23. Family

Thank fuck I made it too Saturday. My dad had me doing hockey practice ever since the meeting with my principal- aka his boss. My father actually added me to the team.

And fuck Grayson for giving him the idea!

Now I'm meant to meet my dads family as if I'm one of them, when it's clear as day I'm not. I may look like Chris but I sure as hell don't act like him, at least I don't think I do.

Chris called me down the stairs and I could already hear deep voices, one sounded older- my grandfather.

The other two were lighter and full of life, the twins, my cousins.

Thankfully Chris's brother and sister-in-law hadn't come. Apparently, they couldn't make it. But Chris's dad—my grandfather—had shown up. And so had his two nephews, Liam and Ethan.

Which meant I was now standing in my living room, arms crossed, staring at three people who were technically my family but felt like complete strangers.

Chris's dad was a big guy—broad-shouldered, gray-haired, the type who looked like he could run a military camp without breaking a sweat. He had the same sharp features as Chris, though his expression was unreadable.

Liam and Ethan? They were twins in their late teens, maybe eighteen or nineteen, tall, athletic, and very obviously not hockey players. Football. I could tell just by the way they carried themselves—the same cocky stance, the built-up upper body strength that screamed we bulldoze people for fun.

And judging by their matching smirks, they were having way too much fun with this.

"Everyone this is Calliope, and Callie this is Ethan and Liam your cousins and your Grandpa Joe." Chris pointed as he spoke, trying to sound cheerful to ease the tension.

Liam was the first to speak. "Damn, you really do exist."

Ethan elbowed him. "Told you. Pay up."

I raised a brow. "You guys placed bets on whether I was real?"

Liam shrugged. "Hey, it's not every day you find out you've got a cousin no one ever talks about."

I huffed. "Well, congrats. You won the jackpot."

Chris shot me a warning look, but my grandfather just chuckled. "You've got some bite to you."

I met his gaze evenly. "Yeah, well, I had to."

There was a pause—like he was assessing me—but then he nodded, like he understood.

Chris cleared his throat. "You guys want something to drink?"

Liam smirked. "Beer, if you got it." Noted Liam likes to drink, we should get along.

Chris gave him a pointed look. "Water or soda."

Ethan snickered. "Water's fine."

I stayed standing while Chris went to grab drinks. Liam stretched out on the couch like he'd been here a hundred times before. "So, Callie. You play hockey now?"

I shot a glare at the kitchen where Chris had run off to. "Not by choice."

That made both of them laugh. My grandfather just shook his head. "Your father was the same way. Said he hated it, but he was good at it."

Chris sighed as he returned with the drinks. "Dad—"

I cut him off. "Yeah, well, I was fine just skating."

Liam perked up. "Wait, what do you mean just skating?"

I smiled awkwardly. "Figure skating."

His brows shot up. "Damn. No wonder you move fast."

I've barely moved?

I narrowed my eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ethan grinned. "It means we play football, and our speed is basically straight-line running. You? You're all agility and footwork. Bet you could juke the hell out of defenders."

Fucking new it, football players.

I scoffed. "I'm not playing football."

Liam snorted. "Relax, no one's recruiting you."

I laughed, "not what your uncle did, he just told me to start playing and now I've been forced into it."

Chris ran a hand down his face like he was already regretting this.

Didn't know I was such a letdown dad.

"Chris you can't force the poor girl into hockey." My Grandpa chuckled slowly as he gave my dad a pointed look.

This family was so different from my moms. It scared me.

"So, are Gray and Luke coming over?" Liam asked, looking at Chris like this was a completely normal question.

My head snapped up so fast I probably gave myself whiplash. "What?"

Grayson never said he knew my family. He just listened to my issues and nodded along, not even mentioning it. Prick.

Chris frowned. "Why would they?"

Ethan gave him an incredulous look. "Because they're basically family? They're at your house all the damn time."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

Liam smirked. "Oh, yeah. Gray and Luke have been coming here for years. I mean, before you showed up, Uncle Chris didn't really have anyone else around."

I stared at them, waiting for the joke.

It never came.

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. Of course Grayson and Luke were involved. I couldn't escape them.

Not only did I have to deal with them at school, at practice, and in every other waking moment of my life, but now I find out they've basically been honorary family members this whole time?

I was starting to think I was the outsider here, and Grayson Maverick was the one Chris actually wanted.

"So he's like what? Your pretend son?" I turned to my dad, mine.

"No, you know the boys are always welcome here, and your cousins became close friends with them over the years." He explained and honestly I didn't know what to believe anymore.

Can these fucking hockey boys get any more involved in my life? Or was I the one crashing theirs?

Liam snorted. "Damn, you sound kinda jealous."

I leveled him with a look. "Liam, he's the reason I'm on the hockey team."

Ethan choked on his drink. "Wait, what?"

Chris sighed like he already regretted this conversation. "Maverick gave me the idea."

Liam let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's cold."

"You're telling me," I grumbled. "I should've broken his nose when I had the chance."

Chris shot me a warning look. "Callie."

"Fine," I muttered. "But if he walks through that door, I'm throwing something at him."

Ethan grinned. "You wouldn't."

I met his gaze, completely deadpan. "Try me."

Liam smirked. "Man, this is gonna be fun."

Yeah. So much fun.

Chris exhaled sharply, clearly done with all of us. "They're not coming."

I relaxed slightly. Thank fuck.

"Yet," Ethan added under his breath.

I shot him a glare. "Don't even think about it."

He grinned. "What? You don't wanna have a nice little family reunion?"

"Oh, totally," I deadpanned. "Nothing would make me happier than seeing Grayson fucking Maverick walk through that door."

Liam smirked. "Man, you really hate him, huh?"

"I don't hate him," I corrected. "I despise him. There's a difference."

Do I though? I should... but should I?

Chris sighed, rubbing a hand over his face like this was testing every ounce of patience he had. "Can you three just try to get along?"

I raised a brow. "Define get along."

Chris gave me a look.

Liam chuckled. "Yeah, good luck with that."

I huffed, sinking further into the couch. "This is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday."

Ethan smirked. "What, bonding with your family isn't on your list of priorities?"

I stared at him, unimpressed. "You mean the family I've known for less than a month?"

Chris shot me another warning look, but Liam just laughed. "Fair point."

Ethan nudged him. "We should text Gray. Tell him to swing by."

I immediately sat up. "You do that, and I swear to God—"

Liam held his hands up in mock innocence. "Relax. I'm just messing with you." I narrowed my eyes. "You better be."

I should've known I wouldn't be able to avoid actual family bonding forever. The second I thought I'd survived enough awkward small talk, Chris decided to take it up a notch.

"You three go upstairs and spend some time together," he said, like that was a completely normal and reasonable request.

I blinked. Excuse me?

My grandfather—who had barely said two words all evening—nodded in agreement. "Yeah, go get to know each other. You're family, after all."

I turned to Liam and Ethan, waiting for them to protest. Surely, they'd want out of this just as much as I did.

They didn't.

Instead, Liam shrugged. "Alright."

Ethan was already pushing himself off the couch. "Come on, Callie."

I stared at them. "You guys can't be serious."

Chris gave me a look—the kind that meant I didn't actually have a choice.

I sighed dramatically and got up. "Fine. But if either of you piss me off, I will throw you out the window."

Ethan grinned. "Damn, you're violent."

I smiled sweetly. "You have no idea."

Liam chuckled as we headed upstairs. "This might actually be fun."

I highly doubted that.

To my surprise, hanging out with Liam and Ethan wasn't totally unbearable.

I mean, they were annoying, but in a charming kind of way. They had the same quick wit as Chris, constantly throwing sarcastic remarks back and forth, and for once, I wasn't the only one in the room with a sharp tongue.

Even weirder? They treated me like I was just another cousin, not some long-lost relative they had to force a connection with.

"So, you really didn't know Gray and Luke were always at your dad's house?" Liam asked, stretching out on my bed like he owned the place.

I groaned, throwing myself into my desk chair. "I knew the hockey team was always here but I never knew Gray and Luke where so close to you guys."

Ethan smirked. "Damn, so you thought you were the golden child, huh?"

I scoffed. "Golden child? Please. I didn't even know who my father was growing up."

That shut them up real quick.

Liam frowned. "Wait, for real?"

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "Yeah. I was raised by my mom. Never met Chris before moving here."

Ethan studied me for a moment, his usual teasing expression fading slightly. "That's gotta be weird."

I huffed a laugh. "Understatement of the year."

Liam sat up. "So, what was it like? Living in the city?"

I hesitated. It wasn't something I talked about often—especially not with people who grew up in normal families—but for some reason, I didn't mind telling them.

"It was... intense," I admitted. "Loud, chaotic. You had to be tough, or people walked all over you. I learned that pretty fast."

Ethan nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "So that's why you act like you could kill a man."

I smirked. "Exactly."

Liam chuckled. "Shit, you'd probably fit in with our football team."

I rolled my eyes. "No thanks. I'm stuck with hockey now, apparently."

Ethan grinned. "Yeah, whose fault is that?"

I scowled. "I will fight Grayson Maverick." Even though I knew I couldn't, I didn't even want to, maybe some sarcastic remarks could be thrown his way though.

Liam snorted. "Good luck with that. Dude's built like a tank."

"Don't care," I muttered. "I will ruin his life." Again, I wouldn't ruin it, I mean, if my presence hasn't already done that.

Ethan smirked. "You sound real confident for someone who's stuck with him for the rest of the season."

I groaned. "God, don't remind me."

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "You're something else, Callie."

I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult, but I chose to take it as a compliment.

My dads family apparently was staying the night, in the guest bedrooms, which was okay I guess, they where nice people.

By the time I heard whispering outside my door, I had finally started to think maybe—maybe—the bonding wasn't the worst thing ever.

And then I heard exactly what they were whispering about.

"We should go," Ethan murmured.

Liam hesitated. "Dude, if we get caught, Chris will kill us."

"We won't get caught," Ethan insisted. "Come on, it's just one party."

"It's a club not a party." I heard Liam say in a flat tone

I smirked to myself. Busted.

Slowly, I pushed my door open, stepping into the hall.

Ethan immediately froze. "Shit."

Liam sighed. "We're screwed."

I crossed my arms. "You're sneaking out."

Ethan groaned. "Callie—"

I cut him off with a smirk. "Take me with you."

Both of them looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

"What?" Liam frowned.

I leaned against the doorframe, tilting my head. "You heard me."

Ethan shook his head. "No way."

"Boys only, sorry Cal." Liam said and I lost it.

I'm going to this damn club.

"What about us being cousins and bonding? Plus, I'll just invite my girls to come!" I acted sweet, talking in a polite tone to make them change their minds.

They didn't crack. Stubborn, like me.

I raised an eyebrow. "You really think I won't snitch?" Best way to make them listen, is to make them scared.

Liam sighed, already looking like he regretted his entire life. "She's got a point."

Ethan groaned. "Unbelievable."

I grinned. "I'll go get ready." I rushed to my room, and automatically made a group chat with Alexis and Tess.

Bitches💕

Tess: What's this group chat Allie?

Tess meet Alexis, Alexis meet Tess!!

Alexis: Heyy! What's up?

We're sneaking into a club with my cousins and some boys from school, you guys in?

Tess: I was just about to head back to the city, it's a long drive... I'm not sure.

Alexis: Is Vince going?..

Tess I'll drive you tomorrow, I need to visit the city anyways and Alexissss we NEED the tea on this relationship, but yes he will x

Tess: I'm in.

Alexis: Can't wait!

I'll pick you up in half an hour x

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A/N: Sorry for the late posts everything in my life's gone to shit can we all just trauma dump in chat pleaseeee

Words: 2336