“What happened?” Viv swivels in her seat, staring at our sons in the back seat.
I glance at Bodhi through the mirror. He’s staring out the side window with a newly familiar apathetic look on his face, but he’s not nearly as indifferent as he’d like us to believe. He holds himself stiffly, and a muscle throbs in his cheek as he grinds his jaw while glaring at the outside world like he’s pissed at everything and everyone.
And I get it. I haven’t forgotten those feelings. I just wish I knew how to get through to my son. I wish my experiences could connect us in a way where I’m in a position to support him and help him. But nothing I could say will get through to him. Tough as it is to accept, he needs to process these feelings and go through the pain in order to come out on the other side.
All we can do is let him know we love him and that we are here for him.
I return my attention to the road, casting a quick glance at my other son. East is equally as tense and ignoring his brother too. His brow puckers, and he scrunches his nose, like he always does when he’s thinking. I only noticed recently how Ash does the same. Genetics are fascinating.
“Is someone going to answer me?” Vivien says, a hint of her anger and frustration breaking through.
I reach across the console and squeeze her hand. “Maybe we should wait until we get home to have this conversation.”
“He fucked my girlfriend,” Easton blurts, shocking both of us.
“Hollis?” Viv says, her gaze bouncing between East and Bodhi.
“She’s a slut,” Easton adds. “Which makes her perfect forhim.” He snarls as he glares at Bodhi.
Bodhi turns his head, smirking at his brother, and I’m tempted to stop the car and take both of them outside to beat some sense into them.
“Shrinks would have a field day with you and all your mommy issues,” he adds as Vivien says, “Easton! That’s enough.”
Ignoring Vivien, he continues. “And that’s before they get to the daddy issues. You’re just like them. Selfish, an addict, and incapable of loyalty. I have done nothing but watch out for you from the moment we met.”
His voice elevates a few levels, and Viv and I exchange a troubled look. I want to tell him to zip it until we get home so we can discuss it fully when I’m not driving, but East has been bottling shit up for weeks, and I don’t get to dictate the timing.
If he needs to get this off his chest, I’m not going to stop him.
In a way, having this conversation in the car is perfect. It’s not like they can avoid it when we’re trapped within such tight confines.
Pain stabs me through the heart as I see how East is literally trembling with anger.
He jabs his finger in Bodhi’s direction. “My parents took you in and treated you as an equal part of this family. All they have ever done is loved you and supported you. They have given you everything, and you don’t get to treat me or them like this!” he shouts.
“Pull over,” Viv says as I’m already slowing down. I pull off to the side of the road and kill the engine. We aren’t far from home, but East is on the verge of a meltdown, and it can’t wait.
“You’re a disloyal prick, and I hate you!” Easton roars as Vivien climbs out of the passenger seat and opens the back door.
Bodhi has an impassive expression on his face, and I don’t even know if his brother’s words are registering.
“As long as I live, I will never forgive you for this,” East says. “From now on, you’re dead to me.”