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I’m not usually the kind to go looking for advice from friends or family.
I’m usually the person people come to for advice. When it comes to medical issues, home improvement projects, money matters, and more, I’m the go-to man in my family. I know a lot of things about a lot of things.
But about this…
Deciding it’s time to take my therapist’s advice and let down my walls a little, I step outside, find a place in the shade beneath some blooming tulip trees, and text a couple of the people who matter most.
Chapter Thirteen
From the texts of Barrett,
Drew, and Christian McGuire
BARRETT: Apologies for interrupting your work (and vacation), but I need advice, and I don’t have much time. And yes, I’m aware that I never ask for advice, but I am now. So, I’d appreciate a minimum of giving-me-shit and a maximum of helpful feedback, please.
DREW: Hey! No worries, Tatum and I are just having lunch at the airport before we fly home. What’s up?
BARRETT: It’s Wren. She’s offered me a do-over for what happened in February. Tonight. I need to plan something unforgettable. But in a good way this time.
CHRISTIAN: Oh, yeah? A do-over for the thing you told me didn’t happen? Even though we all know you and Wren hooked up right before she left town.
BARRETT: How do you know about that? Drew?
DREW: I didn’t tell him! I promise.
CHRISTIAN: No, but you told Binx, who told Melissa, who told Matty, who told me. But don’t be mad at them. Binx was distracted by a big poker night win when she told Mel and Mel tells Matty everything because they’re twins. And Matty tells me things because we work on bikes together.
BARRETT: And because you’re the biggest gossips in the family.
DREW: Actually, I think that’s Mom. But she doesn’t know anything’s up with you and Wren. If that gives you any comfort, Barrett.
CHRISTIAN: But she suspects. Because she’s Mom. And because you adopted a dog and that’s not something you’d do unless you were under the influence of drugs. Or love. Or both. And for what it’s worth, I think you could totally make marriage work with Wren. She’s patient, kind, has a great sense of humor, and knows you’re all bark and no bite. All things Lane was lacking.
DREW: Not to say anything against Lane—I know you’re still friends, Barrett—but Christian’s right. Lane never saw you for who you really are. She took you at face value. She didn’t realize all the things she felt she had to look for outside your marriage were there all along. She just needed to dig for them a little.
BARRETT: I don’t want to talk about Lane. And I don’t want to get angry that Christian knew I was intimate with Wren and still asked her to that fucking ball.
CHRISTIAN: You can’t get mad at me! I asked you if it was okay and you said yes. After you lied to me about having romantic feelings for the woman. If anyone should be mad, it’s me. I’m the injured party here.
BARRETT: I can arrange for you to be injured.
CHRISTIAN: From the guy who tapped out after three reps on the leg press this week.
BARRETT: I was lifting nearly a hundred pounds more than you were, baby brother.
CHRISTIAN: Only because I tweaked my knee running the day before.
DREW: As fascinating as this gym rat detour is, maybe we should get back to the helpful advice part? Since Barrett said he was low on time, and we love him and want him and Wren to be happy? (Tatum also wants you guys to be happy, by the way, and is very excited by this text thread.)
BARRETT: Fuck. Please ask her not to tell Wren about this. I don’t want her to know I need help being normal.
CHRISTIAN: You’ll never be normal, but that’s part of your charm. And part of why Wren likes you. Just be yourself, but…less grouchy. Try to look on the bright side a little more and make more jokes. And smile, a real smile, not that tight little smirk thing you do.
BARRETT: So, become a completely different person in four hours. That sounds doable. Thanks, Christian.
DREW: You don’t need to become a completely different person. You just need to keep Wren’s feelings and needs top of mind, and make sure she knows how you feel about her. Let her know that you admire her and respect her. Make it clear that you think she’s beautiful, special, one of a kind. (This feedback is mostly from Tatum, who knows Wren and what women want way better than I ever will. And she promises she won’t tell Wren that you texted. But she also said that Wren wouldn’t judge you if she knew. She’d be honored that you opened up to us in the name of making things right with her. She’d understand that this kind of vulnerability is hard for you, even with family.)
