Jace

Jules and everyone decided I needed a break from the renovations and what was happening with my brother. I didn't need a break until Elias and Owen stepped in and ordered me to take time off. The last thing they needed was for an employee to crack under pressure. Odin suggested I take Casp with us to give him and Sofie a break. How did I get stuck babysitting Casp?

Dexter gave Jules the keys to the cabin so that we could take Casp and Jas with us. Great! Now, we had Jas included in our trip. It seems like old times.

We packed for a week and loaded the car before heading north to the Gray and Harper family cabin. Jules sat in the front seat while Casp and Jas sat in the backseat. We threatened to leave Casp on the side of the road if he made a list of activities for us. Casp bitched until we conceded to a grocery list. That was the only list we allowed him to do.

The trip took three hours until we arrived at the cabin. Casp typed a grocery list on his phone during the car ride to save us time when we arrived. Okay, I'll admit that was a brilliant idea.

Once we arrived, Jules and Jas took care of our bags while Casp and I drove to the local store to buy a week's worth of groceries. Jules and Jas said they refused to go with us. Figures.

I pushed the cart around the store while Casp put items in it.

"How's Braydon doing?" Casp asked.

"From what Dallas said, everything is a mess." I shook my head.

"What are your parents doing about it?"

"They filed for an emergency conservatorship of Braydon."

"Damn. I didn't realize it was that bad."

"Yeah." I sighed.

Casp stopped and turned to me in front of the cart. "Jace, everything will work out. I know you feel responsible for your brothers."

"Casp, I'm the oldest. I've always felt responsible for people."

"It's only because you have a big heart." Casp shrugged. "No one can fault you for caring about people."

"Is that how you feel about people?"

Casp nodded. "I had good role models with my folks."

"I challenged Odin for Sofie." I chuckled.

"What did Dad say when you challenged him?"

"He said let the best man win. I lost."

We laughed.

"Yeah, but you didn't lose. You got Julia."

"No, I got lucky with Jules."

Casp nodded.

"What about you and Charlie? You seem to be getting quite cozy with her."

"My folks won't let me pursue Charlie until I turn eighteen. Then all bets are off." Casp smirked.

"Good luck, Charlie."

Casp chuckled and nodded.

"We better finish before Jules wonders where we are."

We continued shopping until we got everything on the list.

******
Julia

I set Casp's bag in his room and left it intact. No way was I touching his stuff. He would lose his shit with me. Jas hauled her bag to her room while I took care of Jace and my bags.

I placed our toiletry kits in the bathroom before checking on Jas. Jas was putting her clothes in the dresser.

"Why are you unpacking?" I asked, walking into the room.

"Unlike you, I refuse to live out of a suitcase for a week."

"I prefer to have everything close at hand." I shrugged.

Jas shook her head while finishing.

"You haven't said much about Dallas since he got married."

"What's there to say? Dallas got married." Jas shrugged.

"You're not upset about it?"

"No. Unlike most girls, I refuse to pine over a guy. Plus, it's not like I can date anyway."

"I pity the guy who dates you. You won't put up with his shit."

"Nope, I won't. I refuse to play games with a guy. They can suck it if they don't like it."

I shook my head because Jas was a different ballgame from most girls. Good luck to whoever she dates. They'll need it.

"What's going on with Braydon?"

"What do you mean?"

"I overheard Mom and Dad talking about legal issues."

"Dallas and Braydon ran into issues with their baseball contract. Uncle Grayson is working to untangle the mess."

"That doesn't sound good." Jas pinched her brows in concern.

"No, it's not. That's why the family gave Jace and Casp a week off from work. Jace needed a break."

"Jace is lucky to have you, Juju."

"Why's that?"

"You care about him." She shrugged.

A pair of arms slipped around my waist from behind me. "I agree with Jas's assessment."

"I'll help Casp with the grocery so he doesn't reorganize the pantry and fridge." Jas left the bedroom and headed downstairs.

I turned around in Jace's arms and rested my hands on his chest. "Are you okay?"

Jace pursed his lips. "Yeah. I won't lie and say I'm not worried about Braydon."

"I'm sure everything will be fine."

"I hope so." Jace rested his forehead against mine and closed his eyes.

I know he was worried about Braydon. Everyone was concerned about Braydon. When I talked to her, Charlie said things weren't good between Emerald and Braydon.

********
Bradley

I couldn't thank Elias and Owen enough for giving Jace time off this week. Between the house and troubles with Braydon, Jace needed the break. Conner said it was normal for Jace to worry. He did with Tim and me.

Hazel and I attended court with Grayson for the conservatorship of Braydon. Grayson presented evidence against the coach and therapist. Jayden provided testimony to Braydon's mental illness since he was Braydon's therapist since Braydon was a teen.

It was one reason I wanted Jace to leave for a week. I didn't need him to worry more than he should.

The judge read through all the information before asking us questions. "Mr. Wilson, do you understand what a conservatorship is?"

"Yes, your honor. Our attorney explained it to us." I said.

"The court will need to notify all parties affected."

"I'm aware your honor. We only want to do right by our son while we help him. We don't want to control his life permanently."

The judge nodded and reviewed the information before him. "Mr. O'Neill, you seem to have everything in order."

Grayson stood up and placed his fingertips on the table. "Yes, your honor."

"I will grant the emergency conservatorship."

Hazel and I gaped at the judge in shock.

"It will take six weeks to process."

"Thank you, your honor," Grayson said.

The judge banged his gavel before standing up and leaving the courtroom. Hazel and I stood up and hugged each other in relief. We thanked Grayson before leaving and heading home. In six weeks, we can bring Braydon home. The only problem is more damage would occur before then.

******
Grayson

After Bradley and Hazel left, I visited my favorite District Attorney, Evan Jones. I had vital information for him.

Evan was sitting at his desk when I strolled into his office, placed the file on his desk, and sat in a chair across from him. He picked up the folder and opened it. "What's this?"

"This is something that will help both of us."

Evan leaned back in his desk chair and read through the information.

"Kent ties into a current legal situation."

Evan flipped through the information before looking at me with an arched brow. "This contract isn't even legal."

"According to Bradley and Hazel Wilson, the coach had an attorney draft this contract and sent it to my office for review."

"Tell me you didn't agree with this bullshit."

"Hell no, I disagreed with it. The coach got into a pickle when he invested money with Kent's pyramid scheme and lost big."

Evan threw the closed file on the desk and rubbed his bottom lip. "Kent has refused to talk."

"This should help pressure Kent to sing like a canary."

Evan nodded in agreement.

I stood up. "I'll keep you updated. Right now, my clients need to bring their son home without interference. It'll take at least six weeks."

"Let me know when it happens."

I nodded in response before leaving Evan's office. My main goal was to help Bradley and Hazel bring their son home. I remember when Tim attacked Tori after his psychotic break. I would never wish that on anyone.

Hopefully, we can prevent another episode like the one that happened with Tim.