The next morning, Gregory woke up before Seth. He sat in the bed talking with Ashford. "Melanie is very angry with you, Uncle Greggy." Ashford said. "Uh oh. What'd I do this time?" He asked. "You didn't tell her goodbye last night." Gregory smiles. "Tell her I'm sorry and I'll see her in a few days." He laughs. "I will." Ashford then hangs up and Gregory decides to get his morning cardio in. He puts his Bluetooth headphones in and turns on his music. He starts with some pushups, then crunches, and sit ups. Seth came in an hour later after Gregory finished and got dressed.
"How long have you been up?" He asked. "Awhile. I got my morning workout in." Gregory said. "Awesome. Have you ate?" Seth asks. "No. I mostly grab a protein shake in the morning before hitting my workout." Gregory told him. Seth nods and they head to Seth's wrestling academy. When they pull up, Seth turns to Gregory. "Violet should already be inside." He said. Gregory grabs his bag and follows Seth inside. Seth introduces him to everyone and they set to work. Gregory and Violet run through their normal routine before heading into the ring to show off some moves to the students. Afterwards, they head back to Seth's place. "Nice school you got." Gregory says. "Thanks." Seth heads of to take a shower and Violet looks at Gregory. "I'm so sorry about last night. My dad can be a bit much." She said. Gregory shrugs. "He kind of reminds me how my father was. I don't know about him now." Gregory said before slipping of his shoes. "Mom wants you two to come over again tonight and try the dinner over again." Violet said. "That's up to Gregory, Vi. Dad doesn't seem to really like him forsome reason." Seth said, emerging from his room. "I know, but mom wants to apologize. Please Greg?" Gregory felt as if his head was going to explode. "I'd rather not. I've got the start of a killer headache. Maybe tomorrow." He said before going to the guest room. "I'll tell mom no." Violet said. "I don't blame him for not wanting to back over. Dad was extremely ride last night." Seth says. "I know. It's just that mom wants to apologize for dad's behavior and dad would like to apologize himself." Violet said. "I know that, Violet, but dad wasn't the best company. Besides, I think something else is wrong with Gregory." Seth said.
Gregory stepped into the guest bathroom and got in the shower, hoping the water would chase away the memories of his abusive father. He jumped when Violet knocked on the door. "You okay?" She asked. "I'm fine. I'll be out soon." He said. After Gregory was done in the shower, He changed into a pair of ripped jeans, his naughty list shirt, his studded beanie, boots, his jewelry, and his glasses and sat beside Seth. "You clean up well." Seth laughs. "Thanks." Gregory said. Gregory looks around and doesn't see Violet. "Where's Violet?"
"She went back to my parents house. We're going for dinner. You don't have to stay longer if you don't want to. We'll come back here." Seth said. "Okay." He said. "Gregory, when my father was yelling last night, you looked like a frightened child ready to fight. What happened to make you that way?" Seth asked. "My father. He left when I was 8 and we would have to spend weekends and some holidays with him. He liked to hit my sister so I told him to hit me and leave her alone. So for the next 7 years he would beat me when we went over. Finally at the age of 16 I beat the piss out of him. He stopped asking mom to see us. She soon found out why and what I did. I was enrolled in a wrestling school after that." Gregory said. Seth sat there in shock. "Damn, brother. I didn't know." Gregory shrugs. "I had to do something. She was only 4." Seth put a hand on his shoulder. "Shall we head over?" Seth asks. Gregory nods and they head to his car. Gregory gets in and sighs. "We don't have to man. I can order us something." Seth said. "No. Let's get this over with." Gregory tells Seth. They pull up to Seth's parents house and Gregory takes a deep breath. Seth knocks on the door.
Seth's dad James answered the door. "Patricia, the boys are here." He called. "Let them in." She said. Seth walks in and Gregory avoids his father. "Gregory, may I speak with you?" James asked. Gregory tensed and Seth shook his head. "Flashback?" He asked. Gregory nods and takes a deep breath. "About what, sir?" He asks. "My attitude last night." James said. "Can I say somethin' first? I might sound like a dick when I'm done, but I don't need your acceptance. I didn't ask for it. I love Violet and I'd do anything for her, even take all the shit her father puts me through! My father used to beat me until I was 16! I beat his ass for all the years he did it to me. I'm not afraid to stand up for myself." Gregory said. "York, not now." Seth said. Gregory closed his eyes and took another deep breath. "Sorry. He tends to come out when I feel threatened." Gregory said before running out the door. He runs to the road and sits beside the mailbox. He pulls out his phone and calls Thomas.
"What you want?" He said. "I want to come home." Gregory said, his voice breaking. "What fucker do I have to kill this time?" Thomas asked. "No one. I can't handle Violet's father." Gregory said. "No surprise there. Ashford said he was an ass. Go back and show him you ain't scared." Thomas tells him. "I can't. He reminds me of HIM." Gregory said. "Oh. Well, tell Violet you're leaving early."
"I can't do that. I'd hurt her feelings." Gregory said. "You and your complicated feelings. Then suck it up and deal with it. Just keep a lid on Yorkshire. I don't think Seth wants to explain to his mother why you put her husband in the hospital." Thomas said. "He goes by York." Gregory growled. Thomas laughs. "I know. Now go on." He said before hanging up. Gregory stood up and sighed. He walks back towards the house.
Violet stood at the window, watching Gregory walk back. "Why must you always set him off?!" She asks her father. "He came because I asked! I don't care if you accept him, I love him! You won't chase him off like you did Ashford." She said. Gregory had walked up to the door and caught the ending of Violet's rant. "I can see that sweetheart, but I'm your dad. I don't like anyone with my little girl. Its a dad thing." James said. "Get over it. He loves her and she loves him. She won't change her mind." Gregory opened the door and walked in. Patricia ran over and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so sorry honey. I had no idea that you had a horrible childhood." She said. "I lived through it." He said. They ate dinner and James and Gregory had a civil conversation. "You're welcome back anytime." James told him. "Thank you. I'd like that." Gregory said before he and Seth left. When they got back to Seth's, Seth hugged Gregory. "You did it. You had me worried, but you did it." He said. "I'm good like that." Gregory said. They laugh and head in for bed.
