Page 10 of Crossroads
Not only because I need this job to help support my family, but because I owe Kelly so much more than that. I comb my hair and get dressed before heading to the house for dinner.
Already dreading seeing Emerson’s stupid face again so soon after parting ways thirty minutes ago. But I know how much Kelly likes to feed us, and I’m not going to pass up a homecooked free meal.
I pull open the door to the house, not knocking because Kelly will just lecture me about not needing to knock, especially when she already expects me. And I’m immediately greeted by Millie, who’s sitting on the couch in the living room, her laptop out.
I’m happy for her. Going to college was always something she wanted to do. Not my thing, but I’m happy for her, nonetheless. “Hey, Mills.” I plop down next to her on the couch, like the annoying pseudo-brother I am.
She closes her laptop, her eyes lit up with mirth. “So? How was it? I haven’t seen him since I got home. Did he get too mouthy and you tied him up somewhere? Hid him on the farm?”
“You know that’s your cousin, right?”
She shrugs. “I just met him. And he seems like an ass.”
“He is,” I confirm. “But no, I didn’t kidnap your cousin and hide him away. But I don’t know how the hell your mom thinks he’s going to help around here. He didn’t do shit all day and still looked wrecked.”
She smirks. “City folk.” Her eyes roll, and I laugh.
“That’s enough.” We both straighten our backs when Kelly walks into the living room, her presence demanding authority. “Farm work doesn’t come easy to anyone. There was a time when you two had to learn too.”
“I was six,” Millie says, and I try not to laugh, but I fail, turning my head away and trying to cover it with a fake cough.
When my eyes turn back to Kelly, I can see she’s not amused. “How did he do? Truly? Did he ask questions? Did you answer them?”
“Not one. He’s stubborn, Kelly. He doesn’t want to be here.” I can’t seem to hold back as I stand up, keeping my tone respectful as I approach her. “Why is he here?”
She looks troubled as she glances toward the stairs but then looks to me again. “I think he’s lost.”
I snort. “No doubt about that.”
“Not that kind of lost,” she says, looking a little amused now and a little like she’d like to smack me. “I think he needs this. So I need you to help me help him.”
“So this isn’t about help for the farm?” I ask, my eyebrows raised as I fold my arms.
“Labor is labor. Don’t be afraid to put him to work. He’ll fall in line and figure it out. I don’t know him, but I know his mother.”
“The one who left Kensley to chase money?” Millie asks, rising from the couch.
Kelly’s lips thin as she looks at her daughter. “She was lost too. And I don’t think she was chasing money, per se. Just a different life.”
Millie and I share a look, one that says neither of us has any idea what she’s talking about, but we’re saved by the loud click of the back door and John’s booming voice. “Honey! I’m home!”
We all laugh at the extremely familiar phrase—because it’s the one John uses every single day when he’s done with work and ready for dinner. We all head into the dining room, the delicious smell coming from the kitchen making my stomach grumble as we all greet John.
He’s a huge man with red hair and still wearing his coveralls, but he does take off his boots, leaving them by the door. “Howdid the city boy do?” he asks as he takes a seat at the head of the table.
Kelly brings over a plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes smothered in chicken gravy, and corn on the cob, placing it in front of her husband. “That city boy is your nephew. And he did just fine. Isn’t that right, Jasper?”
Millie turns to me, amused and annoying. John looks at me, already not buying it. “The guy has no idea what he’s doing,” I answer honestly, and Kelly slaps a plate down in front of me as John chuckles.
“Maybe he can help with the kittens, dear,” he says to Kelly, who’s not pleased with our teasing. She puts food in front of Millie and then sits down next to me.
“He’ll be fine with all the work around here. He just needs a leader.” Her eyes land on me. “Speaking of which, can you go check on him?” I want to say no, but I stand up anyway before she wraps her hand around my wrist to get my attention. “Actually...” She releases my wrist and then picks up the plate that was in front of me, handing it to me. “Take him this. He looked pretty tired when he came inside. Let him know he can eat in his room tonight.” I take the plate as she adds, “I’ll make you a new plate.”
My eyes widen, still surprised that she wants me to deliver a plate of food. I can tell Millie’s entire being is begging her to say something about no one getting to eat away from the table, but we all wisely keep our mouths shut. I don’t know why—but she seems to really have a soft spot for him already.
I give a clipped nod before heading up the stairs to find Emerson. It doesn’t take long because the door to his room is open, and I see him immediately. He’s shirtless but lying flat on his stomach, sprawled out on the bed.
“Did you really fall asleep at 7:00 p.m.?” I ask as I walk into the room and place the plate on the small table next to his bed.
