Page 61 of Hell and High Water

“Thailand? Wouldn’t have taken you for the spiritual type.”

“Well, there's a lot about me that people don't know. Mostly because I don't let them know.”

Gavin whips his shirt off, pointing out his various tats, their meanings.

“You ever put that spiritual training to work on your demons?” He narrows his eyes.

“Some. Mostly, I use it to stay in control.”

“Yeah, I learned a few of those tricks myself after my first tour. But it only goes so far. Eventually, you gotta process that shit, Evan. You gotta purge the guilt and the ghosts, and…” He sighs, tilting his head.

“Says the guy hiding out in the woods,” I quip.

“I’m not hiding! I came out here to find inner peace!” he shouts, throwing up his hands.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah!” He leans in, pointing one finger at me, taunting me.

I snatch his wrist, dashing forward to twist it behind him, aiming to pin him to the table.

He’s out of it in a heartbeat, laughing as he ties my own arms in knots and flips me onto my back, knocking the wind out of me.

“Dammit. How do you do that?” I groan.

“Come outside and I'll show you.”

“Right now?”

“You got anything better to do? Unless you’re ready for bed.” He looks me up and down, biting his lip.

“Oh, yeah? Are you hitting on me right now?”

He shrugs, bobbing up and down on the balls of his feet. “I just like messing with you.”

“Same.”

We both grin like idiots, like we’re both thinking the same thing. We’re in love with the same woman.

“You really just want her to be happy, don't you?” He lunges in, testing my defenses.

“Yes,” I snap, flitting out of his reach. It’s like he can read my mind, where I’m going to move next. What I’m grappling with in my head, too. “Am I that transparent?”

“Some of the time. You're pretty cagey, but I recognize the signs when I see ’em.”

“I fought it for a long time, but…”

“Ha! You and me both. How’d that work out?’

“She won.”

“She always does.”

Just like that, we’re exchanging playful blows, going over grips and maneuvering around locks. It’s like something just released in my chest.

“You're not as big as I am, so you need to be careful about getting in close. Don’t let me grab you or it’s over.”

“Got it.” Easier said than done.

---