“It’s… it’s a very d-delicate situation, so…”
“There’s nothing ‘delicate’ about what’s going on.” It wasn’t Jayne who spoke, or even Harlow—Shep, who’d bitten his tongue until now, had recovered enough to reply. He stepped around Simon and stood between him and Jayne, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “And you know what? I think it’s bullshit that all of you are standing around fighting about what’s best for me and Evie when Evie and I arestanding in the room with you.”
Jayne’s fine features sharpened, his face dainty and dangerous all at once. “Simon and I have afforded you a lot of liberty since Mom and Dad died, Shep, but maybe we’ve been too lenient. You’resixteen.You don’t even have a license yet—”
“Because you and Simon won’t take me in to get my permit or teach me how to drive!”
“—and you’re not ready to face the world on your own.”
The situation was devolving. The butterflies in Simon’s stomach became frantic, the thrill of attraction turning into fear that he wouldn’t be able to keep the peace. It wasn’t often that Jayne and Shep got into it, but when they did, it was always bad. Jayne, stubborn and set in his ways, was always too blind to notice that Shep was pushing his buttons on purpose, trying to trigger him to melt down so Shep could accuse him of being too emotional to present a valid argument. They’d never get anywhere if that happened.
“Yeah?” Shep sneered. “And when Mom and Dad died, you weren’t ready to face the world either, were you, Jayne?”
“Shep…” Simon grabbed his shoulder, but Shep jerked it away.
“You weren’t ready, but somehow, you still managed to get through it.” Shep’s tone was dark, and his intent likely just as malevolent. “You managed, even if you did a shit job of it.”
“Shep,” Simon squeaked. He grabbed Shep’s shoulder again, but once more, Shep jerked away. This time, he glared at Simon while he did so, the look in his eyes telling Simon in no uncertain terms to back off.
“You arenotgoing to tell me that I fucked it all up. You arenot.” Jayne advanced, but before he could get close, Shep shoved him. “You donotget to do that to me!”
“Jayne,” Simon uttered, but his voice came out too thin to be heard. “Jayne,stop…”
“Everyonestop!” Evie inserted herself between Shep and Jayne, her arms extended. “Just… just stop! I didn’t come here so you could fight.”
“You’re not a part of this.” Jayne was smart enough not to touch Evie, but his hands trembled like all he wanted to do was push her aside and get back at Shep. “Don’t get involved. This is between me and my brothers.”
“No, it’s not.” Evie stood her ground. If she was afraid, she didn’t let it show. “This is between all of us. Every single one of us in this room. And you know what? If none of you are willing to come to a decision, then I’m going to make it for you. I’m not leaving here. If you want to train me, Dad, then you can stay here, too. If you don’t, then fine, you can leave.”
“This isnotyour house,” Jayne snarled. “You don’t get to decide if you stay here or not.”
“But I do,” Simon whispered.
The room went silent. Evie, her eyes wide, looked at him in startled wonder.
“I… I do.” Simon wet his lips, his insides tangled with the dread of speaking up when tension was already running so high. Was he making a mistake? If he was, it was too late to go back—he’d committed to what he had to say, even if it was a horrible idea. “And I say… I say that Evie can stay.”
