Chapter 6

Delilah

A thump outside of my room wedges its way between sleep and conscious thought. Rolling over, I ignore the intrusion. I tossed and turned all night, and Sunday mornings are made for sleeping late.

“I don’t want to leave.” The unfamiliar whining filters through my door, and I sit up in bed.

“We can’t fucking stay,” Lawson snaps at his younger brother. “Hurry before you wake everyone in the house.”

I didn’t figure that they would stay long. Lawson isn’t the type to abide by rules, and my dad isn’t one to cave or bend his rules for anyone, much less an angry boy who’s mad at the world.

I find nothing but their retreating backs when I pull open my door. Each with the duffel bag they arrived with, they slowly make their way down the stairs.

That’s when all hell breaks loose.

“And where do you think you two are going?” The anger and irritation in Jaxon’s voice are palpable.

I creep down the stairs, finding the boys in a standoff with my dad in the living room.

“Leaving,” Lawson hisses. “And you can’t fucking stop us.”

I believe him, and the surety in his tone tells me he believes it too. The only problem is when my dads, Jaxon specifically, make their minds up about something, it’s as good as written in stone. He’s not one to be pushed around, but I fear digging in will only make Lawson push back more.

“Not going to happen,” Rob says with quiet authority.

“Try and keep us from leaving,” Lawson challenges.

Jaxon takes a step closer, and the tension in Lawson’s back is visible.

“You’re eighteen, Lawson. I can’t keep you from leaving this house. I won’t even attempt to, but Drew is not leaving with you.”

“He’s my brother,” Lawson sneers.

Chill bumps race over my arms at the menace in his voice.

“What’s going on?” I jump, startled when Samson speaks over my shoulder.

I turn back to the cluster of people ten feet away, praying they don’t notice our intrusion. Of course, my dads know we’re here, but the other two seem oblivious to our eavesdropping.

“Lawson is trying to leave,” I explain not taking my eyes from the altercation that seems to be seconds away from turning physically violent.

“Let ‘em leave,” he whispers. “I have no idea why they showed up in the first place.”

It appears my brother’s goal of distraction for my dads isn’t going to work the way he wants. I can tell by the tone of his voice that he anticipates Dad being too angry to change his mind on the senior trip.

“He’s a minor,” Jaxon interjects. “You’re not leaving here with him to end up God knows where.”

“The world is a scary place, Lawson.” Rob is doing his best to de-escalate the situation.

Lawson’s maniacal laugh makes my skin crawl.

“Scary? You have no fucking idea what we’ve been through. We’ll be fine.”

“That’s the fucking point,” Jaxon rages. “You shouldn’t have to face the awful things you’ve been challenged with for as long as you have.”

“Don’t start caring now, Daddy.”

Uncomfortable with the direction everything is heading, Drew shifts from one foot to the other before deciding to take a step back from his brother.

“Who do you think will win?” I roll my eyes at my brother even though he can’t see me do it.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I whisper.

“Dad’s pretty strong, but Lawson seems like a psycho. It’d be an awesome fight to watch, but I think he’d win because dad’s old.”

“Dad’s not old. Now shut up so I can listen.”

I must speak too loudly because Jaxon’s eyes lift to meet mine. I can tell he wants us to leave, to let this be just between the four below, but I can’t turn away.

Noticing the direction of his eyes, Lawson turns his head enough so he can look over his shoulder at us. Anger, animosity, and hostility fill his bright blue eyes, but I also don’t miss the twinge of fear in them either. I beg him with my eyes to calm down. There may even be a hint of pleading, asking him to stay, but his lip turns up in a sneer, either unable to read my expression or not caring how I feel.

“Looks like the whole family is here,” he spits before turning back to Jaxon.

“Would you like to go into the office and speak privately?” Rob offers.

“Talking is the last thing I want,” Lawson says. “We’re leaving.”

He goes to walk around Jaxon but surprisingly stops when Dad holds his hand up. “Feel free to leave, but Drew stays here. You can ruin your life all you want, but I won’t stand by and watch you ruin his.”

“Fuck you,” Lawson barks. “Let’s go, Drew.”

Lawson grabs his younger brother by the arm. The wince on Drew’s face makes it clear that the grip Lawson has on his arm is painful.

“You’re hurting him,” I say, unable to watch the tear rolling down Drew’s cheek.

“Mind your own fucking business, Princess. This doesn’t concern you.”

Lawson’s command doesn’t surprise me. He’s pissed and practically cornered. I would expect nothing less.

“No,” Drew yells, yanking his arm out of his brother’s grasp. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Confusion swarms Lawson’s face. It’s apparent he’s never gone against his brother’s orders before.

“Now,” Lawson commands.

“I’m staying,” Drew says in refusal, crossing his arms in defiance.

Lawson remains silent, mulling over his options as he glares at his younger brother.

“What would Mom say right now? What would she tell you about choosing these people over family?”

Another tear rolls down Drew’s cheek, and his throat works on a hard swallow before he speaks. “She would tell you to stop being stubborn. She would tell you that Rob and Jaxon are offering a chance at a real life. She would tell us to be grateful and take every opportunity we were handed.”

Lawson shakes his head. “You’ll regret being here with them.”

Jaxon steps out of his way this time when Lawson heads to the front door. “You’re always welcome here, son.”

“Don’t fucking call me that,” Lawson mutters before disappearing out the front door and into the cool, morning air.

Drew all but collapses. Thankfully Rob anticipated it and catches him on his way. Drew shies away from Pop but doesn’t make a move to get off his knees.

“Go get dressed,” Jaxon instructs as Rob consoles Drew.

Looking down, I realize I’m only in my sleep shorts and a thin tank.

“Yes, sir.”

After changing in my room, I head back downstairs, finding Samson, both of my dads, and Drew around the kitchen table. Sunday morning breakfast is going on like the blow up didn’t just happen ten minutes ago.

Jaxon is at the stove making an array of different pancakes just like he’s done for as long as I can remember.

“Samson?” he asks as he flips a pancake over with the spatula.

“Simple is fine,” he responds without looking up from his phone.

“Delilah?”

“I think banana and blueberry would be perfect.”

“Drew?”

I look over at the young man. His face is still red, but the tear streaks have been wiped away. He looks uncomfortable and out of place.

“Apple cinnamon is the absolute best,” I tell him with a gentle smile.

“I’m allergic to cinnamon,” he answers weakly.

“Noted,” Jaxon says from across the kitchen as he throws the bottle of cinnamon in the trash. I have a peanut allergy, and no form of them are allowed in the house. Watching what my dad just did makes my heart swell. He’ll make sure Drew is safe here as well.

“The mint chip is excellent,” Samson offers, and my eyes sting at his generosity.

Drew’s eyes light up. “I love mint chip ice cream.”

Jaxon chuckles from the stove. “These pancakes will be so much better. I promise.”

“Babe?” Jaxon prompts.

“Simple works for me today,” Rob answers.

I grab the seat next to Drew, so he’s not left alone on this side of the table. He moves his phone closer, and I don’t miss the protective edge to the action, but I understand it.

“Has he called? Texted?”

Drew shakes his head. “He’ll be back.” He tries to sound hopeful, but the skepticism in his voice betrays the front he’s putting on.

“Of course he will,” I agree.

“He gets mad sometimes. He comes back after he walks it off.”

“Our door is always open to him,” Jaxon says as he slides pancakes onto Samson’s plate. “If he texts or calls, remind him of that.”

Drew meets Dad’s eyes, seeming to analyze if he’s being genuine.

“He said some pretty awful things,” Drew reminds my father.

Jaxon shrugs, as if having arguments in the living room at nine in the morning is nothing to worry about. “It’s an adjustment, Drew. We’re allowed to get angry. Could he have handled it better? Of course. But, I get the feeling your brother has been fighting and clawing to keep you guys safe for a long time. He’ll come around once he realizes we’re not out to hurt you or him.”

Drew nods. “He’ll be back.”

Only this time there’s more confidence in his words.