austion. She stepped in quietly, hoping to slip upstairs unnoticed. Bu

lled out the moment

oiding eye contact as she trie

? We were all so worried. I even asked your brother to try calling you. Your ph

, it looked like she wasn't going to say anything. Then

tried to touch me. I ran out. I didn't know where else to go, so

om gasped and covered h

went to the club. I just wanted to drink it

drink... because of a man?" she said slowly, a

," she said softly, wiping her

r mom added, "Jayden came by tonigh

y. "I don't want

"You don't have to. Just... don't shut us out, o

a long while, Maya let hers

elt a little lighter. The pain was still there, but it wasn't chokin

Mom," she

nd brushed a strand of hair from he

She didn't even bother to change,just collapsed onto her be

thaniel was fighting a whol

ng!" his younger sister whined

ed dramatically. "We already left

to his temple. "Why do you al

ed, crossing her arms. "Come on, Nate.

red, turning into their estate. "N

s got a point, though.

he guy who ran away the second she

lty. But admit it, y

bled as he continues driving the

ason, already regretting tagging along, sat quietly in the passeng

's the point of going out if you're

Nathaniel said dryly,

d like old men. Who even

e adults," J

araoke to her claiming her brothers ruined her youth. As they walked insid

aniel. "This is why I drink

voice from do

ith all th

ant s

e. "Hi... hi... Mom," she

traighter. "Ev

ked further in, already used to the ch

the edge of the couch. Her voice was calm, but there was that

, Nathan? Ariel? What'

ff a runway and straight into drama. Her hair was curled perfectly, but her expression was full of att

the back of his neck and said, "I just came to dr

him. "You still won't ack

till facing them. He didn't s

night ma'am," he said politely,

, "Whatever," before heading upstairs withou

sigh and sat there alone,

ked through. Her shoulders slumped a little. For a second, she looked less like the woman

e it was the only thing grounding him. Jason slid into the passenger sea

led off fas

dow, glancing at him. "Hey... chill. You'

idn't say

e road, but he wasn't really seeing it.

on't do thi

...

an

t gu

ning white on the steering whee

l not

, ser

to a harsh stop at the side of the road, tires screeching. Jason j

ttered. "You tryn

eel. His shoulders rose and fell, slow and heavy. He didn't

id, voice low and hoarse. "I t

him, quiet for a sec

t coming from Nathan's clenched hands gripping the steering wheel. His knuckles were white, jaw

he faint traffic in the distance. Jason didn't say anything at first. He just sat

ly, voice low and cautious, like he w

d to the road ahead, but he wasn't really looking at

onds, he let out

close. But it was the only ans

nd. "Next time, just scream or punch something, man. D

m Nathan. Barely a smile, more like a t

the engine, and pulled the car back onto t

small talk. Just two guys, heading home, carry