The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,250

Riverses. Gigi’s eyes are glassy and she’s clutching Hayes’ arm like her life depends on it. I gotta hurry this up.

I look back to my mother and say sternly, “No one’s leaving until we’re all done.”

She eyes me like I’m an offending stain on her pristine white blouse. Her nostrils flare as if a malodorous wind just blew through.

“This had better be good,” she says and then stalks back to her seat.

“Will you please have a seat?” I say to the Riverses.

They walk over to the chairs I’ve set up next to my family.

Regan and Tyson watch me with wide-eyed awe.

“You guys okay?” I ask them before I get things started. Regan nods yes, Tyson just looks down at his lap. He’s taken the news terribly.

I never realized how much he missed my father, too. He was just a baby when he left. But he’s refused to see him. Until tonight. I haven’t pushed because I’ve thought it might be for the best.

My father’s been extremely cooperative. I think he’s just happy to have a clean bed and all his meals. Being here for the last week hasn’t done anything to jog his memory. Rivers Wilde was only in the early stages of development when he left. Nothing here would look familiar. Certainly not his children. We’ve already had two sessions with a psychiatrist. After all of this time without any medical care, it’s been an essential piece in trying to help him get the tools he needs to rebuild his life.

We’ve told him his real name. Told him he’s from here. Yet, I haven’t found the courage to say the words “I’m your son.” And maybe that’s because it doesn’t feel like an honest thing to say.

I’m not his son. Not really. I’m the son of the Legend of Lucas Wilde. But he’s not real.

I’ve grappled with that all week. Does that mean I’m not real either? Kal shot that question down vehemently and convincingly.

Of course, I am someone. I’m the man I’ve made myself. Just because I spent my life chasing what turned out to be something contrived, doesn’t mean I’m contrived. I’ve made choices, followed my convictions and I’ve built a good life.

All of that is true. But it’s going to take more than her sweet assurances to make me believe it completely. When this is all over, I’m getting back to my day-to-day as quickly as I can. I’m going back to the office on Monday. Making my appearance official and then figuring out how to get Kal to stay in Houston.

I clap my hands together in anticipation and turn to face my guests.

“Thank you for coming. I asked you all here today because while I was gone, I found out what happened to Lucas Wilde.” I rip the Band-Aid off fast and without any warning. And I watch their faces.

My mother rolls her eyes.

Gigi’s eyes fall shut and she grips Hayes’ hand tightly.

“Remi, this is ridiculous. We already know what happened,” my mother scoffs.

“We know what you say happened,” I respond.

“He walked away from his life for love, Remi. It cost him everything. Cost us all everything.” The vitriol in her voice is diminished by the extreme sadness in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Tina.” Gigi’s head has been bowed all this time, but she looks up at my mother now. Her hazel eyes are bloodshot and wet. “I know Lucas and I hurt you in ways we couldn’t begin to imagine. The decision we made wasn’t a flippant, easy one.”

“Really?” My mother’s disbelieving voice is laced with relief. This is, clearly, a very long overdue conversation. My heart, so long cold to her, constricts as I watch a sadness I’ve never seen come over her face. It ages her instantly.

“Yes. We chose differently the first time. You didn’t know that we met in college—”

“Of course I know that.” My mother’s voice cracks with indignation. “Lucas told me all about you when we got married. Called you a phase. Said he knew nothing lasting could be built on something that floated so far off the ground,” she says spitefully.

Gigi nods and her smile is wistful and fleeting, her eyes a little lost. “Yes, that’s what we told each other when we broke up. It felt like an awful lot of trouble to go to for something as unknown as love. His family hated me. Mine hated him. And we both, especially him, didn’t want to make life harder than it had to be. So we went our