Page 38 of Embody

Thirteen

JT

“JUST TO BEclear here, am I being sequestered because I forgot to turn off my phone at the table, because of the song or both?” I ask once the door to my father’s office is shut.

“None of the above,” Dad answers. “Minor slip-up, no big deal, and I’m certainly not going to censor your music. Although if it’s a lady’s ringtone, some respect would be nice.”

“Got it. Then why am I here?”

“Because, I am done with this moronic, show your ass and treat each other like shit war between you and your sister! This is not how your mother and I raised you to treat people, especially each other!” he booms, his face red and fists clenched.

“You told them?” Brynn snarls at me. “You and I talked, I apologized, you swore you were okay with it, then you ran and tattled? What are you, a lying toddler?”

“Brynn!” Mom draws in a sharp breath. “Since when do you talk to your brother so cruelly? He asked for advice, and as far as I’ve heard, hasn’t said anything even close to as nasty to you as you have to him. You gaveyourselfaway with all your evil comments today. No matter what he said he was okay with, forgave you, whatever…it doesn’t mean you treat himworsefor being kind to you! Not to mention, he’s not interfering with you and Ryder, while he sits back and sacrifices what might be his happiness. What’s happened to you, baby girl?”

Her head drops to her chest and she whimpers softly, “I don’t know.”

“Well, we certainly don’t either, but it’s unacceptable. Go to your room and stay there until you figure it out,” Dad snaps at her harshly. “If you need to see a shrink, let me know. I’ll take you to Whitley’s.”

“Whitley doesn’t go to a shrink,” my mom leans into him and whispers out the side of her mouth.

“I know, but damn if I don’t think it’s funny every time I say it,” Dad grins.

It kills me to watch her slink away, never having been talked to like that in her life. She’s the good kid; kind, quiet, considerate. What’s up with my little sister? I gave her what she wanted, folded like a cheap lawn chair, and yet…she’s getting worse.

“Can I go?” I ask. “I have work tomorrow.”

“Sure son, see you there. And JT? If you’re sure, go for it. With everything you’ve got,” he winks.

“Yeah, okay.” I hug my mom and leave, knowing Bellamy and Ryder will be long gone. Which is good, I can’t deal with anyone or anything else right now.

When I walk into my apartment, my mood goes from drab to dangerous. Sutton’s big ass is sitting on the couch, a blonde on either side of him, playing that Craft Mine War,whatever, bullshit. Beer cans, chip bags and a pizza box clutter the table and floor.

“Welcome home, roomie. See Shannon, told ya you’d have company soon. JT, meet Shannon,” Sutton doesn’t look away from his game, but the blonde to his left pops right up, prancing toward me.

“Hi, JT. I’m Shannon,” she coos, twirling a strand of her badly dyed hair around her finger.

“Yeah, caught that,both times. Nice to meet you. Sutton, can I see you in my room for a minute?” I don’t wait for his answer, already stomping that way.

A few minutes later, he walks in. “Sweet, right? You’re welcome.”

“Dude, I have to work tomorrow, the place is fucking trashed and I’m not in the mood to entertain,” I gripe at him, grabbing clothes for my shower and slamming the drawers.

“I work tomorrow too, bro. What the fuck is your problem? That girl’s been waiting for you all night. She’s a sure thing,” he laughs.

“You work at noon, Sutton, delivering pizzas. I work at eight, for my father! And I don’t want a sure thing.”

And there it is—the real root of my foul mood. I’ve worked on less sleep, Sutton will clean in the morning like he always does and I’m turning down blonde, curvy company. For one reason. Bellamy.

Well, two. Bellamy…and her bodyguard, Brynny.

“I’m sorry, man,” I rub my jaw. “Kinda had a fight with my family, you understand. I just want to shower and go to bed. Cool?”

“Yeah, whatever,” he shrugs. “I’ll take ‘em both.”

“You do that,” I laugh. “Maybe try to keep it down though, okay?”

“I’ll see what I can do,” he waggles his eyebrows. “Seriously though, your family thing, you gonna be all right?”

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