Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos. You're all wonderful. Pre-Thanksgiving madness continues.
Warning: Light Sexual content and dialogue. Remember, I am the queen of fade to black, so things will never go too far.
I find it amusing that this section is when we first see Jack and Carolyn interact with one another in the original version. Because we have seen their relationship throughout the story, I had to throw the original version completely out the window. That's okay because I really do love writing Jack and Carolyn. I am now much closer in age to Jack and Carolyn than the kids. Actually, I am older than Carolyn but still younger than Jack. He's fortyish in the story, and I'm not quite there yet. When I started this story, I was right out of college. Now I'm a homeowner with nieces that are drinking age. I feel so old. That's probably why I'm focusing more on the adults than I did in the original version.
Mood music: You'll see while reading the chapter. Basically, I worked on this chapter listening to the Apple Music tearjerker mix. It came up with some interesting moments. You'll see. I had a little too much fun writing Ryan and Chad's text message conversation.
Chapter 38: Baby, You Deserve More
Still afternoon Wednesday, November 26, 2008 (Seriously, this has been a long day)
The good twin: Why did I think shopping with Gabriella and Taylor was a good idea? Actually, why did I agree to help Marie in the first place? I'm like 99% sure Gabriella is ready to bail anyway.
Chad: Because being raised by Darby turned you into a masochist.
Chad: I'm not even completely joking about that. I am really worried about both you and Shar. There has to be long-term side effects of being raised by a monster.
The good twin: Maria still wants me to see a therapist.
Chad: I still support this. Even Olivia has suggested family therapy. She wants me to sit on one of Sharpay's sessions at least every other week.
Chad: Where are you?
The good twin: We are at Alexandria's confession A.k.a. the off-the-rack version of your girlfriend's favorite store. I look best in black lace. Unfortunately, you'll never get to see that.
Chad: You are with my ex-girlfriend and Gabriella at a lingerie store? I think this is a new type of torture. Now I'm even more worried about your masochistic tendencies.
The good twin: This is definitely torture. It was Gabriella's idea to come here, and Taylor agreed to it just to screw with Gabriella's head. I just do what I'm told.
Chad: Now, I'm going to ask my mom if her next-door neighbor has any college classmates practicing in New York. Are you enjoying two beautiful girls throwing themselves at you, or do you find it disturbing? I never felt comfortable with the cheerleaders.
The good twin: I am uncomfortable with Gabriella doing it even though I know she's faking it. Taylor, I am comfortable with it because I'm part of the performance.
Chad: The denial is strong with you, Evans.
The good twin: Thankfully, Gabby stopped after the salon. I think she brought me here, so I will pay for lingerie for either her rebound fuck or for her next attempt at Troy seduction.
Chad: I hope it's a rebound fuck. For the sake of Maria, I hope it's not a Jamie-type asshole. I may be mad at her, but I don't wish Jamie on her at all. I hope she avoids all Jamies and Malicks of the universe.
The good twin: Amen.
Chad: Maybe Gabriella has realized that the only person you and Taylor are fooling are yourselves. Did I tell you she sent me pictures of you guys making out at breakfast? I also now have pictures of you at the salon and probably the store before now.
Chad: I don't remember if I mentioned the pictures earlier. I was still trying to comprehend that my dad is screwing somebody that is the same age as my first boyfriend and made my girlfriend really uncomfortable.
The good twin: Did he hit on Shar too?
Chad: That "too" makes me think that you know about Taylor before me, which doesn't surprise me and actually makes me feel better. You should be the one that knows more about Taylor than I do. I'm just upset that she never told me while we were together that my father made an inappropriate pass at her. Charles made her too uncomfortable to even come to my house. It's just another sign of how bad our relationship was. We talked to each other more now.
Ryan: Some people are better as friends.
Chad: True. Thankfully Charles hasn't done anything against Shar yet. Except staring at her breasts a little too much during the car ride. Although now I don't want to take Amanda to my family Thanksgiving because I'm worried about what he'll do to her. He's so creepy.
The good twin: Don't leave Sharpay or Amanda alone with him. Even though I am sure Shar would love an excuse to break his hand.
Chad: I wouldn't mind if she did that, and I'm sure my mom would help get her off. She wouldn't even charge your father for it.
The good twin: Of course, I know about Taylor because she's my friend.
Chad: Denial is very strong in this family. As somebody who used that line for months, I can honestly say that I do not believe you.
The good twin: We are not you and Sharpay. We actually are just acting.
Chad: I needed a good laugh today. I need to send you all the pictures and videos that Gabriella sent me. None of those images or videos of you and Taylor today resemble a stage kiss. Like you said regarding my kiss with Shar at the fall play, I know where your hands went. You are very good with your hands.
The good twin: Can we not have this conversation?
Chad: We are so having this conversation. I'm calling in my right as a best friend, future brother-in-law, and almost ex-boyfriend. I reserve the right to smack you upside the head when you're an idiot.
Ryan: Actually, can I upgrade you to an actual ex-boyfriend and completely disregard Kelsi? I actually still like you despite moments like this when you're being a total jackass. Really nothing is going on between Taylor and me.
Chad: I rather claim you as my ex-boyfriend than Jamie, even though it will lead to incest jokes.
The good twin: Gabriella has already made a few. I had to keep Taylor from punching her.
Chad: Pity.
Chad: You say she's just a friend, but I know that you're interested in Taylor because you've told me multiple times that she's about the only woman you still want to have sex with.
The good twin: I also want to have sex with Zach.
The good twin: Shit! I didn't mean to actually send that. Dragon phone voice rec is just as sensitive as its computer counterpart.
Chad: That doesn't make it less true. That just means the copy of The Idiots' Guide To Polyamorous Relationships that your father sent you because of your trolling will still go to good use.
Chad: Just negotiate everything between all parties ahead of time. Also, don't be Blaise and Ginger. They're still trying to get me to be their third.
The good twin: Just because I want to have sex with two people doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I am kind of a mess right now. My parents are in the middle of a chaotic divorce. Also, my girlfriend of five months betrayed me and is screwing her roommate. It doesn't help that I keep walking in on them.
Chad: So, this is totally the wrong time to start a relationship?
The good twin: Yes. You, of all people, should understand this.
Chad: I do. I'm glad you realize that even though you really really enjoy making out with Taylor.
Chad: As well as making really good use of those shirtless pictures of Zach. I hope you brought KY.
The good twin: Fuck you, Danforth.
Chad: I don't think Shar will be okay with that.
Chad: I'm almost family. I get to say these things now.
The good twin: Now, I wish things would've worked with Troy. He would've been a better brother-in-law.
Chad: Because then we would be dating. Which would probably give Charles a heart attack all on its own. I think he is as homophobic as Darby. He was always horrible to Aunt Maria.
Chad: Is it wrong to come out as queer at Thanksgiving tomorrow for the sole purpose of pissing off my father because I am really mad about the twins?
The good twin: I came out to Darby in an angry text message after I found out about what she did to Shar before blocking her number, so I really can't say anything.
The good twin: Now I really wish I would've come home because I would've posed as your boyfriend. Shar would let me do it for the sake of revenge. I hate your father.
Chad: The incest jokes wouldn't be worth it. Maybe.
The good twin: They're already making them. Charles asked Taylor to give him a blow job. That's the real reason why she never wanted to come back to your house again. I am pretty sure this happened before she turned 18 too.
Chad: Oh, fuck him. Do you think I can pick up pride flag formalwear this late on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving?
The good twin: Check the back of my closet. It's not formalwear, but I have a couple of pieces that I picked up for pride but never had the chance to actually wear. Thankfully we are the same shirt size. Also, have Shar do your makeup.
The good twin: Per Amanda, Sharpay will have to do it anyway because of what Zeke did. What a prick.
Chad: Thank you. I do look good in eyeliner. If I'm going to have to be wearing concealer to cover up the bruising, I might as well go all out. At a minimum, I should add glitter lipgloss. I'm not gonna ask when your sister ordered makeup for my complexion. I will just be appreciative of it.
The good twin: That might be because you kept stealing her tinted lip gloss.
Chad: It makes my lips soft. I like shiny things. Now, let's get back to talking about you and Taylor. Otherwise, I'm just going to go off on a rant on my father. We don't need that at all.
The good twin: Nothing is going on between Taylor and me. Except trying to prevent Gabriella from jumping me. I refuse to be her angry revenge fuck. I don't have the heart to tell her that Troy is back with Kim. I think it would destroy her.
Chad: I don't think she actually wants to have sex with you; just get a few pictures of the two of you making out to make Troy jealous. And maybe get back at me for stealing her boyfriend because she genuinely believes that.
Chad: BTW, Gabby knows about the ill-advised baseball seduction incident.
The good twin: I've heard.
Chad: Except she thinks we fucked. Apparently, that's the only possible explanation for us switching shirts.
The good twin: I would've given you a hand job if you didn't push me away when I unzipped your pants. You grabbed the wrong shirt while running away. So she wasn't that off.
Chad: You were on your knees at the time, so I think you were planning on something else.
The good twin: I don't think you want me to say that word right now.
Chad: You know me too well. Baby, you deserve more than a quick hand job or fellatio in the locker room.
The good twin: I know. But at least with you, the sex would have been good—nothing like my horrible experiences with Kelsi or the school closet case.
Chad: From the outside, that kiss with Taylor looked better than anything me and her had. I feel like anything you do with Taylor would be an improvement for you.
The good twin: She is a better kisser than Kelsi or the closet case. Although even with you.
Chad: Good to know. I support you in whatever you want to do with Taylor, Zack, or both of them simultaneously.
The good twin: I'm not ready.
Chad: That's okay too. Just be safe.
The good twin: Okay.
Chad: I'm also sorry I couldn't love you the way you wanted me to.
The good twin: At least you actually love me. Kelsi never did.
The good twin: I just want to let you know that I Will Always Love You is playing in the background for some reason.
Chad: LOL. Our life always has its own soundtrack.
Chad: I do love you. Just don't go breaking anybody's heart, especially your own.
The good twin: I'll try to remember that.
Chad: Although you may have to because if you want to start something with Taylor, she needs to know you're hot boy Lava Springs.
The good twin: I offered to tell her, but Taylor wants to hear it from you.
Chad: Probably because she doesn't know that you're the other half involved. I could text her right now, but I think she would be really mad about that.
The good twin: We will tell her at Christmas together. Maybe by that time, I'll be a little more settled. Possibly by then, I'll be ready for a relationship with Taylor and/or Zach.
Chad: One can hope. It took me a year to deal with my parents' divorce. I wonder if I've actually dealt with it. The Tiffany stuff is bringing back a lot of bad memories.
Ryan: It will be okay.
Chad: Eventually, but not today. Tomorrow will be better, though?
The good twin: Fingers crossed. Maybe Gabriella will agree to go into treatment. That's the goal for tomorrow.
Chad: I wish you well. I found the shirt. I regret you never wore that in front of Darby.
The good twin: Just send me pictures.
Chad: With or without the shirt on?
The good twin: Both.
XXXX
Gabriella really shouldn't have been listening to Ryan dictating his text messages to who she assumed to be Chad. Now she knew that even though it didn't work out, Chad still loved Ryan.
In contrast, Troy wanted nothing to do with her. He didn't even text her back. Troy had his lawyer do it. He probably has one because of the rich new girlfriend. She wouldn't cry alone in a dressing room again even though she really wanted to.
Thanks to what she overheard, she now knows that Troy didn't dump her for Chad and Sharpay, but Kim, the first girlfriend. Troy couldn't even bother to tell her himself. She knew what he told her about needing space was bull shit. He was leaving her for someone else. He was just like her father.
To top it all off, Ryan wasn't interested in her. That was probably just something Madison came up with to get her to New York for her intervention. Because they really were all trying to get her into treatment when she didn't need help. She was fine. (Keep telling yourself that, Gabby. You're 30 seconds from crying in a lingerie store. Also, how much have you drunk today? It's not even 7 PM yet.)
It was at that moment Gabriella knew it was time to leave. It was over. It took everything to put her clothes back on and walk out of the dressing room without tears streaking her face. It didn't help that No Doubts don't Speak started playing at that moment. The store's music selection was torturous.
"You've dressed again. Did you not find anything?" Ryan asked.
"There is no point. The only person I want to wear it for is back with his first girlfriend. Also, I don't have the energy for a revenge fuck anymore." Gabriella answered.
"You heard my conversation with Chad?" Ryan asked, seeming visibly shamed.
"Parts of it. Enough to know that Troy is with Kim. I knew he was lying to me about why we were breaking up."
"In his defense, I think he was still lying to himself at the time. They've only been back together for a couple of weeks." Ryan explained.
"It doesn't change things."
"It doesn't. But I think once you and Troy can really talk, you will understand why he made the choices he did. There's a lot you don't know about the situation, and unfortunately, I can't be the one to tell you." Ryan said with pity in his eyes. She hated that look.
"That's probably never going to happen because his lawyer is returning his phone calls right now. I think I'm going to leave."
"It is probably best. You should go back to the hotel and rest up. Order room service. They have the best lava cake. Everything is better with lava cake." Lava cake can't fix this. Gabriella thought bitterly.
"I mean, I'm leaving New York. I can't stay here."
"You don't have to." Ryan tried to grab Her hand, but she pulled away and started to make her way to the door. Ryan followed behind her.
"I think I do." Especially because she just realized that she is staying at a hotel owned by Troy's new girlfriend's family. "Besides, you and Taylor don't need a third wheel tonight. Mercedes is sending me a ticket to Colorado. I'll leave in the morning."
"I guess I should tell you that we are not actually dating. So you won't be a third wheel."
"But only because Kelsi hurt you too much. Also, there's somebody named Zack? Who is Zack?" Gabriella really wanted to know who that was.
"One of Chad's teammates that looks exactly like him except more facial hair and braids. I'll show you pictures later. Chad and Sharpay are trying to set us up. They feel guilty because…"
"She got the guy?" Gabriella finished for him.
"More like because I got stuck with the Kelsi frog." Ryan joked.
"My aunt always said you had to kiss a lot of frogs." Before she jumped off a bridge. "Send me his picture later. It will give me something to look at on the plane."
"Don't go to Colorado. I need you here." Ryan pleaded with her.
"You still have Taylor. You could still have something with her this weekend." Whatever she got video of this morning, it was definitely real.
"Look, I'm not sure how much of the conversation you heard, but I'm kind of a mess right now. My parents are getting divorced, and my sister is dating my ex because I accidentally got them together."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. They are better apart because Darby is a monster. But I was really looking forward to having an actual family Thanksgiving even if it wasn't my family, and I really want you there tomorrow."
"I'll think about it." She lied. Gabriella can't deal with this at all.
"Thank you."
"Although you should probably kiss Taylor for real because maybe she won't be a frog." With that, she left him and everything else behind. Colorado had to be better than this.
Xxx
Sharpay stood in her giant walk-in closet, trying to figure out what to wear to dinner with a man she already severely disliked. Sharpay was furious with the man for his little stunned this morning. He should have at least told Chad earlier that he had a girlfriend. She knew Chad was not happy. Although Chad walked into her room wearing a shirt that said, "I may have a girlfriend, but I'm still queer," in the pride flag colors told Sharpay that he was out for blood. Tonight was going to be brutal.
"That's one way to come out to your father, even if I think that's against the dress code of Rose outside of June. When did you even get that? Was that part of Marc and Nikki's care package?" In addition to the balloons on National Coming Out Day, they essentially got Chad the coming out starter kit.
"Actually, the shirt is Ryan's. I think he got it for pride last summer but probably was too terrified to actually wear it in front of Darby." Chad explained.
"Probably."
"Charles doesn't deserve Rose. I'll put on a suit jacket. Or I could go with the rainbow tie. Also, can you do my makeup? I know you need to cover up the bruising, but I feel like glitter." She smirked at that. He actually did love her glitter lipgloss. She knows he's using it.
"He doesn't deserve Rose, but I do for putting up with him. Go with the tie. It's best to be subtle with these sorts of things." Sharpay suggested.
"That is fair."
"Also, I will do your makeup." Because he did look good in eyeliner. It may be why she ordered him his own kit a few weeks ago after one of their trips to Purple Hills. She loved having a boyfriend who was cool with dress-up.
"We can match. As soon as I figure out which outfit I should wear. Do you prefer the black skirt with a pinstripe jacket or the chocolate skirt with a sweater?" Sharpay asked. He was too busy looking at her underwear-clad body to answer the question.
"Can we please just stay here?" Chad asked as he placed a kiss above her navel as he tried to lower her white lace panties. "I can't deal with him right now or really ever again."
"Not going to happen," Sharpay said as she gently pushed him away. "Your mom is in the guest house next door, and my father is downstairs. You should be happy they are letting us be in our room with the door closed."
"I don't want to go," Chad said, using his pout against her. "I'm going to punch him out if I see him right now."
"I don't want to go either. But I feel like we should give Tiffany the benefit of the doubt at a minimum. She did bring us good chocolate."
"This is true."
"Karri says that she's a good person who just has shit taste in men. I can relate." Chad snorted at that. "At least Charles is not as bad as Darby. Go put on the outfit that I picked out for you with the rainbow tie, and I will find something to wear."
"Put on whatever shows less cleavage," Chad told her darkly.
"I never thought I would hear you say that, considering you used to stare at my chest even when you thought you hated me."
"That is true." Sharpay smiled at him. "Honestly, that was the major reason why I knew I wasn't gay even though I didn't find most girls attractive after the whole Jamie fiasco."
"Glad I could help." Sharpay snickered at that.
"Unfortunately, my father is a creepy asshole. Who is not only dating somebody Jamie's age but made Taylor so uncomfortable that she never wanted to come over to my house again. I just found out about that today from both Taylor and Ryan." Chad explained, angrily
"What did he do?" Sharpay asked, concerned.
"Taylor said he made a pass at her but wouldn't tell me everything he did. Although, according to Ryan, he asked for a blowjob." Chad spat out bitterly.
"I was going to say I would break his hand if he tried anything, but I think I'll do it anyway," Sharpay said as she walked over and kissed him.
"I take back what I said about him not being as bad as Darby. Obviously, they are even." Sharpay said as she put on the black skirt.
"Darby still slightly ahead only because Charles never physically abuse me," Chad said as his phone began to play Everclear's Father of Mine. That was definitely Charles's ring tone.
"Charles, we will be over in an hour to pick you guys up," Chad said to the phone before getting very quiet. She tried to get Chad to switch to speakerphone, but he shook his head no.
"Tiffany should have dinner with her stepmom. It's fine. I really don't actually want to have dinner with you anymore. We just really want to get to know Tiffany, but we can do that another time." Chad rolled his eyes, almost ignoring whatever Charles was telling him.
"It's true. I really don't want to spend time with you. Honestly, I'm only going to Aunt Claudia's tomorrow because I like her. Unlike you, I'm trying to actually be honest. Keeping secrets leads to bad things like having your plasma tv smashed by your ex-girlfriend. You know the one you asked for a blowjob from when she was still probably under-aged." Chad spat out angrily.
"Of course, Taylor told me. We're still friends because I treat her like a human being. Not like how you treat mom. I was also sorry for kissing Sharpay before formally ending things with Taylor. I know you were with Tiffany before the divorce." Chad was currently punching a pillow. This is not good.
"So what? I really don't care if she is fucking Jack. Not that she is because she has integrity. However, Jack has been more of a father to me than you ever were. I was going to tell you at dinner, but since you're backing out like you always do, I'll just tell you now. I'm queer."
Okay, Chad's phone wasn't on speaker, but Sharpay is 90% sure Charles said everyone's favorite slurred to paint on Ryan's locker last year. Apparently, Chad can't be that word if he's with Sharpay. Idiot.
"That's why I said queer, not gay. I identify as Demisexual with no gender preference. I actually dated Sharpay's brother first, but we decided we were better as friends. Also, remember basketball camp 2006, I gave my first blowjob to my roommate. You like those, don't you? Enjoy your night with your girlfriend. I hope she knows that you tried to get a 17-year-old to give you oral sex." Chad said bitterly as he threw his cell phone across the room, landing on the adjacent bathroom's marble floor. If it landed on the carpet, maybe it wouldn't be broken right now. Sharpay picked it up as she followed Chad out of the room.
"Okay, why did you just break another cell phone? You know we're not going to be able to replace the phone until Friday. I am not looking forward to going to a cell phone store on black Friday." Sharpay said as she caught up with Chad outside guest room 4.
"First, he decided to cancel plans because he would rather have dinner with Tiffany's stepmom. Which is fine because I don't want to be in a room with him right now."
"Is why you just decided to tell him your queer now. That part I heard. But I didn't hear his reaction to that news because you didn't have the phone on speaker like I asked you to." Sharpay actually glared at her boyfriend.
"I did that on purpose. If you heard the entire conversation, you would just have another reason to break Charles's hand."
"I feel that way, regardless."
"I knew he wouldn't be okay with me being anything other than heterosexual." Chad was already crying at that point. She quickly wrapped an arm around him.
"Are you okay?" Sharpay's dad asked in confusion. Sharpay wondered when he got there.
"Not at all, but at least we don't have to have dinner with my horrible father anymore. Actually, I'm not sure if he considers me his son anymore. That's fine because I don't consider him much of a father." Chad whispered.
"What happened?" Dad asked.
"I now know exactly why Taylor wasn't comfortable with my dad because she told Ryan, and he told me," Chad told her father.
"I think it's best I don't know exactly what he did." Vince shook his head.
"It really is," Chad told him.
"Chad was planning to come out to his father tonight, but he canceled. So Chad decided to do it on the phone, and he reacted badly." Sharpay explained.
"And Chad took out his anger at his father on his poor phone?" Her father asked, looking at the damaged phone in the other room.
"I'm sorry," Chad told him, genuinely apologetic.
"It's okay. It's insured. It's just a phone. We will get a new one Friday." Her father just shrugged it off.
"I'm still sorry."
"It's okay. Since dinner is canceled, let's get out of here. Go change into jeans. We are going out before you break anything else in my house." Her father suggested.
"That's probably a good idea."
"But keep the shirt. Your father may not be okay with who you are, but I am." Vince told Chad, smiling.
"Thank you. Actually, this is Ryan's shirt. I think he was planning to wear that at pride last summer." Chad explained.
"But was too afraid to because of Darby." Vince shook his head. "She's not a problem anymore, is she?"
"No, she's not," Sharpay responded, pulling Chad closer to her.
XXXX
Taylor really didn't mean to listen in on Ryan's text message dictating. But it was kind of hard for her not to listen to Ryan talk. Taylor knows that she's missing some things, like how many people Ryan was talking to. She knows Ryan was talking to Chad, but she also wondered if he was talking to Zack or the mysterious ex-boyfriend from last year that she doesn't know the name of. Because why would he be asking Chad if he could count him as a boyfriend? So Ryan had to be talking to someone else.
However, she would figure that out later because Taylor was most concerned with Gabriella. Good news Gabriella left. She arrived just in time to see Gabriella leave him. Bad news Ryan is crying, and Taylor doesn't know what Gabriella said to him in the last few minutes. She really wishes she got out there sooner.
"Is everything okay?" Taylor asked as she hugged Ryan.
"Gabriella overheard me talking about Kim," Ryan explained.
"Shit!" And if she knew about Kim, then she probably heard Ryan's last text message about treatment.
"Now she's planning on leaving for Colorado in the morning. I even played the divorce parents card, but I don't think she's going to stay." Ryan explained.
"Are you going to call Maria?" Taylor asked, concerned. She tried to tell herself that she was concerned for Ryan and Maria, but she was legitimately worried about Gabriella. She wasn't okay.
"Actually, I'm going to text Madison. While you're doing that, you should go back into the store and put on your normal clothes." That's when Taylor realized that she was hugging Ryan dressed in a white lace negligee under her coat.
"Oh my god, I forgot I was wearing this. I'm sorry." Taylor said as she ran back into the store.
"It's okay. Although because you wore it out here, I think that means you need to buy it." Ryan smirked at her.
"Yes, but who would I wear it for?" Taylor was almost positive she heard Ryan say "me." Maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part. Taylor listened to his conversation with Chad. He wasn't ready for a relationship with anybody, but apparently, she was in the running. Taylor was afraid to examine how happy that made her.
Xxx
Unknown number: Hey, this is Ryan. Troy's friend and your fellow member of the get Gabriella to rehab conspiracy group. I know we usually go through Troy or communicate via email with him, but things have gone bad with his mom. Apparently, his attorney is now filtering all his text messages until Friday. I can understand why he's doing that. Thankfully Troy did remember to give me your number before going dark.
Unknown number: Thanks to me having to use voice recognition software to send text messages, Gabriella now knows about Kim being with Troy. She also knows that we want her to go into treatment. Gabriella is now planning to leave for Colorado in the morning.
Unknown number: Yes, I'm aware I screwed up, but I didn't realize she could hear me in the dressing rooms. Also, sometimes I just forget other people are around when I'm texting. How do I fix this?
Madison: I'm glad you text because I was just about to text Troy again. Although I should've considered emailing you. We've had some major developments on my side, Cassandra has switched to our side, and she's telling all secrets.
Madison: The bottom line, Gabriella, cannot go to Colorado. Mercedes is screwing with Gabriella because she wants both her and Troy. She's actually been trying to break them up all semester, per Cassandra.
Ryan E: As someone raised as a rich spoiled brat, I'm not even surprised. At least not about that part. If she wanted both of them, why did she break them up?
Madison: I'm betting she doesn't like to share except with her stepbrother. Which is the plan for Colorado regarding Gabby. At least, that's what Cassandra told me. Even she's done with Mercedes right now.
Madison: Although she may have switched to our side because Mercedes slept with Cassandra's boyfriend last week. She just found out about it yesterday. She's now staying with me and my Chad because there's no way she's going to his house for Thanksgiving now.
Ryan E: Do I want to even know?
Madison: No. You have enough to deal with. However, sorority justice will work in our favor this time.
Ryan E: I'm okay with that. Did you call Maria?
Madison: I talk to her last night, but I only told her about finding Gabriella's medication in the trash. It was Prozac, by the way.
Ryan E: I'm not surprised at this point. I suspected it was something along those lines.
Madison: I wasn't surprised either. Although I haven't given her any more recent updates, especially after Cassandra came on board. I keep getting voicemail. I did send a text asking her to call me back.
Ryan E: They wouldn't let us take our phones into the spa. Although I don't know why she's not picking up now. Maybe she's already busy with Thanksgiving stuff. Anyway, I think you should wait until the morning to call Maria again at this point.
Madison: I agree. Actually, I think I should talk to Gabriella myself. Sorority sister to sorority sister.
Ryan E: I don't know if that will help especially considering what you told me about her meds.
Madison: It wouldn't hurt to try. I owe it to her to try. If I couldn't save my own sister, maybe I can say this one.
XXXX
A little later in Albuquerque
Kim was trying very hard not to think about her newfound wealth (she was a future billionaire) or the things her mother wrote her. She really shouldn't be surprised that the evil egg donor decided to confess all her sins on Kim's emancipation day. She always had to ruin anything good in Kim's life. Instead, Kim was going to focus on the lovely bath and boyfriend pampering. He even picked up the romance aromatherapy bath oil. Bless him.
"I like baths, especially when I'm not the one giving them. Alex likes to throw his rubber ducky at me." Kim loves her son, but even she needs a moment of serenity. Especially after today.
"I'm sure the bath oil helps along with the lack of duck throwing," Troy smirked at her.
"All the touching is also lovely. It would be better if you weren't teasing me, though." Like seriously, could he just touch her clitoris? She would also take a nipple; instead, he was caressing the outside of her left breast. It was about that moment the phone started ringing. Why did Vanessa make her get a landline again?
"Let it go to voice mail," Troy said as he kissed her neck.
"Other than today's surprise call from Taylor earlier," because she got the landline number from Chad, "Vanessa is the only one who calls the landline. That could mean something's wrong with Alex." Kim argued.
"If it's a real emergency, she would call the cell phones. I know she has our new numbers. I gave them to her myself." Troy answered.
"I rather not wait. I'm not going to be able to relax if I am worried about our son."
"You win," Troy said as he reached over to the telephone. Yes, they had a landline in the bathroom because of Vanessa. They actually have a phone in every room in the house. Her stepmom was ridiculously overprotective.
"Hello, Lucy," Kim's entire body went rigid when she heard him say this.
She can only hear Troy's half of the conversation. Unfortunately, there was no speaker option on the bathroom phone, which kind of seems silly.
How the fuck does she even have this number? Kim has only given it to a handful of people. Then she remembered that the school had it, which means a certain receptionist had access to it. She isn't even surprised because they're all sure that Ms. Rodriguez was the one who called Lucy to the school yesterday.
"You shouldn't have asked Ms. Rodriguez for Kim's house number. I have my cell phone off for a reason. So does dad since you kicked him out yesterday for actually being a good parent. I hope to everything in the universe I am a better parent than you."
Dammit, she will have to get a new phone number after she unplugs every phone in the house. She's also calling Vince's friend on the school board to discuss the gross lack of privacy. A donation will have this taken care of quickly.
"No, dad is not here at the moment, and I don't know where he is." Okay, that was a lie. They both knew Jack was staying over with Carolyn, but Troy knew not to tell Lucy that. "He has a key and knows better them to come near the master suite tonight," Troy said very icily to his mom.
"We are engaged and have a child together. Of course, we're having sex. We went over this yesterday. You were too busy trying to get me to abandon my child to actually pay attention to what I was saying." Troy pointed out in anger.
"Don't apologize to me because I doubt you actually mean it." Troy sighed into the phone.
"I'm only coming tomorrow to see the family members I actually like. You're not one of them. The moment you say anything nasty to my fiancée or child, we're leaving. Now excuse me, I need to make my girlfriend come." With that, Troy slammed the phone down on the receiver and then promptly unplugged the thing. Smart fiancée.
"I can't believe you just said that." She said as Troy came back over to her. "You are definitely mad at her."
"She deserves it. Not only is she treating you horribly, but she kicked my dad out because he took my side. I'm done with her." Troy said as he began to stroke her underneath the water.
"Yet you're making us go to Thanksgiving tomorrow. Why?"
"Because I want to see my Nana, the uncles, and the good aunt. If they're going to treat me like her, then I want to get it all over at once." Troy argued. "Also, Jen did suggest we go, so Lucy doesn't realize that we are about to unleash our lawyers on her."
"Fine. I reserve the right to say 'I told you so' if this blows up in our faces."
"That is entirely fair," Troy said before kissing her again.
Xxxxx
Elsewhere in Albuquerque a little later
10 minutes after Vince got Chad out of the house, before Chad could break anything else, Carolyn heard a knock on the guest house door. She smiled when she realized it was Jack. Carolyn instantly wrapped him in a hug. It's been a long three months, and she missed him so much.
"By that greeting, I'm going to assume that it was okay that Amanda just let me come back here. Sorry I didn't text first." Jack told her.
"It's fine. I have my phone off anyway at the moment."
"What happened?" Jack asked as she led him to the living room. Carolyn is pretty sure this guesthouse is larger than her apartment. Thanks to paying her ex an exorbitant amount in child support last year, she only had a studio. The guesthouse is at least a one-bedroom. With Chad in college, she decided not to get something bigger just yet. (She will ignore the voice in her mind that wants to come back to New Mexico now that Jack is getting divorced and Charles was safe in Cleveland.)
"Charles is an asshole who apparently tried to get Taylor to give him a blowjob when she was dating Chad." Jack exhaled at her words, which was then followed by several expletives.
"I said similar but in Spanish. Chad responded by coming out when Charles called to cancel dinner. He also broke his phone, but it feels warranted under the circumstances." Chad won't tell her exactly what Charles said, but Carolyn is sure it was hurtful.
"I personally want to break Charles' face, so a phone is mild by comparison." He doesn't get to hurt her baby anymore.
"So, do I. It was for the best that Charles cancel. I'm hoping that by tomorrow Chad will be able to deal with a very Claudia Thanksgiving. I will be on standby in case I have to get anybody out of jail. Vince took him and Sharpay to the shooting range at Lava Springs to work out some energy." Carolyn explained.
"Not a bad idea. I kind of wish this was the house with the basketball court right now." Jack told her.
"You've heard? Apparently, Ryan and Sharpay gave Chad and Ryan access to the court so they could ogle them from her room without them knowing about it."
"I'm not even surprised," Jack explained.
"We could join the others at Lava Springs if you want?" Carolyn offered.
"I don't think I can be around people other than you right now after today."
"I get that. I probably would've stayed here anyway even if you weren't coming." Jack gave her a half-smile.
"Getting to see you is the only not horrible part of the day."
"I'm glad you feel that way, although I did promise you food. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to order anything. I got distracted by Charles-related foolishness." Carolyn explained.
"It's okay. Besides, I need a drink more than food." That seemed very understandable.
"Vince was kind enough to give me the code to the good alcohol." Which they're all keeping Chad away from. "I can tell. You are not okay." Jack looked as shaken as Chad did earlier. "Did something else happen?"
"Today, we received hard evidence that the accident that sent Kimberly into premature labor wasn't actually an accident. Her biological mother arranged for it to cause a miscarriage."
"And this incident almost killed her in the process. Let's move this conversation to the minibar." Because Carolyn needed a drink too. Really she shouldn't be surprised by Charles propositioning Taylor because he was nearly 6 years older than her when he hit on her at a frat party. Tiffany wasn't even 20 yet when she caught Charles with her. He had a type, and it was disturbing, but unfortunately, she didn't see it earlier.
"That is an excellent suggestion. I want to forget this day happened." Jack said as he walked over to the minibar.
"What else happened?" Carolyn asked, following behind him.
"I'm going to need you to pour the drink first before I even start to explain why I am 100% sure my marriage is over. The letter from Kim's mom was very illuminating."
"Did you bring a copy?" The lawyer in her made her ask.
"Yes, because I know you so well. But you're the only other person I'm letting read it. I'll even send you a digital copy." Jack said, handing Carolyn a legal envelope. That's when she noticed his wedding ring was gone. He was completely serious earlier. It really was over. "I'm never letting Troy read that. Kim, either it would destroy both of them."
"I think I should probably order dinner before I even think about reading that. Is pizza okay?" Carolyn had a feeling she was in for a long night.
"Yes, and please order the bacon cheese fries. I feel like I need them because you won't let me drink more than a bottle." Jack lamented.
"You get two shots and maybe will split a bottle of wine." She cannot let him get drunk right now. She can't let herself either; otherwise, she might be tempted to use what Margarita made her bring.
"Then you better add the deep-fried brownies. If you won't let me drink, then I need junk food."
"The day before Thanksgiving too. This is serious." She joked.
"I'm not going to Thanksgiving at my soon-to-be-former wife's house, so I only have to worry about one," Jack remarked. "I'll call the rest of the family and will do something Friday, but I just can't be near Lucy."
"It's probably best that you do not see Lucy outside of a court of law right now." Because she knows it's bad just because he doesn't want Troy or Kim to know what is in the letter.
"Especially because I threw my wedding ring at her head about 45 minutes ago."
"You did what? You weren't even supposed to go over there without the legal team to get your stuff." Carolyn shook her head.
"That was before I read the letter," Jack said just as Carolyn turned her phone back on. She had 10 new text messages. Nine were from Charles. Carolyn deleted all of them without reading. She actually ordered her pizza before even bothering to delete the messages. Food was more important than Charles.
However, message 10 was from Lucy. She chose to read. At a minimum, she would probably need to take a screenshot for Troy's attorneys. She would definitely have to send that to the attorneys.
"Your soon-to-be ex-wife wants to know if you're with me," Carolyn told him, leaving out the part where she accused Carolyn of having sex with Jack. Which would definitely not happen, condoms in her suitcase notwithstanding.
"That is not what she actually wrote," Jack said, reading the text message over her shoulder.
"I was trying to be nice."
"Tell the hypocrite to go fuck herself. Just because she's fucking around doesn't mean I am," Jack said just as he opened the folder and showed her the photograph of Lucy making out with somebody who looked Troy's age.
"Oh shit!"
To be continued…
It sounds ridiculous, but while I was proofreading Ryan and Chad's conversation, my cell phone started playing I Will Always Love You. So I had to add that line. It happened again when I was proofreading Ryan and Gabriella's conversation. My phone started playing Don't Speak; it was too good not to write in. My phone has taste.
When I first wrote the line about Chad breaking his phone after his conversation with his father, I did not own an iPhone yet. So I wasn't aware of how much it actually takes to break one of those suckers.
I did not have the iPhone 2, but I had the model afterward. I got hit by a car and had my phone thrown 20 feet with me. I had five broken bones, but the phone only had a destroyed phone case and a slightly cracked screen. It still worked.
A few years later, I dropped my iPhone 6 on a marble floor and the entire screen cracked. So basically, I had to rewrite how Chad destroyed an iPhone to make it somewhat plausible.