I salute him that I shall listen. “The wall, right?” I check to remember where we left off, and he nods to confirm. “I don’t think I see any other paths with Nash, but responsible me reminds myself that we are skipping a lot of steps.”
“Well… he does live with you.”
I roll my eyes. “Which feels like that might be a strange story, too. I think I just need to hear it one more time from someone that I’m allowed to be happy, and it just so happens to be with Nash.”
“The guy annoys the shit out of me, but he loves you. If he makes you happy then it’s okay.”
“Maybe I should slow us down, you know? Suddenly, Bo has more than an uncle in the picture. Nash is so much beyond. We have to tread carefully.”
Keats stares at me blankly. “Bo chews on his foot. He is fine.”
I crack a smile at his comment. “As true as that is, I wouldn’t want to do anything that will affect him. Nash is… great with him. None of us expected that. Maybe I didn’t want that. I was counting on him leaving after six weeks, yet he didn’t leave at all.”
“Sounds to me that you get to have everything you wanted. A friendship and a son. And now the guy who I’m fairly positive you wanted all along. Now you just need to come to terms with it.”
My eyes grow as I sigh. “You’re supposed to be solving this situation for me. That’s kind of crazy too. Your romantic life needs improvement.” I pinch his arm.
“We’re focusing on you today,” my brother deadpans.
“I’m kind of surprised how calm you are. Considering my life is imploding, I thought for sure you would go brother bear on me.”
“Meh, as much as I want to punch a few people, it’s a holiday weekend. I’m being considerate. Besides, Nash hasn’tactuallydone anything wrong. It’s you and what’s inside of your head that’s the problem. The pin will drop any moment, I feel it.”
I have to smirk at his optimism. “Did you really just have a few drinks with friends last night after work? Are you sure they didn’t slip anything into your food?” I joke.
“Funny.” He slides his eyes to the side then back to me. “Take the afternoon to breathe and lightning will come. Now don’t fucking ponder any more right now, I want to take you for lunch or at least try this coffee place in town. I would say it’s part of my marketing plan to get you to move here, but I think you would much rather still refresh and start your life anew in Lake Spark.”
My brother cares so much, and it makes the corners of my mouth hitch. “You’re probably right. In fact, I know you’re right. Just need a little more time to clear my head.”
Keats stands up and offers me his hand. “Coffee it is then.”
Chipping the brick away. It takes time. I’m not there yet, but the brick wall is getting smaller.
Arriving back to my house,I see the lights on upstairs which tells me that Nash is home and probably getting Bo to bed. I was expecting that. I just wasn’t expecting Walter to be waiting in his car on the street.
This was bound to happen at some point, but still, I slide out of my seat with a little dread. He exits his car and walks toward me. Closing my door, I take a few steps to meet him halfway.
“Summer.”
“That’s me.” I avoid looking at him and examine the area instead. The outside lights are enough for us to read one another.
He clears his throat. “I owe you an apology. A big one.”
My shoulders sag, and my mouth quirks out. “I think you also said what you think.”
“Maybe so, but I could have worded it better, and I was out of line. It’s just hard to figure this all out. They’re both my sons and very different in all ways. Except they share one thing in common, and that’s… you.”
My gaze snaps in his direction, and he must sense that he caught me off guard. “I believe you realize that, too.”
Crossing my arms around my body, I inhale a long breathonly to let it fall out. “I don’t want you to think that I’m a horr?—”
He holds his palm up in protest. “I don’t, so no need to say it.”
“How long have you been waiting?”
“Nash was with Gail all afternoon, and he mentioned you would be back later. I arrived here and he was already upstairs. He hasn’t realized that I’m here.”
I chortle a laugh. “Maybe that’s for the best. I want to remain on good terms with my neighbors.”
