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Clark groaned. “You’ve never been shy about saying what’s on your mind in every situation. Why stop now?”
“Will it help?”
“Probably not, but I still want to hear it.”
“Okay.” Sam set his mug down on the porch railing and with blinding speed, knocked Clark upside the head. “Are you out of your fucking mind? Who walks away from a woman like that? If you weren’t my brother, I’d kick your ass on principle.”
“You’re telling me you haven’t done worse?” Clark rasped, rubbing the side of his head.
“Have I been a complete twat waffle, yes, but even a reprobate like me wouldn’t stand up Merry Winters in a crowded bar for any reason. And we were raised by the same emotionally defective robots!”
“And you compensated by charming the pants off every woman you meet, whereas I…can’t seem to connect with anyone except you and my son.”
“It’s all those books you read instead of getting the hell out of that house and meeting people. You got so used to your own company you can’t relate to anyone else.”
“She’s never going to forgive me. I walked away from her as an entire table of her friends watched.”
Sam whistled long and low. “Yeah, I don’t know how you come back from that.” He slapped Clark on the back. “Look on the bright side…at least your hand won’t feel neglected.”
“You’re a dick.”
Merry’s front door opened and Daisy came trotting down the porch steps first, disappearing behind the height of the fence. Clark couldn’t make out the guy’s features, but he looked rumpled as he turned at the bottom step in time for Merry to come out. She was bundled up in a purple robe, her blond hair hanging around her shoulders in waves. It was the second time Clark had seen it down, including last night, and he remembered thinking how thick and beautiful it looked. Clark imagined the guy with his hands in her soft locks last night, kissing her neck and—
Hot coffee spilled onto his hand and he released his tin mug. “Fuck.”
“Drop now!” Sam hissed, seconds before grabbing Clark and dragging him to the wood planks of the porch.
Pain radiated through his legs when his knees hit the wood, but he gritted his teeth against it. “Did she see me?”
“I don’t think so.” Sam crawled over to the railing, carefully peeking through a gap. “They aren’t looking this way. We’re good.”
Clark moved across the wood planks until he was next to his brother. “Why did you pour coffee on me?”
“I was just topping you off. I didn’t know you were going to move.”
“Shhh.” Clark peered at Merry and the other man through the two-inch spaces, and although he couldn’t be sure, he thought she was smiling at the guy.
“Bastard.”
“Green looks good on you, man.”
Clark couldn’t breathe, let alone respond, as he watched Merry come down one more step and kiss the man on the lips. His stomach twisted into knots, every urge to say something so strong he caught himself opening and closing his mouth several times, but nothing came. She was already pulling back when Sam hopped to his feet.
“Okay, I’m squashing this shit.”
Clark slunk down even lower. “What the fuck are you—”
“Good morning, Merry!” Sam yelled, waving. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
Clark didn’t want to move, in case she noticed the motion. Her laughter trailed across the yard, friendly and warm the way it always was.
“Good morning to you too, Sam. Come on, Daisy Mae.”
Sam kept waving like he was in the Miss America Pageant.
“Is she gone yet?” Clark whispered.
“Yes, but he’s not.”
