Hello, lovelies! This chapter is a nice chill one after the last one, hope you enjoy! ~Shaymie

Angela

"You don't have to help me, Luke. I've done this on my own before."

Angela realized how harsh her voice sounded and quickly apologized. Truth be told, she could probably use Luke's help, even if he didn't know what he was doing. Two pairs of hands were better than one and the sooner she got the chores done, the sooner she could go see her sister. Molly had spent the night at the clinic after her seizure at the festival. She'd been unconscious for a couple hours before waking up late in the afternoon. When nighttime rolled around, she insisted Angela go home.

Since the carpentry was closed today, Luke decided to stay over last night. He held her all night and stayed up with her when she couldn't sleep, just talking about whatever came to mind. She finally managed to fall asleep when he was in the middle of a story about how he and Owen once set the classroom on fire during a science class gone wrong. Her bed normally wasn't the most comfortable thing on the planet, but sleeping in his arms made her feel like she was in heaven.

This morning, Luke woke up before her and decided to try and surprise her with breakfast. It was a sweet thought, but his culinary skills were non-existent. She woke up to hazy air and the acrid scent of smoke filling her nostrils. The sight that greeted her when she entered the kitchen was both hilarious and sad. With the exception of the eggs, Luke had burned everything he made. They were lucky Molly wasn't home because the kitchen was a complete disaster zone. Angela made some toast (covered in Molly's coveted homemade blackberry jam) to go with the eggs and after a quick, depressing breakfast, they got to work cleaning up the kitchen.

He'd been worried she would be upset, but she thought the whole thing was hilarious. And Mikhail would have never gone through the effort. Even when he was in town, he left their apartment before she woke up most days. The rare times he would try to surprise her with breakfast, he just ordered out. The kitchen in their apartment went unused unless Molly happened to visit. Angela would go home to eat because she didn't like being alone.

But even though Luke knew he couldn't cook, he still went through the effort to do something special for her. The eggs had been overcooked, but they were still the best damn eggs she's ever had.

"Man, how do you do this shit every day?" Luke grunted as he tugged out the last weed. Angela let out an unladylike snort. She could ask him the same thing. Working on that old house has left her exhausted and sore. And chopping down trees... She didn't understand how he did it all day, every day and was still so energetic. The answer was probably just time. He's been helping his father since he was a teenager, while she jumped into this whole farming thing unprepared and insistent on handling the heavy things on her own.

"It was easier in the spring. I planted a lot this time around to make up for what I spent getting Molly's friends here." She almost certainly could have saved money if her decision to have them visit hadn't been so last minute. This next harvest combined with her pay from working with Dale should help her make back what she spent. She sighed and stood up straight, dumping the remainder of the watering can over her head. It felt like the summer was only getting hotter and hotter.

Luke's eyes zeroed in on her now damp tank top. Angela smirked. They did have the house all to themselves, and it's not like she had to go to the clinic right when it opened. If anything, it would be better to let her sister take it easy a bit longer. But she knows how much Molly hates doctors and hospital rooms. She found it easier to handle them with Angela at her side. It hurt her to leave Molly in the clinic all night, but she still had work to do on the farm.

"Thanks for the help, Luke." She stepped over and kissed his cheek. She still doesn't think she deserves someone like him. How can he not be bothered by her past? Most guys wouldn't be so chill about it. She didn't think Luke would be the type to call her a slut, but she also hadn't expected him to just... brush everything off the way he has. He didn't get jealous or ask how many guys she's been with (which she honestly didn't even know).

Instead, he calls her beautiful every day.

"Heh... No problem, Ange. I know you've got a lot of stuff on your plate." His cheeks were bright red. While she got embarrassed at any compliment he gave her, unused to actually being appreciated, he got embarrassed when she did literally anything. If she wasn't careful, she'd end up with an inflated ego. Though it would be nice to have a bit of confidence and not always compare herself to her friends or sister.

"I'm going to hop in the shower before I stop by the clinic. You wanna come with?"

"In the shower?" Luke's eyes widened as he stared down at Angela, that adorable blush spreading across his face. She's sure his nose would be bleeding if this was an anime. She laughed at the misunderstanding.

"No, babe, to visit Molly. Unless... You want to come in the shower with me. You are a pretty dirty boy." Luke's body was sweaty, and dirt caked his forearms and face. He didn't have any clothes here, but maybe he could borrow some of Kasey's clothes that Molly had lying around. They were around the same height. Angela grinned and wiped some dirt from Luke's face. She could feel the heat of his skin through her glove. "How about it, babe? We could... wash each other's backs."

The moment was ruined by someone nearby clearing their throat. Angela took a step back from Luke and looked over at whoever had interrupted them, white-hot rage running through her veins when she saw that it was Mark. First they had to deal with Chelsea, now him? He had some fucking nerve coming here. Luke took her hand in his, calming her down a bit. Just barely.

"I heard about what happened. I'm... sorry about Chelsea." Mark coughed anxiously and rubbed his neck. Angela wanted to wrap her hands around it and strangle him. Molly's been doing so well and then the two of them show up and just fuck her over. Angela's aware of that whole one step forward, two steps back thing, but she doesn't want that for Molly. It isn't fair. Her sister hasn't done a single thing to deserve this.

"You're sorry? You don't fucking get to be sorry, you asshole. Get off of my property." Luke was the only thing keeping her from throttling him. He had no right being here, pretending like he cared about Molly. He shouldn't even be here at all. What the hell was Chelsea's dad thinking, sending them here? Instead of spending money for them to be able to harass Molly some more, he should be paying for counseling for his daughter since there's clearly something wrong with her. Maybe he should have paid attention to her instead of just throwing money around.

"Angela, just listen—"

"Go away!" She hated the heaviness in her throat that caused her voice to crack. Angry tears burned her eyes. She's the oldest. She should be protecting her siblings but instead she abandoned Kasey, leaving him to handle the bills alone. It's no wonder he's not answering his phone. He's probably working himself to the bone trying to keep everything together. They didn't even really talk it out, they just told him they were leaving and left.

And Molly... Angela insisted that the two of them would be fine, but Molly's always been closer to Kasey. He's been glued to her side since she was born. They were barely more than toddlers when their mother had her miscarriage. Their father had sat them down and told them that Kevin was sick and had to go away, that he couldn't be with them.

When Molly was born, Kasey had latched onto her, promising to be the best big brother on the planet. He didn't want her to... go away like Kevin had. He didn't want to lose another little sibling. It certainly didn't help that Molly'd been a preemie baby and spent a week in the NICU before she could go home. Those newborn months were awful, especially after their mother's death. Molly didn't take to formula well and barely ate anything. They had to rely on donated milk from a surrogate.

Kasey did everything he could to make Molly smile. Over time, he became the only person she'd calm down for when she was having a fit. He would sing lullabies to her or give her toys to distract her. It was no wonder their bond was as strong as it is. He would have been the better choice to come here with her. He's always the better choice, the better sibling. He's the one with a degree in environmental science. Maybe they should have tried harder to convince him to come because although she'd never say it to his face, she missed him.

Mark's still here. He's still talking, but she couldn't care less. She wanted him to leave already. Shouldn't he be with Chelsea, patching up her pride? It had to have taken a beating yesterday. She seemed to think that she was untouchable.

"I'm giving you ten seconds to leave before I beat the shit out of you. I don't care what you have to say. I want you to leave, and if I hear you've been anywhere near my sister, I swear to god I will fucking kill you." Luke squeezed her hand tightly. She's almost positive he'd stop her from actually hurting Mark, or at least do his best to. It had taken both him and Owen to stop her from getting involved yesterday. Even with the two of them holding her back, itShe thought she knew anger, but nothing could ever compare to the fury that had filled her when Chelsea brought up their mother's suicide like it was nothing.

The next couple of seconds felt like an eternity, but Mark finally left. Angela felt her anger evaporate and hot tears start pouring down her face. Why is she crying? She shouldn't... she's not the one who should be crying. If anyone should be crying, it's Molly. Molly's the one who's been having a tough time. All Angela's done is stand on the side and let her sister deal with everything.

"Ange...?" Luke's voice was hesitant. Angela sniffled and angrily swiped at the tears. Her chest felt stupidly tight, her breath coming out in shuddering gasps. It's fine, everything is fine, there's no reason for her to be acting like this. Why did it feel like the world was closing in on her? She flinched when Luke put his arm around her shoulder, "Hey, it's alright. He left, and I don't think Chase is gonna let him mess with Molls."

Chase...? Oh, that's right. He got to spend the night in Molly's room because for some reason she didn't see the need to kick him out. Of course she didn't. He hasn't disappointed her the way Angela has. Some big sister she is. She hasn't done shit for Molly.

She's only vaguely aware of Luke leading her to the house. Somehow she managed to gather herself enough to ask about the tools they'd left scattered out in the field, but he reassured her that he'd clean up. He ran her a bath using one of Molly's bath bombs—which he promised to replace even though she's sure Molly won't mind—and gently helped her get undressed. Something about the intimate action embarrassed her, but she didn't understand why. It's not like this is the first time he's seeing her naked.

"I've got you Ange," he murmured tenderly as she lowered herself into the warm water. His words made her chest feel a bit lighter. She's normally the one saying that to others. Nobody's ever said that to her. Why would they? She's the oldest, it's her job to be the protector. It's her job... but she's terrible at it. Kasey's the glue of the family. He held everyone together after their father died while she just ran off and got drunk and refused to face her feelings.

"Sorry for freaking out like this, Luke. I don't know what got into me."

"Nothing to be sorry for, Ange. Everyone cries sometimes, right?" She frowned at that, running her hand through the pink-tinted water and scattering the dried rose petals. Sure, people had to cry sometimes, but they didn't typically do it for no reason. She isn't scared of Mark or intimidated by him. She hated him. There's no forgiving what he did to Molly. He should be in fucking jail.

"I put you through a lot of stupid shit, don't I?" Angela asked with a rueful chuckle, watching him wet a towel and lather it up. He was gentle as he started scrubbing the dirt from her body. She had so many issues that she probably should have worked through before agreeing to date him, like her stupid jealousy and low self-worth. She tried to not talk bad about herself anymore but he seemed to know when she was doubting herself and did his best to make her feel better.

"It's not stupid, Ange. You've been through a lot." He kissed the top of her head and gave her a tiny smile. He was shockingly patient with her, more patient than Mikhail had ever been. She shouldn't judge a book by its cover. She'd initially written Luke off as a loud idiot and wouldn't have ever dreamed of... falling in love with him. The thought still made her feel all fuzzy. It surprised her how quickly she'd fallen for him. She knew Kasey would probably have some things to say about it, but he didn't even know she'd started dating Luke since he's MIA. "I know you're really strong, but... can you let me take care of you? Just this once?"

"I love you," she whispered, leaning in to kiss him. He was surprised, but returned the kiss eagerly, his wet hand resting on her shoulder. "You're so good to me. Sometimes I think I don't deserve it. It's hard getting out of that mindset of thinking I'm not good enough for anybody. I'm just so used to people using me for sex and leaving. I mean, I did the same to them, but..."

"Lucky for you, you're stuck with me!" Luke's chipper tone managed to scare off the cloud that had begun to settle over her head. It's still confusing. She still doesn't know what drew him to her and made him willing to put up with her issues. Really, she should be saying that he's stuck with her. She held back the comment, though. Instead she focused her energy on enjoying the warm bath and the feeling of Luke's hands carefully running over her body, ridding her from the dirt and sweat that coated her skin.

She wished the tub was bigger so they could both get in. Not for sex—though she imagined that would make a mess anyway—but just so he could hold her. She felt safe in his arms. Maybe she was a bit starved for affectionate touches, but it would embarrass her to ask for them like... like some neglected animal or something. Sometimes she just wanted to sit wrapped up in his arms for hours.

Luke loves her and would do anything for her, and he asked to take care of her. He offered and he's nothing like Mikhail. In fact, he'll probably be glad to have an excuse to hold her close. He won't consider it a problem in the slightest. But she can't bring herself to ask because what if he thinks she's asking for too much? What if she's being too high-maintenance? She chewed her chapped lip in thought, bringing Luke's attention to her.

"Ange? What's wrong? Is the water too cold?" He stopped washing her to check the temperature. The loss of his skin on hers made her want to cry. She shook her head, fresh tears welling in her eyes, and grabbed his hand.

Don't leave, don't stop touching me, I need you...

"H-Hold me." She's sure her face is flaming. How pathetic is it, asking to be held like a needy little kid? She couldn't look at his face so instead she looked down at his hand, turning it over and tracing the rough calluses on his palm. Holding his hand helped a little, but she still wanted more. It didn't even have to lead to sex, she just wanted to touch him. "After this, can we just sit on the couch for a bit? I want you to hold me. I feel... better when you hold me."

"You don't have to cry, Ange." He dried his free hand on his jeans and wiped away her tears. His touch sent shivers down her spine. She could just melt right now. He gave her a warm smile and kissed her forehead. "After this I'll sit with you as long as you want, okay?"

"Okay..." She felt like a child asking for attention, but he was willing to give it to her, no questions asked. She didn't want to let go of his hand so he ended up bathing her one-handed. She stared down at their joined hands the whole time, a light blush on her face. She never would have thought he'd be so sweet and thoughtful. He's almost a completely different person when she's involved.

An hour later they were cuddled up on the couch together. Angela was curled up in Luke's lap, an awkward fit because they were around the same height—she was about three inches shorter—and she had long legs. She wasn't really paying attention to the movie on the TV. She couldn't remember what it was. It didn't matter, not when Luke was here, resting his chin on her head and rubbing her arms. She had purposefully dressed in another tank top and a pair of shorts to feel as much of him on her skin as possible.

She buried her face in his chest with a sigh. He had taken a shower and was now wearing some of Kasey's clothes, though his own unique woodsy scent still lingered. It was... nice. So, so nice. Maybe she'd ask him to do this again. He doesn't seem to mind it. This was even better than sex. Maybe this was even why she had resorted to sleeping with so many people. She'd seen the way Lillian and Mikhail would embrace in her posts online and remembered watching Molly and Ash snuggle for hours.

Sleeping around would at least get someone to touch her.

"I love you," she found herself whispering again. Her heart warmed as he whispered it back. It felt nice having someone say it back.