Adopted By Luke Bryan

Chapter 11: Problems at Home

Luke's POV:
Since we got home my daughter has not said more than one word sentences to me and honestly it's annoying. I wasn't wrong. I didn't want her playing with my stuff because of my upcoming hunting trip and she did exactly what I said not to. I mean I didn't tell her directly I just kinda thought it would be implied because I told her about the trip. She was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework and going about her business and so was Bo but he was talking to me too. She didn't say a word. I can't take it anymore. "Girl will you just talk to me?" I blurted out. "What's there to say? What do you want me to say, "Hi, how was your show?" She answered sarcastically.

"Go to your room. You're being very rude and I don't wanna be around you now right now." I ordered. She sighed, rolled her eyes, collected her things off the table and went upstairs without saying a word. That's when Caroline came in the kitchen with Tate on her hip. "What happened now?" She asked. "She's being very disrespectful to me right now and I'm to the point where I just don't want her around right now. She's setting a bad example for the boys. I don't want them to be like that." I explained. "Luke she's only 8 years old. You're being too hard on her. Stop with the tough love thing and go up and apologize to her. She was so upset after you called yesterday." She told me.

I looked up at her. "Really?" I asked knowing the answer. "All she wanted to do was send you a picture to try to make you smile and you ruined it for her. She was trying to do something nice for her daddy and now I bet she'll never wanna do something like that again because you kinda flipped out when we were on the phone with you." Caroline scolded. "I know okay. And I feel bad but she shouldn't of done that." I answered back. "Until you stop being so stubborn just know that she probably won't talk to you until you apologize and make it up to her. You were a total jerk who made his own daughter cry over something stupid and you're too damn stubborn to realize that." Then she left the room.

*two days later*

It's now Friday and Michaela still doesn't say much to me and as much as I wanna talk to her about it I've been planning this hunting trip for months and I really wanna go. Some people might think its wrong of me to go but I don't care. I work hard for my money and I think I deserve a little guy time out on the land goin' hunting. I was getting ready to leave when Michaela came into our room. "When are you gonna be back?" She asked. "I'm not sure. I won't be gone for more than a week." I replied. She nodded and left the room. Well at least she asked me a question. I guess that's a start. I mean I don't understand what I did wrong. She's pissing me off with this silent treatment crap. I guess I should try to talk to her before I leave.

I went into the kitchen and saw Caroline getting the boys a snack since they all just got home. "Baby where is she?" I asked her. "Up in her room I think. Why?" She questioned. "I wanna talk to her before I go." I answered. "If she'll let you in." She told me. "She will. I just wanna talk. Not yell, not fight, talk." I told her and went upstairs. I stood in front of her door for a minute unsure of what I should say. That's when I finally knocked on the door. She opened the door slightly then shut it. I knocked again. "Go away!" She yelled through the door. "No, I wanna talk to you. We can do this the easy way which is where you open the door and we talk face to face." I told her. I took a breath before continuing.

"Or we can do it the hard way where I break your door and force you to talk to me. I'd like you to open the door so I don't have to scream and lose my voice." I knocked one more time. I heard her unlock the door and open it. "I don't wanna talk to you." She said as she laid on her bed facing away from me. I decided to sit on the chair in front of her desk. "Then I'll just talk I guess. Correct me on whatever it is if I say anything wrong." I offered. "I'm sorry I was so hard on you. I know you were just trying to make me happy and I totally ruined it. Your momma said that you were crying after. Is that true?" I asked for confirmation. She turned around and nodded. Then turned back away again.

"I'm really sorry Mickey. I never meant for this to happen. I know you probably hate me for it and I deserve that." I said. I was trying to think of something else to say but I couldn't. "Can you please just look at me?" I asked a little loudly. I heard her sigh and she turns around. I see tears in her eyes. Damn it I'm such an idiot. I got up and sat down on her bed next to. I caressed her cheek and wiped her tears. "Baby please stop cryin'." I begged. I picked her up and held her tight. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me so tightly I almost couldn't breath. I pulled away and held her face. "Daddy I'm sorry I took your clothes without asking. I forgot about your hunting trip. I'll never do it again." She pleaded with me.

"Baby baby calm down. It's okay I'm not mad at you." I told her. "Promise?" She asked. "I promise baby." I kissed her head. "Do you still love me?" She asked. "I never stopped. Just because I was mad doesn't mean I ever stopped loving you or that I ever stopped being your dad. I'll always be your daddy." I told her. "I'm sorry daddy. I love you." I hugged her more and looked at her. "Baby I'm glad we could fix this. I gotta leave now okay?" I said. I didn't want to but I've been planning this trip for months. "Okay daddy." She half smiled. Before I left I looked around in my bag and found a shirt. I handed it to her and said, "You can keep this one. I've worn it enough and it smells like me. You can always wear this one. I promise." I told her. She hugged me and kissed my cheek. I kissed Caroline and the boys goodbye and finally left to head for the bus. Caleb always takes me if it's close enough where it only takes about a day or less to get there.

Michaela's POV:
I guess daddy and I are okay now. I kinda get where he was coming from but I just hope I never get yelled at again. He's mean when he's mad and I don't like that side of him. Tomorrow I'm going out somewhere with Matt for the first time in a while and I couldn't be more excited to finally be with him and do something together just the two of us. We haven't done a lot since before going to the concert a few months back. He's been calling every so often and we try to talk like twice a week. He's been better about seeing and talking to me more because he felt bad when we had this conversation the first time. He's the best big brother ever even though we're not really related. His birthday is also coming up and I have no idea what to get for him. I think I'm gonna call Black Mike tonight to see if he has any ideas that can help me. His girlfriend is so sweet, maybe she can even help. He said she always gets him the best presents and I wanna get Matt something nice for everything he's done for me until now. He's been strong for both of us and we've gone through hell together.

~~~

Luke's POV:
A while later we got to the place and I met up with Jason Aldean and the rest of the guys in Buck Commander. The guys were all waiting for me and when Jason and I were alone for a minute he asked, "Man what's bothering you? You seem off today." I figured he would notice eventually. "Me and Mickey had a fight before we left. We made up but I don't know I've just been thinking that's all. But whatever it's all good. I wanna kill myself a stud this weekend." I nudged him a little bit. "Now that's the Luke I know. Let's get into camp and see what Adam has in store for us this weekend." He nodded and we went into the barn on his property.

*Sunday morning*

This weekend was amazing! I killed a monster 8 point and Jason a stud too. Overall it was a fun weekend with the boys. I got up a little earlier than everyone else because I'm goin back home today. Mickey called me last night to say goodnight with the boys and it was so cute I'm dying to get back home. I also have my beautiful amazing wife waitin on me at home so I gotta hurry so I can get to lovin on her and the kids as soon as possible!
*a few hours later at the airport*
I just got to the airport with Jason and Brittany picked us up since Jason gave her the keys. I told him that I wanted to surprise caroline and the kids. This is the last hunt we had before New Year's but I really wanna spend time with my family. Especially my little girl.