Page 104 of Takedown

“Yeah, we do,” Mel tells him. “You know I’ve always wanted to be a homeowner. But don’t worry, big brother, we’re not going far. I want something in this neighborhood.”

“Good.” Jason appears relieved, and some of my irritation with him vanishes. “I like having you around. And Mellie, I’m so sorry. Everything that went wrong between us makes sense now. I feel—” Mel puts a hand up to silence him, but I speak before she does.

“We’re celebrating Mel.” I kiss my wife’s temple, pour more champagne in his glass, and hope he’ll take the hint and change the subject.

“It’s not your fault, Jason. I never intended for you to find out, but I don’t want to talk about it or her or that day anymore. I have too many good things happening right now,” Mel says.

Jason nods but he doesn’t shut up. “She’s agreed to go to therapy.”

Mel rolls her eyes, and so do I. “Okay, Jason.”

“Maybe we can all go,” he suggests.

“Enough,” Mel warns.

“It can’t hurt if—”

“Mel says enough,” I hiss at him. “Drop it. I thought you wanted to celebrate your sister’s good news, not plead your mother’s case.”

“Flynn, I told you before to stay out of it,” Jason says to me.

“Jason, drop it,” Alex says.

“All I’m saying is—”

“Oh my God, just shut up, Jason!” Mel stands up and looks down at her brother. “Some things never change. And don’t come in here and tell my husband to stay out of it. He’s the one person who has always been on my side. Always. Every single time. He listens. He cares and he rights my wrongs. I love him more than anyone and anything, and if you can’t accept that and give him the same respect I give your wife, then we have nothing more to say. You don’t need to stand up for me at my wedding. I’m so sick of being the villain in this family. Our mother pits us against each other, but I can never win. I’m the perpetual underdog, and you’re her savior.”

“I’m not!”

“You are! Because after knowing this, you’re still up here making a case for her. She’s going to therapy only because of you, not me. Her precious Jason got a glimpse at the ugliness she’s always saved for me, and she can’t handle that, so she placates you by offering to see a shrink. Why didn’t she go ten years ago? Or five years ago? Or last year? Give me a fucking break.”

Mel grabs her glass and lifts it, but before she can slam it against the floor, I grab her wrist and take it out of her hand. I put my hand on the base of her neck and gently rub the tension away.

Jason stands and approaches us, but I stand in front of my wife and shake my head at him. “Enough,” I warn. “I think dinner’s over.”

“You don’t need to protect my sister from me.”

“Obviously, I do.”

“Let’s go, Jason.” Alex stands and grabs her husband’s elbow. “You’ve even managed to make me angry tonight. I told you to leave it alone, but you always think you can fix everything.”

She starts to drag him to the door, but he turns back, only to still find me shielding Mel with my body. She wraps an arm around me and puts her head between my shoulder blades.

They open the door only to find Diane standing on the other side holding Little Mel. Addison walks in and raises both arms, and I pick her up.

“The baby needs to nurse.” Diane hands the fussy baby to Alex.

“Next time, just text Alex,” I tell her.

She ignores me and looks around the place. She reaches the table and picks up the empty bottle of champagne.

“What’s going on here?” she asks. She puts the bottle down and rubs her hand on her thigh.

“Celebrating, Diane,” Alex tells her.

“Oh? What are we celebrating? You didn’t manage to get yourself pregnant, did you, Melanie?” It’s like someone putting a pin inside a balloon. The entire room goes quiet. Alex’s smile disappears and Jason rubs a hand over his face.

“Yeah, I’m celebrating my pregnancy by drinking alcohol, Mother,” Mel says from behind me.

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