Page 110 of All Too Well
Lachlan rolls down the window. “Are you two ready?”
I turn to him. “Almost. I need to work my magic.”
“Oh, Lord.”
I ignore that and return to my brother.
“It would be a huge help if you were there. This isn’t going to be easy for the Admiral.”
My brother shakes his head. “Why? So he can use me as a punching bag instead of you or the fact that Mom left him? No, thanks. I had enough of that when he drove to Tennessee to let me know what a disgrace I am to the MacKinley name. I have no real job, according to him, and I’m wasting my life away and will never make it in music.”
I hate that my father doesn’t support him. He’s just a very narrow-minded, his-way-or-the-highway type of person. It’s what made him a great leader, but a terrible father at times.
He never hit us. Never punished us in the extreme, because his words were more damaging than a belt ever could’ve been.
Especially for my brother.
“It’s not true, Cas.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” I ask, resting my hand on his arm. “Do you know that he’s wrong? Because he is. You’re already doing amazing. You’re playing more frequently, getting new gigs and rebookings. All of that is proving him and anyone else who doubted you wrong.”
My brother gives me a half smile. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re the bright spot in this world?”
“No, but I’m open to hearing it more often. I keep telling Lachlan that I’m a delight.”
Lachlan laughs from inside the cab. “I keep telling her that she needs a dictionary because that’s not the word I’d use.”
“Neither would I,” Caspian agrees.
I huff and shake my head. “We should go. I hope you’ll change your mind and come by.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
I lean in and kiss his cheek. “One day I’m going to fix you boys and your fathers.”
“You have way too much faith in the men in your life,” Caspian says with a hint of sadness.
Maybe I do, but I won’t give up hope.
I get in the truck, and Lachlan gives him a two-finger salute before we head off. I turn back to check on Rose, who is passed out in the back.
“She had a long day,” I say softly.
“She did. We all did. I don’t know how you’re going to spend a few hours working with your dad.”
I shrug. “He needs me, and I don’t know how to say no to anyone I love.”
“I’m proof of that,” Lachlan says offhand, and my stomach drops.
I thought I was doing a good job hiding how I feel. Shit. He knows I love him. The pounding of my heart grows, and I force a smile, hoping I’m wrong.
“What?”
He glances over. “You know we’re friends.”
Thank God. He thinks it’s a friendly kind of love. Sure, we’ll go with that.
