Page 152 of It Should Have Been Us

Mom didn’t mention anything. Then again, would I have suspected something if I didn’t witness it with my own eyes? Probably not.

I guess this was a common occurrence around here.

Was that the reason why he looked so resigned? Because he was used to it? And if Aaron and Cheryl couldn’t make it, what did that say about the rest of us?

“Yeah, sure.”

Aaron nods. “Rinse out and meet you in ten?”

I nod, and we each go our own way. The house is quiet when I slip inside. The door to my parent’s room closed. I quickly take off my clothes and shower before meeting Aaron in front of the house.

“How’s Dad?” Aaron asks as we climb inside his truck.

“Grumpy.”

“Of course he is.” Aaron shakes his head. “I still can’t believe he didn’t tell anybody that he wasn’t feeling well for so long. I keep telling him he should retire, but he doesn’t want to listen.”

“Why am I not surprised? That man would die on top of the horse if he could.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Me? Right?I glance toward my brother, but his gaze is firmly fixed on the road ahead of him, his jaw pressed in a tight line.

We drive the rest of the way in silence. The parking lot in front of The Hut is packed.

“What’s happening here? Are they giving away something?”

“No, it’s live music night,” Aaron says as he drives through the parking lot, searching for a spot. “I completely forgot about it. It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

“So basically, this is Bluebonnet’s equivalent of going to a club.”

“Something like that. Finally.”

Aaron makes a sharp turn, parking in the only available spot, and we get out of the truck.

The loud music comes from the bar even through the closed door. We slip inside, and Aaron immediately spots a few familiar faces as we make our way to the bar, where he orders whiskey.

“So what’s your plan now that the wedding is done?”

“Me? That’s what you want to talk about?”

Mick slides two shots of whiskey in front of us, and my brother nods his thanks. His fingers wrap around the glass as he swirls the amber liquid inside.

“Beats talking about my problems,” he mutters, downing his drink and signaling for another one.

Well, if the last few days were any indication of how things were at his place, I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to talk about it.

“No plans.” I shrug. “I still have a few more weeks before I have to be at the summer camp, so I might as well stay here to help around if needed.”

“That’s your only reason for staying?”

I glance at him, my brows pulling together. “Should there be another reason?”

Aaron lifts his shoulder, downing his second drink. Apparently, tonight he was on a roll. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

What the hell was he talking about?

I shake my head at him. “There is no other reason.”

---