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“Okay, I’ll fall on that sword. But I…” he let his words trail off.
Dean sighed. “Bro, what happened is not your fault. It could have been you opening that car door. I’m asking you to let go of the guilt, and that includes letting go of trying to find whoever did this.” He patted his wounded leg.
“Now why would I do that?”
“For your sanity.”
Raven blinked. “Then you’re okay with the bastard getting away with this shit?”
“That’s not what I said.” Dean’s expression turned sour. “I’m saying, you need to let it go because a man can’t handle a case like this when he’s feeling all the guilt. I’m going to find the responsible man who did this to me.”
Sinking back into the chair cushion, he skipped his gaze around the living room in the farmhouse at Ryde Hard. “And what am I supposed to do?”
Creases appeared around Dean’s mouth. “You know I wouldn’t mention this unless I felt it absolutely necessary. How much of this guilt stems from the fire and not the bombing?”
The question carried a wallop like it went straight to the center of his gut. “What are you talking about? The fire happened years ago. I’m over it.”
“We’re brothers, Rave. You’ve been my best friend since I was little. There comes a time when you need to peel back the layers and admit that you haven’t healed from the fire but simply brushed the event under the rug.”
He didn’t want to talk about the fire. He caught himself brushing his fingers over the scars on his cheek as he thought back to that day. He’d risked his life going into the burning house to save lives, but the elderly man had perished…
“I’m good, Dean. I am.”
“I think you have been for a long time, until the bombing triggered something. Maybe a memory. Forgotten feelings. Hell, I can get how those emotions wouldn’t stay buried forever.”
“What the hell?” Raven grunted. “You almost get killed and now you’re some gawd damn therapist?”
Dean laughed. “That’s what I’m trying to say. I was the one who almost bit the dirt from the explosion. If anyone should be angry here it’s me.”
“And you’re not?”
“Fuck yeah I am. Especially when I’m stuck here watching reruns. I never knew I’d miss work so damn much. But I’m handling the anger. So do me a favor and let me handle this. You, and all the brothers, have always treated me like a kid. I’m sure you all think this happened because of my negligence.”
Raven snorted. “No one thinks that, dude. Had the tables been turned I would have done the same damn thing. Opened that car door without thinking. You had no clue that it was rigged.”
Dean shook his head. “You’re lying. At least about the part of you doing the same. I’ve been living in the shadows of my brothers all my life. You’re all badasses who can sniff out a rat from any hole and rescue anyone off that mountain. Now is the time you all allow me to fight my own battles. If I need help I’ll let you know.”
Realizing no argument would change Dean’s mind, Raven didn’t add any pressure. “How’s physical therapy going?”
“About as joyful as you’d think,” he growled.
“If anyone can do this, you can.”
“Hell yeah, I will.” Dean laughed. “Now tell me, is the guest pretty?”
Raven blinked. “Why?”
A full smile spread Dean’s lips. “Sounds like you might be interested in a little challenge.”
“Is that all you got from everything I just told you? I think we had two different conversations.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you this riled up over a lady in a long time,” Dean replied.
“Again, you weren’t there. She’s snobby.” Who was he trying to convince because she might be snobby, but she was also smart, interesting, and strong minded.
Damn.
“So.”
