“It pisses me off sometimes,” he says.
“Yeah?”
“Like, losing our son wasn’t enough? Now we’ve lost each other? Fuck that.”
“Did you… try some counseling?”
“Yeah. Ayla was seeing someone and we went together a few times. I wasn’t exactly eager to talk about all our shit in front of a stranger, but I actually think it could have helped, if we’d kept going. But she… gave up.”
“So this split obviously wasn’t your idea.”
“Well…” He rubs his face. “It wasn’t exactly fun, all the tension. Arguing. Silence. It feels shitty to say it, but it’s kind of a relief not having to deal with that every day. We just couldn’t talk to each other anymore.”
“I’m sorry, man.”
He gives me a wry smile. “I’m okay. Sorry you’re going through shit, too.”
“I screwed up.” I look out the plane window as we start taxiing. “She was leaving and I didn’t want her to. I shouldn’t have pressed her for more. And I don’t believe in long term anyway.”
“Yeah, you’ve never really been with someone long term since I’ve known you.”
“I just like things to be simple and fun. No attachments.” I wince. “Or I used to. Then this woman… she showed up in my life and everything changed. I can’t even explain how hard and fast I fell for her.”
“Why is that?” he asks. “I mean, why do you like to keep things casual?”
“Life is short,” I say, using my standard answer.
“Oh, yeah.” His tone is heartfelt.
“You know that better than anyone.”
He nods, his mouth flat. “Yeah. But… that sounds kind of…”
“What?”
“That sounds kind of chicken shit.”
My chin jerks down. “What?”
“Like a cop-out.”
I turn and give him a glare. “A cop-out?”
“Yeah.” He rubs his jaw. “Hear me out. It sounds like you’re afraid of relationships. Because… why?”
“I’m not afraid of relationships.”
“Oh. Okay.” He appears unconvinced.
“Iwanteda relationship with Nikki. And look what happened! If Iamafraid of relationships, that’s why.”
“Right.”
I give him a sideways frown. I’m not afraid, for Chrissakes. I just know it’s better not to get too involved. And this whole thing with Nikki just proved me right.
“Let me give you some advice?—”
I hold up a hand. “No. Thanks.” Archie loves giving advice. Hockey advice, love advice, health advice. But I’m not in the mood for it.
