AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Harsh.” He laughs.
“So two weeks?” Mom interrupts, clearly still hung up on the time frame.
“Yes. I don’t know the specific date yet. Wendy is emailing over the contract in the morning and I’ll know more. Filming will be in North Carolina and that’s where I’ll be staying for the foreseeable future.”
“In a hotel?” Mom asks.
“For now, yes. I’ll look into rentals if the situation becomes more long term. Right now they’ve only been signed for one season. It will depend on how the first does to determine how many will follow.”
“Congratulations, Laken. That’s awesome news.” Thad’s voice has my eyes pulling up to where he’s standing next to the back door.
“Thanks, Thad.” I smile, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten further when he nods once before disappearing back outside.
I don’t know if it’s me making something out of nothing but something tells me he wasn’t nearly as happy to hear the news as I was. On one hand I love that he doesn’t want me to leave–if that’s what it actually is. But on the other, I wish he didn’t care at all so leaving wouldn’t feel quite as impossible as it suddenly does in this very moment.
“I’m gonna go find Chris and tell him the news. We can talk more later,” I tell my mom, waiting until she nods before sliding past her. Throwing my younger brother a wave, I push my way through the back door.
While I really do plan to find Chris and tell him, I need to talk to Thad. So, instead of heading toward the garage where I know Chris is, I jog toward the camper, gently rapping on the door the moment I reach it.
Seconds later the door swings open and Thad comes bounding out, causing me to step backward off the stairs to get out of his way.
“Hey.” I grab at his bicep as he walks past me without so much as a word.
He stops the instant the contact is made, his eyes darting to my hand on his arm and then to my face.
“We need to talk,” I say almost pleading.
“I don’t think we do.” He pulls his arm away.
“Are you upset with me?” I call after him as he once again starts to walk away.
“Why the fuck would I be upset?” He spins back around, this time standing a few feet from where I am.
“I don’t know, but clearly you are.” I gesture toward him.
“I’m not upset that you got the part, Laken. In fact, I’m actually really happy for you.”
“Yeah, I can tell,” I snap back.
“You know, not everything is about you. But I’m glad you think you mean that much.” With that he turns and takes off toward the barn.
I’m not sure how long I stand there, shock and confusion blanketing me like a weight I can’t seem to shake.
Angry, hurt tears sting the back of my eyes and I have to take several deep breaths to keep them at bay. I will not cry. I willnotcry.
This is a day I have looked forward to nearly my entire life; I won’t let it be ruined by anyone, especially a man who would rather tear me down than celebrate in my victory.
Spinning on my heel, I march toward the garage to share my news with someone who might actually be happy for me.
—-
“So what do you say, sis, you in?” Ben says from his place beside me on the back porch where he, Chris, and I have been hanging out since after dinner.
Unfortunately because my mind has been a million miles away, I have no idea what the boys were talking about or what Ben is asking if I’m in for.
“In for what?” I turn my face toward him, not surprised when he rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
“Lord, do you ever listen?”
