(7)
“Awesome spaghetti Mrs. H, my mother can’t even make any.” Jaclyn complimented as she took another mouthful.
Taylor gazed at her through narrowed eyes, diagonally across from her. Mrs. H? She was calling his mother Mrs. H? What the hell was up with that? And the whole sucking up act. Please, it was sickening. But his mother didn’t seem to mind. “Oh, thank you, that’s very nice of you. And please, call me Diana. I’m sure your mother does a fine job.” “Okay. Nah, mom couldn’t cook if her life depended on it. Isaac? Could you please pass the carrots?” “Enjoy.” He smiled as he passed her the bowl. “So how long are you staying Jack?” Walker asked. “I dunno…I guess I should go back before mom does so she doesn’t get all pi-brr-annoyed.” She corrected, glancing at Mackenzie and Avery. Jessica was old enough. “Maybe a couple of weeks? Three?” She glanced at her father while spooning out the baby carrots on to her heaped plate. Taylor watched her with raised brows. Can you eat any more? Where the hell do you pack it all in? He eyed her skinny arms with critical eyes. “Three sounds good…maybe a month possibly, we’ll see.” Paul replied and Jaclyn smiled in satisfaction. “So you’re making your second album since the big ‘comeback’?” Jaclyn asked, making the quote gestures with her fingers. “Yeah, now that the tour is over, we’re back holed up in the studio.” Isaac grinned. “That must be pretty fun.” She commented with a genuine smile. “What’s more you guys are all brothers.” Duh. Taylor thought in his head. He figured either the whole blonde thing did affect some people or she was trying to make conversation. He opted to go with the first. “Yeah, we’re men with a mission, gotta do what we can.” Zac grinned, shoving a forkful of spaghetti in his mouth. “Men…” Jaclyn scoffed and was met by Zac poking his tongue out. “Again I repeat, men.” Everything she did annoyed him. The way she acted all sweet and angelic around his parents, how she got along so well with his siblings, especially Zac. Couldn’t any of them see what a fake she was? “Mommy…do I have to eat my vegetables?” Mack asked in a small voice, making puppy dog eyes. Diana smiled. “Yes dear, otherwise no dessert.” “Well I guess you better eat ‘em then Mack, we bought ice cream for dessert.” Jaclyn told him. “And lots of it.” Zac added, his smile stretching from ear to ear. Mackenzie instantly brightened up, then his smile fell as he contemplated. “Could I maybe eat my dessert then eat the vegetables?” “You are eating your vegetables young man.” Diana ordered whilst smiling at him the way mothers did. Mack sighed dramatically in response. “Why don’t we have a contest to see who eats their veggies faster kiddo? The winner gets…a piggyback ride from the other person.” Jaclyn suggested. “But what if you win? I can’t piggyback you!” Mack laughed at the thought of the bigger girl on his back. “Well then, I guess you better start eating. And no mess. You can only win if they’re gone and your plate is clean.” Jaclyn warned. Those around the table except Jaclyn and Mack, who were diverted by their vegetables, and Taylor, who by then was seething at Jaclyn, watched in amusement as Mack stabbed at his carrots and chewed them as fast as he could. Now she was working on his youngest brother? And the thing that bothered him the most was that Mack listened to her, obeyed and did as she told him. Couldn’t she realize that he could control his own brother? Why couldn’t she just butt out and mind her own business? “Finished!” Mackenzie announced. All heads that were engaged in small conversations after losing interest turned back towards the young boy’s plate. And sure enough, the only thing left was his spaghetti. Jaclyn slumped in her seat in defeat, placing her bean-stabbed fork down on her plate. “Only two more carrots and this little fella to go…” she moaned causing a giggle to escape from Mack. “You have to give me a piggyback now.” He laughed triumphantly. “Fine, you’re the winner, only fair. After dinner okay?” Mackenzie smiled in satisfaction, beaming at Jaclyn. “Okay.” Taylor scowled.=+=
“What’s the problem?”
Taylor glanced up at the voice of his brother. He then turned his gaze back to the TV. “What problem?” “Please, you know what’s going on. With Jack.” “Jack…Jaclyn. Why?” “So you’re not denying that there is a problem?” “No.” “So then what’s the problem?” “Why?” “Because I’d like to know why my brother is acting so unfriendly to a guest, a friend, who happens to be a nice, fun girl.” “Everyone has their own opinions.” “Well, if you don’t mind me saying so, yours seems a little biased.” “Biased.” Taylor stated, almost in disbelief. “How am I biased?” He turned the TV off, giving Isaac his full attention. “Well, you just immediately assumed whatever it was that you thought about her, even before you met the girl. You didn’t give her a chance, you just straight away believed she was who you wanted her to be. By the way, what is she like in your world Tay?” “I don’t wanna talk about it.” “So you admit it’s your fault?” “My fault!” Taylor exclaimed, standing up. “Ike, snap out of it, how is it my fault? Great, she’s got you under her little spell.” Taylor accused sarcastically. Isaac smiled slyly. “Ah ha, so this is what’s bothering you. You think she’s brainwashing us all.” “Well, I mean, I didn’t quite say-” “But you think so. Care to explain?” Taylor sat back down on the couch in their entertainment room. “She around?” Isaac shook his head. “No, she’s up in the kitchen with Zac and the kids. So spill little man.” “First of all I am just as tall, if not taller, than you. And…I don’t have much of a choice do I?” “Hey, I’m your big brother, it’s my job to drag things out of you.” “Great, I’ll keep that in mind for later.” He then sighed, sitting back into the couch, resting his head back and closed his eyes. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know.” Isaac stated with a confused expression. “You don’t know what, exactly?” “I don’t know.” Taylor confirmed. “She’s just…annoying I guess. She’s too…too…” “Happy?” “Yeah, I guess…” “Outgoing?” “Definitely.” “And that’s pissing you off.” “Hell yes. Give the man a prize.” “Well, it didn’t take a lot figure out with the way you’ve been looking at her through dinner. I’m surprised the girl hasn’t dropped dead yet.” “You noticed? I’m hoping mom and dad haven’t.” “Nah, don’t think so.” “Yeah, she was too busy charming their asses off. What was she trying to prove? That she’s good with kids?” “Ah ha ha…I’ve got it.” “Got what?” “The condition you’re suffering from.” “Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Taylor asked, a doubtful and amused look on his face. “You, Jordan Taylor Hanson, are jealous.” “Jealous.” Taylor sat up, looking at his brother in disbelief. “Jealous.” Isaac nodded with a knowing grin. “Jealous.” “Jealous.” “Jealous?” “Good God, yes! Get it through your head!” “Of what? Her oh so big house with maids?” “Come off it Tay, you so know what I’m talking about.” “I don’t!” “Uh huh, really.” “Fine.” Taylor sat back in defeat, closing his eyes once more. “I do.” Isaac grinned in triumph. “I told you-” “Nuh uh, don’t finished that. Fine, I do know, I do know why I’m jealous of Jaclyn.” “It would be nice to hear sometime this century.” “She’s perfect.” “Oh, would you like to expand on that?” “She’s a nice, funny girl whom everybody seems to love.” “Yeah…and you think you’re not?” “No I’m not. Jesus Ike, you’re my brother, you should know better than anyone else. I am not a Goddammed girl!” “You know what I’m talking about, keep going.” “Fine, I thought it was funny.” Taylor let out a rarely seen smile. “Heeey, he smiles! I was wondering if you’d lost it forever.” “I’ve just been stressed, get off my back.” “I’m just sitting here.” “Anyway, she’s just, I mean, everyone’s just fussing over how wonderful she is and the kids love her to bits and she and Zac are like best friends since birth and-” “And no one is paying attention to you.” “Hey, now, I did not say that.” “Yeah but that’s how you feel. And the incident with Mack at dinner. It’s always been you who could control Mack, who he could turn to. And having Jaclyn do what you’d normally do kinda put you off the edge. ” Taylor ignored the accusation. “She just seems fake, how she glitters through everything. And, and it’s the album you know? I’m letting it get to me. I just want it to be as perfect as possible.” “Hey, hey, we all do Tay. It’s just, maybe you should loosen up a bit.” “God you all think I’m a tightass.” Taylor moaned. “No, no! Just, maybe you should let yourself go every once in a while you know? Have some fun.” Taylor sighed. “Yeah…yeah, fun.” “Well, I am going to head downstairs and see what they’re up to. You sure you don’t want any ice cream? It’ll do you good.” Isaac offered, standing up and walking towards the door. “Maybe…I think, I just want to be alone right now.” “Alright then. Remember you’re welcome any time.” “Yeah.” Taylor sighed once again, but deeper this time as he sank further into the couch. “Hey, she doesn’t hate you Tay.” “What? How did you…” “I’m your brother. I’m supposed to.” “Oh…thanks Ike. For, you know.” “Yeah, yeah, go sulk in your misery. Don’t mention it.” Isaac smiled before turning and walking away. “Jealous. God I’m jealous of a stranger.” Taylor scoffed flopping back and sinking deeper into the couch.=+=
“Gee, took you long enough, couldn’t find the bathroom? Or shouldn’t I even ask?” Zac smirked as Isaac strode back into the room.
“Nah, I was in the basement…offered Tay some ice cream and…stuff.” “I take it he refused.” “Do you see him anywhere near?” Jaclyn rolled her eyes from where she sat, helping Mack put together his sundae. That boy seriously needed to loosen up, and have some fun. “Hey Mack, I’ll be back in a sec. Can you just get Zac to help ya?” the child nodded his head absentmindedly, too absorbed in the chocolate topping.