Make it to me.

Part 19

Aubree POV

We take the long way and drive down the back roads, because Kentucky is beautifully green right now.

Sometimes I get annoyed that our town is so small but it's really not as small compared to others.

We're small enough for you to bump into a lot of the same people but not big enough to know every single person there.

Luke and I drive down the roads and he blabbers away about some new kid at his school I think?

I nod and hum in response but I'm honestly not paying attention.

We finally make it to the mall and he jumps out excited.

During the summer I work at the gross hot dog stand in the park, I hate it but no one else likes working there which means I could basically have as many shifts as I wanted. I had worked there since I was 16.

I remember telling myself I'd make enough money to get the hell out of Garrison and away from my dad.

But life had different plans, it didn't give a fuck about your own.

I was good at saving money so I had plenty and I'd pride myself in the fact that I made and spent my own money.

Which was why Lukie was getting spoiled today.

He makes me run around a few of the video game stores and the arcade.

I mostly enjoy it, I had learned how to play video games with Matt and I had spent time playing NCAA and Madden.

I would complain about Matt not letting me play and mom would make him let me. At first he was sour about it but when he saw that I was good competition he'd call for me to come play.

Lukie finally says he's hungry and we make our way to the food court.

He grabs pizza and I grab Chinese.

We sit at one on the tables and eat in silence until he speaks up

"Does dad not like me?"

I almost spit out my food

"What Lucas! No! Why would you ask that?"

He shrugs

"He never shows up to help me train, he told my friend he fell asleep watching tv when he didn't think I was listening."

I feel so angry, my dad was such a piece of shit sometimes.

How was I supposed to tell my cheery 9 year old brother not to hold high expectations of our father?

I don't have the heart to tell Lukie anything of the sorts. I had to learn the hard way, even when Matt tried warning me.

I knew Lukie would have to learn eventually and that it would break his heart and be the first strike for dad.

After that dad would mess up more and he'd earn another strike until a tiny part of Lukies heart would resent him.

I feel like crying at the thought of my sweet Lukie having any sort of hate or resentment in his kind heart.

"Dad just works a lot Lukie, he'll get tired and stuff. Don't ever think he doesn't like you. Even if he didn't you'd always have me and I like you plenty! You're the coolest 9 year old I know."

He smiles at me and I ruffle his hair a bit.

"Anyway! Tell me about that new friend of yours."