Page 45 of A Simple Regret

I nod before turning toward him. “Let’s go in the garage.”

I unlock the door and step inside, turning on the overhead lights, and moving farther into the room. Walking straight to the fridge, I pull out two bottles of water and hand one over. He doesn’t say a word, allowing me to take a drink and lean against my workbench.

“Wyatt?” I finally ask.

He nods. “I bet it was a shock.”

I snort. “You think?” Running my hand over my face, I set my water down and strip off my winter gear. “I was talking to Charli on the phone when she told me she was back in town at the same time I saw Maren next door. I’m actually shocked she didn’t tell you guys.”

He shrugs. “I might have heard grumblings about it.” But Collin is the last one to gossip or create more talk.

“Adam asked me to help move some of her furniture inside. I didn’t want to,” I confess. “I didn’t want to go anywhere near her, but I couldn’t tell him no. He’s always been good to me, you know?”

“Yep.”

“Anyway, I helped and got to meet Theo,” I say, a smile instantly tugging against my lips as I recall meeting that chatty little boy.

“Dad?” he asks, watching me closely.

“Not in their lives,” I reply. “Hasn’t supported them at all.”

“Asshole,” Collin mutters.

“Yep.”

“And the sledding?” he asks, the corner of his mouth ticking up a bit.

I shrug and shove my hands in my hoodie sweatshirt. “Bought stuff for him to use in the backyard, as well as a bigger sled. Got the idea to take them to Wyatt’s place, and she agreed.”

“Do you think that’s wise?” he asks, not a hint of judgment in his question.

“Probably not,” I reply with a humorless chuckle. “But my mouth seems to run before my brain can catch up.”

He snorts and grins a little. “That’s a common problem in this family.”

“I know you’re worried.”

He shrugs. “Only because you were in a pretty bad place for a long time after she left.”

“I know.”

“And I don’t want that to happen again.”

“Me either,” I tell him honestly. “But…” I kick at an invisible rock lying at my feet. “I can’t seem to stay away.”

He doesn’t say anything for a solid minute, but I don’t expect anything less from Collin. He’s the quiet, broody one, and the least likely to force conversation. “I don’t have the magic words for you, but I can offer a bit of advice, based on my own relationship. Talk to her. Get it all out in the open. Don’t hide your feelings or even force them. If you can’t forgive her for what happened more than seven years ago, then walk away. Be happy.”

He swallows hard and levels me with an intensity I’ve come to associate with my oldest brother. “But…if there’s a chance, don’t miss your shot at happiness because you didn’t open your mouth. Trust me, the guilt and fear will keep you up at night.”

I know he’s referring to his relationship with Lizzie, and the time when she found out about his ex from the ex herself and not him. He thought he was going to lose her then and there, but it turns out, Lizzie’s pretty fucking awesome. She let him explain what happened and why he didn’t talk about the details of his failed relationship.

The difference is, my past pain and the woman who’s currently standing before me—figuratively, of course—are one and the same.

“All right, I’m gonna head up to The Lizard. My girl’s there, and I want a kiss.” This time, he doesn’t hide his wide smile.

Lucky bastard.

And I’m not talking about Lizzie, per se, though I think she’s pretty great. I’m just happy for my brother, who overcame heartache and found the woman he wants to spend forever with.