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1682 Words
Jaxon breathed a sigh as the elevator stopped on the floor above. Numbly making his way to his sister's door, he raised his hand to knock. Still fighting with his anxiety, he hoped that he hadn’t upset Caroline too badly. Knowing that the girl adored him, he felt bad that his mental state had caused her any pain.
Skylar answered, her face twisted into a mask of worry. "Jaxon, are you okay? I mean, you didn't flip the table this time, so kudos to that, but Dad said you lost it after we left."
"I know, I know. It was stupid, I get it," he muttered as he let her hug him tightly. "I haven't had a breakdown since the end of high school almost two years ago, so that's a bonus. I'm just sorry that Carol was keen enough to notice."
"Carol is fine, little brother. She was more worried than upset, but you know how Dad gets." Skylar shook her head as she led him into the apartment. "About Markus..."
Her voice trailed off as she emptied the dishwasher. She wanted to ask him the personal questions that circled her mind constantly, her concern for her brother at the forefront of her mind as her husband came in to pour himself another coffee. He whispered that he would be in the room working on his remote job, kissing her cheek before giving Jaxon a nod.
Jaxon leaned against the counter, his brow furrowed deeply. His lips twisted into a scowl as he waited. Torn, he finally asked, "What about him?"
"Let's just say that I've noticed things, Jax." She cursed as one of her nails broke. Brushing it off, she let out an agitated breath. “Listen, I’m fine as long as no one hurts you. You’re my brother, and I love you, but I will not stand by and watch another put you in a position where you don’t feel like you’re good enough. You suffered enough in your life, and I refuse to let you suffer any further if I can help it.”
Caroline bounced into the kitchen, her long black hair shimmering with a natural blue tint. "Hi, Amca Jaxon! I noticed that you seemed a little stressed at dinner. Do you feel better now?"
Forcing himself to stand still, he let the younger teen throw her arms around his waist. Pulling his mind back from the cusp of spiraling darkness, he hugged her back.
"I had a nap, so I feel much better now, Carol. I loved the gift, I was just overwhelmed. I've never put much stock in birthdays, especially my own."
"Why not?" she asked innocently.
Knowing that it was the one question he usually hated to be faced with, Skylar waited anxiously for his answer. As she busied herself with the casserole, she listened intently to his response. However, she knew that he wouldn’t put her family at risk, nor would her brother ever irrevocably hurt another person without just cause.
Jaxon took a breath. Not wanting to live in fear of his past anymore, he said, "Well, when I was three, my parents were taking me to a diner for my birthday. On our way there, my Dad lost control of the car when one of the tires burst. They... they didn't make it, but I did. I don’t really remember much about them, but my adoptive father and Sky made me part of their family and encouraged me to study Korean culture in case I ever got to meet my biological family."
“I lost my Mom and Dad in an accident, too. Now we have another thing to talk about!” she said as she hugged him tightly. Grinning, she pulled back. “Valide, I’m going to do my prayers now.”
Skylar smiled. “That’s fine, sweetie.”
Jaxon watched her go back to her room, his heart lighter than it had been in quite a while. Sitting at the table, he sighed as his sister handed him a mug. Sky grinned. “Black Vanilla Chai, just like you always drink when that anxiety of yours acts up.”
He smirked. “You know me so well.”
“I know you well enough to know that something is on your mind just by looking at you. It’s not school, because you’d be a lot more edgy than you are, so it’s either something between you and Dad or you and Mark. Which is it?” she asked cautiously.
Staring into the inky black depths of his tea, Jaxon let his body relax. Looking around, he sighed in contentment. “I’m actually concerned about Luke and Mark at this point. Lukie is sixteen, so he’s still sort of reliant on his father for some things. Mark’s a grown man with a child’s temperament, so even he needs his dad sometimes.”
Frowning, his sister leaned back in her chair. “Uncle Trace is a good man, Jaxon. Why does it sound like you’re having a problem with him?”
“I don’t have any issues with him personally,” Jaxon replied. With a heavy heart, he knew that he could only hide so much from someone who knew him better than he knew himself. “What I have a problem with is his incessant drinking.”
Skylar shrugged. “So he drinks.”
“Not that, Sky,” he told her softly. “Look, I shouldn’t even be saying anything, but I’m really, really worried about my bestie and my boyfriend. He doesn’t know that I know how he talks to them. Trace, I mean. He didn’t know I was there a few times when he came home drunk out of his mind and started yelling at them in German. Not his usual yelling, but legit calling them names and saying s**t that no one should ever say to their kids.”
Her face paled, her mouth dropping open as the words registered in her mind. “Are you… Jaxon, that’s a hefty accusation to level against one of our superiors.”
“Not really.”
Jaxon froze, fear taking over his mind as the voice of his best friend echoed around him. He hadn’t heard the door to the apartment nor his footfalls on the floor. “Luke, I can explain…”
“No, it’s okay,” Lukas said softly. “I stopped by your place when I got back, and your dad grilled me again. This time, he was talking about his concern for you in the hands of my brother. I have to admit it, though, Mark is showing signs of random violence. Honestly, I’m worried about you, Jaxon.”
Don’t be, he wanted to say, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he lowered his eyes to the table, sighing. “He was really sweet today. We even took a nap together, but I know where you’re coming from. His hot and cold behavior is getting to me, too, but I don’t want to give up on him. It’s like he thinks he owns me or that I’m going to up and leave him.”
Lukas pursed his lips, his grey eyes taking on a sad light. “This stays between the three of us, okay?”
When Jaxon and Skylar agreed, he noticed Russell standing in the hallway. Scowling, he shook his head. “Russ?”
“Mum's the word,” Russell declared, pulling out a chair next to his wife. “What’s going on?”
Taking a moment to reflect on his words, Lukas said, “Dad’s drinking scares me shitless, and my brother is a bit of a control freak that wants to know Jaxon’s every move. I refuse to be that kind of friend, so there’s that. Russ, can you push Jax a little harder? I don’t want it to come to blows, but I’m scared I won’t be able to protect him if it comes to that. He’s not lying about the accusations against Dad, either. It’s all true, and it’s wearing me down mentally.”
Reaching across the table, Jaxon took Lukas’s hand in his. “We’re best friends, Luke. I got your back, and you got mine. That’s not going to change any time soon. As for your brother, I don’t know what kind of bug is eating at his common sense, but there’s a limit on how much I’m willing to take. Should he push me to that, I will walk.”
Breathing a laugh of relief, Lukas gripped Jaxon’s hand tighter. “You have no idea how much that comforts me. Just promise me you won’t let it come to blows. If and when he backs you into a corner, show him why you hold back, Jax. Please don’t let my brother turn into a monster.”
Fear flashed in Skylar’s eyes as she looked at her husband. They shared a look of hurt and disappointment, but there was an option neither teen thought about. “Guys, I have an idea.”
“Which is?” Jaxon raised a brow, his worry rising.
“There’s one person in the crew that can take your boyfriend and her husband at the same time. One person who uses a forgotten fighting style taught to her by the Donna herself,” Skylar stated with a smirk.
Lukas grinned. “My brother is freaking terrified of Kennedy. If she teaches you some of what she knows, he won’t be able to take you at all.”
Nodding, Jaxon looked at Russell. “We need to intensify my training routine. I’m getting stronger mentally and emotionally. Now I need to get stronger physically but have a body that belies that strength.”
Understanding what his younger brother-in-law was trying to convey, Russell smirked. “I got you, Kid. I was wondering when I would see your dark side, and now it’s on full display. I can teach you how to train without bulking up, which is great for surprise attacks and defensive maneuvers bigger opponents can’t really handle.”
- Writer
