On the Run: The Texas Files ✔

Chapter 5: The Cold, Hard Truth

After getting out of the car and walking up the stairs to the apartment, my mind is in a million different directions. Why does he have that affect on me? What is he doing? Can he do that to everyone he crosses paths with? Why are his eyes purple?

I walk into the house and Noah is making a bowl of cereal while Andrew is finishing his book from earlier.

"Where were you?" Noah asks without looking at me.

I blush ever so slightly. "Uh," I pause. "Out,"

"No shit," he retorts. He looks at me, then looks back at his cereal, then double-takes. "What the hell are you wearing?"

Before I can answer, Andrew chimes in, obviously not hearing the conversation. "He was early,"

"He!?" Noah exclaims in the form of a question. "Did you go on a date?"

This is going to go well...

"It wasn't a date," I sigh as I start to walk to my room.

"Oh, no you don't," Noah goes after me and grabs my arm. He pulls me back to the living room.

I don't even bother trying to fight him because I know I won't win. I'm strong, but Noah will always be stronger.

He puts me down on the couch next to Andrew.

"Are you out of your damn mind, Jackie?" he bellows.

"Noah-" Andrew starts.

"Shut it, Drew. Do you know what a sixteen-year-old guy is thinking?" he thunders at me.

I stare at him in confusion but mostly fear. I've never seen him this upset.

Dad walks in, looking worried and a little angry. "What in the name of Sam Hill are you yelling about, Noah?"

Noah spins around to face Dad. He's angrier than I've ever seen him.

"How dare you," Noah growls.

What the hell is going on?

Dad is just staring at him. He towers over Noah. Dad is 6'5" and Noah is barely 6'0" now.

Noah throws his hands up in frustration. "How dare you even question me! How dare you complain when I'm the one disciplining your daughter!"

"Noah-" Dad starts.

Noah just shuts him down. "How could you let this happen? You let her go out with this guy we don't even know!? In a town, we've only lived in for two weeks!?" He pauses slightly. "What the fuck, Dad?"

"Watch your language, boy." Dad snaps.

Andrew and I make eye contact for a second. This is going to get ugly. Fast.

Noah rolls his eyes. "Oh, now you care. Ever since Mom died, you've been in your little room shutting out the entire damn world, Dad! We grew up! We grew up without you! Drew and I didn't have a childhood! We became the father you never were!"

Andrew and I lock eyes again and gasp. That was a low blow.

"Noah David Robinson!" Dad barks.

"My name is not Noah!" he yells. "Her name isn't Jackie, and his isn't Andrew. Yours isn't even David,"

Andrew looks down in fear. Dad is in complete shock.

"What?" I squeak out.

"Oh, you don't know?" Noah roars. "Your real name is Joy. My real name is Nick. Andrew's real name is Adam. Dad's real name is Daniel,"

What?

"Am I missing something?" I ask out of sheer shock.

Noah/Nick booms, "Should I tell her, Dad, or can you?"