Page 6 of The Path To Us

“I’m not surprised about him, either.”

“Why?” I ask her, voice calm despite the fact that I’m angrier than I’ve ever been.

“I always got this feeling that he was jealous of you.”

“Of me? Why? He’s got everything.”

She shakes her head. “No. He doesn’t. He doesn’t have this,” she says quietly as she places a hand over my heart. “You have the best heart of anyone I’ve ever met, Beau Aikin.”

“No, I don’t. I’m like a live wire, always looking for a fight. At least, that’s what the principal reminded my parents of any chance he got.”

“You were never looking for a fight. You were always standing up for someone. You just chose to use your hands to get your point across instead of words.”

There’s major truth to that statement but still, Tyson has had everything a teenage boy could dream of his entire life. Always the best clothes and shoes, vacations all over the world, a brand new truck when he turned sixteen, always the latest video games. His grades might not have been straight A’s but he managed B’s and C’s just fine. In every sport he played, he was the star of the team. An endless string of girls trailed after him.

“He had everything. Why did he have to take what was mine?”

“No. He didn’t. His parents might have a ton of money and he might be a great athlete, but none of that matters if what’s inside is filled with resentment.”

“Who does he resent?”

She gives me a pointed look and then points at me.

I pull a face and shake my head. “What does he have to resent me for? That makes no sense, Addy.”

“If you think about it, it’ll come to you.” She starts to climb out but I stop her.

“What do you mean?”

“There’s one thing you always had that he wanted. Even if you didn’t know you had it, it’s been yours all along.”

“Huh?”

“Get some sleep, Beau. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She jumps down out of my pickup and moves to shut the door.

“Addy, wait.”

“What is it?” she asks, turning to face me.

“Thank you, again. For being there for me.”

“Always, Beau. Always.”

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