Chapter 11 #2
Theo recounts the entire sledding adventure as we drive back to town, throwing in the occasional yawn every now and again.
To be honest, I could use a nap. I didn’t exactly play as hard as I would have if my brothers and friends would have been riding with me, but it was still a great time.
I realize immediately, I enjoyed myself immensely.
We pull into her driveway and stop in front of the garage. She prepares to shut off the vehicle and says, “It’ll be nice to park inside for a change.”
“Do you need help clearing the path?” I offer before my brain can catch up.
“No,” she replies softly, shutting off the ignition. “I’m almost there. Only a couple more boxes to sort through. Maybe by next weekend I’ll have it done and can start parking in there. It’ll be nice in the mornings to not have to scrape ice and snow off my windows.”
I almost offer to help, but I bite my tongue. It’s not my responsibility, even though I want to help. You know, be friendly? That’s something a good neighbor would do, right?
We climb out of her vehicle, and since she’s on the driver’s side, she has Theo’s door open and is releasing his buckles before I can get there. I stand to the side, awkwardly watching.
When she closes the door and reaches for Theo’s hand, she says, “You probably have something else to do, but if you’re hungry, you’re welcome to join us. You know, as a thank you for taking us sledding today.”
I open my mouth, fully prepared to accept the invitation, just so I can enjoy a few more minutes of time with them. Fortunately, my attention is drawn to my driveway, as a truck pulls in and parks near where we stand.
“Who dat?” Theo asks, watching intently for the newcomer to show himself.
“That’s my brother, Collin.”
He climbs from his truck, hands shoved in his pockets, and walks toward us. He doesn’t seem the least bit surprised to see Maren standing here. “Hey, Maren. Good to see you again.” There’s no shock on his face, telling me he already knows who my new neighbor is, most likely thanks to Wyatt.
“Hi, Collin. Good to see you too.”
“I Theo!” her little guy hollers, waving in greeting.
Collin offers a rare grin. “Hi, Theo. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Yep. You wike mac and cheese?”
I shake my head, knowing what’s coming. Maren must sense it too, because she steps in and says, “It’s time to go inside, Theo, and let Camden and Collin get to what they need to do.”
“But…”
“Inside, Theo. You can watch Bluey while I cook you mac and cheese.”
“Okay. Bye-bye, Cam.”
“Later, little dude,” I reply, throwing a wave his way.
He pulls out of his mom’s hand and runs toward me, throwing his arms around my legs and squeezing. “Bye-bye,” he repeats, waving to both me and my brother.
Maren offers a polite wave to Collin before escorting Theo inside her house.
The moment they’re inside, I hear, “Cute kid.”
I nod before turning toward him. “Let’s go in the garage.”
I unlock the door and step inside, turning on the overhead lights, and moving farther into the room. Walking straight to the fridge, I pull out two bottles of water and hand one over. He doesn’t say a word, allowing me to take a drink and lean against my workbench.
“Wyatt?” I finally ask.
He nods. “I bet it was a shock.”
I snort. “You think?” Running my hand over my face, I set my water down and strip off my winter gear. “I was talking to Charli on the phone when she told me she was back in town at the same time I saw Maren next door. I’m actually shocked she didn’t tell you guys.”
He shrugs. “I might have heard grumblings about it.” But Collin is the last one to gossip or create more talk.
“Adam asked me to help move some of her furniture inside. I didn’t want to,” I confess. “I didn’t want to go anywhere near her, but I couldn’t tell him no. He’s always been good to me, you know?”
“Yep.”
“Anyway, I helped and got to meet Theo,” I say, a smile instantly tugging against my lips as I recall meeting that chatty little boy.
“Dad?” he asks, watching me closely.
“Not in their lives,” I reply. “Hasn’t supported them at all.”
“Asshole,” Collin mutters.
“Yep.”
“And the sledding?” he asks, the corner of his mouth ticking up a bit.
I shrug and shove my hands in my hoodie sweatshirt. “Bought stuff for him to use in the backyard, as well as a bigger sled. Got the idea to take them to Wyatt’s place, and she agreed.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” he asks, not a hint of judgment in his question.
“Probably not,” I reply with a humorless chuckle. “But my mouth seems to run before my brain can catch up.”
He snorts and grins a little. “That’s a common problem in this family.”
“I know you’re worried.”
He shrugs. “Only because you were in a pretty bad place for a long time after she left.”
“I know.”
“And I don’t want that to happen again.”
“Me either,” I tell him honestly. “But…” I kick at an invisible rock lying at my feet. “I can’t seem to stay away.”
He doesn’t say anything for a solid minute, but I don’t expect anything less from Collin.
He’s the quiet, broody one, and the least likely to force conversation.
“I don’t have the magic words for you, but I can offer a bit of advice, based on my own relationship.
Talk to her. Get it all out in the open.
Don’t hide your feelings or even force them.
If you can’t forgive her for what happened more than seven years ago, then walk away. Be happy.”
He swallows hard and levels me with an intensity I’ve come to associate with my oldest brother. “But…if there’s a chance, don’t miss your shot at happiness because you didn’t open your mouth. Trust me, the guilt and fear will keep you up at night.”
I know he’s referring to his relationship with Lizzie, and the time when she found out about his ex from the ex herself and not him.
He thought he was going to lose her then and there, but it turns out, Lizzie’s pretty fucking awesome.
She let him explain what happened and why he didn’t talk about the details of his failed relationship.
The difference is, my past pain and the woman who’s currently standing before me—figuratively, of course—are one and the same.
“All right, I’m gonna head up to The Lizard. My girl’s there, and I want a kiss.” This time, he doesn’t hide his wide smile.
Lucky bastard.
And I’m not talking about Lizzie, per se, though I think she’s pretty great. I’m just happy for my brother, who overcame heartache and found the woman he wants to spend forever with.
Not to mention the fact she feels the same way.
That’s what makes him a lucky bastard.
He nods toward my old Chevy. “I’m off Tuesday. Want me to stop by and give you a hand?”
Collin and I don’t get to spend as much time together, unless he’s working the bar and I stop by for a drink, or we’re at a dinner with our parents. “That’d be great.”
He nods and moves to the door. “I’d invite Cade, but we want it done right the first time.”
I bark out a laugh. “Agreed. But it would be all right to have someone to make fun of.”
He grins. “See you later, Cam.”
He leaves me alone with my thoughts, and it doesn’t matter how long I stand here. I still don’t have any idea what to do about Maren.
No, that’s not true.
It’s time to rip off the scab and have a conversation.