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Then my phone rings.
“Will speaking.”
Then Horse’s.
“Colt here.”
Mine again.
“Will speaking.”
After a solid thirty minutes of back-and-forth between being myself and my brother, I’m mentally exhausted. Twin-swapping at sixteen for prom was way easier than this.
One phone rings. Caller ID says it’s Virginia. My shoulders relax, just seeing her name.
“Hey, how’s my favorite plant whisperer?”
“Um, I’m good? How are you?”
“Honestly, I’m disappointed. I’m sad and even a bit angry that you didn’t talk to me before you tried to cancel your contract.” I try to keep my voice neutral, professional.
Silence.
“Virginia, are you there?”
“Why are you angry? And why would I talk to you first?”
The way my heart rate spikes, I know my tone will be neither neutral nor professional when I answer.
“Are you serious? You didn’t think I might like to help solve whatever the problem is that has you quitting a job I thought you loved? One you’re damn good at? One that’s making hundreds of people happier and healthier in their offices?”
“I’m sorry. I truly am. But it’s too hard being in the building. And seeing you earlier this week made me realize that it’s going to be impossible to function once Will gets back. I can’t do it. Can’t be that close to him and not be with him.”
My gut drops. I pull my phone from my face and tap the screen.Shit, shit, shit. She’d called Colt. I’m supposed to be Colt.
“Why did you call Virginia?”
“Because Reshma said you were working off-site all week, and I need to talk to you.” She sighs and inhales a long breath. “But really, because I’m a coward.”
I clench my jaw so hard it throbs. I want to argue that she’s brave beyond belief, but Horse can’t say what I’m thinking. So I wait.
“Will asked me to go away with him, back to Lily Valley for a weekend when he gets home. But I suppose you know that, since you booked it, right?”
“I, um …” Right. Reshma asked her the name of this place for Horse. “Yeah, sorry if the surprise was spoiled.”
“He already asked me so, it’s all good. And I said yes, but …” Virginia pauses and the “but” hangs like an axe over my neck.
“I’m sure that made him happier than you can imagine.” I hear the frustration in my voice and force a fake smile so the next words I say sound more authentically Horse.
“I can’t do it, Colt. I can’t pretend that a weekend away will be enough. I can’t live in Will’s world, and he can’t live in mine, and there’s no middle ground here. I have to tear off the world’s most painful Band-Aid.” Virginia inhales a ragged breath. “But I can’t do it. I need your help. Please.”
Muting my phone, I yell, “Fuuuuuck!” and punch the wood desk. A shock of pain shoots through my knuckles and up my arm. I hit it again.
“Colt? Are you there?”
I take three fast breaths, knowing they aren’t nearly as calming as they need to be.
“Colt?”
