Page 11 of Lucas

I’m rendered speechless that he’d even bring this up, at his party no less. “Everyone puts in a ton of work, it’s just that I usually write the songs and the music because I’ve done it all along. But, Jet and Trevor have given me some amazing ideas, too. I like the comradery of a band. Still, I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“Just think on it, Lucas. I know many talented agents who’d love to sign you to their label, but only if you ditch the band.”

Wow, my mother made it very clear not to use my family as a steppingstone, and now my father is practically handing me a contract on a silver platter. But only me. Not the band. Well, fuck that. It’s the four of us or none of us. Period.

With that, we part ways when he sees his old golfing buddy, Carl. I casually make my way inside the house to wash my hands and use the little boy’s room. I’m passing the library when I hear Landon’s voice whining to my mother. Oh, please. How Old Are You?

“What I can’t comprehend is why the hell the old man insists on Lucas coming to these family functions. He’ll never fit in with this family.”

“Believe me, I tried convincing your father a long time ago, but he insisted on giving his bastard child his surname and a stable home. How the hell do you think I feel, knowing his real mother was nothing but a barroom singer? A mediocre one at that.”

Laughter echoes off the walls of the library as I stumble forward without conscious thought. I numbly walk into the room, startling my mother and Landon. This was the same room in which my father read to me as a child. What a joke. My life as I know it has been one big lie.

Shock paints their faces as I cram my trembling hands inside my pants pockets. My heart’s thundering inside of my chest at this new turn of events. If what they say is true, I’m ecstaticherblood doesn’t run through my veins.

I see red when Landon holds up his hands in surrender. “It’s a little too late to wave the white flag, Landon. I want you to call Dad right now. He has some explaining to do.”

The woman I once knew as my mother interjects. “Lucas, we can discuss this like adults without involving your father!”

“Landon, call him, now!” I scream. My so-called mother shakes her head in a panic when Landon reaches for his phone.

“Lucas, please. I beg you, this is not the time and place to dredge up the past.”

“Really,Mother? I think it’s the perfect time since you and Landon were the ones who brought up my barroom whore of a mother. Call him now or I will find him somewhere on the grounds and confront him in front of all of his influential guests.”

Landon and his mother steal glances back and forth as I patiently wait to find out my fate. I want to run, pull my hair out by the roots and drown in a bottle of Jack. But I won’t do anything of the kind until I get answers from my father.

“Lucas, walk with me.” My dad’s voice. I’m so out of it, I didn’t even hear him enter the room. Once again, his hand rests on my shoulder, only this time, he squeezes for a bit of reassurance that I do not feel. Taking a deep breath, I turn to confront him as his hand falls from my shoulder.

“Is it true? Am I the illegitimate bastard from a one-night drunken stupor at a dive bar? Fuck! Why didn’t you have the balls to tell me when I was old enough to understand? Anything would have been better than being treated like a leper and feeling like I don’t belong. Who is she? Who is my real mother? I have the right to know!”

“Yes, you do, but this is not the time to discuss something of this magnitude.”

“The hell it’s not. Landon and my so-called mother thought it was the perfect time to make me the laughingstock of the family. The funny thing is I’m fucking ecstatic that I don’t share one ounce of her tainted blood!” I point at Mrs. Knight and she instantly turns pale. Her lips tremble, her eyes well, and I believe she’s going to cry. Either that or she’s one hell of an actress.

“Lucas, listen to me. We can discuss this once you’ve calmed down.”

Fuck! I need time to let this all sink in. Otherwise, I’ll go bullshit on everyone’s ass.

“You know what, you can all go fuck yourselves for all I care. I’m out of here. Don’t bother chasing after me. I’m so done.”

I go racing out of the room like a demon possessed as my name escapes my father’s lips. Too little too late to care now, Dad. It’s as if the valet already knows to have my car waiting when I burst through the front doors.

Good man.

I slam the door closed, start the engine, and I’m flying down the shadowy driveway at sixty miles an hour. The only thing that will make this shitshow tolerable is pussy.

***

Abby

Thanks to my friends,I didn’t get home until two in the morning. Yep, and my alarm went off at five since I opened today. I’m dragging ass, but it was worth it since I know they got home safe and sound. I hope they appreciate it since they’ll be sleeping the day away while I’m busting my ass.

My only consolation is that Saturday morning isn’t normally busy, since most people sleep in and do their shopping and errands later in the day. The lunch crowd, however, is always a bitch. Today is no exception.

Once I’m able to relax again, my eagerness to get home and crash in bed overwhelms me. Just a few more hours. In fact, I’m dreaming about my bed as I hold up the counter. Come on clock, move your ass!

“Girl, you look exhausted. Did you tie one on last night or what?” Maria with her inquiring mind notices my sluggish behavior.