Rekindled- Jake Kiszka

Chapter 35

The next day passed with ease, everyone hung out around the house and outside all day, just enjoying each other's company. Today, though, the energy is far too tense for my liking. Mrs. Kiszka's birthday is finally here, but both of the twins woke up in an awful mood for seemingly no reason. They've bickered over everything as if they're both just craving confrontation. This mood is more common for Jake than it is for Josh, but it's altogether unpleasant when they're both acting like children. Ronnie was nice enough to let me and Jake take her car while she rode in the truck with the other boys.

I drive in silence while Jake scrolls through his phone in the passenger's seat. I've tried all day to get him out of this mood, but he's been insufferable.

"So, you said this place is your mom's favorite?"

"Mhm."

I nod slowly at his lack of response and sit back in my seat, "do you know what anyone else got her?"

"Nope."

"Well, do y-"

"Mary Jane, please," he snaps, running his hand over his face as he looks out the window.

I mumble a quick sorry and bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to roll my eyes at his insane attitude. I pull into the parking lot and park, getting out and closing the door before going to the back and grabbing the gifts as I hear his door slam shut. I close the back door and walk to the front of the car where he was standing, looking at him with raised eyebrows. "I don't know what's going on with you and Josh today, but it's your mom's birthday. Straighten out your attitude and be a damn adult, Jake."

I'm quick to turn on my heel and walk into the restaurant to meet the other siblings and Danny and Josie, not caring how far behind Jake was walking. I take the presents to the table at the back of the room and set them down, meeting Sam there who was straightening everything out.

"Josh is pretty much out of his mood, Jake still pissy?" He asks, taking the gifts from my hands and putting them with the rest.

"Probably even worse than when we left the house. He's being a real asshole."

"Well, he better put a happy face on, because they'll be here in a couple of minutes."

I sigh and turn around to see Jake coming to his spot with a beer in hand, sitting down and ignoring whatever Ronnie was saying to him.

"You're sitting on my other side, I can't deal with him right now," I tell Sam, going and sitting in my seat next to Jake since all of the parents will be here soon.

When Josie informs us that the car pulled up, I pull my phone out to take video, starting it when I see them all coming towards the back room we're in. Karen's face lights up as soon as she sees us, all of us getting up to greet her with hugs, and her oldest sons both behaving for the first time today.

-

Once we've all eaten and cut cake, Karen starts opening her presents, Sam walking them over grouped together by who they're from.

"These are from Jake and MJ," Sam says, setting down the box and two envelopes in front of her, one holding the venue pass and the other holding all of the information about the trip we planned for them.

"Mines better, mama, you'll see," Josh smiles, obviously joking with his remark.

Jake's good behavior suddenly fades as he rolls his eyes, "would you sh-" he starts, being cut off by my foot kicking the back of his leg under the table. He looks over at me, giving me a stern look that I wish I wasn't so attracted to. "Go ahead, Mrs. K," I say, nodding towards her with a smile.