missed dinner, an important dinner. And now this? What’s gotten into you?” Dom pressed.

“Nothing, Dad. I’m sorry I’m not Jay. I’m sorry my grades are slipping. I’m sorry I suck at football. I’m sorry I didn’t win some stupid award, or go to the airport, or join dinner, or… disappoint you,” Nathan finally said.

The moment he spoke those words; I knew he was referring to me.

“Mind your tone,” Dominic commanded.

“By the way, welcome home, prodigal son. Thought you were never coming back,” Nathan added, turning to me with a disgusting look.

At that point, I felt terrible. I looked over to Jake, but he just stood there, angry, staring at Nathan. But somehow, I felt like he was angry with me. I wasn’t sure.

“Happy now, Dad? I greeted your son.” Nathan turned back to Dom.

“You are grounded,” Dom said.

Nathan laughed softly. “Since when have I ever cared?”

He looked at me once more. “Hope you enjoy your stay, Jay.” Then he left.

Jake left his seat too, going after Nathan, helping him not to slip as he stumbled up the stairs. I didn’t expect him to hate me this much. Or maybe I did. I don’t know. And now, all I wanted was to just leave—to make life easier for both of us.