“They hit you, you hit them back harder, got it?” Aiden demands, and Jason’s and Jackson’s heads bob up and down.

I don’t think that’s the same advice a responsible adult would tell them, but I don’t disagree with Aiden, and we would be huge hypocrites if we told them not to fight back.

“What are they saying?” Aiden continues, then looks at Jackson. “Why aren’t you standing up for your brother? What are their names? I’m going to chat with them on Monday. Every one of those kids are already terrified of me, and that was before they pissed me off.”

Jackson’s face lights up bright red, and his twin seems equally flustered.

I put a hand on Aiden’s arm. “You’re scaring them.”

Aiden’s jaw ticks. He forces himself to take a breath. “Sorry. I’m sorry.” His tone is much softer than before. “Why didn’t you want to tell me, Jason?”

Jason finds his words. “Because . . .” He pauses for a beat, two, looks at his twin, who just glares at him, for help. Jason gestures at Aiden and waves his arms in his generic direction. “All this. You marching in is going to make it worse. Yeah, that’s why I didn’t say anything . . . about being bullied.”

Jackson groans and looks out the window again.

Aiden’s eyes narrow at the two of them. “You’re being bullied and expect me not to do anything about it?”

Jason shifts in his seat. “Yes?” He sends me pleading eyes.

“Hey, Aiden, I know it’s not my place, but I think Jason didn’t want to tell you because he wants to sort it out himself. It might make it worse if you storm in and threaten a bunch of kids. Plus, that’s kind of illegal.” It’s definitely illegal.

Jason sits up straighter and nods in agreement, and Jackson continues looking out the window at nothing, probably wishing to be anywhere but here.

Aiden scowls. “I wouldn’t threaten them.”

“Let me handle it, please?” Jason pleads.

Aiden’s jaw works as he thinks it over. After what feels like forever, he exhales. “Fine. But if it gets worse, you tell me. Got it?”

Jason’s head bounces up and down so fast I get dizzy. “Can we just drop it? And we’re going to be late for Franco’s birthday, so . . .” He points to the road a couple of times.

“Are the bullies going to be at the party?”

“No.”

Aiden gives Jason and his brother one last serious look for good measure, then finally turns around and puts the car in gear. His hand is clenched around the stick shift, but he doesn’t say anything else, not even when Jason tries to discreetly shove Jackson, probably as retribution for admitting they were hiding something from Aiden. I don’t blame them; Aiden can be scary. But I’d rather they tell him so we can help if we can. I just hope it gets better before Aiden really decides to do something about it.