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“Counseling?”
“Between that and Avery, I had no idea. Relationships sure stir stuff up. Lot of issues. You know?”
Tripp glances over as if he expects me to get what he’s saying, and the truth is, I do get it. This whole thing with Annalise has got my mind spinning a hundred directions, and worse, there’s a whole slew offeelingsattached to the sludge that’s getting dredged up. It’s like a mirror got shoved in my face and, lo and behold, I’m the Beast.
Water spurts from the fountain in the center of the murky pond, and I stare into the spray. “Makes you question the kind of man you are.”
Tripp’s lingering gaze lasts long enough to restart my squirming. “Oh man. You’re in love with my sister, aren’t you?”
“No.” But it’s a kneejerk response.
He shakes his head.“My sister.”
The fountain sputters, then spews forth again.Oh manis right. Love?Is this sick, heart-wrenching feeling in my gut love?
I fork my fingers into my scalp. Surely this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
The mind reader says, “Yep, you’re in love alright. Got it bad, too.”
Pain radiates along my jaw. “You don’t have to worry. After five tonight, I’m not a problem anymore.”
“I don’t think that’s how love works.”
I brace for a fist, because being okay with me taking care of his little sis is one thing, but loving her—that’s just over the line.
“Cannot say I saw this coming. I was surprised when I realized it of Annalise but didn’t think for a minute it would be mutual.”
I nearly snap my neck in two. “Mutual?”
“Oh, yeah. When she and I talked this morning, it was so obvious a blindfold couldn’t hide it.”
I knew there’d been a shift between us. I mean, the chemistry in our kisses was mind-blowing. But love? She’s awesome. Me, on the other hand? I am not a keeper. I don’t measure up. I’m a…releaser? Releasee? Pitch my scaly self back into the swamp and hope for better luck next time the line snags. “Like I said, I’m no longer a problem.”
“You’re giving up?”
I hear disapproval, but shouldn’t he be ecstatic? It’s not like Annalise is going to write me lovelorn letters. I wouldn’t allow it. “I’d say it’s time to face facts.”
“I’ve never known you to quit before, Gonzo.”
“Maybe this is the new me.”
“What’s wrong the old you?”
My clasped hands ache as I stare at an ant trailing the dirt between my feet.
“You beating yourself up, man?”
Now I’m just confused. “I don’t get you, Walker. One minute you’re accusing me of so much evil I can’t even be near your sister, and now you’re telling me I’m too hard on myself. Which is it?”
He drags his hand along the back of his neck. “Look, I’m not going to lie. I admit I haven’t been thrilled with the idea of you and Annalise. I don’t exactly love the way you do relationships.”
“I don’t do relationships.”
“Exactly.”
One of the ants is lugging a crumb of something back to his hidey hole. I’d like to crawl in there with him.
Tripp scuffs his chin. “The thing is, in other regards, you’d be the perfect brother-in-law. And honestly, I think you can figure the whole relationship thing out. Once ol’ Cupid’s arrow hits…it changes everything. I believe you’d be as loyal—faithful—as any man out there. That’s who you are.”
