AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know what to say to my dad about it. He’s not the biggest Lawson fan.”
My eyebrow punches the top of my forehead. I suddenly need to defend my party-hungry brother, who is known to have the temper of a five-year-old.
“Why? He’s worked with your family’s home and cars.” I say, a little confused.
“Well…I don’t know. Just…”
“Are you embarrassed by him?” I ask.
“No! God, no,” she quickly responds. Massey’s contorted face has me backing down. “But my dad doesn’t see things the way I do. He has only heard and seen him as the party guy. You know how reckless Lawson can be.”
I can tell the sincerity in her voice and memories of picking Lawson up from random people’s homes on the other side of the island. He hung out with the wrong crowd and became infatuated with one girl, who used his need for love against him. Lawson just so badly wanted to fit in and to be loved. He’d do just about anything his “friends” asks. A few times he called asking for me or Leland to pick him up from the hospital. Another time, he had gotten into a fight and really hurt someone just because they called him trash and set him up to take the fall for stolen crap.
Just keep driving slowly and I’ll jump in the truck’s bed. Just don’t stop.
Was the cryptic text message we got before watching him run down the road.
When we arrived at home, he told us the friends he was hanging out with had slipped some merchandise in his backpack. Unaware, he left the store with the stolen items. Setting off the detectors, the employees held him back. Those “friends” slid out the door, along with the girl he was seeing, with the expensive stuff they actually wanted and left my brother to fend for himself. He slipped away from the managers before the cops arrived and made his way back to the said friend’s home. A confrontation and a bloody nose later, he called us. Devastated, Lawson continued down a dark path, and it took him a few years to crawl out of that hole.
“I truly like him, Collins. I mean it. There is no way I would’ve agreed to go out with him if I wasn’t serious about him.” She places her hands palm down on the desk.
My siblings and I have had more people come and go more times than we can count. A pang of worry crosses my mind. The protective side of me comes to the surface.
“You’d better get your crap together. Leland already has had someone walk out on him. They tried to change him, and made him feel he wasn’t good enough as he was. I know you don’t see Lawson like that, but don’t invest in anything with my brother if you don’t intend to stay. You know how sensitive he is. I can’t have that harsh spiral again.”
“I know, Collins.” She stands shaking her head. “I’m trying, we’ve only had one date.” She huffs, rubbing her fingertips on her temple. “I hope he calls and we can try again.”
Hope fills the tense room. I nod, trying to ignore the knot that pulls in my chest for fear of what she could do to Lawson. The last person who hurt him sent him down a dangerous path. I know Massey and she would never intentionally hurt him, but I don’t know if she realizes how quickly he can fall.
“I’m out.” I stand, wanting to end this negative memory and uncomfortable conversation. “Sunday? Super-secret spot?”
She silently nods with a half-smile. I wish I could give her more comfort and reassurance, but I’m also on the fence to look out for my brother.
I give her a wave and head out. Exiting the parking garage, I am met with the familiar set of hazel eyes. He’s such a sassy peacock. He confidently strides through the garage when his eyes fixate on mine. His walk shifts slightly to a more relaxed sway.
“Collins.” A hearty sigh escapes his perfect lips. No! Collins, no! Shaking my head, I offer a scrunched nose and a pointed finger wave. “Hey, I got the board delivered to the auto shop. I couldn’t make it fit in the car.”
I look over his shoulder at his Lexus LS. “You know, the back seat folds down so you have trunk space plus the back seat.”
He swings his head back and forth between me and the car. “I’m sorry,” he says, insulted. “I’m waiting for the ‘thank you for sending me my crappy board.’ But, hey, let’s go with your approach of disdain.”
“If you and Lawson hadn’t been such a douche duo, then I wouldn’t have had to go without. Did you both figure out whose junk was bigger?” I ask.
He sarcastically laughs. “I can’t with you.”
“Well, thanks. I guess. And—by the way, my board is not crappy! I’m proud of my work.”
“You made that?” Once again, he sounds surprised.
“Boards are expensive. I do what I can with what I have.”
“Just buy a new one.”
I’d like to take a picture of my face at this moment. I am positive that it’s full of disappointment and anger. He still can’t wrap his head around the fact that not everyone can just throw money around like confetti.
“Question,” I ask.
“Answer,” he smugly responds.
