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1645 Words
Trace glowered at his oldest son, watching him pick up his phone for the umpteenth time that day. Except for Lukas, Jaxon hadn’t spoken to him or Mark, nor had he come by the apartment, ensuring that Markus knew he was at his wit’s end.
With the way his oldest boy was getting on, it reminded him of when his ex left him. The memories it dredged up almost had him wishing for a bottle to drink, but he was glad he was sober to witness this day for himself. Lukas had begged him to stick with him that day, and he did it without question. He was happy enough that his son wanted to spend time with him.
Thinking back, he didn’t relish the memories of his wife, who had become a taboo subject even for their boys. When she left him, he felt broken, lost, and alone. Sure, he had his friends, but that was about it. He needed to be strong for the boys, to raise them the way his mother raised him and his six siblings. Yet, he was running to pick up the phone every damn time it rang back then. There was always the hope it was Bella on the other line.
It never was, and he was now glad he'd dodged that bullet.
Lukas looked over at his father, noting the way he was intently staring at his brother and wondering. He was even getting fed up with his brother's hopelessness. It wasn't as if Jaxon had fully broken everything off.
"He's done for," Trace muttered. "If they don't get back together, I can see your brother turning out like me."
"Jax isn't going to hurt Mark like that, Dad," Lukas replied, shaking his head. "I know my best friend. He just wanted some time alone to gather his thoughts and face down his own demons. Jax is waiting for Mark to realize the mistake he's making. If not, he’s going to get what Kenni would do to Memphis."
“What’s that?” Trace asked, confused.
Lukas laughed. “She told him that he would get a fully detailed list of the crap she put up with and be given a chance to fix it before she decides to walk. I can totally see Jaxon doing the same to Markus.”
"At least he's not sleeping around," Trace muttered.
Luke rose to his feet. "He still loves Markus, Dad. It's just that he's fed up. Mark likes to be in control of every situation they end up in. Jax likes to play it by ear and is solution-focused rather than problem-focused. Mark’s physically strong and thick-headed. Jaxon's got a stubborn streak that Mark is only now seeing. The fallout will be bad if Jax loses it, though. Once it’s out, it’s hella hard to put the temper monster back in its box."
"I had no idea he could be that bad," Trace replied. He loved the fact that his boys were more open and no longer afraid of his responses.
"It gets worse," Lukas said as he watched Mark answer a call. No… it couldn’t be. His brother wouldn’t do something that potentially stupid, would he?
Frowning, his father turned to him, his water bottle an inch from his mouth. "Explain."
The front door slammed as Markus left the apartment.
Lukas groaned. "He's in a mood. I really hope he's going to talk to Memphis, but I doubt that. I really, really hope he didn't do what I think he did."
"Lukas, stop changing the subject," Trace snapped. His patience was wearing thin. Suddenly, his curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "Wait, what do you think he did?"
Shaking his head, Lukas said, "The day they fought and Jax asked for a month apart, Mark told Jaxon he didn't need to learn how to fight. He said that he would protect him forever, but that's not what Jax wanted. I love my brother, I really do, but he's got to stop. Jaxon’s not going to wait for him if he doesn't stop what he's doing. I think he put a tail on Jax, though. I mean, I didn't say anything to anyone, and there are only three of us that know exactly where Jaxon is right now."
"Where did he disappear to today anyway? It's not like him to leave and not tell his father," Trace commented as Luke handed him a beer.
Swallowing, Luke shook his head in a negative response. Even calling Jaxon as soon as Mark left made him feel like he’d cracked the trust in their friendship. "Leider, Papa, I swore to keep it secret. Besides, David knows, and so does Skylar."
Even though he was sorry that he couldn’t tell his father, he was adamant that it was the right thing to do. The cell on the table buzzed twenty minutes later.
Picking up his phone, Lukas scowled at the name on the screen. "Ji-Hoon, what's wrong?"
"Did you tell him where I was going?"
The words were crisp, cutting through any attempt at humor as a good retort died in Lukas’ throat. The anger that was simmering in Jaxon’s voice told him everything he needed to know. His brother had made record time and was already at the orphanage.
"Why the hell would I betray your trust like that?" Lukas countered.
Jaxon took a breath. His mind was whirling with probabilities as he exhaled quietly. "I’m sorry, I'm just edgy about him showing up like this. Does he have a tail on me?"
Putting the phone on the table, Luke motioned for his father to stay quiet as he put the phone on speaker. Nodding, Trace agreed to remain silent as he waited to see what Jaxon would say. "I'm not entirely sure about that one. I think he does, but I can't exactly get intel without word getting back to him. As it is, he was talking to someone before he left. I hope you understood the warning I said when I called."
“I did, and I was able to do what I came to do. As it turned out, the Mother Superior was putting out applications for funding to fix outdated and broken things in the orphanage. The total cost would have been a substantial amount, but the hundred and fifty thousand I gave them will more than cover the rebuilding and replacing the furniture, toys, and books,” Jaxon explained.
Grinning, Lukas sighed, “For an atheist, you sure got a huge heart.”
“I don’t need to be religious to have good intentions or take care of those in need. That place was my home for a few years, and I wanted to give back what I could. Tell your father I know he’s listening, too,” Jaxon laughed.
“How the f**k?” Trace asked, his eyes going wide.
Lukas cackled with laughter. “Dude’s got a sixth sense.”
Jaxon grunted in agreement. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, but this is getting ridiculous. I love your brother, but this is going way too freaking far. He gets to go riding with Memphis without me, he goes to the MC’s clubhouse without me, but he says it’s too risky for me to go anywhere without him? I’m not breakable."
Trace's dark grey eyes flashed dangerously. Opening his mouth to speak, he quickly shut it again as he noticed Lukas vigorously shaking his head.
Lukas said, "Jaxon, are you still at the orphanage?"
"I was about to leave, actually. I got to talk to a few of the ladies that took care of me. When I asked them about my past, I found out that the social worker in charge of my placement had my name changed because he didn't think I'd be adopted with a Korean name."
"Bullshit," Lukas scoffed. "David would have taken you anyway because Sky took a liking to you. Dude was just a straight-up jackass."
Sighing, Jaxon said, "I know. Yet, they've been getting away with it for a very long time. I mean, look at the history of Canadian Natives we learned about in school. They were basically forced to be white even though they weren't. It wasn't fair then, and it's not fair now. The world still segregates people, and most of the time, they don’t even realize they’re doing it."
"Only you would take an everyday situation and turn it into a freaking history lesson. Are you sure you're an Information Technologist?" Lukas joked with a snicker.
"Just so you know, I'm shaking my head disapprovingly at you," Jaxon muttered.
Unable to hold in his voice any longer, Trace spoke up again. "Don't get angry with Luke, but he's got you on speaker to help me understand what's been going on."
“I asked him to do that, actually. We’re a few steps ahead in the game of life, and that’s how we like it, honestly. Trace, if I had an issue with you listening in, I would have said something sooner, but I didn’t. As my father’s friend and my boyfriend’s father, you’re entitled to know and understand what’s going on.”
Nodding, Trace felt his heart constrict at the thoughtfulness of the young man on the other line. “It seems you inherited Dave’s desire and will to do the right thing regardless of the cost. Listen, Ji-Hoon, I don't like what you're describing, so you do what you need to do. I have one request to make of you.”
“What would that be?” Jaxon asked.
“Don't you dare let my son walk over you." Trace growled. “I have warned him not to overstep and to lay off, so it’s your turn to be stronger than him. I know you can do it, so get it done.”
- Writer
