The Gray Family: Forces Of Nature

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

It’s never a good thing when a brother is mad

Parker

We went looking for Patton while leaving Payton to deal with Paxton. We found the bugger and dragged his ass back to the house. The last thing we need is Pops visiting us. What part of chill don’t my brothers get? You would think they would change coming to college. Nope, they got worst.

We sat the devil twins down on the couch and told them like it is.

“Look, I get you’re hoping to jump on Shaun, but don’t,” I told Pax. I looked at Pat. “I understand you have some weird-ass need to help, but don’t.”

The twins looked at me, unamused.

“Get your s**t together, or Pops is coming for a visit,” I warned the twins. I shook my head and went upstairs, having enough fun for one night. Selena followed me. That is a good thing.

Pax

“We’re leaving. I hope things are better tomorrow,” Josie said, kissing Payton, then leaving with Britt. Our cousins left shortly afterward.

Payton went upstairs, leaving Pat and me alone.

“Well, so far, college blows,” Pat mentioned.

“It only blows because everyone is too busy making orders. We should shake things up somewhat,” I suggested.

“Will this get us arrested?” Pat asked.

“I hope not because it pissed off Pops when the cops brought us home a dozen times last year,” I reminded Pat.

“Fun times,” Pat chuckled.

I scoffed as I shook my head. If Shaun wanted nothing to do with me, then I will have my fun. The fun will come at the other’s expense.

I went to bed, knowing what I planned to do tomorrow. Patton, Kaxon, and Mason were coming along for the ride, whether they like it.

Kaxon

After getting back to our rental house, I called dad.

Kax?

“Dad, we have a problem,” I said.

What’s going on, Kax?

“The brothers are fighting. Payton punched Pat, Shaun rejected Pax, and Mason wants to pursue some girl I don’t think feels the same. I’m stuck in a precarious position with them,” I explained.

Out of the four of you, you’re the most sensible. I know you will keep the others out of trouble.

“But when Pax lets his temper flare, all hell breaks loose,” I said.

Yeah, I heard. Lex said Payton called him and told him what’s going on with the boys. Lex doesn’t play games, and he doesn’t play with the boys. It looks like you’re in charge.

“Great, what I always wanted, to be someone else’s brother’s keeper,” I groaned. Dad chuckled, then hung up.

That’s the thing about my dad, he has a habit of irritating Grandpa, but there’s never a time I can’t talk to him. I made another call.

Hello?

“So, I have this problem,” I said.

Who hurt you so I can hurt them?

“No one hurt me, or I will kick their ass,” I answered.

Grandpa chuckled. That is my boy.

“But the cousins have issues, and dad put me in charge,” I mentioned.

Well, frack doesn’t always think when he decides.

“It’s because I’m more level-headed,” I reasoned.

That’s because you take after me. Someone has to get the brains out of this family, considering most of everyone didn’t.

“Yeah, I see that,” I sighed.

Kax, you’ll do the right thing. Keep the devil twins out of trouble, or mini-Nash will visit, and then major-Nash will visit. That means I visit.

I stood there, knowing when Grandpa showed up, it was never a good thing. He didn’t care if he hurt your feelings.

“I’ll do my best,” I said as I hung up. I have a feeling tomorrow will start a spiral of events, and one guy could help.

I went to bed, hoping to get some sleep. The operative word is hope.

Pax

The next day I got up and got ready. I came downstairs to grab breakfast, ignoring Payton and Parker.

“What? Are you ignoring us now?” Payton asked.

I said nothing and went about my business. I have plans today.

“Well, it looks like we will have a peaceful morning,” Parker mentioned.

I gulped my food, then left without saying a word. Pat came down and saw Payton and Parker without me.

Pat

“Where’s Pax?” I asked.

“Oh, you mean the brother who is ignoring us. He left,” Park answered while eating.

Pay looked at me, and I looked at Pay. Payton and I always had our issues as Parker and Pax do. While Parker and Pax fought, they never took it further. Pax could still talk to Parker. I’m the opposite. If I fought with Payton, I still didn’t go to him about issues. It didn’t help when Payton hit me.

Parker looked at both of us and said, “You know this tiff you have going between the both of you is stupid. We all came from the same parents, which makes us brothers.”

“Stay out of it, Parker,” Payton warned.

Parker got up from the table. “No, I won’t stay out of it. It’s bad enough to babysit one brother; we don’t need unnecessary issues with you two. Suck it up and deal with it.” Parker put his bowl in the sink and left.

Payton looked at me and said, “Sorry that I hit you last night. I know you worry about Pax, but sometimes you have to let people work things out for themselves.”

“Do you have any idea what it’s like to watch someone break?” I asked.

Payton looked at me with concern.

“I watched how people treated Pax in high school. I watched Pax struggled to admit that he’s gay, then watch Shaun pursue him, then drop him. Shaun asked for Pax to wait for him. Pax did, even after hooking up with some guy from school who treated Pax like he’s nothing,” I confessed to Payton.

Payton looked at me, saying nothing.

“Pax had s*x with some guy, and the guy treated him like the plague last year,” I told Pay. From Payton’s expression, I’m guessing he knew because Pax told him. “Pax found someone to fill a void, thinking it will help him move on from Shaun. Pax’s in love with Shaun, but he’s hurt. Rejection is a bitch.”

“Look, I know we don’t always get along, but you’re my brother. I’m harder on you than the others because I know you can be a better person. Out of our brothers, you’re more cautious and help when you feel someone needs it. Patton, I hate we butt heads. It’s bad enough that Parker has issues, Pax has a temper, and Presley is a womanizer. You aren’t like that,” Payton explained.

“No, I get it, but it doesn’t mean I won’t help my brother when he needs it. Plus, I have more significant issues to deal with now,” I mumbled.

“What issues?” Pay asked.

I diverted my eyes as Pay walked towards me.

“What issues, Pat?” Payton repeated himself.

“Britt’s parents banned her from dating me,” I answered.

“What? Why?” He questioned.

“Something about our families having a beef with each other,” I answered as Pay looked at me. “Britt’s a Tilson,” I admitted.

Payton’s expression contorted in shock.

“I don’t know the full story, but it’s not fair to hold a grudge for so long that we deal with it,” I reasoned.

“Pat, one of the Tilson family members, tried to kill Nana and Pops. Another family member attacked Aunt Larkin. It isn’t a small grudge they have with each other. It’s worst,” Payton told me.

I looked at Payton, stunned. I didn’t know any of this, and I doubt Britt knows.

“Payton, I won’t drop Britt because she has a psycho family,” I declared.

Payton shook his head in disbelief.

“Why should I give up my happiness because others are assholes?” I questioned. My brows furrowed. I know my family went through a lot, but it’s unfair to suffer because people can’t let things go.

“The minute the family finds out, it’ll piss them off. Be careful, Patton. History is hard to erase because you want happiness,” Payton warned me as he walked away.

Now, I didn’t know what to do. I needed advice and went to someone. I made a call and explained what I needed. The person agreed to meet me and talk. I hope this works.