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“Sorry, Uncle Travis,” she replied sheepishly. “But, um, if that thing’s in here, I’m not sure she’s gonna stop.”
“You might be right,” he said with an affectionate grin. He turned his attention back to Gertie, attempting to coax the stubborn goat away from the speed bag. “Come on now, Gertrude, you’ve shown that bag who’s boss. Let’s give it a break, huh?”
Reluctantly, Gertie ceased her assault on the speed bag, allowing Travis to lead her away from the equipment.
“I should get back to work, anyway,” I said, still wound up but doubting Travis would be focused on our sparring if Gertie was in here trying to break his new gym.
“Nah, you should stay,” he replied, then turned to our niece. “Hey, Pheebs? Why don’t I get cleaned up and then take you and Gertie out for ice cream? Your uncle Adam needs to finish his workout, and I’m worried he’ll break my pretty face if he doesn’t get a new punchin’ bag.”
I rolled my eyes at my brother as Phoebe agreed to this new plan, then returned her wave as she called out a joyful, “Bye, Uncle Adam! Have a good workout!”
“Thanks, Phoebe. Trav, hold up a sec,” I said to my brother as the little one took off after the goat.
Travis ambled over, one brow up. “What’s up?”
“Thanks.”
He jerked back slightly, then grinned. “For what? Wipin’ the floor with you?”
“No, ‘cause you definitely didn’t do that. I’m sayin’ thanks for helpin’ me get some stuff off my mind.”
“I don’t think I did that, either. I tried to get you to talk to me, but…” He cut himself off, closing his mouth with a sheepish smile.
“But, what?”
“But I’m not as good at tellin’ people what to do as you are, I guess.”
“Funny. Get outta here.”
Travis tossed me a wave, but as soon as he turned away, he spun back around. “Adam?”
“Yeah?”
“Did it really help? Boxin’ it out, I guess, since that’s all we did?” my fully-grown brother asked, looking younger than he had in years.
I nodded.
“Well, you’re welcome, then.” He shuffled his feet. “Glad I could helpyouwith somethin’ for a change.”
I opened my mouth to ask him what that meant, but I spent a second too long tripping over my tongue, thanks to the general lack of sarcasm in my brother’s expression. He might not be used to helping me, but I wasn’t used to anything other than jokes and nonsense from him.
Except for when he’d gotten hurt and had to get out of the Marines against his will. I winced at the memory. The way he’d looked at me from his hospital bed… I’d never forget it.
He’d been in denial about how severe his injuries were, and it’d been my duty to set him straight. Who else would, if not for me?
But the way he’d looked at me with such betrayal? He hadn’t given a crap if it was information he needed to hear. All he cared about was that I was the one giving it, and that made me a traitor.
I’d been scared we’d never get back to the way we were. Today might’ve finally convinced me that we were good, but thinking about that led me to run smack dab into another realization: I’d been given that same look by a certain someoneelse. And for the same reason, too. Doing my duty even when it hurt.
But there was no chance she’d forgiven me.
She was stubborn like that.
I ran a hand through my hair. Sparring with Travis had provided a temporary release from my frustrations, and I’d meant it when I’d thanked him. But working out to feel better was nothing but a Band-Aid. It wouldn’t fix anything.
I wasn’t sure if anything could.
Looking at the clock on the wall, I rolled my shoulders. I still had time, so Band-Aid or not, I had a workout to finish.
