Page 28 of Vail

“Then why haven’t you called?”

“Why haven’t you?”

Hartley stood from the bed to go to the walk-in closet. He put the phone on speaker so he could slip on a pair of sweatpants. “I would have if I thought you’d actually listen to me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be, Forest. Fuck, I needed you and you checked out. Flew back to California to drown in your misery while I had shit to deal with.” I could tell there was more Hartley wanted to say, more anger to get out. He held back.

“I want to see you and Vail. I want to meet Jordan.”

Hartley grabbed the phone and left the closet, dropping the phone on the end of the bed. “That’s your decision, but we’re not coming to you. I have a business to run, debt to pay down.”

“I’m selling my condo.”

His tone softened. “You love it there.”

“A lot of good it does me. Seeing you and Vail together and after everything with Pop, I miss you. I don’t want to be far away anymore.”

Sitting on the bed, Hartley buried his face in his hands. He took on so much when it came to his family. The weight didn’t need to be shouldered alone. I went to him, sitting behind him so I could gather him in my arms. He leaned heavily against me.

“I can’t take care of you, For. I just can’t. I have too much on my plate.”

“I’m not asking you to. I want to be near you again. And Vail.”

“I love you, but I can’t deal with your shit.”

“You don’t have to.”

Hartley tucked his face against my neck. Picking up the phone, I said, “We can’t stop you. We love you, but you have to want to be better for yourself. I know losing Pop took a toll. You can’t live like you were, For.”

“I’ll be better, V. Give me time to pack up and sell this place. I’ll be out there with you two soon. That’s where I belong.”

“What about work?” Hartley asked.

“I got a new job this week. Remote. I can work anywhere.”

“Good,” I told him. “Get your shit together and we’ll be here when you’re ready to move.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry I yelled. I was… hurt you two didn’t tell me. I understand why.”

“Apology accepted.”

“See you soon.” He hung up.

I kept my arms around Hartley and leaned back so he was lying on top of me, where I could easily soothe my hands over his warm body. He was still bare from the waist up.

“I don’t trust him to take care of himself when he’s here,” Hartley murmured. “Or to actually follow through and move.”

“If he wants a change and to be near us, he will. It’s up to him. No one has ever been able to make Forest do anything he didn’t want to.”

“I gave up trying a long time ago. I wish I had him to lean on when everything was falling apart.”

“I’m sorry he wasn’t there for you.”

Hartley nuzzled closer to my neck, as close as he could get. “Thank you. And, Vail?”

“Yeah?”

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