His sister-in-law’s distinct laugh, high-pitched with an odd lilt at the end, rang out from the kitchen and, a moment later, his mother’s followed. Ryan slouched on the sofa next to their dad, his lips pressed in a tight line and his eyes shadowed. Problems with Eve, no doubt. The two spent more time arguing, although in quiet, clipped tones, at family functions than not. They did their best to hide it, especially from his mom, but the tension was always palpable. But Mom just sees what she wants to. Judging from Ryan’s expression, the argument had already started. Jason knew the rules, though; the problems between he and Eve were off-limits. “The cooler is on the back porch, as always,” his dad said, after giving Jason a hug. “Can you take the ice out?” Ryan followed him out the sliding glass door to the porch and lit a cigarette while Jason dumped the ice in the cooler. “I heard the big news about you and Shelley splitting up. Mom told me when she called me the other day.
