Stained Red Chapter Twenty-Six
Isaac ran a hand through his hair as he sat in the hospital in Tulsa. He had been here now for an hour and he wasn't even sure why but he had came running back home when his mother told him about Taylor's car accident. Apparently it was minor but he had been asking to see Isaac and now here he sat waiting on word that he could be allowed back to see his brother.
Seeing his mother and a doctor heading his way he stood up walking to meet them half way. It was when he got to his mom that Isaac stopped when she pulled him into a hug and he hugged her back. He knew she was a wreck even though she had said in their phone call that Taylor had been alright just a few minor injuries but that they wanted to keep him overnight.
"He's fine," Diana told her oldest son as she pulled away from the hug watching as the doctor left them alone. "He was just high. Apparently he's doing cocaine again."
Hearing his mom tell him the last thing he swallowed hard as he shook his head. Taylor had been clean for years now. Ever since he had made Isaac late for Theo's birth. That had been his wake up call that he needed help. That and him actually holding the baby he thought was his nephew in his arms. Isaac had hoped he would always stay clean but he knew addiction was hard and he knew Taylor let things get to him. He guessed it was a time bomb just waiting to happen.
"Can I see him?" Isaac asked as he raised an eyebrow. "I mean you said he was asking for me and that's one of the reasons I came back here to Tulsa for the time being," he said knowing he wasn't sure if he'd stay or not. He was kind of adjusting to Alabama though if he did go back he at least wanted to talk to Natalie before he left. Figure out some sort of custody arrangement because he missed his children.
Diana nodded her head, "Yeah you can. He should be awake," she smiled as she turned to walk towards the waiting room. She'd go back to Taylor's room again once Isaac had left. She knew whatever Taylor wanted to tell Isaac wasn't her business. It was between her sons.
Isaac watched his move leave and he took a breath walking towards the room Taylor was in. Getting there he went inside and looked at his brother laying on the bed. Other than the black eye he had he looked okay.
"How did you get that from a car wreck?" Isaac asked as he laughed and walked to a chair in the room sitting down and eying his brother. He was still trying to grasp what had lead Taylor to using again.
Taylor laughed bitterly at Isaac's question, "I actually got this from our brother yesterday," he informed him the events still fresh in his mind. Finding out Natalie had been with Zac and him being rude towards her. He knew he had asked for the punch he had dared Zac to do it. He should have known Zac would.
"Zac did that to you?" Isaac asked his tone confused. He wasn't sure what in the hell would make Zac do that. Zac only ever hit someone when he was beyond pissed.
Nodding Taylor ran a hand through his hair, "That's why I wanted you here actually. Not to tell you Zac punched me but to tell you why he did it."
Raising an eyebrow Isaac leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms, "And why did he punch you?"
"Because I insulted Natalie," Taylor answered as he looked away from Isaac. "I went by the house to see her yesterday. I wanted to apologize for being a dick and not showing up to tell Theo the truth just because I was mad that she didn't feel the same way for me. Zac was there, hell he even answered the door."
Isaac kept his eyebrow raised hearing that Zac was at the house. The house that was still his and Natalie's. "Zac was at our house?" he asked wanting to make sure he heard Taylor right.
Taylor nodded again, "He spent the night. He fucked her," he spoke bluntly as he looked up at his older brother. "She came down the stairs in his shirt saying she had left her clothes in the kitchen. That's why I insulted her. I called her a slut and I told Zac she'd just drop him and run to one of us again. She has that habit and she can't ever change."
Letting Taylor's words sink in Isaac just sighed as he looked down at the wedding band he still wore. He knew they were divorcing but that didn't mean what Taylor had told him hadn't hurt him in some way because deep down it had. It hurt not because he was in love with her. It hurt because of how fast she seemed to have moved on to Zac but if he was right and she had always been in love with him then maybe it made sense.
"And is that why you got high too and decided it was okay to drive?" Isaac asked breaking his silence. "Because of what happened at my house?"
"Sort of," Taylor answered as he shrugged. "I was using before that anyway. I started using again after I found out how Nikki truly was and then her losing the baby just made it worse."
Isaac made a face at his brother's words because he remembered Nikki telling him that Taylor had wanted her to get an abortion. "But you didn't want her to have the baby. She said as much to me the night she miscarried."
Frowning at Isaac's words Taylor should have known Nikki would have told him, "I may have said it but it didn't mean I meant it. I was just hurt and angry and probably high."
Isaac just sighed again as he tried to process everything. Natalie and Zac and the reasons for Taylor relapsing. He almost wished he had stayed in Alabama. At least he would still have Kate there and she was the only person he felt he could confide in our trust at this moment. The only person who hadn't screwed him over somehow.
"You need to go to rehab Taylor," Isaac said as he looked at his brother. "If you want to be in Theo's life you need rehab. Otherwise I won't let you be in it as a father figure."
Taylor looked down again as Isaac told him what he did, "I don't even know if I want to be his father figure Isaac," he admitted as he laughed bitterly again. "I'd probably fuck him up. You've been a good father to him and you can keep doing that. He doesn't need to know about me."
Isaac shook his head, "You wanted to be his dad the day you found out. You were being sincere then I saw it on your face."
"That was before I relapsed too," Taylor said as he shook his head as well. "Theo doesn't need me as a role model. He has the best when it comes to you."
Looking down Isaac nodded, "What about the baby Natalie is pregnant with now? Are you going to just ditch it too?" he asked his tone coming out harsh. He was pissed at Taylor for backing out now. For being a coward.
Taylor watched Isaac look away from him and he felt like he had been punched in the gut when Isaac got harsh. "You can raise it for me too. Any kid would be better off without me as their dad."
Isaac chewed his lip hard trying to control his emotions. He wanted to yell at Taylor but he figured that would be a moot point. Taylor it seemed had made up his mind. He'd rather not parent either of his children because of one mistake he made though deep down Isaac suspected Natalie being with Zac also played a part in Taylor's decision as well. He knew Taylor well enough to figure that out.
"Then have it your way," Isaac told him as he stood up. "Miss out on being a father to Theo who is wonderful and I'm sure this baby will be equally as wonderful," he said as he turned to leave the room. He didn't even offer Taylor a goodbye nor did he go see his mother. He just wanted to get in his car and let himself calm down or otherwise he would have punched something more than likely Taylor. Then Taylor could have had matching black eyes.
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Zac chewed on his lip as he parked his truck at the studio. Isaac had called and asked to meet him here. Getting out of his truck he slowly walked towards the doors and went inside. Not seeing Isaac in the front part he headed towards the offices and came to a stop when he got there seeing Isaac sitting in a chair at his desk.
"I didn't know you were back in town," Zac spoke honestly as he walked to his own desk and sat down in the chair. Once he was sitting down he scooted the chair closer to Isaac.
Isaac smiled at Zac, "Got in this morning. Taylor wanted to see me and tell me how he got his black eye. I thought it came from the wreck he had last night but it turns out it wasn't."
Looking down at the last words Isaac said Zac felt his cheeks get warm and he knew he was blushing, "I did it," he said his voice coming out soft as he confessed though he figured Isaac already knew this. He figured Taylor had told him.
Isaac nodded, "I know," he spoke seeing Zac look back up. "Taylor told me everything including the fact that you slept with Natalie."
Blushing more when he heard that Isaac knew he had slept with Natalie, Zac chewed his lip again briefly, "I don't regret it," he said honestly knowing he didn't regret being with her. He was in love with her and he was tired of denying that now and he wasn't going to pretend he regretted something he had wanted for a long time.
"I never said you had too," Isaac told his brother as he smiled though it was a sad one. "I just want to know if you love her and if she loves you."
"I do love her," Zac smiled as he locked eyes with Isaac. "I've been in love with her for years but I never wanted to admit it. Mainly because I had Kate and then the kids and I didn't want to ruin that but now that Kate is gone I can finally admit it," he said feeling a freedom in telling Isaac this. "And yes she says she loves me and I believe her."
Isaac nodded again as Zac spoke. He knew he could believe Zac's words. Zac seemed so sincere when he said them and he seemed happy. Happier than he had ever looked with Kate if Isaac was being honest. Hell it was happier than Isaac was sure he had ever looked with Natalie.
"Then I give you my blessing to be with her," he said as he crossed his arms. "I mean I'm divorcing her but I want you to know I am okay with you dating her. I'm okay with that."
"Really?" Zac asked feeling shocked that Isaac was truly okay with it.
Laughing Isaac locked eyes with Zac, "Really," he answered as he stood from his chair. "It's not like I was ever in love with Natalie I don't think. I was just in love with the security she gave me. I was comfortable with her," he said simply as he turned and left Zac sitting their office. He was sure his brother was still processing things and he guessed he understood that.
Going outside to his car Isaac got in and sighed. Tomorrow he'd talk with Natalie. He figured Zac would tell her about their conversation so they'd talk about that and then custody of their children and what they were going to do about her unborn child. A child he wasn't sure he wanted to raise as his own like he had Theo. Theo was different than that baby. He had actually believed Theo was his. This baby he knew wasn't his and he refused to feel bad for not wanting to raise it though if there was no other option than he guessed he would have to step up. He'd have to make himself raise that baby and love it like one of his own.
Isaac ran a hand through his hair as he sat in the hospital in Tulsa. He had been here now for an hour and he wasn't even sure why but he had came running back home when his mother told him about Taylor's car accident. Apparently it was minor but he had been asking to see Isaac and now here he sat waiting on word that he could be allowed back to see his brother.
Seeing his mother and a doctor heading his way he stood up walking to meet them half way. It was when he got to his mom that Isaac stopped when she pulled him into a hug and he hugged her back. He knew she was a wreck even though she had said in their phone call that Taylor had been alright just a few minor injuries but that they wanted to keep him overnight.
"He's fine," Diana told her oldest son as she pulled away from the hug watching as the doctor left them alone. "He was just high. Apparently he's doing cocaine again."
Hearing his mom tell him the last thing he swallowed hard as he shook his head. Taylor had been clean for years now. Ever since he had made Isaac late for Theo's birth. That had been his wake up call that he needed help. That and him actually holding the baby he thought was his nephew in his arms. Isaac had hoped he would always stay clean but he knew addiction was hard and he knew Taylor let things get to him. He guessed it was a time bomb just waiting to happen.
"Can I see him?" Isaac asked as he raised an eyebrow. "I mean you said he was asking for me and that's one of the reasons I came back here to Tulsa for the time being," he said knowing he wasn't sure if he'd stay or not. He was kind of adjusting to Alabama though if he did go back he at least wanted to talk to Natalie before he left. Figure out some sort of custody arrangement because he missed his children.
Diana nodded her head, "Yeah you can. He should be awake," she smiled as she turned to walk towards the waiting room. She'd go back to Taylor's room again once Isaac had left. She knew whatever Taylor wanted to tell Isaac wasn't her business. It was between her sons.
Isaac watched his move leave and he took a breath walking towards the room Taylor was in. Getting there he went inside and looked at his brother laying on the bed. Other than the black eye he had he looked okay.
"How did you get that from a car wreck?" Isaac asked as he laughed and walked to a chair in the room sitting down and eying his brother. He was still trying to grasp what had lead Taylor to using again.
Taylor laughed bitterly at Isaac's question, "I actually got this from our brother yesterday," he informed him the events still fresh in his mind. Finding out Natalie had been with Zac and him being rude towards her. He knew he had asked for the punch he had dared Zac to do it. He should have known Zac would.
"Zac did that to you?" Isaac asked his tone confused. He wasn't sure what in the hell would make Zac do that. Zac only ever hit someone when he was beyond pissed.
Nodding Taylor ran a hand through his hair, "That's why I wanted you here actually. Not to tell you Zac punched me but to tell you why he did it."
Raising an eyebrow Isaac leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms, "And why did he punch you?"
"Because I insulted Natalie," Taylor answered as he looked away from Isaac. "I went by the house to see her yesterday. I wanted to apologize for being a dick and not showing up to tell Theo the truth just because I was mad that she didn't feel the same way for me. Zac was there, hell he even answered the door."
Isaac kept his eyebrow raised hearing that Zac was at the house. The house that was still his and Natalie's. "Zac was at our house?" he asked wanting to make sure he heard Taylor right.
Taylor nodded again, "He spent the night. He fucked her," he spoke bluntly as he looked up at his older brother. "She came down the stairs in his shirt saying she had left her clothes in the kitchen. That's why I insulted her. I called her a slut and I told Zac she'd just drop him and run to one of us again. She has that habit and she can't ever change."
Letting Taylor's words sink in Isaac just sighed as he looked down at the wedding band he still wore. He knew they were divorcing but that didn't mean what Taylor had told him hadn't hurt him in some way because deep down it had. It hurt not because he was in love with her. It hurt because of how fast she seemed to have moved on to Zac but if he was right and she had always been in love with him then maybe it made sense.
"And is that why you got high too and decided it was okay to drive?" Isaac asked breaking his silence. "Because of what happened at my house?"
"Sort of," Taylor answered as he shrugged. "I was using before that anyway. I started using again after I found out how Nikki truly was and then her losing the baby just made it worse."
Isaac made a face at his brother's words because he remembered Nikki telling him that Taylor had wanted her to get an abortion. "But you didn't want her to have the baby. She said as much to me the night she miscarried."
Frowning at Isaac's words Taylor should have known Nikki would have told him, "I may have said it but it didn't mean I meant it. I was just hurt and angry and probably high."
Isaac just sighed again as he tried to process everything. Natalie and Zac and the reasons for Taylor relapsing. He almost wished he had stayed in Alabama. At least he would still have Kate there and she was the only person he felt he could confide in our trust at this moment. The only person who hadn't screwed him over somehow.
"You need to go to rehab Taylor," Isaac said as he looked at his brother. "If you want to be in Theo's life you need rehab. Otherwise I won't let you be in it as a father figure."
Taylor looked down again as Isaac told him what he did, "I don't even know if I want to be his father figure Isaac," he admitted as he laughed bitterly again. "I'd probably fuck him up. You've been a good father to him and you can keep doing that. He doesn't need to know about me."
Isaac shook his head, "You wanted to be his dad the day you found out. You were being sincere then I saw it on your face."
"That was before I relapsed too," Taylor said as he shook his head as well. "Theo doesn't need me as a role model. He has the best when it comes to you."
Looking down Isaac nodded, "What about the baby Natalie is pregnant with now? Are you going to just ditch it too?" he asked his tone coming out harsh. He was pissed at Taylor for backing out now. For being a coward.
Taylor watched Isaac look away from him and he felt like he had been punched in the gut when Isaac got harsh. "You can raise it for me too. Any kid would be better off without me as their dad."
Isaac chewed his lip hard trying to control his emotions. He wanted to yell at Taylor but he figured that would be a moot point. Taylor it seemed had made up his mind. He'd rather not parent either of his children because of one mistake he made though deep down Isaac suspected Natalie being with Zac also played a part in Taylor's decision as well. He knew Taylor well enough to figure that out.
"Then have it your way," Isaac told him as he stood up. "Miss out on being a father to Theo who is wonderful and I'm sure this baby will be equally as wonderful," he said as he turned to leave the room. He didn't even offer Taylor a goodbye nor did he go see his mother. He just wanted to get in his car and let himself calm down or otherwise he would have punched something more than likely Taylor. Then Taylor could have had matching black eyes.
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Zac chewed on his lip as he parked his truck at the studio. Isaac had called and asked to meet him here. Getting out of his truck he slowly walked towards the doors and went inside. Not seeing Isaac in the front part he headed towards the offices and came to a stop when he got there seeing Isaac sitting in a chair at his desk.
"I didn't know you were back in town," Zac spoke honestly as he walked to his own desk and sat down in the chair. Once he was sitting down he scooted the chair closer to Isaac.
Isaac smiled at Zac, "Got in this morning. Taylor wanted to see me and tell me how he got his black eye. I thought it came from the wreck he had last night but it turns out it wasn't."
Looking down at the last words Isaac said Zac felt his cheeks get warm and he knew he was blushing, "I did it," he said his voice coming out soft as he confessed though he figured Isaac already knew this. He figured Taylor had told him.
Isaac nodded, "I know," he spoke seeing Zac look back up. "Taylor told me everything including the fact that you slept with Natalie."
Blushing more when he heard that Isaac knew he had slept with Natalie, Zac chewed his lip again briefly, "I don't regret it," he said honestly knowing he didn't regret being with her. He was in love with her and he was tired of denying that now and he wasn't going to pretend he regretted something he had wanted for a long time.
"I never said you had too," Isaac told his brother as he smiled though it was a sad one. "I just want to know if you love her and if she loves you."
"I do love her," Zac smiled as he locked eyes with Isaac. "I've been in love with her for years but I never wanted to admit it. Mainly because I had Kate and then the kids and I didn't want to ruin that but now that Kate is gone I can finally admit it," he said feeling a freedom in telling Isaac this. "And yes she says she loves me and I believe her."
Isaac nodded again as Zac spoke. He knew he could believe Zac's words. Zac seemed so sincere when he said them and he seemed happy. Happier than he had ever looked with Kate if Isaac was being honest. Hell it was happier than Isaac was sure he had ever looked with Natalie.
"Then I give you my blessing to be with her," he said as he crossed his arms. "I mean I'm divorcing her but I want you to know I am okay with you dating her. I'm okay with that."
"Really?" Zac asked feeling shocked that Isaac was truly okay with it.
Laughing Isaac locked eyes with Zac, "Really," he answered as he stood from his chair. "It's not like I was ever in love with Natalie I don't think. I was just in love with the security she gave me. I was comfortable with her," he said simply as he turned and left Zac sitting their office. He was sure his brother was still processing things and he guessed he understood that.
Going outside to his car Isaac got in and sighed. Tomorrow he'd talk with Natalie. He figured Zac would tell her about their conversation so they'd talk about that and then custody of their children and what they were going to do about her unborn child. A child he wasn't sure he wanted to raise as his own like he had Theo. Theo was different than that baby. He had actually believed Theo was his. This baby he knew wasn't his and he refused to feel bad for not wanting to raise it though if there was no other option than he guessed he would have to step up. He'd have to make himself raise that baby and love it like one of his own.
