I looked back at Matt's face before chasing after my sister I'm pretty sure everyone heard him pretty clear. I locked myself inside of the bathroom with Val and tried soothing her but she wouldn't stop crying what Matt has just confessed can't be forgiven he has really crossed the line I held my sister close to my chest and told her everything was going to be alright I also told her that her and Matt would look past this someday and move on sure they wouldn't move on from it right now but eventually they would in the future... Who could Matt be cheating with ? I thought to myself. Getting past this wasn't going to be easy but in the long run they would have to reconcile sooner or later.

Dan hasn't been communicating with me at all since and I was starting to have suspicions of my own but I couldn't let that hang over my head right now I need to be here for my sister and try to heal her the best way that I can. I shouldn't let my problems overwhelm me and her at the same time it would be too much to handle right now. I looked out of the window we were in Denver by a local rest stop just to pick up some snacks and make ourselves useful for the long road ahead we all needed to get some rest before playing in Wisconsin the following night. I checked my phone I had a new message from my mother that read as follows:

Hey honey you're father was just rushed to the hospital nobody hasn't gotten any information yet but when I do I'll let you know hug your sister for me
-Mom

I wanted this to all be a horrible nightmare and for someone to slap me out of it but this was my reality and this is what life had become for all of us my sister sat down on the bathroom floor sobbing her heart out, Dan had been paying attention to Hollie the entire time, Matt had been getting his thoughts together to apologize to Val for the 1000th time knowing my sister she wouldn't forgive anyone if their life depended on it. I didn't want to with the news about our father being rushed to the hospital it would devastate her more than she already is.

The time was 4:00pm when we all arrived in Wisconsin I had to admit I love traveling but I get a little homesick after a while. I had dropped Claire off with my friend Frankie before leaving with Dan and getting on this bus. I miss my little girl more than anything I pulled out a drawing she drew me before I had to leave she was a talented for a seven year old. Brian was sitting at a table on his phone... He's probably texting his little Irish beauty. I thought to myself. I walked over with a handful of magazines in my hand.

"Hi Brian." I said.

"Hey Michelle what do you need ?" Brian sighed.

"I want to grace you with some company." I replied.

"Well I don't need any company right now." Brian said sternly.

"Okay well how are you doing ?" I asked.

"Just great now can you just leave ?" Brian didn't even bother to look up at me.

"Just to let you know that Claire really wants to talk to you tonight." I replied.

"Okay I'll call her tonight." Brian said.

Well that went swimmingly I decided to join Dan and Alex on the couch they had paperwork all over the place I couldn't believe I had been surrounded by complete idiots my sister looked up at me with an reassuring smile which meant she wanted to talk to Matt and actually hear him out for once. I smiled back at her before getting another text message from my mom... This can't be good. I thought to myself. I opened my message and all I see is:

You're daddy had a heart attack... he's gone baby I'm sorry.
-Mom

I clenched my phone to my chest and felt a single tear form in my eyes I wiped the tear from my eye before anyone took notice I had to tell someone before I go on an emotional rampage and start breaking down I can't believe he's gone this can't be real I just want this night to be over already maybe if I get some sleep this will all be some crazy hallucination so I called it an early night and went to bed completely heartbroken.

---

The Next Morning, I rolled over in some familiar tattooed arms... Brian. I groaned before turning over and check the clock it was almost 9:00 am and I smelled bacon and pancakes being made I slipped on my green sweatpants and made my way to the delightful breakfast being prepared by Brian's dad?... Now how did he sneak on the bus? I thought to myself. I smiled and grabbed a plate before Papa Gates smacked my hands away.

"Morning sunshine." Papa Gates smiled at me.

"Morning Papa Gates." I said.

"How did you sleep ?" Papa Gates asked.

"Not too good." I yawned.

"Well what's on your mind ?" Papa Gates asked still flipping pancakes."

"I just found my father passed away last night." I replied.

"I'm so sorry dear." Papa Gates hugged me before placing a piece of bacon on a plate for me.

I grabbed my plate and sat down at the table with the bright sun shining in my face I kept re reading my mom's text message over and over again. Just to make sure this still wasn't a crazy nightmare I slammed my phone down on the table before going back to bed and just staying there and never coming out for the rest of my life. I waited for Brian to comfort me and tell that everything was going to be alright but he was still a heavy sleeper. I saw Dan emerge from the bathroom I rushed and hugged him tightly before kissing him in front of Papa Gates he smiled and took a piece of bacon off of my plate... He's going to wonder why I haven't talked to him about last night. I thought to myself.

I walked in on my sister and Matt getting out of the shower before I entered he bathroom they must have "talked" last night and I know what your dirty little mind is thinking and no I don't want every gross detail but Val and I need to have this talk before she goes without knowing. I waited for Val and Matt to finish up their sexual frustration on each other.

"Hey sis can I talk with you ?" I said tugging at my sweatpants.

"Sure just let me get dressed and I'll be out in a second." Val yelled from the other side of the door.

"Okay what's up ?" Val smiled.

"I had gotten a text from mom last night and it's about dad." I sighed.

"Did something happen to him ?" Val asked I could see the tears forming in her eyes .

"I'm sorry to tell you but daddy's gone." I cried.

"I need a minute." Val said grabbing a tissue and running back to the bathroom.

... I just can't hold it together anymore. I thought to myself.

Notes

WOW IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO GET THIS CHAPTER UP ! SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG
Chapter 24 will be in Brian's perspective.