Page 70 of From Air

CALVIN

Training is in full swing—six weeks of rigorous PT, drills, and tests. When I get a day off, I help Will tear off the old deck and siding for much-needed renovations.

Today’s a rare Sunday that all four of us are home and working on the house. It’s the first time in weeks I’ve been with Jamie for more than a few minutes. I’ve found every excuse to avoid her in the evenings. It’s not that hard since I’m exhausted every night.

“Jamie asked me about your parents the other day,” Will says before cutting a new piece of siding.

I glance over at the women. Jamie’s favorite pastime is riding her skateboard up and down the driveway and street. Maren’s favorite pastime is “supervising” from her lawn chair. “What did she ask you?”

“She asked what I thought of them.” He inspects the cut.

“What did you tell her?”

He chuckles. “That I haven’t met them.”

“Why did she ask you about them?” I hold up one end of the siding.

“She said she wanted to fix you before she moved out as a gift to Maren and me.”

I study her while Will grabs the nail gun. She’s laughing at whatever Maren says as she rides by Maren’s lawn chair.

“What did she say when you said you hadn’t met my parents?”

“She thought it was weird. Then she asked about your sister. And I looked like a fucking idiot because I had no clue that you had a sister. You’re a vault, man. I think Maren and I have been generous with you. We’ve given you a wide perimeter. But you tell the new girl about your sister before telling us?”

“I haven’t met your family.” I shrug.

“My mom can’t fly, dumbass. You’ve been invited to their house for Christmas. And you knowIhave a sister because you tried to stick your dick in her.”

I grin. He’s not wrong. Then she confessed I would be her first, and I bolted. Will gave me a good shiner the next day.

“And Maren thinks you don’t have parents. She thinks they dropped you off in the woods, and wolves raised you. Yet you’ve met all of her family. In case you haven’t figured it out, sharing personal information with your roommates is considered normal. Instead, we’re left in the dark to speculate.”

I mark the next board. “What have you speculated?”

“I would never tell you.” Will carries the marked piece of siding to the saw.

“Why not?”

“Because if I’m right, you’ll be pissed. And if I’m wrong, you’ll be pissed.”

“Just tell me.”

“If I’m right, will you admit it?” He slips his protective glasses over his eyes.

“It would seem pointless not to admit it.”

“You’re right. Yet I somehow can imagine you not admitting it.”

“Just say it.”

Will frowns while making the cut. After he turns off the saw, he pushes his glasses onto his head. “I think you were abused. I think you ran away. And in light of recent revelations about you having a sister, I think you feel tortured every day because you left her behind.”

I knew I wasn’t going to be pissed either way, but I thought I’d have some reaction. Yet here I am, devoid of any physical or emotional reaction. “If it helps you sleep at night, I wasn’t abused.”

I only know how to interact with Will through unrelenting banter. So, I wait for a smart-ass reply. I need a smart-ass reply. He doesn’t deliver.

“It will,” he says.

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