Page 12 of Lies in Promises
“I don’t need your money, kid. Besides, my wife would have my head if I left someone our son’s age out on the street. It’s just a ride. You don’t want it, that’s fine, but hey, I offered.”
For a solid minute, I just look at the guy, and for a split second, I see my dad in him.
If Thomas Lane were still here and saw someone my age on the street, he would do the same thing.
This guy doesn’t know it, but he is doing a lot more than just putting an offer out there.
It takes me a second, but eventually, I’m able to push down the lump forming in my throat and give the truck driver an answer.
“No, I’ve never been to Texas, and I need a ride more than anything.”
“Good. Grab your bag and let’s go. We’re burning daylight.”
With no hesitation, I do as the guy says and follow him to his eighteen-wheeler.
There should be more reluctance flowing through me as I get into the truck. My parents taught me about stranger danger and all of that, so I know someone as sincere as this guy seems can still do bad things. Still, my gut is telling me I can trust the guy. I’m going to be vigilant, sure, but I’m going to trust him.
Because this is what I need, I need to leave the bad memories and emotions behind, find a way to go back to live life normally.
And I guess I’m doing that by going to fucking Texas.
What the actual fuck will I do there?
I don’t know, but I hope it’s worth it.
For Bennett, I hope it’s worth it, because I intend to keep my promise.
I just have to find a way to quiet all the demons.
CHAPTER 7
ROBERT
18 YEARS OLD
Quiet the emotions.
Two years ago today, I left the only home I knew back in Chicago and let a stranger drive me to Texas.
It was only supposed to be so I could quiet the emotions, so I could stop hating my parents for dying.
Leaving the house they filled with memories, was supposed to help, was supposed to clear my head. It was supposed to help me learn how to live life as normally as I possibly could now that they weren’t here, two corpses in the ground.
At the time, I didn’t know how long I was going to be gone for, but I had hoped it was going to be a quick and easy thing. I had hoped once I got somewhere, I would figure all my shit out and be back home before the month was over. I thought everything would slide into place, and by the time I turnedeighteen, I would be strong enough to tell Henry it was okay to go live his life, that I was more than capable of taking care of my brother.
But no matter how hard I hoped, none of that happened.
Now, it’s been two years, and I’m still in Austin, feeling as messed up now as I did back then.
I’ve been living life as normally as I possibly can, but not a single minute goes by when I don’t think about how much I hate my parents for dying and leaving me like this.
Just like there was two years ago, there is still anger and sadness. It may have dulled a bit, but it has yet to go away, and now, I know it never will.
Those emotions will forever be a part of me.
I will never get better.
I will never get over it.
