“He would, yet we can’t go back and change a thing. No matter how much either of us wants to.”
I studied him. Eli had been sort of a younger brother to him too, between being my friend and having Eli at his house, thanks to Summer. Teller had lost Eli too. “I wasn’t there for you either. After the accident.”
“We were all a little more worried about you surviving.”
“I did.”
“You had a fuck ton of close calls. Besides, I had my parents. They wouldn’t let me weather a thing alone. My siblings were annoying as fuck. I gave you space to heal, and then... All you wanted was space.”
“I couldn’t do what I used to.”
“We could’ve done other stuff. Hell”—he spread his arms out to encompass my shop—“what you’re doing here is fascinating.”
“I wouldn’t have been fun to be around.”
“You know damn well I’m not like that. You locked everyone out. When I heard about you and Summer, I thought you were finally coming around. Instead, you hurt her and here you are alone. Again.”
“I’m not a family man.”
Teller crossed his arms. “Why not?”
I opened my mouth. Slammed it shut. “I’m just not. I never was.”
“Bullshit. You’d have grown up and matured.”
“Is that what you did?” I’d give anything to get the focus off me. The spotlight was hot and I was getting sweaty and itchy under the collar.
“I haven’t found the right person. Who knows if I ever will, but we’re not talking about me. Why the hell do you think you’re better off up here by yourself?”
“I’ve always been?—”
“Bullshit.”
My anger burned hot, compressing my lungs. “No wonder I quit talking to you, asshole.”
“I should’ve kept pushing, but don’t worry. I learned my lesson. And you were never alone. You werealways with someone. Your dad. Eli. Me. My brothers?—”
“And I let them all down!” I roared. I pounded the truck with the side of my hand. The noise scared a bird out of the trees. “Goddammit.”
I squeezed my hand and lurched away before I did something epically stupid like break a bone. Then I’d have jack all to do in my shop. I walked in a small circle, and for once since he’d arrived, Teller shut up.
I stopped with my back to him, staring at the house that had been built for a family. My future family. The house that’d had only me for the last fifteen years. Until Summer.
Thinking of her was like taking a hot brand to my heart. I barely noticed the gash in my hand throbbing after hitting the truck. “I let Summer down too. She wanted more from me, and I can’t give her more.”
“Bullshit.”
I spun, and the fire in my hip flared, but I ignored it. “Say that word one more time and I’ll roll each and every one of those barrels over you.”
“Well, they’re empty.”
Just like my threat.
“You’ve been able to lie to yourself for years.” He continued his onslaught. I couldn’t even walk away. He was at my goddamn house. “Which I reckon is why you prefer to be alone. No one can call you on it.”
“You need to leave.”
The fucker crossed his arms and leaned against the delivery truck. “No, man. I’m delivering some reality today.”
