Page 121 of Give Me Love

Her arms come to her sides with her elbows bending. “Your brother invited me here.”

He laughs like that’s the best joke he’s heard all day, but it’s void of humor. “He invited you here?” he asks unbelievingly.

“Yes,” she says even lower than her normal voice. She looks down, and I see guilt.

He shakes his head and looks at the hardwood, rubbing his face. “Where’s Bryce?” he asks, looking back up at me.

“I haven’t seen him all day. He won’t answer his phone.”

He nods. “Harrison, this isn’t going to be pretty. I think you should go.”

My heart sinks.

What? Go?

I feel my face get slightly pink. Especially now that Mary is looking at me, too.

“Okay,” I say, sliding off the stool. I go to walk to the door, and right when I look up, I see Bryce approach.

He steps in. “Where are you going?” he asks me.

“Well, it seems like you’re having a little family thing here, and I’m not sure I need to…”

“Stay,” he says, shutting the door behind him.

“Bryce, I’m—”

“Stay,” he repeats.

“Okay,” I reply, folding my lips in and retaking my seat.

“You sure you want her to hear all this?” Jace asks. “You want Harrison to see the ugly side of this fucked-up family? To see that my brother is a fucking nutcase? What the hell are you thinking bringing her here?”

Bryce lifts his chin. “She needed help. I helped her.”

“You helped her?” Jace asks sarcastically. “You helped her do what? Get clean for a month before she steals from you and disappears?”

“She wants to change,” Bryce says, standing his ground, his voice low and steady.

Jace laughs once. “Change.” He scoffs. “The only thing that woman changes is the drug she’s using for the night.”

Bryce’s jaw tightens.

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Mary says with tears in her eyes.

His body shifts to her. “Oh, I know you’re here. I can feel the weight of you in this room.” He walks closer, and his voice lowers. “I remember who you are, Mom.” He stares at her, his face eerily calm, his chest bouncing.

“Jace,” Bryce says in warning.

“Don’t fucking Jace me,” he says, turning around to face his brother. “How long has this been going on?” His eyes go back to his mother as he looks her up and down. “She’s clean. So, what? Over a month now?”

I want so badly to leave. I should not be here. This is private.

He wants you here.

I look over at him, his tall lean frame. Hands in his pockets like he hasn’t gotten a care in the world, yet his jaw is tight, his face is stoic. My heart is pounding, and I’m in wonder.

He’s letting me see the bad.

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