The drive downtown is filled with a comfortable tension, the kind that comes when you’re about to do something that might land you in jail but feels absolutely necessary.I’m drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, running through scenarios in my head.Jake’s scrolling through his phone, probably researching whatever legal loopholes we might need if things go sideways.
“So what’s the plan?”Jake asks as we hit a red light.“Walk in and introduce ourselves as the concerned family?”
“Something like that.”My blood is singing with anticipation.“I figure we start polite, see if he’s reasonable.If not...”I shrug, letting the implication hang.
“You know, I’ve been waiting for an excuse to punch someone all week,” Jake muses.“Richard doesn’t count—too easy, and Iris was watching.”
I’m about to respond when I spot a familiar figure walking down the sidewalk.Tall, dark hair, wearing a dress shirt that’s seen better days.My youngest brother looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Holy shit,” I mutter, pulling over to the curb and rolling down my window.“Nick!”
My brother looks up, startled.The exhaustion in his eyes lifts slightly as he recognizes us, and then his face breaks into the first genuine smile I’ve seen from him in months.But then again, I’ve not seen him since his son was born.He’s stopped coming to family dinners.
“What are you two idiots doing in this neighborhood?”he asks, jogging over to the car.
“We’re on our way to have a heart-to-heart with Megan’s cheating boyfriend,” Jake says through the open window, his voice casual like he’s discussing the weather.“Want in?”
Nick’s expression shifts, the smile fading into something darker.“He’s cheating on Megan?”
“Has been for weeks,” I confirm, watching my brother’s jaw tighten.“We’re heading to his usual hangout to explain why that’s not acceptable.”
For a moment, Nick just stands there, and I can practically see him weighing his options.He’s been dealing with his own relationship drama, drowning in the toxic mess that is his marriage to Elisha.But mention someone hurting our baby sister, and suddenly he’s focused.
He opens the backdoor and slides in.“I need to hit something that isn’t a wall in my apartment.”
“That’s the spirit,” Jake says cheerfully, settling back into his seat as I pull into traffic.
I catch Nick’s eyes in the rearview mirror.There’s something there—anger, yes, but also relief.Like he’s been waiting for an excuse to channel all his frustration into something productive.
“So,” I begin lightly, “how’s Elisha and the baby?”
His expression falters.“Fine.”
“Really?”I drawl.“And you were roaming out here at seven in the evening because…?”
“Did she kick you out again?”Jake asks.His voice is calm, but I hear the anger in it.
“Her mother did,” Nick admits after a while.“Elisha maxed out all the credit cards again.When I questioned her about it, her mother kicked me out.”
My hands tighten around the steering wheel.“Why was her mother there in the first place?”
“She’s moved in.Apparently Elisha doesn’t trust me not to have my family over to meet Damien when she’s out with her friends.”
“Nick.”Anger washes over me.“You know how fucked up that sounds, right?”
“I’m aware.”The bitterness in my younger brother’s voice has me wanting to swerve the car around and head to his apartment to have a few words with his wife.
Jake doesn’t say anything.When I look over, he’s gazing out the window, his reflection showing his thoughtful expression.
“Jake?”
Our older brother shrugs.“Don’t look at me.This is a decision Nick has to make.She’s isolating him, and he knows that.This is abusive behavior.”
Nick scowls.“I’m a man?—”
“Men also get abused, Nick.”Jake’s voice is gentle but firm.“She may not be physically violent toward you, but if you were in her place and receiving the same treatment, you would call it abuse, wouldn’t you?”
Nick falls silent.“She’s just?—”
