We Have Lost Our Way

The next morning after i dropped Caitlyn off at school i went over to visit Rian. I told him all about last night, he was just as concerned about everything as i was. I googled Brooks dad and found his number and gave him a call, a few minutes later he answered.

"Hello?, Mark Meyers speaking" he said and i sighed

"Hi. Its Alex, Alex Gaskarth" i said

"Never thought i'd hear from you again. Hows Caitlyn?" he asked

"Shes fine" i said

"Shes in highschool by now right?" he asked

"Yep" i said

"Grades good?" he asked

"Mhm. Look i dont have any desire to talk to you, i just need some information" i said

"Of course" he sighed

"Dont be a fucking dick. Im not the guy you wanna mess with this week. Im calling for Caitlyn" i said

"What do you need Gaskarth?" he asked

"Brooks number. Caitlyn wants to try to have a relationship, and as against it as i am im willing to let her give it a try" i said

"Really?" he asked

"Yes. Can i have her number?" i asked

"I guess so" he said and gave me her number

"Thanks" i said and hung up

I sat on Rians couch just staring at the paper, i didn't know what the fuck i was suppose to say to her. As much as i didnt wanna talk to Brook i knew i needed to for Caitlyns sake. I dialed the number and a few minutes later a male answered.

"Hello?" he said answering

"Hi, im looking for Brook Meyers?. Is this the correct number?" i asked, knowing Brooks dad he'd pull a fucked up stunt like giving me a fake number

"Uhm...yeah...who is this?" he asked

"This is Alex Gaskarth, im her ex and also father of her child. Who is this?" i said

"This is Jeff her fiancé, i didnt know she had a kid" he said, surprised she never married Scott

"It was a long time ago. Can i just talk to her please?" i said

"Of course, one second" he said, at least he wasnt a dick about the situation

"Hello?" Brook said answering the phone

"Hey Brook" i said

"Wow. Its you. When Jeff said it was i was shocked, i never expected to hear from you" she said

"Yep. Congrats on the engagement" i said

"Thanks. So whats up?" she asked

"Uhmm...its about Caitlyn. She wants to see you" i said

"Really?" she said

"Mhmm" i said

"Well...i mean...i have a job, and a kid so im kinda busy" she said

"Oh. Alright, i understand. Just thought i'd give it a shot, didnt expect a yes anyways" i said

"No Alex, i wanna see her. I just-...im busy...when did you wanna do this?" she asked

"Well. When are you free?" i asked

"Today" she said

"Come by tonight at like 5?. Feel free to bring your kid and fiancé" i said

"Where do you live?" she asked

"Uhm, 289 pine lane" i said

"Okay...uhmm yeah i'll definitely be there" she said

"Thanks Brook, i know were not on the best of terms but this seriously would make her day" i said

"Of course. You know, even though i did basically abandon her. I never stopped thinking about her" she said

"Good to hear that. I'll see you tonight" i said

"Alright, bye Alex" she said

"Bye" i said hanging up

"So whats gonna happen. Is she gonna see Caitlyn?" Rian asked

"Yep. Tonight. Will you come, and see if Zack will to?" i asked

"Of course" he said

After school was out i picked up Caitlyn and Cameron, i let Caitlyn know about Brook and she was kinda excited. She asked if Cameron could come over and be there as her support system and of course i said yes. Later that night there was a knock on the door and i answered, when i opened the door i saw Brook and who i assumed was Jeff and their son.

"Hey" i said

"Hi" she said

"You must be Jeff. Hey Im Alex, the one from the phone" i said introducing myself to Jeff

"Yep. Nice to meet you" he said putting out his hand and i shook it

"Nice to meet you to. And this i guess is your guys son?" i asked Brook

"Yep, this is our son Quinn" she said, the kid looked to be 12

"Wow. Still loving that name, huh?" i asked and we both laughed, she used to tell me she was obsessed with the name and i guess that hasnt changed

"Mhm. Quinn sweetie this is Alex, hes your half sisters dad" Brook said

"Hey" Quinn said

"Hey" i said

"Theres a lot of people here today" Brook said motioning to the cars in the driveway

"Well Rian and Zack are here" i said

"Oh" she said

"Yep. Come on in" i said letting them in

"Thanks" she said and they came in and i led them to the dinning room

"Guys, shes here" i said and everyone turned their attention to us

"Hey" they all said

"So you guys know Brook. And this is her fiancé Jeff and their son Quinn" i said introducing them all to Quinn and Jeff

"Hey" they said again minus Caitlyn, she looked deep in thought

"Quinn and Jeff, this is my daughter Caitlyn and her friend Cameron. And then we have my best friends slash band mates Jack, Rian and Zack" i said continuing with the introductions

"Hey" Jeff said and Quinn waved

"Sit down you guys, theres a lot of catching up to do" i said and they sat next to Rian and i took my spot back next to Jack

Everything was pretty awkward to watch, Caitlyn just kept her conversations with everyone minus her mom and Quinn and Jeff. I could see Brook sneeking looks at Caitlyn and i could tell she was really thinking. After a while Brook decided to make a effort with Caitlyn.

"So. Caitlyn really looks like you Alex" Brook said

"I know. Shes starting to look like you as well" i said

"Yeah, but mainly you. Shes got your eyes and hair and facial expressions. I gotta tell you, i was so happy when she turned out to have your eyes. I always really loved your eyes. And brown eyes in general" she said

"Yeah" i said looking over at Caitlyn

"Shes got your hair color and cheeks babe" Jeff said

"Mhm" Brook said

"You okay Caitlyn?" Rian asked

"Not really. Can i ask you a question?" Caitlyn said looking towards Brook

"Of course" Brook said

"Why?" Caitlyn asked

"Excuse me?" Brook asked

"Just. Why?. Why the fuck did you just abandon me?, ever think about me once and think maybe i'd fucking like a mother in my life?" Caitlyn said

"Caitlyn" i said

"No dad. Seriously, fucking tell me. What just made you want nothing to do with me?" Caitlyn asked

"Brook. Im sorry" i said, as much as i feel the same. Shes her Caitlyns mother. I dont know what i'd do if Caitlyn talked to me that way

"Its fine Alex. I did have custody of you for a while, but i gave your dad all of it after a while" Brook said

"Why?" Caitlyn asked

"Because it was just to much pressure!. I just couldnt handle it" Brook said

"But you had no problem having another kid" Caitlyn said

"Caitlyn Gaskarth!" i said and she ignored me

"And what made you think dad could handle it on his own anyways?" Caitlyn asked her

"I wasnt sure if he could. But clearly he hasnt had a problem" Brook said

"Thats because of all the help he's had. If he had to do it completely alone i dont think he would have been able to do a good job" Caitlyn said

"Thats true" Brook said

"Caitlyn!. Apologize. Now" i said to Caitlyn

"No dad" Caitlyn said

"I thought she wanted to see me Alex?, is that bull shit?. Did you make it all up?" Brook asked me

"No!. She did wanna see you, i dont know what her problem is today" i said

"I cant be down here anymore" Caitlyn said and went upstairs

"I should go follow her see if-" i started but Rian cut me off

"No dude, you'll just piss her off more. I'll check on her" Rian said

"Fine" i said and he went upstairs

We all sit in a awkward silence, nobody knows what to say really. Eventually every starts talking except me because i just feel really awkward about everything. After a while i tell everyone im going to check on Rian and Caitlyn and i go upstairs and walk in her room without knocking.

"Dad, what the hell?" Caitlyn said

"I just came to see whats up, you two have been gone for a while" i said

"Were having a nice little chat. Dont worry about anything were fine, we'll be back down in a minute" Rian said

"I just wanted to like try to understand this situation" i said

"What are you talking about?" she asked

"You know very well what im talking about!. You wanted to see your mom, i made it happen. Then you go and act like a little brat?" i said

"Why are you mad?, you said yourself shes not a good mother" she said

"Well shes your mom, i dont like seeing you talk to her that way. Its not how i raised you" i said

"Guess thats how you turn out from being raised by men" she said

"Caitlyn" i sighed leaning against the door frame squeezing the bridge of my nose

"Well i dont know!. I wanted to get to know her and i was excited. But then i saw her with her new family and i remembered the shit you and uncle Jack said, i dont know i was just pissed" she said

"I want you to apologize and at least try to be civil with your mother" i said

"Dad" she whined

"Please?, for me?" i asked

"Fine" she said getting up and leaving the room

"God, shes such a pain in my ass!" i said

"Shes just like you" Rian said patting my shoulder and he left the room

"Fuck you Dawson" i said and he just laughed and walked down the stairs