"I do, sir," Wyatt insists.
Dad shakes his head, searing Wyatt with disappointment.
Jax growls, "Your agent pulled your contract."
"What? He can't do that!" Wyatt states.
I feel nauseous, and I put my hand over my stomach.
Jax scoffs. "Of course he can. I told you when you signed with him that he doesn't represent riders who don't take their careers seriously."
"I do take it seriously," Wyatt claims.
Jax jabs him in the chest. "How many times have I told you not to get into trouble?"
Wyatt stays quiet, grinding his molars.
Dad turns his scolding to Jagger. "I told you not to go with him. You two can't stay out of trouble. Now look what you've done."
"It's not his fault," Wyatt interjects.
"Oh, don't think I don't know you're just as much at fault," Dad seethes.
Wyatt takes a deep breath.
Dad adds, "You're acting like your father. I thought you wanted to be a better man than him."
My defensive instincts toward Wyatt kick in, and I blurt out, "That's not fair. He's not his father."
Dad whips his head toward me. "This isn't your business. Go inside, Willow."
I don't move.
"Now," he demands in a low tone.
I toss Wyatt a glance, but he's exchanging a look with my brother.
Damn you, Jagger.
"Way to go," I mutter, passing him and stomping into the house. I go into the family room and stare out the window.
"What's going on?" Paisley questions.
"Nothing," I answer.
"Don't treat me like a baby. You, of all people, don't get to do that," she whines.
I sigh. She's right. Being the youngest of the eight siblings means Paisley gets shafted a lot, left out of the loop much of the time. I'm only a few years older, and I know what that feels like, so I reply, "I'm sorry. Jagger and Wyatt got into another fight. Jax said Wyatt's agent canceled his contract."
Paisley's mouth drops toward the floor.
I refocus on the scene outside.
"Can his agent do that?" Paisley asks.
"Jax says he can."
The air conditioner is on, so the windows are shut. I can't hear anything, but Jax says something and looks even angrier than he did before.
