The Love You Give

Ours

Celeste heard her sons in Jackson's room as she headed towards the stairs and walked in. She didn't know much about art, but it was apparent that whatever Jackson was painting was quite angry. Jacob sat on the couch staring blankly at the muted television, while Jace lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. "You three okay?" They looked startled by their mother's presence. "Would you be?" Jackson asked not taking his eyes from the dark painting. "She needs you three, you know? Right now, her mind is telling her a lot of negative things and being reassured that you love her can do wonders for her psyche."

Jace stared at his mother. "Of course we love her! Did she say something?" Celeste shook her head. "It's not my place to share her feelings. I just know from experience that when a woman goes through something so violating you can't help but think your significant other will look at you differently. Be understanding to the best of your abilities and love her a little more in the coming weeks." Celeste gave them each a goodnight kiss before leaving. They remained silent for some time just mulling over their mother's words. "Mom was assaulted too..." Jacob spoke up. "Men are trash," Jackson said adding a red streak across his painting.

"Tonight was fucked up," Jacob said turning the television off. "It was." Jace said sitting up. "I'm proud of you though," Jacob smiled at Jace. "I thought you would go nuclear, but you held your cool." Jace shook his head. "I envisioned their deaths by my hands at least a dozen times, but I had to think about our future. What happened doesn't change anything for us. I don't need anything getting in the way of me getting drafted and providing the type of life she deserves." The two brothers nodded. "We should've talked to her afterwards. I held her for a little bit, but it wasn't enough. We should've been there." Jackson said filled with anguish as he relived her expression and tears.

"I failed her. Looking at her tonight only reminded me of that. I was back at the gala all over again. I just need to get my head on and then I can better support her," Jace said getting up. "Same. I see her cry and I forget how to breathe. I just needed a moment and I honestly think maybe she does too." They all agreed to be present for Ezra in the morning and made their way to bed.

Ezra woke up at 7:30 am and for a quick second she had no memory of the night before. It then came crashing down on her causing her to cover her face with her hands and fight back tears. She heard her phone chime and looked at it. She couldn't help the smile on her face. Lucy Jane had sent her a barrage of texts from the moment Nicholas kicked everyone out. "I'll be at your house in 10 minutes, so your ass better be ready to tell me what the fuck is going on!" She text causing Ezra to laugh at the visual of her sassy face. Ezra got dressed in record time after shooting Lucy Jane a text that she would meet her outside. She didn't know what time her men went to sleep, but she didn't want to wake them. She wasn't ready to face them just yet, so as she tip toed down the stairs and out the house, she promised herself she would have an open and honest conversation with them later.

"Bitch!" Lucy Jane said as soon as she got into her car. "LJ, I will fill you in, but can we please get breakfast." Lucy Jane nodded already reading the expression on her best friend's face. They went to a little café and ordered their food before sitting down. "I want you to just listen. You'll be great practice for when I tell the guys." Lucy Jane simply nodded before listening to Ezra tell her the details of everything that occurred from the moment she told her she was going to the bathroom at the party to this morning. Lucy Jane's face held a variety of expressions, but the most potent was unfiltered rage. "I hate them." She said adamantly and as Ezra saw her best friend get misty eyed she couldn't help but do the same. "It's okay, LJ. I'll be okay. I'm going to see a therapist and I'm going to talk to the guys later today. I'll be fine, I just need time."

"I'm so sorry you went through that. I hope they rot in jail." She took an angry bite out of her panini. "I don't know I was reading up on assault charges and cases in Hartford and apparently they don't play. Tristan, Hugo and Jimmy could all be tried as adults. It doesn't look good for them, especially since there's video evidence." Lucy Jane smiled vengefully. "Good. Justice served." Ezra smiled sadly at her. "I feel like their lives are ruined. They could've been going off to college and could now face jail time. I just feel like it's somehow my fault."