Page 51 of Back in the Country
“What does Waylon say?”
“That I’m smothering Sorren.”
His eyes widen almost comically, and it is so out of place I chuckle. His voice softens.
“Are you?” The question has my eyes welling up with tears. I nod but don’t look up from where my hands are resting in my lap.
Hank rounds the island before wrapping me in a tight side hug. My face is pressed firmly against his ribcage but I don’t care. I hold on tight to the gigantic life raft in the form of my chosen brother.
“Everyone processes differently, Marlee. You can’t treat him like you did me.”
He releases me and rounds the counter as I think about that revelation. Ihavebeen treating Sorren the same way I did Hank when he got out of prison. Is that why it’s not working?
“Why?”
He stirs the sauce for a minute before he turns and looks at me.
“I won’t speak for him, but this transition is hard, Marlee.” I nod. “You didn’t smother me either.”
At that, I look up and see sincerity lining his handsome face.
“But I was here all the time I—”
“We existed in the same space, but we didn’t talk—not really. You’d come and we’d just move around each other in the kitchen.” He looks around with a fondness like those weren’t some of the hardest times of my life. “Find a way to coexist with him.”
Hank is right though. He’d grunt and point at things we needed, and we’d communicated in our own silent way.
My phone buzzes and I turn it over to look at the screen.
CALEB:I can’t believe you’re still doing this. You’re better than that hick town.
I frown.
“What?” Hank asks, and I sigh.
“Caleb has been texting me on and off since we broke up.” I hate the way he always talks about my family and how he makes them seem like such an inconvenience.
“That kid is such a tool. You’re too good for him.”
“I know, and I haven’t even responded to his messages. It’s just one more headache I have to deal with.”
“Want me to knock some sense into him?”
I smiled. “No, but thank you.”
“Anytime. Does Waylon know about the texts?”
“No, I haven’t told him. It’s not a big deal.”
“You should tell him. I mean, things are good, right?”
“Yeah, but he’s frustrated with me, too, and we haven’t been doin’ a lot of talkin’.”
“I know I’m going to regret this, but why?” He pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger as he waits for my response.
“I obsess about Sorren, and Way takes my mind off everything by…keeping me busy.”
“I did not need to know that.” He grumbles and turns back to the stove to stir the sauce.
