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“Hey.” I drain my glass to wash away any residual throatiness. I face the back of the patio to block out the noise.
“Sounds like you’ve ventured out into the public. I think this is the first time I’ve called and heard background noise.”
I laugh. I’m usually alone in my car when we talk, but I don’t reveal that. “I’m just grabbing a bite to eat after work.”
“Yeah? How’s it going? Are you building a steady base?”
I think back to the five clients I have, two of which are directly related to Rhett, one is Nora, and the other two I found through a social media post I made. “Things are picking up.”
Hearing my brother's voice in my ear soothes a part of me that's been missing him.
“Are you ready for a visit yet? You know Caiti’s getting antsy. She says without our own kids to take care of, we have to travel before this time in our life is over. I know she wants to see you.”
My heart judders behind my ribs. I never told my brother about the struggles I had with Tate, and at this moment, I regret it for his absence of compassion around the topic. The emotions throw me so much that I don’t filter my response.
“If you’re looking for adventure, Arrow Creek isn’t it.”
“And what state is Arrow Creek in?”
Fuck it all to hell.
“Forget I said it. I didn’t mean to share that.” Panic forces my voice higher.
“You’re doing a terrible job of convincing me not to hop on a plane right now. What are you trying to hide?”
“I’m not hiding anything. I just don’t have time to make a visit fun right now.”
“It doesn’t have to be fun. We can stop by for a day or two and then catch a flight to see Tate.”
Something touches my calf beneath the table, and I swear I jump a foot. The surrounding sounds filter back into focus, bringing a
long with it Rhett’s concerned stare.
“You okay?” he mouths.
I nod.
“Look, my food’s here, and I want to eat while it’s hot. Can we discuss this later?” The lie rolls out easily as the urge to retreat closes in.
“Sure,” my brother says, giving up with surprising ease.
“I miss you. I’m really glad you called.”
“Me too.”
I hit the end button. My phone clatters noisily against the metal table.
“What do you need?”
Rhett’s voice pulls me from diving too deep into the well of self-disappointment.
“A time machine, so I can go back and not tell my brother the name of this town.” I brush away a strand of hair the breeze blows into my eye.
“What are you worried about? It’s me, isn’t it?”
I can’t help but laugh. “I can’t imagine he’ll be too happy that the only friend I’ve made so far is someone who looks like you because he’s protective like that, but no. I’m worried he’s going to put up a fight to get me to leave with him.”
He fiddles with the short plastic straw sticking from his glass. “That’s not so bad.”
