Page 73 of Five Brothers
Macon’s hand shakes again. It won’t stop. My gaze flashes between his hand and his face. Am I the only one seeing this?
But Dallas keeps going. “We’ll leave the door open,” he taunts me. “I’m sure you’ll be back tonight.”
I back away from him.
“What the hell is your problem?” Army yells at him.
But a small voice finally pipes up. “Go take care of your family, Krisjen.”
I turn, following the direction of the whisper. All eyes turn to Macon as he rubs his own with his thumb and forefinger. I’m probably the only one who sees it. The way they’re watering.
“Mariette will have you back whenever you want,” he says, his voice gravelly.
His brothers watch him warily as he rises and moves away from the table.
“Do I tell Mariette to turn customers away?” Army asks him.
“Tell her to close the fucking doors for the rest of the day for all I care.”
Dallas moves as his brother passes, and Trace comes out from under the hood, watching him. Everyone finally noticing what I did minutes ago.
“Now get out,” Macon barks at them. “All of you. Now.”
I back toward the bay door, his brothers following andscramming before Macon hits the button and the door comes falling down. Locking him back in solitude.
Slowly, I walk to my car, while the boys drift out into the street.
“I don’t see how we can’t find any employees without fucking kids to take care of,” Dallas gripes behind me.
Something’s wrong. How can they not see it?
Is it Iron? Or …
But I just climb in my car and sit there for a second, tears starting to stream, and I don’t know why. It’s changing.
The Bay can’t change, but it is.
He looks like he’s dying.
Liv gone. Iron gone.
Macon …
8
Trace
“I seem to remember Macon having to quit a job to come home and raise you,” Army tells Dallas.
Krisjen drives off, and I stare after her car as it disappears around the trees. What the hell is she doing? I didn’t start up with her because I thought I would be rid of her when she left for college this fall. I started up with her because she’s hot and fun.
But she shouldn’t still be here. She has choices. Why does she look like she’s treading water?
“Stop being a fucking coward,” Army tells him, “and start taking your anger out on whoever really deserves it.”
“I can’t.”
“Leave her alone.”