My Promised Rejection

2 It Can't Be

Two Days Later

Olivia POV

"I know you don't want to see them, Oli, but we all need to sit down and talk. The divorce is happening, and I don't want you making a decision to spare my feelings. She is your mother" he says. "No, she stopped being my mother two days ago." I can see he wants to say more, but a knock on the door has him moving to answer it. "Hello Charles, thank you for agreeing to sit down and talk." "I only agreed for Oli's sake, Evelyn."

I'm not sure what I expected, but it sure as hell wasn't for Xavier to step into the room behind my mother. "What the hell is he doing here? He isn't part of this family. I'm leaving if he is staying." "Oli," my mother starts to say. "Olivia. You don't get to call me Oli anymore." Pain and sadness flash in her eyes, but I can't bring myself to care. "Olivia, I know you are upset, but you will not disrespect your mother," Xavier says.

"She isn't my mother. I only agreed to speak with her because my dad asked me to. Honestly, I have nothing to say to any of you. I am staying with my dad till I graduate and then going to college just like I planned. I won't abandon him like Evelyn and Connor did." "Olivia, please. I love you," my mother says. "You should have thought about that when you cheated on dad." I turn to my father. "I've said all I have to say. Can I go to my room?"

"Olivia, please just come sit and talk with us," Connor says. "No, you are in the same boat with her. You chose a cheater over our father. You are no longer my brother." "Enough, you are not a child anymore, Olivia. Things don't always work out the way we plan, and we need to learn to adapt. Now come down here and act like an adult," Xavier says. I look at him as anger bubbles up inside me.

"F**k you. You are nothing to me. You don't get to tell me what to do or how to act." I turn and a low growl has me turning in time to see my mother wrap her arms around the pr*ck. "Real nice Evelyn. Why don't you just let him screw you in front of dad? I never knew you were such a monster. I'm just glad I realized it now. You can all leave because I'm done talking to any of you."

"Olivia, if you don't come down here and talk this out, we will have no choice but to take your father to court for custody," Xavier says. "Xavier, please" my mother says. "No, Evelyn. This is not up for discussion. She is acting like a spoiled child. She isn't even giving you a chance to explain why all of this is happening," Xavier says. "It's happening because my mother is a wh*re who cheated on my father." "Oli, that's enough. Go upstairs, and I'll be up in a minute," my father says.

I stomp up the stairs, but I don't go to my room. Instead, I sit on the landing eaves dropping on the rest of the conversation. "You will not come into my home and threaten my daughter again, Xavier. I don't care what you are or where you come from, but this is my house and that is my daughter as much as you wish she was yours," my father says. I fist pump the air, proud of my dad for telling him off.

"Charles, please don't make this any worse" my mom says. "Make what worse Evelyn? You have completely destroyed our lives, you have taken Connor from me, and now you're trying to take Oli. No matter the reason, you are hurting me and Oli. You are the one that broke the vows you made to me knowing this could happen. I will not force Oli to go with you," he says.

"Dad, no one is taking me from you. I love you, but the pack is where I belong. I will always be your son," Connor says. What the hell is he talking about, a pack? Is Xavier in some kind of cult? "Charles, Evelyn, never meant to hurt you. I know you don't understand the pull of our bond, but it can't be controlled," Xavier says. What the hell is he talking about? "Honestly, Xavier, I don't care. She made her choice, but I won't force Oli to leave the only home she has ever known," my father says.

"Then you leave us no choice. Olivia needs to be in the pack when she turns eighteen, or you are putting her and our kind in danger. He isn't going to listen, Evelyn. We should leave," he says. "Charles, I didn't mean to hurt you. I loved our life together. I never expected to find Xavier" she says, her voice cracking on every word. "It's not enough, Evelyn. You destroyed me and I have no choice but to hold myself together for Oli girl," he says.

The sound of the door clicking closed echoes in the silence. I peek down the stairs and, in time to see my father lean his head against the wall. The way his shoulders move let me know he's crying. My chest aches at the sight. I don't think I've ever seen my father cry like this. I move down the stairs and wrap my arms around his middle. He stiffens at first but then turns to wrap his arms around me. "We are going to be alright, Oli," he says. I'm not sure if he is trying to convince me or himself.

Two Weeks Later

"Oli, hurry up, or we're going to be late. That won't look good to the judge," my dad yells from downstairs. True to his word, Xavier had my mother petition the court for full custody. I have no doubt that at seventeen the judge will ask me where I want to live. Hell, in six months I'll be eighteen and nobody but me gets a say. I just hope that after today my mother leaves us alone.

The ride to the courthouse is in comfortable silence. Both of us are lost in our own thoughts. My dad shutting off the truck has me reaching for the handle. His hand on my forearm stops me. "No matter what happens today, Oli, I want you to remember I love you. You will always be my Oli girl." "Dad, don't worry. No judge is going to force me to live with mom. I'm not a child that can't think for herself." "I know, but I just want you to remember what I said," he says. I hate the sadness I see in his eyes.

I reach out, pulling him in for a hug. "I love you dad. No matter what happens." He kisses my forehead and we both get out of the truck just in time to see my former family and Xavier coming down the sidewalk. "Oli" Connor calls out, but I don't acknowledge him.

We make our way inside and take our seats behind a long table. A few minutes later the judge takes her seat on the bench. "We are here today to determine custody of Olivia Crocker. Both sides will present the reasons why they are requesting soul custody and I will determine what is in the best interest of the child," the judge says.

It doesn't take long for both sides to give their reasons and, honestly, my mothers weren't compelling in the least. "She is my only daughter and a young lady should be with her mother. Charles is a good father, but he doesn't understand what a young girl goes through at this time in her life," she said. What a crock of sh*t. The judge asked for my opinion and my father's lawyer spoke on his behalf.

"Well, this decision is never an easy one. There are many factors that come into play when deciding on custody of a minor. I have reviewed both petitions and take into account everything that was presented here today. In the matter of the custody of Olivia Crocker. Sole custody is awarded to Evelyn Crocker," the judge says. I'm immediately on my feet. "No, I won't go with her."

She pounds the gavel and my father reaches for me. "I know you're upset, Miss Crocker, but my decision is final," she says. My father pulls me into his arms and tears run down my cheeks. "It's going to be alright, Oli. I know you're upset but it's only six months. Then no one has a say where you live" he says. "No dad, please don't make me go with them." "Oh honey, I wish I could stop this from happening, but you heard the judge. Just remember it's only six months," he says again.

"Oli" Connor says. I turn and see sympathy flash in his eyes. "Oli, it's time to gom" Connor says. "I'm not going now. I have to get my things and make sure dad is alright. I know you don't care about him, but I do." "Oli, I care" he starts to say. "Bullsh*t, you have your new dad now. Just leave me alone. I already told you I'm not your sister anymore." "Olivia, that's enough. You are coming with us now. I will send someone for your things," Xavier says.

"Six months, Oli, and we will talk every day," my dad says. I press a kiss on his cheek before I spin on my heel. "Fine, I'll go, but I'll make sure you all wish you had left me and dad alone." I push past Connor and Xavier. My mother reaches for me, but I quickly sidestep her. When I reach the sidewalk, I wait for them to catch up. "This is the car Oli" Connor says. "I don't know how many times I can say it, but don't call me Oli. In fact, don't talk to me at all."

I slide into the back seat and buckle myself in. I focus on the window as the other doors close around me. "Olivia, I know you're angry." I glare at her before I look back out the window. I meant what I said. They are going to wish they had never wanted me to move in with them.