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“Tristan, what happened to Brandon was not because you had this cross.And if he gave it to you, then he would want you to have it.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Before he left, Scarlet added, “And Tristan, please don’t think you had anything to do with what happened to Brandon.I’ve heard many people that served with him tell me they feel it was their fault and it wasn’t.I’m sad, yes, but I also know that Brandon’s accident was just that—an accident—and he wouldn’t want any one of you blaming yourselves.He wasn’t like that.And if you’re worried about me blaming you, don’t.For whatever reason, it happened and we all have to live with that.But it’s not your fault.”She loudened her voice on that last part.And every now and again as she spoke, she looked at me in the corner of her eye.Which is how I knew she was talking to me, too.
When Tristan left, she tried to stifle a yawn.“You know what, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go home now,” she said.I could only imagine how taxing this day had been for her.
I replied, “Sure.I can take you home.”
“If you want to stay a little longer, though, I’m sure I can catch a ride with Brooke and Max.”
“No, I’m happy to take you home.”
It was quiet as we walked out of the funeral and got back in the car.Scarlet held herself with such grace and elegance, even in there, with everyone feeling sorry for her or awkward, not sure what to say to the fallen soldier’s sister.It was a lot to take in and she surprised me with how well she handled it all.And she stopped shedding tears after she saw her brother.Honestly, I think that was exactly what she needed—a moment alone with her brother, to just talk and let all of her emotion out privately.
When we got in and I started the engine, Scarlet took a deep breath and closed her eyes momentarily before opening them back up and spitting out, “I meant what I said, Colt.And I wasn’t just talking about Tristan.I’m not stupid.I know you blame yourself and have felt guilty since the moment you saw me when you changed my tire on the side of the road.”
“I’m sorry, Scar.I didn’t want to put that on you or make you feel like you needed to let me off the hook.”
“What I’m doing is making sure you don’t carry this around with you for the rest of your life.My brother wouldn’t want me or anyone to feel like they had to carry around a weight like this.I know it’s easier said than done, but let it go.Forget what happened over there.Because I know it’s haunting you.”
I did a really good job of hiding my feelings, but I guess she knew better.It was difficult not to be haunted by what happened over there.But I knew to get back to civilian life I needed to move on.However, being around Scarlet made it pretty damn hard to move on from what happened to Brandon.
“You’re not wrong.When I first met you, it was difficult for me to see you as anything but the grieving sister.But I’ve gotten to know you and you’ve become more than that to me.And I appreciate you saying what you did.I’ve been working on it—moving on.Being around you, is making it easier.”When I finished, she placed her hand on my upper arm in a delicate fashion.“I like you, Scar.”I don’t know where that came from, but it just shot out of my mouth before I could stop it.
I didn’t dare look her way, fearful she would be uncomfortable, but I caught her in the corner of my eye, grinning.“God knows, I’ve tried to ignore the feeling I get when I’m around you.But I like you, too.”
“It bothers you, doesn’t it?”I asked and sent her a knowing look.
She just arched an eyebrow, confused.
“You don’t like the dog tags, Scar,” I commented.“I’ve seen the way you look at them.The way you look at me after they catch your eye.”
She sighed and answered, “It has nothing to do with you, Colt.It’s just, I hate the reminder it gives me of what I lost.But I know it’s a big part of you and, like, you told me, I like you.”
“In spite of my military background.”
“Probably because of it.Hell knows, an experience like that shapes you.When my brother was on leave, I could tell he was different.More mature, more sure of himself, confident, if you will.It made him grow up faster than he already had to.He was different, but I liked the new him just the same.And I respect the Army.I just wish it didn’t take the only family I had left away from me.”
Before I could respond, my phone rang, startling both of us.I looked at the phone on the console and noticed it was Damon ringing.“You should answer that,” Scarlet said.
“It’s my brother.This’ll only take a second.”I answered and put it on speaker so I could still keep my eyes on the road.
“Geez, three rings later,” Damon said.
I laughed.“Sorry, man, we’re just coming back from the service.”
“We?Is his hot sister with you?”
Son of a bitch.Now I wish I never put it on speaker.“Yes she is and you’re on speaker.”
“Hey,” Damon loudened his voice.“What up, Scarlet?My brother here is the man.He’s a real catch.”
Scarlet couldn’t stop smiling.“I think so, too, Damon.”
“Oh, and sorry about your brother, Scarlet.Colt’s been real torn up about the whole thing.Hopefully the service brought you some sort of peace.”
“It did actually.I think it was just the closure I needed.”
