THAT FIRST BREAK (Broken Redemption Prequel 1)

Chapter 5

Lucas

"Okay son, that should be good," Dad smiles as he pats me on the back. "Why don't we rest for a bit before we head inside to help Mom?"

With a pained groan, I take a seat across from him, my body grateful for the rest after a morning of yard work and power washing. It's the fourth Saturday in June, and therefore the day of the Holt's Annual Summer Bash. For as long as I can remember, my parents have hosted this BBQ-style picnic, with an open invitation to anyone in Ruby Creek who wants to attend. It's the one thing my family is known for, and I have to say it's my favorite day of the year.

"Thanks for your help today," he says while pouring us a cup of iced tea from the blue beverage cooler on the table. "After what happened with you and Becca, have you thought about how you'll handle seeing her and her parents today?"

I stifle a groan. I haven't talked to Becca since that night, two weeks ago, and I have no idea what she told her parents about the breakup. Parents who loved that we were together, and who are the type to sit us down in the name of helping us work things out.

"God..." I rub my forehead in frustration. "I honestly forgot they'd be here."

"Mind if I ask what happened? I thought the two of you were good together."

To most, it might seem like he's trying to pry, but it's just how my dad is. He makes it a point to remain involved in our day-to-day, not out of a sense of trying to parent us, but because he cares about what's happening in our lives. He doesn't push us to open up, and no matter what we disclose, he never judges or lectures. It's one of the many things I love about him. He's easy to talk to, especially about things I'd rather not talk about.

"I don't know how to explain it, exactly. It just hit me one day. I realized I could never care for her the same way she cares about me."

As Dad mulls over my words, I remove the baseball cap from my sweat-soaked hair and turn my nervous energy toward shaping the bill.

"Well, not everyone loves at the same speed. That she cares more now doesn't mean you won't eventually catch up."

"I know that, Dad." I sigh and take a minute to choose my words. Staring off into the distance, I recall the awkward exchange. "About a month ago, Becca told me she loved me. It was the first time she'd said it, and as badly as I wanted to say it back, I couldn't. The more I thought about it, the more I realized those feelings might never come."

"So you ended it."

I nod, still unwilling to meet his gaze. "Yes."

"Any chance this has something to do with Emilia?" With a start, my eyes snap to his. "Don't look so shocked," he chuckles. "I have eyes, kid. I see the way you look at each other and as close as you are, I can see why it'd be difficult to love someone else."

Frozen and unable to speak, I just stare. How the fuck does he know? How the hell am I supposed to explain to him how it happened? That I'm doing my damnest to keep to my respective boundaries, even with how hard it is to go against my desires?

"I-I swear, Dad. Nothing's happened. I would never..." I rush to stand. The trepidation coursing through my blood makes me want to crawl out of my skin. I can handle almost anything life throws my way, but disappointing my parents is not one of them. "Dad..." With my hands raised to my head and tears welling up, I accept my fate and meet his eyes.

With a worried look, he pulls me into an embrace. It's a gesture I'm not expecting considering the circumstances, so I stand there completely stiff, unsure of what to do.