Just Jump

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

          As they walked together through the doors to the building, Elliot slowed her pace.  Kale didn't make much of it; he was too worried about how Colton would act when he saw him.  They had never been close and they'd parted on bad terms.

          "Elliot, can you do me a favor?"  Kale asked, still scanning the room to watch every door in case Colton suddenly walked through one of them.  He didn't want Colton to flip when he saw Kale instead of their mom. 

          "I guess," she said, hesitant in her words. 

          "Be ready to move in case he swings," Kale muttered as Elliot walked up and stood next to him.  She laughed a little, knowing that what he was asking of her was partly a joke.  Kale looked down at her and smirked before one of the doors clicked and opened. 

          "Well, well, well . . .  Look at who we have here," Colton said, walking out through the door with a smirk on his face.  He was eyeing up Elliot already, something Kale knew he was going to do.  It made him wonder why Elliot tagged along. 

          Probably to break up a fight, Kale thought before glaring at Colton. 

          "You've grown," Colton joked as he made it over to Kale, who shook his head at his brother before turning and gently placing his hand on Elliot's back to push her forward.  Colton followed behind, still talking. 

          "Is this your girlfriend?"  Colton asked, his voice still coated with arrogance, "Come on, Kale.  Faye told me you were busy with a girl this morning but that you would make time for me.  Oh, isn't that just touching?  A brother making time for his younger sibling . . . " 

          "Shut the fuck up before I punch you in the throat," Kale muttered.

          "What was that?  I don't think you spoke loud enough," Colton said, getting in front of Kale and Elliot, walking backwards so they were facing one another. 

          "I'm warning you, Colton.  I'll fucking knock your ass out if you don't stop talking," Kale snapped, again. 

          "Alright, alright . . .  I get it, big guy," Colton said, putting his hands up and smirking to himself.  Then, he turned around and made a run for the car.  When he reached it, Kale shook his head.  It was astounding how much Colton actually remembered. 

          "Stay away from him," Kale said to Elliot, not giving her enough time to respond because they'd reached the car.  What he said actually hit her and stung; it was like he thought so low of her that he assumed she would go after his own brother. 

          Kale and Elliot reached the car at the same time, not talking to one another.  Elliot wasn't sure if she was upset with Kale, who was too focused on glaring his brother down to really notice her presence next to him. 

          Sliding into the driver's seat, Kale motioned for Elliot to turn on the radio as Colton smirked and slipped into the back seat.  He sat right behind Elliot, for reasons Kale was sure he could figure out.

          "So, Colton . . . "  Elliot said, still annoyed with Kale, "What did you do to get arrested?" 

          "You didn't hear about it?"  Kale asked, eyeing her for a moment. 

          "No, I didn't," she snapped at him, causing his jaw to harden in frustration.  He didn't understand why she was being this way; she hadn't been before.  What was her problem now?  What did he do this time?