I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be doing less than going to my parents’ house. Harper seemed excited to find a present for my mom, and she made sure we brought the obligatory flowers as well. When I’d suggested we stay home or find something else more fun to do, she just giggled her sexy laugh and told me, “Later, big boy,” with a funny wink.

She had no idea of the minefield we were about to walk into and, of course, that was mostly my fault. If I could get out of telling her the whole gruesome story, all the better. Nobody needed to rehash that shit.

Best-case scenario—we get in, we get out.

Worst-case scenario—we get in and the old man decides to have a no-holds-barred field day with me.

Unfortunately, the latter was most likely to occur. Why? Firstly, my dad was a complete dick. And secondly, my dad was a complete dick.

Ma looked so hopeful and, believe it or not, I did feel horribly guilty for not showing up at gatherings anymore. She knew why, but a mother’s hope springs eternal. I did miss my siblings. We got together occasionally, but it really wasn’t the same as the old days. My niece and nephew were growing like weeds, and I wished I could be around them more.

But shit happened in life, and it happened to me. To us. So, you moved on and tried your best to rebuild. Going back into the lion’s den tonight was a stupid move on my part. Hopefully, we got out unscathed.

Harper’s enthusiasm was not contagious this time. Normally, I found it cute as hell when she got all excited about something, but not this time. I really wished she’d pulled the plug and decided to stay home with me. My body and mind were tired enough from all the extra work of setting up the new restaurant. Adding my dad’s issues to that made for one long week.

Practically skipping up to the front door, Harper said, “Whoa, this is your parents’ house? It looks like a castle.” A castle of doom, my pretty lady. Never judge a book by its cover. The story of my life.

“It’s just a house. Four walls and a roof, no big deal,” I said, drawing her soft body closer to mine. The instinct to hold her near and be ready to throw my body in front of her at a moment’s notice got stronger the closer we got to the house.

“I’d say there are probably ninety walls and several roofs.” She glared at me, not amused at my understatement. “Why didn’t you tell me they were loaded?” Her tone indicated she was a bit pissed.

“Honey, it’s just a house. Of horrors. Yeah, it’s huge, but that doesn’t mean they are any better than anyone else, okay?” Quite the opposite, in fact. “Just relax and pretend we’re at the zoo or something.”

“The zoo?” she asked, looking at me quizzically.

“Yes, look at all the pretty animals in their cages. Only difference is that these animals have voluntarily locked themselves up,” I told her, my mouth close to her ear. We were near the house, and I didn’t want anyone to hear.

“Jacky, you came,” Ma said, swinging the door open before we even hit the stairs. “And Harper, so glad you could join us, too.”

“Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. McCallister, and happy birthday,” Harper replied.

“Thank you, and call me Elaine, please,” Ma said, arms open, waiting for a hug.

“Happy birthday,” I said, holding my mother tight. “You look beautiful.”

She giggled like a schoolgirl and swatted me on the shoulder. “Thanks, dear. Come in. The others are already here.”

I nearly rolled my eyes at Harper as she looked around with wonder at the palatial home. You could probably drive a bus up the staircase, and the chandelier was nothing to sneeze at either. Father always made sure we were surrounded by the best that money could buy.

To others, it appeared we had everything a human being could possibly want. They would be dead wrong.

“Just give your coats to Harriet. She’ll take them for you,” Ma said, and Harper handed over the coats. “Everyone’s in the living room waiting.” We followed her, and Harper grabbed my hand and squeezed. I looked down, and she smiled up at me with the sweetest smile, full of hope. Fuck, I should never have brought her here.

We roamed into the living room, and all the usual suspects were there—my brother and his wife, my sister, her husband and two kids. The old man was nowhere to be seen, and my heart jumped thinking maybe, just maybe, he was gone on a trip.

“Everyone, quiet down now. I’d like you to meet Harper, Jack’s girlfriend,” my mother said with far more joy in her voice than was necessary. “Harper, this is Blake, Jack’s brother. And his wife, Melanie. Over there is Jack’s sister, Iris, and her husband, Tom, and their two children. Amy’s three and Josh just turned one.”

My siblings and their spouses smiled and nodded and gave obligatory waves. My brother looked at me warily, but my sister smiled a huge toothy grin. That woman was so ridiculous. Damn, I missed her. She came trudging up to us and gave me a big hug, her breath catching.

“Little brother, I missed you,” she said and peeped up at me, her eyes watery with unshed tears.

“Missed you, too, crazy lady.” I squeezed her shoulders. “What have you been feeding those kids? They’re both huge,” I said teasingly.

“I just keep a trough on the table now. It’s easier that way,” she said, smiling. Her husband came up behind her carrying their younger child.

“Jack, it’s been a long time, buddy. How you been doing?” He stuck out his free hand, and I shook it gladly.

“Keeping busy, Tom. How about you?”

“Yeah, same here but with diapers.” That made us all laugh.

“I hear ya. That part gets easier, though.”

“Nice to meet you, Harper,” Iris said and grabbed her extended hand, then pulled her into a tight hug.

“You, too,” Harper said, looking up at me with wide eyes. I just smirked.

We eventually took our seats and made small talk while the children ran around and entertained us.

It was nice just being with everyone again, catching up and feeling easy. I knew it wouldn’t last, but it was nice to have a taste of it before he walked in.

“Oh, your father is here,” Ma said, and all eyes looked toward my father as he confidently strolled into the room. He came to a dead stop once he saw me. “John, Jack’s here, and he brought his new girlfriend, Harper. Harper, this is Jack’s father, John.”

Of course, my father couldn’t be bothered to walk all the way over to welcome her. He just nodded his head and said, “When’s lunch?”

A bit flustered at his lack of manners, my mother quickly recovered. “About a half an hour or so.”

“Half an hour? I could’ve stayed at the office longer? Christ, I wish you would’ve told me,” he said and walked to the side table where there was always a selection of booze. The familiar clang of ice cubes went into his glass before a glug of whiskey. He turned around, immediately taking a swig of his drink as he searched the room for his next victim.

“Still in the cooking business?” My dad sneered at me.

“Yes, Father,” I said and waited for the backlash.

“Then why don’t you get in there and help Harriet out?” He burst out laughing thinking he had made quite the joke. Harper’s head swung toward me, her eyebrows nearly touching. I placed my hand on her knee.

“I’m going upstairs to change. Tell Harriet to hurry things up a bit. I’ve got to get back to the office,” he said before he stepped back to the side table and poured himself more whiskey.

As soon as he was gone, I inhaled deeply. It occurred to me that I’d spent eighteen years in this house without taking one real breath. It was hard to breathe when you were constantly squeezed and suffocated.

“Well, that went well,” Tom said sarcastically. Iris reached over and slapped him on the arm. “Hey, that hurt.” But he looked down at his wife and grinned.

“Stop being so rude. Harper’s been here for five minutes and you’re already scaring her off,” she said, annoyed at him.

“I don’t think I was the one doing the scaring,” Tom answered back, twisting his mouth.

It took a while, but eventually we found our way back to normal conversation. They asked Harper about her family and what she did for a living. Normal stuff. Until Dad showed up again.

“All right, everyone, how about we go and sit at the table? Bring your drinks,” Mom said.

Amy, who had been a bit shy with me at first, warmed up quickly, and I carried her. Her brother, on the other hand, clung tightly to his dad. Josh would look over at me from time to time, but he wasn’t quite sure of who I was. That pretty much broke my heart, but what could you expect from a child you hardly saw?

Harper stuck close to me, and we found our seats. Right on cue, Harriet began placing things onto the table. Mom started, and then we all dug in, passing plates around and commenting on how nice the meal was.

Having known him my entire life, I knew Dad was getting more and more agitated, which didn’t bode well for me. He would give my brother and sister shit, don’t get me wrong. He was an equal opportunist. But if I was there, he made sure to dish out his special brand of hell for me.

“This beef seems a little dry, don’t you think, Jack?” Dad asked. Pretty much any question from him was a minefield. There were no right answers, just ways to dig yourself in deeper.

“No, I think it’s done quite well. Harriet did a great job.” I glanced up at the cook in question. She looked at me quickly before she headed back into the kitchen.

“Maybe she can give you some pointers then,” he said, laughing loudly again at his own joke. No one else took part. They just gawked uncomfortably at each other and tried to ignore him.

“I’m sure she could give me some good advice,” I answered back, knowing full well I was poking the bear.

“What do you do for a living, Harper?” Dad asked while stuffing his face.

Harper straightened her back and replied, “I’m an administrative assistant for Brentford Organics.”

Dad chewed quickly, and his body shook. “You’re a secretary?” He pushed away from the table dramatically. “Wow, you sure know how to pick them. First, a waitress and now a secretary? Who is it going to be next? A maid?”

Aaaaand we were done. I stood up so quickly my chair crashed to the floor behind me. “I’m sorry, everyone, but we have to go now.” I stuck my hand out for Harper’s.

Before she could get up, Iris stood up, red-faced. “No! You just got here, and he’s already chasing you away again. I won’t have it. I’m sick of family gatherings where we all have to pretend that Jack and Ava don’t exist. So sick of it.” Her palms slammed down onto the table, making the plates jump. “My kids don’t get to see their uncle because Tom and I are too scared of not making partner at our father’s firm. Really?” She shrugged her shoulders and threw her hands in the air. “Is that what I’ve been reduced to? Walking on a tightrope every day, making sure I maintain the correct balance? Or what? My dad is going to fire me? Or choose someone better to be a partner?” she said and massaged her temples.

“Well, I give up, Father. I’m done. My resignation will be on your desk within the hour,” she said, tears falling freely down her face. “Tom, grab Josh. We’re going to Jack’s house for lunch.” Iris grabbed Amy’s small hand, and they marched around the table. “And don’t expect us to walk through those doors again until shit changes around here,” she yelled and pointed to the front of the house. Then she turned to Jack and said, “Text me your address. We’ll meet you there.” They left in a blur of rage and scorn.

“Why did you even invite him?” Dad asked Mom, referring to me. “You know he causes problems. It’s better when he’s not here.” Mom just stared at him, mouth agape. She was visibly upset, but also had no idea what to say about the shit-storm going on around her.

Harper stood, and I seized her hand. I couldn’t get out of that place fast enough.