Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,48

talk about it?”

I might not be able to help, but I can be there for him.

Colton turns away from me and walks to his closet. “It’s okay. I’ll just change quickly, then we can leave.”

I stare at his back, and not knowing what else to do, I let out a sigh and walk back to my room.

Minutes later, Colton taps on my door. “Let’s go.” There’s still a stormy look in his eyes, and again I wish I could make him feel better.

Feeling uncomfortable, I say, “We don’t have to go out.”

Colton forces a smile to his face, and it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Come on. Getting out will do us both a world of good.”

“Okay.” I follow him out of the house, a frustrated sigh drifting over my lips. Colton always manages to cheer me up, and I have an overwhelming need to do the same for him.

But I don’t know how to make him feel better.

We climb in the truck, and once we’re driving down the street, Colton asks, “What are you showing me first?”

I think of all the places I can take him to, and knowing all the kids from school will be at Devil’s Bluff, I shelf that idea. “Ah…” My mind races, and not able to come up with anything, I ask, “Do you want to walk around town? You can see all the stores?” Knowing I need to tell Colton about my looking for a job, I add, “I’ve been thinking about getting an after-school job. If we go to town, I’ll be able to see if there are any vacancies.”

A frown forms on Colton’s face as he steers us in the direction of the main road. “Why do you want to get a job? It will interfere with your study time.”

I shrug, and glancing out of the window at the houses passing by, I awkwardly mutter, “I need to get some form of income. I can’t just live off you and your mom.”

And what if something goes wrong and I have to leave?

COLTON

I know it’s only normal for Brie to think of finances, but it’s the last thing I want her worrying about.

I glance at Brie and see that she’s staring out of the window. She’s clutching her hands together, and it’s clear she’s tense.

I place my right hand over hers and give it a squeeze before putting it back on the wheel. “You trust me, right?”

Brie nods, turning her eyes to me. “Yeah.”

“It’s our senior year, Brie, and if you want to go to college, you’ll have to study hard. It will add a ton of pressure if you get a job on top of all the school work.”

Pressure she doesn’t need right now.

“I know,” she mutters. She lets out a sigh, then explains, “It’s just… what if we get in a fight or I do something to upset your mom? Where would I go then?”

There’s a public park on our left, and I pull the truck over to the curb. Turning off the engine, I push my door open as I say, “Let’s go to the park.”

Climbing out, I wait for Brie and then start to walk. I spot a bench under a tree and head in that direction. Reaching it, I ask, “Want to sit?”

“Sure.”

I take a seat, and leaning forward, I rest my forearms on my thighs before addressing Brie’s worry. “I understand your concern, Brie. I’d be worried as well if I were in your position. All I can say is we won’t kick you out on the street.”

Brie also leans forward, and she tightly clasps her hands while staring at the ground. “You can’t say that for sure. What if something goes wrong?”

Keeping in mind that all the fights Brie had to face were never in her favor, I reply, “Let’s say we get into a fight, I’m not going to demand you leave. We’ll talk about whatever caused the argument and deal with it. Like normal people do.” I turn my eyes to her. “I’m not a petty person, Brie. I’ll never do that to you. The day I brought you home, I took responsibility for you.”

Brie shakes her head, a miserable look tightening her features. “I know you’re a good person, but… I shouldn’t be your responsibility. You’re only a year older than me. You have your own life to worry about.”

Brie needs to feel like she’s contributing to the household, or she’ll never feel like she’s a part of it. I change my strategy