Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 11

Avery's POV

With everyone piled in the car, Jayden pulls out of the driveway and heads to the restaurant. Dylan pokes his head up from behind me, leaning in way too close.
"Where the fuck are they taking us anyways?" he asks. Fuck his breath reeks.
"Gosh did you even try to get rid of the whiskey breath?" I ask, leaning away from him.
"Mouthwash didn't cut it huh?" he replies, flopping back into his seat. I start looking through the glove compartment of Jayden's car.
"Do you have a mint or gum?" I ask, rummaging through his stuff.
"Check the center console." He says .I open it and, thankfully, find a pack of gum.

"Here, chew." I toss it back to Dylan and watch him fumble with the package until it slips from his hands. Jackie reaches down and picks it up, pulling a piece out for him.

"Dylan, did you drink more before we left?" I ask him, worried. 

He pops the gum into his mouth. "Just like a shot or two." He shrugs.

"Am I missing something?" Jayden finally asks. 

"What the fuck Dylan. Jackie was trying to sober you up for a reason." I say annoyed.

"This ass-hat has spent the day getting wasted- and we, sorry, not we. Jackie sobered him up with a freezing shower. But he just ruined it by drinking more before we left" I explain Jayden.

"Do you need a fucking babysitter Dylan?" I blurt, temper slipping.

"Thanks for your compassion Avery. You're such a wonderful sister." He bites back.

I whip around, to face him.
"I am a wonderful sister, I'm trying to save your ass from the wrath of Mom and Dad!"

He leans closer, spearmint working overtime to mask the whiskey breath. "Yeah, by sending your friend to do the work for you." he says. "But sure, take a bow, Miss Self-Proclaimed Savior. You really earned it." 

My face is burning, I just know if I looked in a mirror it would be red. "Like you've even thanked Jackie for everything she's done for you recently. Or did you make sure to pour one out for her when you were doing your pre-dinner shots?" 

He sinks back into his seat, shyly glancing at Jackie. She gives him a sympathetic smile, but no one says anything after that.

Jackie's POV

No one dares to speak after they're sibling quarrel. Dylan stares out the window, bouncing his foot against the floorboard. I sit behind Jayden, picking at my nails and counting the seconds until we get to the restaurant. I've been in this position many times over the years, their fights are never fun because they're both too stubborn to apologize to each other. Tonight will be full of civil smiles and not-so-civil jabs.

Jayden pulls into the parking lot of a fancy ass steakhouse- a name I can't pronounce- and circles for parking. This place has a valet, but Jayden trusts no one but himself with driving his car. Which is fair considering the amount of money I watched him save up to buy it. Dedication and hard work earned him this car and he'll be damned if some 16 year old valet gets to take it for a test drive. 

Finding a spot on the side of the building, he throws it in park and hops out. hen he walks around and opens the door for Avery. As they walk off, I notice Dylan lingers near the car. 

I hang back, letting them get ahead. "You coming?" I him. 

He nods, but doesn't move. "Yeah, yeah... Right behind y'all." 

I walk over and stand beside him.

"We'll go in when you're ready." 

He glances up at me. "Sorry."