The Will

Chapter 24

Luke's POV:

"Hey guys!" I exclaimed, avoiding eye contact with Kris. Bo and Tate hugged each of my legs. Til fist bumped me, Jordan hugged me, and Kris scrolled through her phone. I sighed and loaded the truck with my bags.

The ride home was silent other than the sounds of Kris's thumbs tapping on her phone. I pulled in the driveway and unloaded the truck. Everyone went inside and settled down. I showered and put on a pair of sweats and a shirt.

Caroline made dinner. We ate and hung out around the house. Jordan and Til were playing with Bo and Tate. Kris went up to her room.

"Gonna go talk to her?" Caroline asked. We were sitting on the couch.

"Do I have to do it alone?" I looked at her with pleading eyes. She nodded. I sighed and got up. I kissed her softly on the lips before heading upstairs.

"Kris?" I knocked on her door.

"What?" She shot back with hatred. I opened the door and looked at her.

"Look. I know you're upset about the pictures. I'm sorry that they grew with publicity. Kerri is working on it at the moment. I promise." I explained.

"I don't care! God! That was my body! Uncle Luke, they followed me into the dressing room." She sat silent for a couple minutes and got up. She ruffled through her closet, pulling out a bag and stuffing it with clothes.

"Kris, please. Let's talk about this." I begged.

"No. I've had it with all the publicity and expositive lifestyle. I wish you had never become famous!" She shouted. Almost loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear. She stormed out of the room and outside. A taxi cab pulled up at the front.

"Kris! Where are you going?" I screamed.

"Back to Georgia!" She screamed back and got in the cab. I ran back in the house.

"Let her go Luke." Caroline said softly as I ran to get my keys. "She's 17. She's old enough to go back. Plus, you'll never catch her. Even if you do, she'll refuse to come back."

I sighed and went upstairs to my bedroom. I went to bed.

Caroline's POV:

Luke stormed upstairs. I didn't blame him. I would've too. I probably would've done worse, considering my female hormones would've exploded. I sighed and looked out the window. Kris and her cab were no longer in sight. I called Mama LeClaire to give her a heads up that Kris was coming home. Her response was vague and hard to tell if she was disappointed or mad. I blew it off and headed upstairs to deal with Luke.

On the way up I checked on Jordan and the boys. They were getting ready for bed and jumping around. I smiled and started my way down the hall, when I was stopped by Jordan.

"Hey Aunt Carol?" She asked.

"Yeah honey?" I replied.

"Well. I heard everything Kris and Uncle Luke talked about and I know what they fought about, but what's going on? Is she coming back?" Jordan inquired.

"I don't know. I'm gonna talk to your Uncle Luke and we'll work things out." I reassured. She nodded and went back into Bo and Tate's room. I walked to my bedroom and knocked before I entered to give Luke a heads up.

"Hi." I mumbled and sat next to him on the bed. He was scrolling through his phone. I looked over his shoulder to see what was on his screen. It was his last text message from Kelly before she died. I looked up at Luke. He was crying. I caressed his shoulder and comforted him.

"It's gonna be okay. She'll come back. She's just stressed out." I said softly.

"Did you even hear what she said?" Luke asked through sobs. I shook my head. "She wishes that I never became famous. You know how much that kills me inside? I'd do anything for my family. Even quit this business." Luke rambled on. Tears were still forming in his eyes.

"Luke she didn't mean it that way. She's just upset." I smiled hopefully. Luke closed his eyes and leaned his head against the headboard.

"I just don't know what to do." He whispered.

"You don't have to do anything. Let her do the talking. Let Kerri fix this." I smiled. He nodded and sat up again. "We need to talk to Jordan and Til about their help. They've been so helpful with the boys and I feel bad that I haven't done much." I said. Luke nodded.

Til's POV:

I was sitting in my room playing on the computer.

"Jordan and Til! Come here for a minute please." Aunt Caroline called. I raced Jordan to their room and sat on the bed.

"Guys I appreciate it so much that you two have been so helpful with the boys. We're dealing with Kris and haven't been with the boys really. I don't intentionally leave you with them. We're not gonna pay you to babysit, but if eve something happens last minute and we leave the boys with you, we will pay you. Life has been crazy lately." Aunt Carol explained. Jordan and I nodded.

"Sounds good." Jordan smiled.

"Great. So how much do we owe you already. $100 each?" Aunt Carol asked.

"Sure I guess." I smiled. Uncle Luke got out his wallet and paid up. I took the bill gladly and headed back to my room.

Jordan's POV:

I put the hundred into my savings box and laid down. They were right. This life has been hectic and chaotic lately. I turned on my radio and just sat there letting all these thoughts run through my head.

I was worried about Kris. About Uncle Luke. About Til. About Bo and Tate. About college. Hell, I haven't been back to campus in over two weeks. One week of suspension, and another week of forgetting to sign back up for classes. Luckily it was only the beginning of the semester and I wasn't too behind.

After awhile I looked at the clock. It was barely eleven o'clock. I turned out the lights and drifted off to sleep.

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