When he never got that chance, he’d just kept it all inside and moved on.
“We’d been...talking back then,” he finally admitted. “Pretty sure I was in love with her.”
“I know.”
Shocked, Derek said, “Youknow?”
“Well, I didn’t know, but I assumed.”
What the hell?“How? I never said anything.”
“Dude, how many times do I have to tell you? You can’t hide shit from me. I could see it in your eyes when you talked about her before you even left for BUD/s. Hell, I could hear it in your voice when you’d call. Never could understand why you gave her up so easily.”
His brother’s words were like a punch to the gut. “I know.”
“Ah, shit, D. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“No, you’re right. I should’ve fought for her. Maybe if I had—”
“Fight for her, now,” Eric cut him off.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Derek glanced back at her bedroom again. “I don’t know, Eric. This really isn’t the time.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” His brother paused before throwing out a sarcastic, “Holding back worked out so well for you before.”
“Fuck you. This is different.”
“You’re right. It is.”
Derek clenched his teeth together. “I hate it when you agree with me, but I know you don’t actually fuckin’ mean it.”
“Oh, I mean it, brother. This time itisdifferent. You’re adults now. And you both know what happened in the past was just a mistake.”
“She’s married.”
“So, fix it.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “Easier said than done. You didn’t see the way he was with her, Eric. Porter won’t let go of her without a fight.”
“So, bring him one.”
“How?”
“Hell, I don’t know. Use that super-smart brain of yours and figure out a way to get to him. If it’s one thing I’ve learned in this job, it’s that everyone has an Achilles’ heel. There’s always that one thing they care about more than anything else. My guess is Porter’s no different.”
“I’ve looked, Eric. I didn’t find anything.”
“Keep looking. Or, ask Charlie. I bet she knows his weak spot.”
Derek thought a moment. “Yeah, maybe. I’ll ask her.”
“Listen, I hate to cut this short, but I gotta go. Tell Charlie I promise I’ll try to see her soon.”
“Okay.”
