Broken Hands

15. New Secrets

"Hey, Russ, let's sneak up on him and scare him," Julian whispered, a mischievous smirk lighting up his face as he watched Grayson disappear into the woods.

Russell gave him a skeptical look. "Come on, let him be. What if he freaks out? You want to explain to your dad why Grayson had a panic attack in the middle of the forest?" Russell's tone made it look silly.

Julian huffed, already starting forward. "He won't freak out. Trust me."

Russell sighed but followed him, watching as Julian carefully stalked Grayson, keeping his steps silent. The trees loomed above, casting long shadows as dusk deepened around them. Just as they reached the edge of the woods, they watched Grayson slip farther into the dense thicket.

"Changing plans," Julian announced quietly, his eyes narrowing as he watched Grayson's disappearing figure. "We follow him. See where he's going."

Russell crossed his arms, stopping in his tracks. "No way. Stalking him? This is a bad idea. Julian, I'm serious. Just let him go." He argued.

But Julian had already taken another step forward, shooting him a challenging look. "Bye, then," he said, ducking into the shadows after Grayson. Russell groaned, knowing he didn't really have a choice, and followed him.

They trailed Grayson deeper into the woods, moving from tree to tree, careful to stay hidden. The air was cool and thick with the scent of earth and pine. Finally, they spotted him up ahead, standing near an old, decrepit treehouse. He left Stray at the base of the tree, and, without hesitation, began climbing up the ladder nailed haphazardly to the tree's trunk. Russell and Julian watched from a distance, keeping low.

Julian squinted, watching Grayson as he reached the top and disappeared inside the cabin-like structure. "I'm going up there," he whispered, excitement flickering in his eyes. "There shouldn't be secrets between us."

Russell grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "Julian, leave it. This isn't our business. What if he gets mad?"

Julian shook him off. "If he has nothing to hide, he won't mind." Before Russell could argue, Julian crept forward, Stray eyeing them silently from below as if sensing the turmoil. Russell had no choice but to follow him, reluctantly stopping at the base of the tree patting Stray as Julian began climbing up the ladder.

As Julian reached the treehouse, he peered inside and froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. Grayson was sitting on a tree log, a cigarette in his hand, the smoke curling around him like a shadow, he looked immense almost absent minded. At the sound of movement, Grayson looked up, his expression shifting from surprise to anger.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Grayson snapped while quenching the fire with his fingers, his voice low and dangerous.

Julian stared at him, hurt flashing across his face. "Why are you smoking again? I thought you quit."

Grayson rolled his eyes, looking away. "You don't get it, Julian. Not everything needs explaining."

Julian shook his head, stepping fully inside. "No, Grayson, it's not okay. You were doing so well-quitting, getting your act together. But ever since you started sneaking out with those new friends, it's like you're going back to... whatever this is." He gestured at the cigarette in disgust.

Grayson hissed under his breath, irritation flickering in his gaze. "Julian, it's none of your business. I need some privacy, alright?"

Julian's jaw tightened. "Privacy? You mean secrets? You're acting reckless, and you know who's going to pay for it? Me, Russell, Dad, Damien... You keep making the same mistakes, Grayson. Sometimes I think you need a wake-up call-maybe the belt would do you some good right now."

Grayson's face fell, and a flicker of hurt crossed his expression. Then it melted into something else. "Get out," he said in a low, warning tone. "Now." He gestured.

Julian didn't budge. "I'll tell Dad. And uncle Damien, too." He spat.

At Damien's name, Grayson visibly tensed, his eyes darkening. "You won't do that," he said, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and threat.

Julian's expression hardened. "Watch me."

He turned to leave, stepping back towards the ladder. Before he could take another step, Grayson grabbed his arm, his grip tight. "Stay out of my business, Julian. I mean it."

Julian yanked his arm free, glaring at him. "I'm doing this because I care about you, Grayson. And they do too, we have proved it countless number of times and you're just acting stupid again."

For a moment, Grayson was silent, the words hanging in the air between them, leaving him visibly stunned. Julian turned, climbing down the ladder, ignoring Grayson's warning to stay put. But as he barely made it out, a loud crack split the silence-the old wood of the ladder gave way, sending Julian's foot slipping through the rung.

"Julian!" Grayson shouted, lunging forward and grabbing his arm just as he dangled in the air, his legs kicking frantically.

"Hold on!" Grayson gritted his teeth, struggling to keep his grip as Stray barked below, sensing the tension. Russell, who'd been watching in horror, scrambled up the remaining steps, heart pounding as he reached Julian just in time to brace his feet against a step. Julian, wide-eyed and shaky, managed to start stepping down, gripping the ladder tightly as it creaked beneath him. Each step seemed ready to give way, and Russell could feel the wood splintering under his own weight. They finally made it to the ground, breaths heavy with relief-until they looked up and saw Grayson descending. But as he neared the bottom, the ladder suddenly gave out with a loud crack. The step tore away from the tree, and he lost his grip, plummeting to the ground with a brutal thud. The impact jolted through him, leaving him sprawled and groaning, his face pale as he tried to push himself up.

"Grayson!" Julian's voice was filled with panic as he and Russell rushed to his side, dropping to their knees next to him.

"I'm fine," Grayson muttered, though his face was taut with pain. Stray circled them, barking and whining, nudging Grayson's shoulder with her nose as if she could somehow ease the hurt.

Russell put a hand on his arm, unsure. "You don't look fine. Let's get you back and check you over."

Grayson took a deep breath, then gently patted Stray to calm her down. "I said I'm fine," he insisted, forcing himself to stand despite the pain flashing in his eyes. The tension between him and Julian was thick as they all made their way out of the woods in silence, each step heavier than the last.

When they finally reached home, Rosa took one look at their dirt-streaked clothes and frowned. "What on earth happened out there?"

Russell quickly stepped in. "We just went into the woods. Stray got dirty, so I'm gonna clean her paws." He gave Grayson a careful glance before heading out with Stray, sensing that things were about to get tense again.

Grayson sank on the couch, his shoulders hunched, breathing shallow as he tried to mask the pain radiating through his body. Julian stood nearby, watching him with a mix of worry and frustration, his mouth opening as if to speak.

"Not now, Julian. Please," Grayson said, his voice hard, almost pleading. He pushed himself to his feet, wincing as he made his way to the stairs, each step visibly straining him.

Julian watched him go, a tight knot forming in his chest. The cigarettes, the secrets-Grayson seemed to be slipping back into old patterns, and it terrified him. He remembered all too well how secrets could spiral into chaos, bringing nothing but hurt in the end. His mind raced with all the worst possibilities, the kind of trouble he feared Grayson might be heading into. Julian glanced toward the door, his shoulders sinking as he wished, more than anything, that Damien was here.

A/N

Commmentttts onlyyy. 😁😁😁