Page 78 of Back in the Country
After a successful week of work, I was heading back to Clementine Creek to determine what the future would hold for me. Following my emotional purge, I forced myself to focus on what needed to happen in Louisville and then in Nashville. Robin had been over the moon about the presentation, and we’d closed the deal sooner than expected.
It had been a huge win for our company. The clients had appreciated our straightforward approach to the revitalization of their brand, and it solidified our presence outside of Nashville.
Our team had been treated to drinks at a hipster bar called Smoke. Warm gray walls and black painted tables decorated the space. They served the customary barbecue appetizers, but they were actually famous for their specialty drinks.
Each themed drink had a different level of smoky flavor that they achieved using this really cool mini fridge behind the bar. It gave an almost savory flavor to the honey-infused whiskey I was drinking. I’d forced myself to try and have fun, but it was a losing battle.
In theory, it was the perfect trip. Caleb had been blessedly quiet, and I’d played tourist in my minimal downtime. I managed to see where they made the baseball bats for all the different league players in addition to eating my weight in all things barbeque.
The food was incredible and hands down the best pulled pork I’d ever had, and I’d lie till my dying breath if Mama or Joe asked me how theirs compared. Other than the food though, my heart wasn’t in it.
If I were being honest, my heart was still in a million pieces on the kitchen floor in my home in Clementine Creek. Waylon had texted me sporadically throughout the trip, and I’d responded with one- or two-word answers. I didn’t want to talk to him via text. Part of me didn’t want to talk to him at all.
I’d replayed our conversation both from his trailer and from my kitchen nonstop in my head, but the outcome was always the same. I was here and he was…doing whatever he was doing at home. He’d been mad that I hadn’t asked him to come with me, and even though he thought this was a permanent situation, I couldn’t get over the sentiment.
I wanted him here with me too. I wanted to explore the streets of Louisville and experience the nightlife while holding hands and stealing kisses under the streetlights. At the very least, I wished I could tell him what I was doing. Send him silly pictures of my fancy drink or the sandwich with the six different sauces Ihadto try. Apparently standing up for yourself didn’t always make you feel better.
Neither did stuffing your face with barbeque andallthe sides—and I meanall.Each day that passed made me nervous to go home. I didn’t just have to face Waylon; I had to face my brother too, and I was gettin’ sick of talkin’. I didn’t want to defend myself anymore. I’d been adulting just fine without either of them.
Thankfully, Robin decided that I didn’t need to travel to Nashville anymore, and instead we used the extra days we’d allotted for the presentation to focus on the transition to my new job. It was one less thing I had to stress over.
My brain wouldn’t stop the constant reel ofwhat ifscenarios as we touched down in Blackstone Falls. Hank would be waiting for me, so at least I’d have a small reprieve to get myself together.
I make it through the airport easily and collect my luggage from the carousel before coming up short at the sight of my brother by the sliding exit door.
I am absolutely going to murder Hank. Sorren attempts a smile but it is more of a grimace as I make my way over to him. He wordlessly takes my bags, and I don’t fight him. I am exhausted, and it has nothing to do with traveling.
“I want to apologize,” he says as he pulls out onto the main road. I don’t respond, and he turns to look at me before looking back out the windshield. “I’m sorry, Marlee girl.”
“That’s a good start,” I quip. He tries for a smile, but my heart still feels so heavy.
“You have always been the constant in my life, and when anything gets hard, it’s easier for me to cope with it if I can focus on you.”
When I don’t respond, he rubs his palm over his mouth, and I can feel the anxiety rolling off him.
“I’ve been using the wrong things as coping mechanisms, and I didn’t get it until I had nothing but time to think. I put all my energy into taking care of you, and then when you were finally able to stand on your own,”—he swallows hard—“I put all my energy into the military. It was supposed to be my career, Marlee girl. I was only two years into my new contract. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this, and now I don’t know what to do.”
He says the words softly, but he might as well be screaming them from the rooftop for the weight they hold. I’m speechless, and he meets my gaze with sincerity in those eyes that are a shade darker than mine.
“It’s not healthy to use you the way I have…to make our relationship be that way. You are, and have always been, the most important person in my life, and it is my greatest accomplishment seeing you all grown-up. I’m so damn proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too,” I whisper as I fail at holding back tears.
“There are still things I can’t tell you. Things I won’t tell you.” He swallows hard. “But I will do everything I can to show you what you mean to me. I want us to have a healthy adult relationship. I want to be your brother and not your parent. And I will work on not being as overbearing.”
“I’d like that.” Sorren nods albeit reluctantly. He looks tired, but he’s still handsome with the sharp line of his jaw and high cheekbones. His eyes are only slightly less haunted than when I left, but I’ll take it.
“We’ll work on it.” He winks, and a watery laugh passes through my lips. “Just…be patient, okay?”
“I feel like two big talks in just a couple of weeks is a good start.” He gives me a small smile before squeezing my hand. It’s a brief touch, but it means the world to me.
He clears his throat. “Uh, speaking of talks, have you heard from Caleb?”
I frown. “No, actually…” My words trail off as I take in the barely repressed grin on my brother’s face. “What did you do?”
“Just sat him down for a responsibility chat. I think he gets it now.”
I have no doubt.
