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I don’t answer her, I stay silent, looking around the room like it’ll give me some answers. After ten minutes and no explanation, I decide to go and find out what happened last night.
Standing up, I sway to the side and grab onto a chest of drawers to steady myself, accidently knocking over a framed photograph. Reaching out for it, I position it back to where it was, staring at a younger version of Luke in a football uniform holding the ball with a slight smile on his face.
I can’t help but wonder if he was always as broody as he comes across. When I first met him a few months ago, I didn’t know what to think of the huge man, but after getting to know him, after… kissing him… I know he’s not the hard exterior he portrays. Or maybe he is, but not with me?
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I gingerly walk to the door before opening it and taking one last look at Luke’s bedroom. Wow… I slept in his bed.
“Lily!” An arm is slung over my shoulder, and when I turn my head, I see Aiden’s giant grin. “How you feeling?”
“Everything hurts,” I groan as we start to walk down the stairs. “What happened last night?”
“Beats me.” He shrugs when we get to the bottom of the stairs, that air of not caring wrapping around him. It would though, wouldn’t it? He’s never had to deal with Dad’s wrath.
Shit! My eyes widen, my hands starting to shake. What will he do when we go home? I can only imagine—no, he won’t do anything with Aiden in the house.
“Well if it isn’t the two drunkards,” Kim announces, leaning against the kitchen doorframe with a smile on her face.
“I’m so sorry, Kim.” I start toward her, a lump building in my throat. “I never… I don’t even know what happened.”
She takes hold of my hand, leading me to the kitchen table before pushing on my shoulders so I’m sitting down.
She flits across the kitchen as Aiden sits next to me, leaning back in his chair and placing his hands behind his head, a pleased look on his face.
“I can’t remember the last time someone made me breakfast.”
“You be careful, mister.” Kim points at him, placing a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me. “You’re on my poo list!”
“Your poo list?” he asks, his brows raised.
“Yes! My poo list.” She shakes her head, scoffing at him. “You’re meant to look out for your little sister, not get her drunk and then let her wander off.”
“Huh?” He leans forward, his brows now pulled right down as I scoop up some eggs and try to chew them slowly. Ugh, I don’t think these are going to mix too well with the beer I consumed.
“Mmmhmm, my Luke saw her sitting on the curb, drunk out of her mind with you nowhere to be seen. It’s lucky he was there because if he wasn’t…” She trails off, her eyes misting over. “Let’s not think about that, but your dad wasn’t happy either.”
“Shit! Dad.” Aiden starts to stand up, but Kim holds her hand out.
“I called him to say you came over to see me and fell asleep on the sofa. You’re covered there.” She wags her finger at him. “But you don’t do that again, you hear me? You protect your sister with your life, you don’t let her fend for herself.”
When I look up at her, I sense the undertone in her words, but I ignore it. Whether anyone likes it or not, I am fending for myself. None of them know what happens behind that door as soon as it’s closed with only me and my dad in the house.
They’ll never know the pain that lives inside of the walls, the countless tears shed in his office, the amount of words thrown at me from his mouth. They’ll never know, and I never want them to. I don’t want to be looked at like I’m a victim, because that’s not what I am. I’m more than what happens to me, I’ll make sure of that.
I try to eat another forkful of eggs, but when my stomach churns, I place the fork down.
“Oh!” Kim shouts from the sink where she’s now washing the dishes. “Luke said to check your cell.”
“My cell?” I ask, my eyes wide as I reach for my pocket but find it empty.
“He left it on the coffee table for you.” Kim turns around, a knowing smile on her face. “Go see then.”
I can’t contain the excitement running through me as I dash into the living room and grab the cell before unlocking it to read the message.
Luke: You’ll have a sore head, take two Advil and drink a glass of water.
Luke: And I didn’t ignore you because of the kiss… okay, I did.
Luke: Fuck. Why can’t I get you out of my head?
