#jacksonthane

Ford had already ran into Reina tonight, so the last thing he wanted was to run into Jackson too. Ever since he seemingly became a traitor of sorts, everything about their dynamic was more than warped. He’d spent so much time looking to both Reina and Jackson as parental figures and now that was just gone. Sometimes it amazed him how easy leaving people came to him. It was so simple, he did it without a trace and without a second thought. It barely even bothers him anymore. There are days where he still thinks of them, and he certainly would rather them not get caught in the crossfire of this war the way some have. But they weren’t for him to worry about anymore. But even as Jackson is approaching him, he can’t help but stop in his tracks. He couldn’t tell if it was because of father-like intimidation or just not wanting to deal with the consequences of ignoring Jackson Thane. Either way, there was no going back now. 

“Nice costume.” Ford states blandly, “You come here to wish me a Happy Halloween?” He can’t help but question with a laugh, obviously just trying to be a little shit. Ford sighs then, stuffing his bruised hands into his pockets. “If this is about me starting a fight with your annoying little brother, save it. It’s over now.”

He hadn’t seen his brother much in weeks. Aside from their Ma gathering them for a family dinner, or a meeting at the clubhouse -- Andy didn’t see much of him. With everything that had happened with Reina, he wasn’t sure what to do next. Jackson had been on a run when Reina was attacked, and while they had eliminated the threat that was the mystery assailant, Jack still had a right to know. He and Reina hadn’t gotten to that part, but if any other traumatic moment they shared served as an indicator -- The last thing she’d want is for her husband to know, for Andy to be the one to tell him. Their relationship had never been built on open communication, but his and Jackson’s did. Jack was his oldest brother, a confidant, someone who had seen him through plenty of highs and lows -- Keeping something like this from him wasn’t going to go over well if they found themselves stuck in a room together. 

Yet, that’s exactly where they’d ended up. How poetic. He plays it cool, knowing how to handle himself, even in front of someone who knew him well enough to see past his stoic charade. “I heard one’a those PTA moms talkin’ about bidding on you,” he opens with, an easy enough joke and a hand holding out a beer for the other man. He’d gone to the back porch as a means of getting some air -- Crowds had never been something he’d enjoyed -- only to see his brother seemed to have the same idea. “Brace yourself. Eileen’s a real dog.” He continues, figuring casual small talk is better than silence shared between them. He take a swig of his drink, while his free hand instinctively reaches in the pocket of his suit coat, pulling his pack of cigarettes out.