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“Hollis?” Jae says my name.
“Yes,” I reply.
“I think Jax is here.”
I look over at her, her eyes are just as wide as mine.
“No shit, Jae.” I start to walk toward Jax, but she grabs me by my elbow to stop me. “What are you doing?”
“He sounds heated. You shouldn’t get involved.” She pauses. “But also, don’t you want the tea?” Her eyes turn mischievous.
“Girl, the tea is that he’s obviously drunk and I think I’d like to stop this,” I tell her as I yank my arm free.
“Suit yourself.” She shrugs her shoulders.
Jax seems to be angry, like very angry, and though he’s drunk—I can tell by the way his words are a little slurred—I know that he needs to get something off his chest.
As I get closer, he stumbles outside and starts yelling again. I can see his mom standing up between him and Kylan. My mom and dad sit in the chairs around the fire pit with wide, confused eyes; my dad’s marshmallow is burning, and Jeff looks like he’s starting to get pissed.
“Tell me! I want to know what the fuck you were talking about earlier!” His voice raises and is aimed at Kylan. I’ve never seen these two fight with each other. At least never like this.
Kylan puts his hands in his pockets and just simply blinks at Jax which I think pisses him off even more. I glance back at Jae to tell her to get her ass over here and she listens.
We both step out onto the back patio, no one pays us any attention though as the argument continues.
“Jaxon, you shouldn’t have shown up like this,” his mom intervenes. But she looks fragile and terrified at the display before us.
“Why not, Mom? It’s family night, right? Aren’t we all having fun?” My heart cracks a little when I realize how messed up Jax really is. What happened to make him drink like that, to get like this, to act the way that he is?
“Jax, I think-” Jeff attempts as he stands up, but Jax doesn’t let him have any more time to speak.
“You know? I thinkyoumight be the fucking problem!” He points at Jeff’s chest. “I think you are a scumbag and you’re the reason why my mom asked me for money. So tell me! Why did you need the money, Mom? Because I know you don’t have a fucking back injury!” Jax’s accusation rings loud in the dark sky.
I see my mom flinch, Delanie cringes, Jeff digresses, my dad is trying to figure out what the hell to do. My brother rolls his eyes at me.
“Not here, Jax. Please,” his mom begs but he just gets louder.
“Kylan said you were in debt!” He points back over to his younger brother.
Jax has no idea I’m standing behind him. I doubt he even cares as his agenda was to head straight to his family and pick this fight. This fight that I’m sure no one expected.
“You’re wasted,” Ky states.
“Wasted and tired. I had to fucking walk here. So I expect to get the answers I want.” I realize his words are formed completely, but the way he’s talking is how I know he’s had way too many beers. My heart aches as I watch this all unfold but I can’t physically move to put a stop to it.
“Jax, I think this family dinner is over.” My dad finally steps up and tried to calm the situation down.
“Delaine, you’re in debt?” My mom stands up and reaches for her best friend’s arm. I can see the dejection spread across both of their faces. Her tone is quiet and concerned and I can see that pain paints her expression as she learns this about her best friend.
“We-” She looks over at Jeff who looks absolutely humiliated.
“I fucking told you it was all his fault! All am I good for is my money, huh, Mom? You didn’t care about me coming back. You just wanted me to pay for your husband’s indecencies. His fuck ups. All the while you assume I’m the fuckup because I didn’t join the military like your precious little Kylan.” Jax sounds defeated and beat down and entirely taken advantage of.
I wish I’d known he’d been battling this so tirelessly.
“You know that’s not true.” His mom tries to defend herself, her voice a little as the ground and everything that is happening before me breaks me just a little more. For all of them.
My dad looks between Jeff and Jax. My mom is still holding eye contact with Delanie.
