And it hurt Nate worst of all; he had to stand off to the side, held back by their dad’s redneck friends, watching his younger brother get hurt.
Characterization about Devon and Nate's father (that we see pay off later on in this chapter). He is violent and, as with Maddox's parents, only sees his children as a way of making money. The "redneck friends" holding back Nate also contrast to Maddox - they don't care about Devon and are indifferent to him - Maddox sees Devon's humanity (though not totally at this point - but he sees the human parts of Devon) - and he is unable to be disinterested in him.
