"It looks delicious," Ris says.
"Thank you, and thank you for joining us," Ernie replies to her.
We all dig in. I sit and listen as everyone engages in conversation. Ernie and Gladys talk to Luke about what they have planned for tomorrow. Jason is telling Ris one of his many "I'm the most remarkable humans on the planet" stories. I smile, and for the first time in over a week, I feel like I am finally home.
Chapter Thirty
After dinner, I help Gladys clean up. Luke helps Ernie, and Ris goes off with Jason and Austin. We all gather back together around the firepit. Ernie starts to talk about old times up here when Jason and I were little kids. I look over at Luke, standing next to Ernie, laughing at the embarrassing yet silly stories. Those were such simple times when things weren't so complicated.
He walks over to me, and I get up from my chair. He sits down, and I sit on his lap. Ernie is still talking about the good ole days. Gladys is back at their motorhome; I assume getting ready for tomorrow or settling in for the night. Ris is sitting between Jason and Austin, all laughing on mine and Jason's account.
"You smell good," Luke whispers in my ear. "I want to kiss you so badly, right now."
I look at him, believe me, the feeling is mutual. I smile, then lay my head on his shoulder, and he wraps his arms around me. Jason looks over at us then stands up from his chair. All I can think is, here we go. I thought Ris's charm would keep him occupied, but sadly, that's not the case tonight. He walks over to Ernie.
"Dad, are you okay with this?" he yells as he points over to Luke and me.
"You're okay with this piece of shit moving in on Ali?" he shouts.
Things are about to get bad, real bad. I can feel it. Ernie stands up, and Luke takes me off his lap, standing up as well. Ris comes over to me and grabs my hand. Austin stands up next to Jason. A confrontation is about to ensue. However, Ernie seems to be the voice of reason among these hotblooded boneheads.
"Jason, it's not our business. If they want to be together, it's their business, and there is nothing you can do or say about it. So, let it go, son." Ernie says in a loud stern voice.
I'm surprised by Ernie and his comment, but he's right. What Luke and I do or what we are is no one's business but ours. I am so glad Ernie spoke his mind.
"That's fucking bullshit. He comes here and takes everything from us," Jason screams.
Luke does not like what's going on and moves closer to Jason. His face quickly changes, displaying a confused yet angry expression.
"Woah! Take everything? What the fuck are you talking about?" Luke barks.
"That's enough!" Ernie yells.
Ernie does not want trouble any more than I do, especially when everyone is together to have a good time. He's had enough apparently, and so have I; I'm over this shit.
"No! He comes here looking for a handout. Then, he takes our women and is now taking over the shop," Jason screams.
Great, I can see this is not looking like it will end well, despite Ernie's clear and stern warnings to Jason. Luke looks heated as well. Ris grabs hold of my hand tighter as she watches the guys scream at each other.
I stand up. That's it, this shit is ending, and it's ending right fucking now.
"You all need to stop, and I mean it. This is so fucking stupid. If my dad were here, he would be livid at all of you for ruining such a beautiful night here at the cabin." I say, outraged, then take off towards the cabin.
"Ali! Ali! Ali, wait!" Ris shouts from behind me.
I do not even stop to wait for her. I keep walking to the cabin. I'm so unbelievably pissed right now. I get inside, walk to my dad's room, then slam the door shut out of frustration. I sit on the bed and start to cry. I tend to do that when I'm angry. Ris comes in and sits down next to me and gives me a big hug.
"Are you okay, Ali?" Ris asks as she hugs me tighter.
"I-I'm just tired of Jason and his bullshit. I'm tired of everything," I say.
I have not had it easy since I came back, and Luke has been the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. He's become someone I turn to, to lose myself in, sort of like my knight in shining steel toe boots. I'm falling for him, and Jason is ruining everything for me, just like he did when we were in High School. I know he's trying to look out for me, and he thinks what he is doing is best, but I make that decision, not him. I hate that this weekend is turning sour so quickly and that Ris is witnessing it. On top of that, I miss my dad like crazy, and being here puts the topping on the cake. What else could go wrong this weekend?
"I miss my dad; being here brings back so many memories. I should've made more time for him," I say, almost hysterical.
Ris lays me down on the bed and rubs my back while I cry my heart out. I wish I had been there for him more instead of
