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“Lake? What’s happened? What’s wrong?”
Lake lifted his gaze, his eyes bright with tears.“Iput you in here.”
Avery froze, stunned by his brother’s words. “No… no… Lake, you didn’t put me in here. I made choices of my own that led me here.”
“Yeah, but if I hadn’t taken your pills, you’d be free still.”
“I’d called in a refill. I was supposed to pick it up. I lost track of time and forgot.”
Lake’s lower lip wobbled as he stared at Avery.
“I had more pills available to me, and I messed up.Me. I’m the only one responsible for where I am right now.”
“But if I hadn’t taken them—”
Avery cut his brother off. “No. No, Lake. This isn’t your fault, okay?”
Lake’s lip quivered all the more. “So… so you don’t hate me?”
“Nooo,”Avery sensed the sting of his own tears. Lake’s remorse nearly broke him. “I don’t hate you. Iloveyou. You’re my pain-in-the-ass little brother whom Iadore.”
Tears fell from Lake’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“You don’t have to be. I put myself here.No oneelse.” Of course, there was a little truth to Lake’s words. If he’d had the pills, perhaps the avalanche wouldn’t have come down on top of him, but there was no way he put that on his brother’s shoulders. Ultimately, he’d made the decisions that led him to where he was.
Lake was silent on the other side. He wiped his face with the back of his sleeve.
“Is this why I haven’t had a visit sooner?”
His brother nodded. “Yeah. I was afraid you were mad.”
“I’m not, so you don’t have to worry. I’ve missed you.”
Lake smiled palely. “I miss you, too.”
“So, tell me what’s been going on?” He wanted to know more about how Lake was staying out of the Omega Quadrant, but he wasn’t sure who might listen in on their conversation. “How’s school? How’s Auggie? Tell me everything.”
Lake shared everything, a practical motor-mouth considering what the guy usually shared. Avery smiled through it, so happy to know his family was well outside the prison walls. By the time the visit had ended, he’d barely been able to speak to Wilder.
Wilder took the phone after his goodbyes with Lake.
“Sorry we didn't talk more,” Avery murmured.
“This talk with your brother was important.”
Avery pressed his palm to the glass. “Thank you for bringing him.”
Wilder smiled, and the sight of it made it harder to breathe. “You’re welcome, my love.”
My love.A fresh sting of tears hit him. He so wanted to be back in his alpha’s arms. At home. Sharing his days with family.
“Time!” one guard warned from his side.
“I have to go,” Avery said.
“I’ll be back next week,” Wilder promised.
* * *
