Jackson’s gaze followed his middle son’s path without waiver. When Jason came to a standstill, he looked him up and down.
Jackson then turned his attention to Jake. “At least you have the good sense to remain quiet. Actually, it’s just as well. From what I can gather your wife is extremely upset that you left without informing her of your whereabouts”.
“Don’t worry, Dad, I’ve got this,” Jake assured.
The sound of Jackson’s laughter filled the now quiet space. “It never ceases to amaze me that you and Jason think you are handling those women. I tell you now, in a standup, drawn out fight of wills, my money’s on them to win every time.”
Josh agreed with their father and before he recalled his need to remain inconspicuous, he sniggered. The sound was his undoing. Jackson’s eyes shifted to him.
“I’m still waiting, Joshua!”
Josh knew his time was up. Even with all the exchanges between them, their father still awaited his explanation.
“It’s a little complicated...”
Jackson gave his youngest son a pitying look when he trailed off. “I’ll call for coffee if you need the brain stimulus. Otherwise, I suggest you get on with it because my patience is nearly at an end!”
Josh took a deep breath, looked around and began speaking.
“I met Samuel Lee the weekend after I first met Lux. Jake and I came across her defending a kid on the side of the road.” Josh went on to fill his family in on his and Sam’s first and subsequent encounters.
“Sam’s the reason Lux and I broke up. She doesn’t want anything to do with him. In her words, ‘…his lifestyle is disgusting and amoral.’
I tried to get her to be less judgmental, but I couldn’t. In the end, she accused me of choosing an association with her brother over our marriage.”
“I’m going to be brutally honest with you, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I agree with her,” Jackson said.
Josh and his father were so involved in their conversation, both missed the look and nod that passed between the twins.
Jason headed for the door, leaving any necessary explanation of their departure to his brother.
“We can see that you both need to talk, so if you’ll excuse us, I need to formulate a plan to get back into MacKenzie’s good books.” Without a backward glance, he too left the room.
And then there were two, Josh thought as he returned his attention to his father who was looking at him as only a displeased father could.
“Leave it, dad,” Josh warned.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. What the hell were you thinking, getting involved with that man?!”
“I’m not a child. I’ve been making my own decisions for years!”
“That’s right you have, and nearly every one of them has been bad!”
“Look, if you don’t want us here, we’ll leave,” Josh threw out.
“Don’t you dare threaten me or take me for a fool!”
Josh rubbed his fingers across his jaw as he held his father stare. “You have something else to say to me?”
“Yes, I do,” Jackson affirmed, easing back into his chair now that he had his son’s complete attention. “I love you Joshua, and I appreciate you for the man of integrity that you are; that will never change.”
“I know, I love you too.”
“Good, so there will be no more talk of leaving, especially as this is when you will need your family the most. From what little you’ve told me; I’m worried about you.”
“There’s no need for you to worry, I’ve got this.”
“Those three words are the ones I dread hearing from you and your brothers. Should I tell you what you’ve got, Joshua?” Jackson didn’t wait for a response because he didn’t require one. “As I see it, you have a wife that you haven’t seen in seven years. Her brother, who, as those detectives put it; is a thug who is on the police most wanted list. They also mentioned something about a murder, for which they think you may have information. The person that ties this mess together is one Samuel Lee, aka Counterfeit; which I might add is one of the most ridiculous names I have ever encountered. Did I leave anything out?” Jackson enquired, sarcasm alight in his voice.
“No, I’d say that was a pretty good summary, but you of all people should know that sometimes things aren’t always as they seem.”
“Somehow I just knew you were going to say that,” Jackson sighed.
****
When Jake left the meeting, he headed for the family room where only MacKenzie, Noelle, and Lux were present.
Jake wanted time with his family and thought about ways to extract MacKenzie without being too rude. He didn’t have to worry; as soon as Noelle saw him she rushed over to him and demanded that he pick her up.
Lifting her into his arms, he looked at MacKenzie and smiled. “I need to go and clean up, so I think I’m going to need some help with the limpet I have attached to me.”