Page 18 of Holidays and Handcuffs

“What the hell are you doing in my home?” he barks at Jack.

What the hell is happening right now? “Can anyone tell me what’s going on? I called and asked if I could bring a guest,” I respond, confused, “and you said yes."

“I did,” my father says, his tone icy. “But not him.”

I glance at Jack, searching for any sign of what might be going on, but his expression is unreadable. My confusion deepens. What is going on?

Before I can get another word out, Billy steps into the room, his face instantly twisting into fury the moment he sees Jack. “What the hell is this? Why ishehere?” His voice is thick with anger.

I feel myself stiffen. “I brought Jack because he’s my—”

“Because he’s your what? Boyfriend?” Billy spits, glaring at Jack like he’s ready to lunge at him.

But before I can say anything, Jack steps forward, his voice calm but commanding. “Watch how you talk to her.”

Billy opens his mouth, ready to argue, but Jack cuts him off. “You’ve got something to say, you say it to me, but don’t you dare disrespect her.”

The room goes silent. My mother folds her arms, glaring at Jack with the same intensity as my father. “You think you can just walk in here after what you did?” she hisses.

My brows knit together. “What are you talking about?”

Mom’s eyes dart to me, her lips pressed into a thin line. “This is the man who sent your brother to juvenile prison. Ten years ago.”

My heart skips a beat, confusion slamming into me like a tidal wave. “What?”

“He testified against Billy,” she says through clenched teeth, her eyes burning with anger. “He put my baby behind bars.”

I feel like I’ve been slapped. “Wait... what?”

Jack’s jaw tightens as he faces my parents. “I testified against Billy because he was dealing drugs to high school students. I wasn’t going to stand by and watch him destroy lives.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What?” I gasp, turning to face him, my voice trembling. “Billy... was dealing drugs?”

Jack’s eyes soften as they meet mine, but it only makes the whirlwind of emotions inside me more intense. “Emily, I was going to tell you—”

“When?” I cut him off, my heart pounding in my chest. “When were you going to tell me, Jack? After I found out like this?”

Tears blur my vision, and the room starts spinning. My family, Jack—everything feels like it’s crashing down around me. “You never thought to mention that you’re the reason my brother went to prison?”

“Princess, I…”

“Don’t!” I stop him with a raise of my hand.

The room feels smaller, like the walls are closing in, and I need air, space, anything but the chaos swirling around me. Without another word, I turn on my heel and walk out the door, not looking back as the cold air hits my face.

Chapter 8

Jack

The moment Emily’s tear-filled eyes meet mine, my heart breaks into a thousand pieces. I know I’ve messed up; I should have told her everything. I bolt after her as she storms out of the house.

“Emily, please wait!” I call after her, my voice pleading. But she doesn't slow down.

“Emily!” I yell again, closing the distance, but the moment I reach her, she spins around, her face twisted in anger and pain.

“Leave me alone, Jack!” she screams, her voice raw and breaking. “I don't want to see you right now!”

My breath catches, and I stand there, helpless, watching the woman I love slip further away from me. “Emily, please, just let me explain—”

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