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“It wasn’t a threat. I’ve drawn my line in the sand, and there’s no reason for you to cross it.”
He lowered his chin. “We’ll talk about this later.”
I straightened, shoving my fists in my trouser pockets. “You don’t keep secrets, we won’t need to have another conversation like this.”
“I hear you.”
I walked out on my brother, but I didn’t feel any better. If he’d punched me in the gut, I would have been less winded. What he’d said to me in there, the way he’d looked—that wasn’t the brother I knew.
He had me thinking maybe there was a side to him I didn’t know at all.
Crickets chirped outside my open windows, a cool breeze rustling the curtains. Sage was tucked in her room, probably reading one of the books in her many stacks. I was in bed, TV on, but I couldn’t focus.
Picking up my phone, I texted the one person I wanted next to me.
Me: Hey, mama. You in bed?
Clara: Hey, baby. Not even close. I’m working in my office. What are you up to?
Christ, I liked when she called me “baby.” Never thought I’d be into that, but coming from Clara, it was the sweetest thing.
Me: My girl works too hard. I’m lying in bed, thinking about you. After my wreck of a day, I’m wishing you were here.
Clara: I’d rather be there with you too. Want to talk about it?
Me: My brother…it’s a lot. You’re working. We can talk about it another time. Just wish I could hold you for a minute. That would make it all go away.
I waited for a reply, but seconds turned to minutes and nothing came through. She was probably caught up in what she was doing. I’d hear from her when she had the chance.
Settling against my pillows, I picked up the remote and flipped to a movie I’d seen a few times. Nothing I needed to pay close attention to. Exactly what I needed since my mind was scattered and worn out.
My eyelids were drooping when my phone pinged with a text. I picked it up, rubbing my eyes as I read it.
Clara: Are you still awake?
Me: Yeah, I’m here.
Clara: Good. Come outside for a minute.
Heart thrashing, I vaulted out of bed and jogged for the front door. I threw it open, and there she was, bundled in a fuzzy sweater, leaning against my porch railing.
“You’re here.” I felt like I was dreaming.
“Of course I am.” She held her hand out, beckoning me to her.
I stood in front of her, ghosting my hand over her hair. “You’re here,” I repeated.
“I am.” Her arms wrapped around my middle, and she pressed her face to my chest. “I missed you, and when you said you wanted to hold me for a minute, I thought that sounded like the best idea I’d heard all day.”
I clutched her tight, burying my face in her hair. “You came here because I wanted to hold you?”
“Mmmhmm. I particularly like being held by you, Jake Hayes.”
I laughed, but it was wet and thready. She had me choked up like an idiot. This woman turned me inside out.
“You’re the cure, Clara,” I murmured to the top of her head. “You make it all fade.”
She kissed the center of my chest and stroked my back in slow, steady drags. Bit by bit, I curled around her as the tension drained away.
