Page 68 of Back to You

That was a tough question. “It would take a lot. There’s a lot of pain and mistrust between us now.”

“Maybe couples therapy?”

“Maybe. That’s if Ethan ever even wanted to get back together. The past couple of months have been pretty brutal for him.”

“I don’t know, man. It takes a lot for a love like you guys have to die.”

Brandon mulled his words as the game started back. He noticed his sister marching through the room with a handful of clothes, grumbling under her breath. He glanced over into the kitchen to see her grab a bucket and a jug of vinegar.

“Nope, I don’t want to know,” he said, turning back around.

Soon he heard his sister singing what sounded like Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” He and Steven frowned at each other and Steven hit the mute button.

“And I set fire/

To the slime.

Watched it burn as I/

Drank some wine.”

Brandon cackled as Steven got up to check on his wife. “You okay, honey?”

“Goddamn slime got all over Samuel’s clothes, and the only way to get it out is to soak it in vinegar. Whoever invented slime has a special place in hell.”

Steven leaned over to smack a kiss on his wife’s mouth. “I missed this when I was gone.”

“Come on, less smooching, more … you said this was football, right?” Brandon heckled from the couch.

“This game is wasted on Brandon, I hope you realize,” Michelle said.

“Nah, it’s kind of meditative. I don’t understand it, but it’s fun to unfocus your eyes and watch the guys run around.”

An hour later, Brandon was seated on the edge of the couch. “Come on, whoever you are! Go go go!”

“Do you even know what you’re cheering for?”

“No, but the announcers are really pumping me up.”

Steven tried again to explain first downs and touchdowns to Brandon, but it fell on deaf ears.

“Yay, whatshisface!”

“I give up.”

***

“Goddamnit, Muffin.”

The chihuahua was damn near rabid as he tried to take a chunk out of Brandon’s leg.

“I’m just trying to walk your punk ass.”

Muffin snarled.

“That’s it, I’m calling an exorcist.”

He turned back toward the shelter door, because this clearly wasn’t working.

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