Page 45 of Along Comes Trouble

COLTON

“A lright, weirdo. What’s the deal?”Sarah jams the top of her beer against my coffee table and brings her hand down on the cap, which rattles across the top and falls onto the floor .

“Hey!” I run a hand over the marred wood. “Thanks for ruining my furniture .”

“Like it wasn’t already ruined in the first place. You can’t tell me all of this was my fault.” She gestures at the nicks and dents along the surface .

“That doesn’t mean I want you to add to the destruction.” I flop back on the couch and return my focus to the game. Although, with the way the refs have been calling the plays, it won’t do much to alleviate my bad mood .

“And don’t think you can distract me with your misplaced outrage over your crappy coffee table.” Sarah kicks her feet up on said crappy table and drinks, never taking her eyes off me .

I sigh and tip back my beer. “The Pats must be trying to lose. No one can be that bad and make as much money as they do. It’s got me pissy .”

“Not buying that one either .”

“You see the score. There’s no coming back from this.” I gesture at the TV and wish my sister would leave .

“Alright, fine. I’ll cut right to the chase. Tessa’s been acting strange all week. I show up here and not only do I find you alone, you’re acting weird, too. What gives, big brother ?”

I swirl the remaining beer around the bottle and then throw it back, swallowing as I stand. “You want another ?”

Sarah gives me a look. “Uh. I just opened this one on your precious coffee table, remember ?”

I plop right back down on the couch, empty beer still in hand. “Fine. You’re right. Things are weird.” The admission leaves me and I sigh. I liked it better when it was all bottled up. Talking about things makes them real, gives them power. I don’t want to give any of this power .

“Right. We’ve gathered that.” Sarah twists to face me, tucking one leg underneath her. “Did you and Tessa have a fight ?”

“God no. Nothing like that.” I run a hand through my hair .

My sister makes a rolling gesture with her hand. “Go on ...”

“Normally, Tessa and I would spend every waking hour connected. If we can’t physically be together, we’re texting. Or on the phone. Or on a video chat. This week? Not so much .”

“Why?”

“She’s not reaching out as much .”

Sarah frowns and lets a long breath out through her nose. “Why ?”

“Probably because I stopped reaching out so much .”

“And again, I ask why ?”

I sit forward and turn down the TV. “I got spooked last weekend.” I explain the day Tessa and I spent watching the kids. “I can see how much she loves being around children and it freaks me out. This world doesn’t need any more Carmichaels .”

Sarah bobs her head. “Yeah. I feel you there. Have you talked to her about it ?”

“Not really …”

“So, you’re being a chickenshit .”

I guffaw. “I am not being a chickenshit, thank you .”

“Oh really?” Sarah arches her brow. “Then tell me, oh brave and noble brother, what are you doing ?”

“Well, rather than having a really complex conversation with Tessa that might strain our relationship, I’m working longer, drinking more, and ignoring my urge to check on her.” I tip back my beer, realize it’s empty, and then put it on my coffee table. “Fine,” I say as I rub my finger over the newly acquired chip in the paint. “I’m being a chickenshit .”

“You know she deserves more than that. Tessa is better than the both of us combined.” Sarah gestures back and forth between us .

---