Page 92 of Love Me Not

What the fuck happened?Is this because of what happened with Aunt Kathy?

His eyes met mine, and a small, easy smile spread across his face.His entire body sagged as if he was letting out a sigh of relief.

He maneuvered through the small shop and took a seat across from me.I pushed a hot latte toward him.He looked like he needed it.

“Thanks,” he muttered, his eyes falling to the table.“And thanks for meeting me.”

“You’re my brother.”I reached over to hold his hand.“Regardless of what happened, I will always be here for you.”

“About that,” he said and cleared his throat.He sat up straight, his eyes finally meeting mine.“Ever since you left the hospital, I just felt so bad.The guilt is eating me alive, Juliette.I’m so sorry.I let her get inside my head with her comments and thoughts and I shouldn’t have.”

My heart broke at his words.He sounded so… broken.Regardless of how rude he’d been to me, I didn’t want my brother to feel this way.Ever.I’d rather take whatever they gave me tenfold than see him hurt like this.

“Hey,hey,” I said, dropping my voice.“It’s okay.I get it.How is Aunt Kathy doing, by the way?”

To be honest, I didn’t really care, but seeing that it caused my brother stress also messed with me.

“Better now that everything is paid for.She doesn’t know I’m here.After you walked away, she wanted nothing to do with you.The whole thing rubbed me the wrong way.The way she spoke to you… The way she talked about us…”

“Lucas, she’s a horrible person.And I can’t wait for you to get out of there.”His words dawned on me.“Wait.Everything is paid for?”I asked, an eerie feeling creeping up now.

“Yeah…” he trailed off, giving me a look.“By you.That’s why I’m here.To say thank you.I know she never would.”

I didn't like my aunt.I didn’t like her when I was younger, and I surely didn't like her after the way she spoke about my brother.

I would never pay for her hospital bills.Especially when it was her own fault that she didn't have insurance.

I also knew that she had money stashed away.I didn't know exactly how much, but I knew it had to be a comfortable amount.

“Why would you think I paid for it?”I asked, lowering my voice to a whisper.“Especially when you implied I was selling myself for money and she literally called me awhore.”

His fingers gripped the cup tighter.

“That was wrong of me.I didn’t mean it and I hope you know I'm sorry.I just… I don't wanna go to college.There.I said it.”

He looked up at me, his face completely serious.

“I'm done with school, Juliette.I know I planned to go, I know we talked about it, but people change.I’m not the same kid who used to love TV shows with college roommates and think that was the awesomest thing ever.”He paused for a second.“I know you always wanted the best for me, and you want me to succeed, but I would much rather do something else with my life.”

I ground my teeth together.He was right.He had the right to change and choose his own path in life.

“Lucas… I get it.But you still need a plan,” I said, urging him to look me in the eyes.“You don't have to take my money if it offends you so much.But I just want you to be able to provide for yourself.”

Regret was clear on his face.

“It doesn't offend me, Juliette.I was just taken off guard when I put two and two together.You and your boss?—”

“I’m going to stop you there.To be honest, whatever you think is your problem, not mine.What Lux and I have is our business, andonlyour business.Hopefully one day you’ll understand it.”

He paused again at my tone.Lux was right.I wasn’t just going to take it anymore.I didn’t deserve it.

“I’m… I’m sorry.That came out wrong.I don’t have an issue with Lux and you together or with the money.I just don't want it for college.”

Hope sparked in my chest and a smile threatened to pull at my lips.

“Then what do you want it for?”I asked, leaning forward.

“Trade school,” he said, looking up at me hesitantly.“I wanna be a lineman.You know, those people who fix the power lines?That’s what I want to do.”

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