The Lone Beacon of Sanity

Colt's arm automatically goes around his wife's waist. "Logan's cheating." The comment distracts Logan long enough for him to miss his shot; Brett kisses Bree on the cheek before he moves for his turn.

"Funny. He usually says the same about you." She'll lean into him, giving herself a moment to just...settle into being here. It would be rude to drag him away immediately, right? "I saw the kids with the others. I'm surprised you were able to detach Brady from Logan's leg."

As Brett moves to take his turn, Bree will take another sip of his beer, hopping up to sit on the unused table with the bottles.

"That's because he usually is the cheater," Logan gestures to Colt with his beer bottle, getting a roll of Colt's eyes in returned.

"Because I learned from the cheater." Colt turned his attention away from the game going on. "They bribed him with pizza and gave the kids their own lane."

Oh boy. So it was gonna be one of those kind of nights, huh? "Well at least now we know that in the hierarchy of Brady's mind, pizza trumps Uncle Logan."

"He was hungry and it was close to dinner time. Someone reminded him it was almost dinner time and he didn't want to break schedule."

"Did he bring his clipboard?"

"It's in his backpack now."

"Hey...you never know when an emergency checklist might come in handy."

Colt grinned. "When has that ever come in handy?"

"First time for everything. But speaking of the kids...can we..." She motioned away from the group.

Figuring it has something to do with Lucas or Brady's class, he nodded and motions for her to lead the way.

She'll wait til they're a few steps off -- both from the group playing pool and the rest of her family to speak. "So Bree and I were running errands earlier and before I knew it, I was sitting in the car bawling over some song."

That's strange; she's done it before, he's seen her. But the last time it happened, Brady hadn't been born yet. "What?"

"We had gone to the florist and were stopping for coffee when all of a sudden Bryan White comes on and I just lose it. Bree starts joking about how if it was anyone else she would think they were pregnant and well...I am."

"Wait, back it up. What?" This didn't seem like something she would ever joke about but their boys...they had talked about it first, they had been planned, and he was sure they were safe again after Brady. "You're pregnant?"

"According to the three tests I took this afternoon. I made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon just to be safe, but yeah...we're gonna have another baby."

It was still a bit hard to wrap his mind around; they were always so careful and they're barely touched the subject of another baby yet he still grabbed her in his arms, lifting her up off her feet, a grin on his face.

She should have known this was coming -- the whole lifitng her up. It happened a lot. And yet she still squealed a bit every time he did it. Squealed and laughed and clung to him nice and tight. And tonight was no exception. "I know we haven't...that number three was supposed to still be a bit off...but it looks like our plans have changed. You're okay with that, right?"

It was nice to know he could still make her squeal and laugh when he lifted her up after all these years and when he set her back down, he was still grinning from ear to ear. "Of course, darlin'. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Cause we haven't had a chance to talk about this. Cause I thought my birth control was working. Cause getting pregnant right before wedding season starts is not exactly how I would have planned this."

"Some of the best things can't be planned. And this? this is one of those sorta things."

"Lucas and Brady were both planned."

"Maybe this one's just in a hurry to be with his brothers and doesn't wanna wait for us?"

"His?" She couldn't keep the amused look off her face at that. "So you think it's gonna be a boy then..."

He gave her another grin. "We're two for two."

He did have a point there. Their track record did strongly favor it being a boy. "I should know more after my appointment tomorrow...or at least get some idea of a due date..what do you want to do about telling the others? And the boys?"

"It's the twin's coming home party. Let's hold off on lettin' 'em know for now.'"

"Good call. We should probably tell the boys first anyway. And Logan. Cause I know you're dying to tell Logan and Trace."

"We can tell 'em when we get back to the house." Though it may slip to Logan and Brett at the pool table.

She'd be shocked if it didn't. Or if Bree hadn't already told Brett. Though in this instance, Bree was most likely waiting until Nora told Colt. Cause best to keep the surprise a surprise. "Either tonight or tomorrow over breakfast. Depending on whether or not Brady makes it the whole night." She had a strong suspicion their littlest one would be out long before they headed home.

It seemed to be the way it went though as long as it didn't make it to the siblings, it'd be easier to keep it a secret. Colt glanced over towards the kids; even with the pizza and the few sips of soda he'd seen him take, he had a feeling it wouldn't be long before their littlest was out on his shoulder. "Breakfast might be better."

Nora's glance followed Colt and oh look...was that a clipboard she saw. No doubt he was keeping everyone to their turn. "Probably." She leaned into him again. They did okay with the first two. And they'd do just as well with this one. "Should we go say hi?"

"Mmmmhmmm." She'll step aside to let Logan in.

"I thought Cash was taking her to the mountains. Now where's the little cowboys?"

Does she need to point out the window at the mountains, Logan? Cause she will. They're ON a mountain. Hence the skiing.

But don't worry. Trace is confused too. Enjoying the hell out of seeing Colt, Nora, and the kids. But confused.

"Upstairs. I think Colt's trying to help Lucas locate his homework sheet from last night."

Well yeah, they are. But there's also mountains closer instead of 17 hours away.

"I'll go find 'em."

Hence the confusion.

"Ahem." He's gonna find his way blocked by a tiny blonde who has NOT been properly loved on.

Logan's gonna roll his eyes but grab her. "C'mere."

There's a slight squeal from Trace and she's hugging him cause look! It's a Logan! "Cash is in the shower."

Of course the squeal is gonna bring little feet running.

"So he does now how to clean up." Teasing and he's gonna let go as soon as the little feet come running and scoop up little Brady instead, throwing him over his shoulder.

Trace is just gonna make a face at that cause you are so not as funny as you think you are.

And there goes any hope of getting the kids out the door on time. Well Lucas. Brady there is still some hope for. She just needs to remind him they have a schedule.

Oh yes. Wait til you see the clipboard, Logan.

It was funny.

For now there's no going anywhere or talk of clipboards, there is only tickling the boy.

"Brady. Brady. Honey. Are you ready to go?"

"No!" Through giggles. "Uncle Logan, no!!"

"But what about pre school? And saying goodbye to your dinos?"

That's still not getting his attention away from the newest guest and the tickling. "Uncle Logan, no!! I'm gonna go!!"

THAT gets Brady set on the ground very fast and no more tickling.

Yeah. No. Trace is gonna need a moment as she is dying in the corner. "C'mon, Buddy. I gotcha.'

"Welcome to life with toddlers." Nora may also be slightly amused.

Brady's just gonna run straight to the bathroom once he's on the ground.

"It sounds like fun." Logan grins and opens his arms to Nora.

Trace will follow slower, knowing sooner or later a call for help will come.

It's chaos. Absolute chaos. But she does love when he and Trace come up. Colt doesn't have a pack of siblings like she does. Just his cousin and Logan. And she loves then every bit as much as he does, so she goes to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

She's not wrong; it takes a minute or two after he's in there but the call comes.

Logan hugged her just as tight as he had Trace. To him, it almost felt like a lifetime since she had joined them back home and stolen his best friend's heart. It had only been seeing how happy she had made him that Logan hadn't hogtied Colt into staying. "How've you been? He ain't driving you too crazy, is he?"

She may not have younger siblings but she spent a good majority of her younger years babysitting plus going through this with Lucas so she's there and ready and soon helping usher him back out towards his mom and Logan.

"Never. Well...at least not this week. My siblings on the other hand...but what about you? What's new in the life of Logan?"

As soon as they're back, Brady latches himself onto Logan's leg.

"Do we need to rough 'em up while I'm here? You know we will...well...I met a girl..."

Nora makes a mental note to just call both kids out of school today. Because no way is Brady going in. And if he doesn't go to pre-school then Lucas isn't going to want to go to Kindergarten and between Trace, Cash, and Logan they more than have childcare covered...

"Possibly. There's some stuff going on with Tommy and Colt thinks he's not telling us the whole story. Which, given what I do know, sounds likely. Jordan brought a man home from Spain. So of course my dad is pissed. And a girl? I think you need to tell us about this girl."

"Spain?? And what's going on with Tommy? Between us, we can take care of it. And yes, a girl. She's the bar manager where Wayne plays."

"Yep. Spain. The twins went away for six weeks and Jordan returned with Paolo and Tommy returned alone. Two days later. Made a stop in Amsterdam." She looks down at Brady, frowning. "Why don't you go tell your Dad and brother Uncle Logan's here...." She was not discussing what Tommy told her in front of the three year old. Nope.

Brady pouts but he'll let go and run screaming towards his brother's room that Uncle Logan is there.

"What's he getting into?"

"Alcohol. Or so it sounds like. He and his girlfriend broke up before he left for Europe. Apparently he'd been cheating on her or so she and Joe tell him. Tommy says he can't remember any of it, or the parties it supposedly took place at. Colt doesn't think we should trust Joe on his word alone and I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Joe but why would someone lie about this?"

Trace is just gonna be silent in the corner. As they all know what she thinks of guys who cheat on their girlfriends. Say...do either of the boys have a baseball bat lying around.

"Where's Tommy been since he came back? Is he at home?"

The boys do have baseball bats around somewhere.

"Nope. Been staying with Joe. Though he may have dropped by the house yesterday for the first time...after my father cut him and my sister off from their bank cards. He doesn't like being ignore."

Excellent. She may be needing them.

"I think we need to have a talking to with this Joe."

"Maybe. But again...why lie? Why tell your best friend he's cheating when he's not?"

"Cause he's a shitty human being?"

Logan will point to Trace because that.

"Point taken. And maybe it is time to chat with Joe...Tommy will most likely bring him to this party Jordan is planning."

"I'll talk to Colt and Cash and we can see what we can do."

"If it turns out Joe's not lyin' and Tommy really is a cheatin' son of a bitch, tag me in, okay?" She's sorry, Nora. But come on.

"If he is, yeah. Go at 'im."

"Sorry, Nora."

"Yeah yeah yeah." It still doesn't sound like Tommy to her, but if by chance it is...then maybe a broken headlight or two will help knock some sense into him and she cannot believe she is condoning this. Look what you people do to her.

"We'll get your brother right fixed, Nora." And there's both boys running back to latch onto Logan.

"Thanks." She'll watch the boys latch onto Logan as she slides her arm around Colt's waist once he appears. "I think today's going to be a sick day for the two of them."

There's lot of screaming at both of them try to climb up their guest only to be stopped when Logan grabs one of them.

"Think they'll mind at the lodge if I take a sick day?"

"You want to play with your friends?"

"We tried talking. I came back and all of a sudden Polo fucking exists." he mutters, bitter as he drains the last dregs of his pint. "We've drifted. It's fine. I don't even care."

"You do. Or you wouldn't be this upset. And calling him 'polo'."

"Well his name is fucking stupid." he lifts a hand waving for the waitress as he shrugs. "I don't care. She obviously doesn't give a fuck so neither do I."

"Wait." Nora frowned. "Did you say you came back? Came back from where?"

"Did I?" he shrugs, feigning indifference even as he shifts with nerves. "I just mean y'know...he was just there one day."

"That's not the same as came back. Tommy...."

"I dunno -- must've just said it weird." he shrugs. "The point is, Polo is a fucking tool and I'm done with Jordan doing this where she stops giving a shit about everyone else."

"You know how your sister is. She'll come back around when it's not so shiny."

"Doesn't make it right."

"No. No it doesn't. But you just have to ride it out, okay?"

"Yeah -- yeah sure." he looks down, horrified as he notices he fucking wants to cry. He really must be on a downer, and whatever Joe gave him to perk himself up isn't fucking working. It's all fucked, and any attempt at fixing things just fucks it up more. He's never gone this long without Jordan before, or feeling so distant from his family, yet no way to breach the gap. "I better go. Said I'd get the bike back to Joe and help him prep for poker tonight."

"Skip poker. Come see the kids. Colt'll cook."

"Nah I uh -- I promised. I better just go."

"At least let me drive you back to the lodge."

"Well I hope so -- I left my bike there."

Nora throws some cash down on the table and says good-bye to the people in there she knows before heading back out to the truck, her arm around her little brother's shoulder. "It's gonna be okay. I promise."

"Yeah -- it will, I'll be going to Europe anyway." he fakes a grin, burning turning to press a clumsy kiss to the top of her head. "Don't worry about me Nor, I'm always fine."

He'll hold her close. "How does he know he cheated if he doesn't remember? Who told him he did?"

"Joe. And Layla. He says both of them told him about it."

"Joe knew?"

"Apparently. He says it was a couple of parties. Gig season. And he doesn't remember anything that happened at that."

"Was Layla there?"

"I don't know."

"If she wasn't, why's he taking Joe's word?"

"You think he shouldn't?" She's not particularly fond of Joe; hasn't been for a while now. But cheating on someone was serious. That wasn't something one just batted about casually. Was it?

"Somethin' seems off about it."

She begins to pull away slowly, looking up at him as they separate. "Off or not, it's not like Joe's gonna tell me the truth. And if he lied, then why? And Tommy just keeps spending time over there. He was riding one of Joe's new bikes when he met me today. Said the two of them want to go back to Europe since Joe wasn't allowed on the trip with him and Jordan."

"You want me to talk to him?"

"Maybe? I don't know. I just wish he would tell me what was going on. This thing with Joe, he and Layla breaking up, whatever is going on between him and Jordan...."

"We could get him out here for dinner..." Are her siblings influencing him? Maybe....

"I told him he needs to come by. Jordan too. That the boys have been asking about them."

"Are they coming?"

"He said 'he doesn't see their schedules matching up'. And Jordan isn't really responding to texts."

"There's gotta be some way for 'em to match up."

"You would think. But no. They are bound and determine to ignore one another."

"That ain't gonna fly forever."

"No. But I don't see how to force them together. Tommy barely leaves Joe's and Jordan is with her...new friend....almost 24/7."

"You get Jordan. I'll get Tommy." Even if it means throwing him over his shoulder and locking him in the car.

"So what? We drag them both here kicking in and screaming?"

"If we have to."

And this? Right here? Is why she loves him. "Hopefully it won't come to that. But good to know we have a Plan B. The boys eat?"

"The boys are good"

"What about you?"

"I ate with the boys. You hungry?"

"Starved."

"I'll get ya. Anything sound good?"

"I don't want to make you cook twice. I'm sure there are some leftovers I can heat up."

"There's some leftover steak in the fridge."

"Normal steak or steak pretending to be chicken?"

"It's still perfectly normal steak. But there's some of yours in there too."

"Okay see but it's not. It's steak. Steak should not pretend to be chicken."

"It's still steak. Good, fried steak."

Do you see this look, this is the looks of a skeptical wife. Twelve years and she still doesn't get the whole chicken fried steak thing. She's come around to biscuits and gravy. Grits. And a whole lot of other southern foods. But chicken fried steak was just...that was apparently where she drew the line. "You said you left some non-fried for me?"

Twelve years and Colt's still holding to the idea that things are better fried. Especially steak. "I did."

"Have I mentioned you're the best husband ever?"

He grins. "No."

She'll smirk back, rising up on tip toe to kiss him. "Well you are."

"Always good to hear."

Another kiss and she'll move to the fridge, grabbing the container of meat and setting it on the counter.

"There should be some potatoes and gravy in there too if you want 'em."

Of course she wants them, she'll go back in the fridge, grabbing those two (and a bottle of wine) as she begins heating up the stove. She knows sooner or later Colt will take over, he's the cook between the two of them, but she'll still make a good show of trying.

For now, he'll grab the corkscrew and the bottle of wine to pour them both a glass. He'll hand hers over and try to shoo her away from the stove so he can take over.

"What. No. But I totally got it..." Yeah. The protest is weak and she's already moving as she takes a sip, leaning against the counter on the other side of the kitchen.

Yeah, yeah, yeah he knows how this goes. He'll take over and once the food is warm enough, he'll set the plate in front of her with a kiss to her  cheek

"So how was your day? Did Lucas say how the bake sale went?"

"Spent way too long trying to explain how the skis worked but it was alright. He said Memaw's brownies did good."

"They're skis. How do people think they work?"

"You'd be surprised."

"I'm sorry the tourists hurt your brain. We had 500 balloons show up that were supposed to be delivered on Sunday."

"500?? Where'd they all fit?"

"Oh I sent them back. Latex balloons won't last. Doesn't do me any good to have them delivered early."

"They coulda been fun. I might grab a few Sunday."

"And do what?"

He shrugs. But yes, Nora, you may find your husband amusing your kids by sucking in hellum.

As long as he sings Chipmunk songs while doing it; cause you can't suck in helium and not sing Chipmunk songs. It's practically law.

Fiiiiiiine.

Speaking of the kids, they're being AWFULLY quiet... Should she be worried?

....potentally...maybe...

She does not trust that maybe.

He'll check on them.

She'll come. She hasn't seen them all day.

Alright, fair on that.

She'll drop her dish in the sink before taking another swig of wine and heading up the stairs towards the boys' rooms. Lucas will be, as always, playing on his ipad, while Brady has about 50 some odd plastic dinos scattered about his floor.

And there's the dino clipboard in his little hands and do you see this look, Nora?

Hush you. She sees no look. "Brady? Whatcha doing, Buddy?"

He's three, he doesn't need to know what  a clip board is.

"Checking my dinos."

But look at him. Look at his serious little expression.

"Checking your dinos? For what?"

He's three!

"Make sure none ran away."

He is, yeah....but oh god, her heart. HE IS MAKING SURE NONE RAN AWAY.

"And are all present and accounted for?"

He loves him, he's just like his mama. But the clip board....

"Yeah though Rexy's being orn..orna...ornary..."

They could get him an ipad...

"Oh no!" She'll come and sit on the floor, smiling at Colt as she pulls the little boy into her lap. "What's he doing?"

Maybe he'd play games then....still, he smiles when Nora pulls him into her lap.

"He thinks he knows best and he wants to play. But we got a party."

"Silly Rexy. Doesn't he know he can play at the party?"

"No he can't. He's like Uncle Robbie. He's gotta cook."

"But he has such little arms. How does he cook with his little arms?"

"He has a big flippy thing and a spoon."

"How very resourceful of him." She kisses his cheek. "So if the t-rex cooks, what do the raptors do?"

"They serve the food."

"They're the waitstaff??? I think your Aunt Jordan may have something to say about that."

"Yeah!"

"Do you think we're at a point where we can dismiss the dinos for the night and let them go to bed? Because I know a little boy who needs to go to bed."

"It's gonna be a late night, Mama. I can't sleep."

"Why a late night?"

"Cause the party is coming and we're not ready."

"Well....how about you sleep now and I will help you with the party in the morning."

"Really?"

"Really. You and me. We'll get it done in no time."

"Yay!!"

That went better than she expected. Holding out her hand for his clipboard, she nudges him a bit. "Go with Daddy to brush your teeth."

He'll hand over his clipboard and goes to grab on to his dad's neck when Colt picks him up.

While Brady goes with colt, she'll set the clipboard on his desk and begin picking up the dinos so that no one steps on them in the middle of the night.

At least Brady's out of the room other wise he might take issue with it if she doesnt pick them up in the right order.

That is probably for the best as she does not need any more pointed looks her way. It's not like Lucas does this. Brady just...likes things a certain way. Like she does.

Lucas is still perfectly content playing Minecraft on his tablet.

Nora will poke her head in, telling him fifteen more minutes before returning to Brady's room. "All ready for bed?"

Brady's all cleaned up and in his dino pjs and being tucked in by his dad when she comes in. "Yeah."

She'll come over and drop a kiss to his forehead, lingering as colt finishes up.

"Night, pal." Colt'll go get Lucas to start getting him to bed.

She'll tuck him in, giving him another kiss, before she's heading down the hall to check on that.

He's managed to get Lucas to hand over the ipad, brush his teeth, and get into his NASCAR pjs. But she'll find the two rough housing when she comes in

“What's this?”

There's matching guily looks on their faces.

"Sorry, Mama."

"I swear I'm putting him to bed."

"Uh-huh. I totally believe that." She opens her arms to her son.

Lucas'll run to her for a hug.

She scoops him up, covering his cheek with kisses before releasing him once more. "Looks like you almost had your Daddy pinned."

"I did!"

"Pretty sure you're going to be able to take him soon."

"He is gettin' to be pretty strong. If he wants to beat me, he's gonna have to go to sleep so he can stay strong."

Smooth move there, honey. "Sounds like a challenge to me."

Lucas will squirm out of his mom's arms and run to get in his bed. "I'm goin'!"

She follows, tucking his blanket around him as she gives him a kiss. "Night, Baby."

"Night, Mama."

The light goes off as she slips into the hall, leaving the door open a crack. "Look at that. Both of them in bed with minimal fuss."

"I think that's what they call a miracle."

"Most definitely. Question is...what do we do now?" Kids are in bed, they're home together, and not completely exhausted

Nora was also a bit surprised that Layla had managed to keep the news of the breakup to herself, but then...maybe she thought it wasn't her place to tell Tommy's family. Either way...Tommy was telling her now and that was what mattered. Because now that it was out in the open, they could talk about it. Maybe even fix it; provided that was what Tommy wanted.

And given his rush to defend her? She was going to guess it was what he wanted.

"Colt's fine. And I think it has to do with reading the English like their beer warm, but hey...that's not important right now. If the breakup wasn't Layla's fault, then you're saying it's yours..."

"I'm surprised dad's kept his mouth shut about it this long, you know he likes to whine about beer." he shrugs, shaking his head at her question. He can't give an answer, they love Layla, he loves Layla and six years is a long fucking time for them to be together. Too long a time for him to justify what he'd done. It'd help, if he could remember doing it. If he could remember even a fraction of the apparent girls he'd slept with. But Joe was his best friend, and even he insisted he'd done it. He had no justification he could give, he couldn't remember doing it in the first place.

"I cheated." he states bluntly, staring firmly out the window so he didn't have to see her disappointed look."Multiple times apparently."

"Tommy..." She didn't mean to go straight to the disappointed mom tone, but she couldn't help it. She had watched Tommy and Layla together for years and never once had she thought her little brother would cheat. He always seemed so in love...it kind of reminded her of her and Colt back in college. "Why? I thought...it seemed like you two were... I thought she was the one..."

"She was. Is." he'd wanted to propose, he'd planned to. Before...well before his life went to shit and he can't quite pinpoint when it did, or why. He's not sure what happened, or why he keeps losing the people he cares about. Jordan seems to have ideas, but he doesn't want to hear them. It's fucking stupid, the idea that the occasional party is having this much of an affect. It's an excuse, an excuse to justify her fucking attachment to Polo. "I can't remember doing it. Joe told me. Layla told me. I can't give a reason cause I didn't even know it happened."

See. Now that raised all sorts of alarm bells. What did mean he couldn't remember? Why did Joe and Layla have to tell him what he did and did not do? And if he loved Layla, why was he going off having mystery sexcapades with random people?

Climbing down out of the truck, she ushered Tommy inside, waiting until they were tucked into a corner booth to continue. "So. Want to elaborate on this unable to remember thing?"

He sits in the booth, waving to a waitress and pasting on a charming smile as he ordered drinks. Plus shots. It was never too early and he fucking needed it if he was supposed to have this conversation. He waits, till she's gone to get the drinks before sighing as he leans back in the booth.

"I was drunk." he shrugs. "Couple of parties or something, I dunno...I dunno when it even happened, they didn't tell me much."

Do you see this look, Tommy? This is the look of a sister who has surpassed disappointed. Surpassed disappointed and is now hovering between worried and livid because are you fucking kidding her. "Drunk. You're telling me that before you went to Europe, you were routinely getting so drunk that you had sex with a bunch of people you don't remember?"

"...not routinely." he's quick to elaborate, because even if that is true, and beyond drunk really, Nora would overreact, like everyone seemed to. She was older and had kids, she'd probably forgotten her partying days or something. It was normal. "Just y'know...a normal amount. It was a mistake -- I dunno."

"In no way is this a normal amount. I can tell you that in all our drinking in college, never ONCE did Colt or I cheat on one another. So don't act like this is something that just happens."

"Yeah well -- you and Colt are different." he shrugs, sighing in relief as the waitress returns with their drinks, downing the shot almost immediately. He needed it after all, for this conversation. It was painful. "....it's fine N. It happened. We broke up. It's done."

She may not be able to grab the shot before he can take it, but you better bet she grabs the pint, sliding it away from him. "Yeah. I think you've had quite enough. For a while. Because none of what you told me fine. Not the way you acted or the fact you can't remember."

He rolls his eyes when she grabs the pint, giving her a look to suggest she's most definitely overreacting. "It was gig season -- y'know, people party, they get black out drunk...mistakes happen." he shrugs, before nudging her shoulder with his own playfully. "C'mon Nor, it's not a big deal. I'm young, I got drunk, shit happened."

"It's not about you getting drunk. We've all gotten drunk. It's about you getting drunk to the point where you're making decisions that are destroying your life. And not once, but multiple times."

"My life is fine." he mutters sullenly, wishing now she hadn't taken the pint. He could use it. This conversation was rapidly becoming like many he'd had with Jordan, and they were wrong. It wasn't an issue. Stuff like this happened. It was normal. "It's not as though I'm getting blackout drunk everyday Nor. It was a party."

"I'm just worried, Tommy. Surely you can understand how this is looking. You're sitting here telling me you love Layla, but that you cheated on her while so drunk you didn't even know you did it. How am I supposed to take that?"

"I get it -- it looks bad." he shrugs. "But it's really alright Nor....maybe we were gonna break up anyway. It's fine -- I'm gonna go back to Europe anyway, me and Joe were talking about doing a trip."

"A trip when? You just got home. We'd like to have you here for at least a little while..."

"Just... gonna try and book a couple of gigs and do that for a while." he pauses, "I've got nothing here Nor, I'm not like you, I'm not gonna be taking over the lodge anytime soon."

"Excuse me? What am I? What is Jordan? Robert? Savannah? Roman? Mom and Dad? Charlie?"

"You know what I mean N..." he pauses, with a shrug, pulling his pint back towards himself. "Aside from family, you have a whole career here."

"You could just as easily have a career here. If you wanted one."

"No offence Nor...but working the front desk my entire life isn't really my dream."

"I know. And I'm not saying that's what you have to do. All I'm saying is you don't have to run off to Europe to have a career."  

"Maybe I'll settle down at some point, but I promised Joe we'd go cause he didn't get to come with me and Jordan." he shrugs. "I'll stay for the centennial and then I'm off."

"That's because you and Jordan going was supposed to be a special thing for the two of you. So no, he didn't get to go." It was why their dad was so mad that Jordan went off with someone else.

"The two of us?" he scoffs, downing half the pint before he talks again. "Tell that to Polo."

"We have. No one is saying Jordan is right for what she did. But that's not Paolo's fault"

"What she did...." he nods, swallowing heavily before downing the rest of the pint just for something to fucking do. He'd never said she'd left him alone, he'd never outright said it but he hadn't corrected them either. "Maybe we're just drifting apart. That's a thing. It happens."