Broken Hands

24. Close Enough

Julian's focus snapped from his book to the sound of a familiar argument drifting up from downstairs.

"I'm trying!" Grayson's voice, sharp with frustration, echoed. Alex's voice followed, muffled but firm. This had become the norm recently. Julian could see Alex was putting in all he had, trying to help Grayson change course, but things were only getting worse. Grayson still snuck out with strangers, skipped classes, and barely hung around at lunch. He was different now, completely distant. Julian knew Grayson's past was shadowing his every move, dragging him down with scars no one else could see. But still...

Heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs, and then Grayson's door slammed shut. Julian shut his book with a sigh and headed downstairs, finding his dad on the couch with a hand on his face.

"Dad?" Julian called gently.

Alex looked up, eyes tired. "Hey, buddy."

"Are you okay?" Julian pressed.

Alex forced a small smile. "Yeah, just... Exhausted."

Julian didn't buy it. "Is it Grayson?"

Alex paused, clearly struggling with his thoughts. "He's jut being a teenager," he said, but even he didn't seem to believe it.

"Dad, I don't think this is normal. You need to do something."

Alex shook his head, sighing. "Julian, it's not that simple. Grayson's... he's been through so much. I don't want to push him over the edge. We need to be patient."

Julian frowned. "But what if waiting just makes things worse?"

Alex placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "It's gonna be fine, Julian. I'll find a solution, let's hope he comes around before." With a heavy breath, Alex walked away, leaving Julian standing there with a sense of urgency twisting in his gut.

This had to stop. Someone had to reach Grayson. Determined, Julian headed up the stairs, thoughts racing as he made his way to Grayson's room.

"Russell, not now!" Grayson's voice snapped from behind the door, frustration clear.

Ignoring the tension, Julian burst into the room, shooting a glare at his cousin.

"Hell no." Grayson groaned in exasperation.

"Hell yeah." Julian stated.

Russell shot Julian a look as if to beg him to back off, but Julian ignored it. "You need to stop, Grayson," Julian demanded, voice sharp.

Grayson tossed his dirty shirt to the floor. "Stop what? Living?"

Julian's glare hardened. "Stop tormenting Dad. Stop this self-destructive crap-it's not good for you."

Grayson scoffed, "Oh really? What do you know about what's good for me? You're fifteen."

"Yeah, fifteen, and I know better than you do right now," Julian shot back, his tone unrelenting. "You're walking right into a mess, and you don't even care."

Grayson's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch it, Julian."

"No, you watch it!" Julian stepped forward, voice rising. "You're being selfish, Grayson! You're tearing Dad apart. You're causing trouble, ignoring everything they've built. Do you even realize what you're risking?"

Grayson's glare intensified, anger flashing. "What's your problem? You think I'm the family's downfall now?"

"It's about to be reality if you keep this up!" Julian said firmly. "You're not thinking about the consequences, it's not just you, but everyone will be affected by this, Grayson!"