Chapter 3: Stone's family

Stone was obviously not in the best of his mood.

His black hair was shorter around the sides but fell across his forehead messily.

He took a few steps from the stairs to the dining and grabbed a chair.

“Hi son,” his mum said raising her face to him.

“Hey mum.”

They didn’t share the best Mother-son relationship in the entire New York since his dad died but they definitely had a good time.

Her brown hair was styled not too different from the rest aged women in New-york.

The only difference was that she didn't allow her hair remain grey. She dyed her hair back to brown each time she noticed the slightest change. "I know I'm getting old but I can still push old age to the side."

That was her favorite line whenever Stone or Ashton talked about her routines.

Stone swallowed the lump in his throat and looked at his mom briefly.

She took a sip of water and dropped the glass on the table. “What’s the issue son? You seem occupied."

"Hmm."

Anyone could tell Stone had something bothering him. His brows were arched and the lines on his forehead wouldn't stop being so visible.

“Body aches, work, stupid workers bla bla bla.”

That was all he would let out and she knew it. She would never argue but she'd ask to be sure.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah. I'm just busy with work."

His mum nodded like she understood his feelings and gave a soft pat on his head. “Eat sweetie, you don’t want to starve.”

He stretched his hands and grabbed the plate of Scotched eggs.

“Where’s Ashton?” He asked the moment he noticed his baby brother didn’t come down for breakfast.

“Upstairs. He’s been moody and has refused to tell me what happened. He just claims he’s not hungry.”

A frown lined his forehead as he shook his head. “How long now?” 

“Three days.”

“I’ll be right back,” he announced and stood up.

Stone headed to his little brother’s room. He silently hoped that little man wouldn’t make life any harder and just get his ass downstairs.

His mother remained calm, turning some fresh juice into the jug. She was trying her best but having two sons who chose when they wanted breakfast wasn’t really helping.

"Ashton!"

Few knocks on the door and a threat was all it took to get Ashton open the door.

“Are you crazy or something? Mum says you haven’t had food in three days.”

“Not true. I’d have been dead, you know.”

"Don't even try to be sarcastic with me, get down now."

"I don't want to—"

“Let’s get down and have breakfast," Stone ordered.

"Now."

“I just needed time alone,” Ashton replied. “can I have that please?”

Stone was obviously not the big brother to have chit chats with.

He scowled and heaved a sigh; something was wrong with his brother and he had to know what.

“Tell me what happened Ashton, you can always talk to me,” Stone said in the least convincing way.

Ashton didn't respond.

He couldn't bring himself to tell his brother what was really going on with him.

“Girlfriend issues?” Stone asked suspiciously. He was trying to think of what could make a teen this way, he barely remembered what could have gotten him like this when he was a teen.

“Definitely is,” He said laughing at his little brother.

“Not funny," Ashton brushed off and turned to face the wall.

“I know man, been there. Listen, it only gets worse if you keep being like this, like a pussy. You need to man up, eww.”

Ashton raised his head to meet his big brother and gave a faint smile. "You don't know how it feels, do you?"

"Of course I do." He sighed in relief. "You thought I was joking when I said I've been there? Common man."

"I just don't know what to do."

Stone gave a nod. "I'll tell you. Focus on other distractions. Games? Football? Lord knows I’d kick your ass if I ever find you like this.”

“Alright,” Ashton laughed and Stone pulled him into a brotherly hug. "Come here, little man."

They returned downstairs for breakfast.

"Now that my boys are here, let's have breakfast."

They all sat down and had baked rice served.

Stone tried as much as possible to ignore some of the questions his mom was asking.

He didn't want to reveal too much because it was only safe if they had no idea what was going on in his life.

As he raised the glass of water to his lips, his phone pinged.

His mom turned to look at him and Ashton followed.

"It's nothing," he said and dropped the glass of water on the table. He raised his phone and read the text.

"I have to leave now," Stone said as he stood up from the chair. He turned to Ashton and patted his shoulders. "We have a deal remember?"

"Yeah, I remember."

He turned to his mom and kissed her cheek.

"I always want you around, Liam."

He beamed and gave a small nod. His mom was always going to be his priority.

She walked behind him to the door and he paused. "You don't have to see me out."

She smiled. "I know but I just—" she sighed." You are the perfect son, Liam.”

That was her way of appreciating her son. She often times told him she loved it when he spent his days over with them.

Stone moved to his own apartment three years back but made it a habit to still come over, unexpectedly or expectedly.

He owed that one to his father, to make sure his family was okay. It was his last wish before the trigger was pulled and a bullet fired to his damn chest.

“love you mum,” he finally said and brushed off the memory from his head.

He got into his car and his phone buzzed again.

Emergency, be quick.

He read the text and slammed his foot on the accelerator immediately.