“He does. Again, he has said little to me about it. I haven’t gone into details about that situation because it’s not something to do over text. Have you? I know Gabe hasn’t.”
“I haven’t talked to Jayce much either. You know how crazy he gets at the beginning of the season.”
The end of September to the end of April, her brother wasn’t around much dealing with the media and communications for the team. If they got a text a week it was brief, more to say things were good.
She couldn’t distance herself like that from family, but Jayce had always differed from the rest of them.
“At least he makes the time for the holidays,” she said. “How long is he home for?”
“I think for the weekend,” her mother said.
“Where is she?”
Jocelyn turned her head. “Is that Jayce now? Why is he yelling?”
He better not come in here and get in her business, but something told her that was going to happen and he couldn’t even wait to do it in private!
“He must have come in last night,” her mother said. “He could have stayed at Gabe’s.”
She shrugged, got up, and popped her head into the hallway hoping to deescalate the situation. “There is my twin. Wow, talk about an early visit. Did you miss me?”
“What the hell, Jocelyn?” Jayce yelled. “I’m out of the loop for a few months and then find out who your boyfriend is.”
“Keep it down,” her mother said. “What is wrong with you, Jayce? We told you who she was dating.”
She shut her mother’s door and spun around to face her brother, her hands on her hips. “What the hell is going on with you? I gave you his name. You haven’t had time to call me and talk and you’re going to come marching in here and accuse me of something. I don’t think so. What is your problem?”
“The guy you’re dating. I just found out last night who it was. I didn’t recognize the name until Gabe said we went to school together. I looked him up this morning and realized he’s a pothead who got into fights and was suspended all the time. You couldn’t find anyone better than that? Or is this just a case of swinging so far in the other direction from Victor?”
“Jayce Steven!” her mother snapped. “Watch your tone and accusations without knowing all the facts.”
“That’s right!” Jocelyn yelled back. She didn’t need anyone to bring up Victor right now. “You know nothing other than what you heard then. He’s not that person and never was other than being labeled it.” Which wasn’t the complete truth, but it’d be good enough for now.
“I know enough. He might have turned his life around, but you can do so much better. It doesn’t surprise me a child just dropped on his doorstep. He probably has more than one.”
She took a step toward her brother and her mother jumped up and got between them.
“Enough, Jayce. If you can’t be bothered to talk to us half the time and find out the facts, then don’t come in here insulting anyone. Chance and his son are going to be at the house tomorrow for the holiday and I won’t tolerate any fights, moods, or nasty comments. He’s a nice guy who had a hard upbringing. I raised you better than the way you’re acting.”
“We both were raised better,” she said. “How dare you come here and say anything bad about him when you don’t even know him now? Gabe knows him and likes him. Did he tell you that?”
Jayce was looking back and forth between her and her mother. “Yeah.”
“And you trust Gabe more than you trust me. In terms of judgment.”
“Hello,” Jayce said. “Two words. Jack and Victor. You always end up with losers. Why can’t you date someone on your own level for once?”
“Oh, fuck you,” she said.
“Jocelyn! We’re at work,” her mother said.
She had to get it out. All the frustration of the last month was building and her twin was the one who would be the recipient of her tongue-lashing for making her feel as if she wasn’t enough. She’d felt that more than she cared to in her life.
By men, and the last person she wanted it from was family.
“Fine,” she said. “We’re at work. Which Jayce should have remembered before he came marching in here being adick.”
At least she hissed the last word out.
