I smile at how raspy his voice is. “I love you, too.”
“These early morning calls have got to stop.”
“I don’t think so… You got anything new for me?”
There’s a pause, then the sound of wind rushing through the speaker. He’s probably on the roof again. “I’m good. There’s nothing new.”
“You’re good? You don’t sound good.”
“And how do I sound?” The aggravation in his tone makes me far happier than it should.
“You sound like Eden. Like yourself… Kinda like you always do. Like there’s something you wanna say but you always hold it in.”
He grumbles, “I just woke up early, that’s all.”
“And that’s different from every other day, how?”
“Quit doing this.”
I act innocent. “Doing what?”
“The thing where you push me for a reaction.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about… Have you found yourself, or whatever?”
“The fuck?”
Now I’m laughing. “I don’t know. You’re the one who ran away to the woods like you were trying to find out who you really were.”
“I was trying to not kill someone.”
“So have your homicidal tendencies died down yet?”
“They had until a minute ago.”
I roll my eyes knowing he won’t see it. This whole thing is pointless, but it’s perfect. “So who are you taking all that temper out on? The trees? Your dick—”
“I’m doing fine!” He interrupts and there's a stern finality to it. “How are things with you?”
“Fine.”Not fine.“Same as usual.”I’m falling for your brother.
“How’s Carey?”
My throat seizes. “He’s…” I have to cough to clear it. “Why don’t you call him and find out?”
“I don’t think he wants to hear from me.”
“I think you’re probably the only person he does want to hear from.”Other than me.
“Can’t you just… relay the information?” I know it’s selfish, but hearing the guilt in Eden’s voice makes me feel better about my own.
“He’s fine. He seems happy. The clients love him… He’s enforced a strict ‘staff must wear slippers in the shop’ policy.”
“Like fuck, he has.”
“If you’d call him you could ask him yourself.”
“Well when I get back I won’t be wearing—”
