Southern Hospitality

Chapter 19

Entering the house I saw Abigail seated in her chair watching Tv. Her fences were finally done and now we could start pulling the grass for the flowers 

"Hey, Abigail" I greeted nervously 

"Hello Luke" she said not looking at me

"Is Evelyn here?" I know it was stupid to ask but its been on my mind for the past 5 days 

Abigail looked at me in disbelief "don't ask stupid questions boy. She's at work trying to avoid your ass!" she scoffed 

That night when Abigail came to get Evelyn I felt like a complete jerk. She practically confessed her feelings to me and I sat there lying out my teeth. I've never seen Abigail more disappointed in me before. She stormed in the house ready to fight me but Evelyn stopped her from doing anything as they left 

Ever since Abigail has reminded me of how much I fucked up and Evelyn refuses to speak to me. Landon has been asking where she's been and I had to keep making new excuses as to why she won't answer my calls or leaves the house before I arrive 

"I'm sorry, Abigail" I apologized feeling like I lost part of myself. These few days without her by my side have been torture 

"Don't say that to me" she stressed going back to watching tv

I let out sigh not knowing what else to say. Everyone has been on my ass since that night and I honestly wish Evelyn kept the situation to herself. 

"You hurt my grand baby Luke. I was rooting for you both and thought maybe this would be it for you" she quietly said

I could hear the pain in Abigail's voice and felt even worse. She's done a lot for me and trusted me with Evelyn. "I have no words Abby" was all I could say. This was more complicated than everyone thought I mean when Evelyn said she liked me part of me didn't believe it. How could you love a monster? 

"You're still fighting those demons. Evelyn has a sweet pure heart and I believe y'all are right for each other. So stop all this mopping and man up!" she stated finally looking at me

... 

I walked into my store heading to the office. George went to pick Landon up for me since its been a stressful day for me. The front door opened and  turned to see Amber walking in. I guess George was back. We made eye contact and she threw her middle finger up at me 

"That's for making my baby cousin cry" she spoke harshly

I couldn't even defend myself because what I did was fucked up. I shouldn't have let things go as far as they did. If only I wasn't a coward and told her the truth things wouldn't be like this

"Amber-"

"Save the excuses Luke. We're tired of them" she dryly stated walking past me frustrated 

The door opened again and Landon came running in "Daddy!" 

"Hey buddy" I smiled picking him up

"Can we have dinner with Evelyn" Landon asked me for the 7th time 

Landon has been mentioning Evelyn up every second of the day asking why she hasn't come over or been at dinner. How do you tell a 6 year old you ruined a relationship because you're scared to date again

"Landon, give your dad a break" George said walking inside

"Go find aunt Amber for me" Landon nodded his head and ran around the store 

I didn't want to hear shit George had to say. He probably was just going to brag about how he knew I would block this blessing and that I need to man up blah blah 

"Lets go to your office" he said walking to the back 

I followed knowing this was going to be a long conversation. My office was in the very back of the store near the emergency exit. Opening the door George walked in and took a seat in my chairs

"Now I was considering giving you my normal speech but I think you've had enough people call you an idiot" he laughed to himself 

"Amber explained a bit of things and Evelyn isn't doing that great" he added giving me serious now

"What do you mean?" I asked getting worried. I never meant to ever hurt Evelyn, she was like an angel in my eyes the one person I tried my best to not hurt

"she didn't go into details but I think you should talk to her" was all he said but that was easier said than done 

"George she's physically ignoring me" I stressed. What were they not understanding? 

"Ok? You're just going to give up? Luke stop acting like you don't like the girl" he stated 

I shut my mouth before talking back. George didn't understand how this could jeorodize everything...

"George I can't risk that with Landon... I've been doing good alone for this long and she'll get over me" I said rubbing my forehead. There was no way she would stay anyways I'm 28 with a 6 year old and baby mama drama sooner or later she'll walk out 

"Complete bull shit!" George slammed his fist on my desk catching my attention 

"You haven't been this happy since college man. I see the way you look at Evelyn and don't try to use Landon as an excuse because you know she loves that kid as if he's her own! You deserve happiness Luke so don't give up on her" were his last words before he left my office 

I sat in my chair processing Georges words. Everything he said was from the heart. I remember the last time he had to check me was when Landon was two and I had break up with Savannah. It was the lowest point in my life... so much lost happened in that year

Resting my head on the table I thought over everything. Change needed to happen and I wasn't going to let Evelyn give up on me.