Page 58 of Seeing You

“John, you and I both know you can still do it. You’ve just had a rough year and you need to take things slow. Baby steps.”

He snorted before taking another bite. “You know how he is, Billie. He walks around like a big shot know-it-all, but he hasn’t gotten his own hands dirty since he was in high school. His answer is to just throw money at things and walk away. That’s not how he was raised, and it bugs the hell out of me.”

Join the club.

“I know it seems that way, but I think?—”

Out of nowhere, it suddenly hit her. She somehow knew exactly why Marcus had turned into the man he was.

Sighing, she reached over and placed her hand on John’s. “I think,” she began softly, “that we see it as Marcus throwing money around, but to him, it’s a way to feel like he has a little control. You know that after Abby died, he felt completely helpless. You all did. There was nothing he could do, nothing he could change. After that, he changed drastically.”

John nodded somberly. “I know.”

“We were living together and I saw it happening, but I didn’t really put it together until right now.” Swallowing hard, she continued. “He never wanted to be blindsided or…or…surprised like that again. So, he tries to take control the only way he knows how—by bulldozing everyone with his opinions and then simply…”

“Throwing money at it so it goes exactly as he wants it. Damn.”

Sitting back, she nodded, feeling a little mentally exhausted by the revelation. “Yeah. Damn.”

“So…what am I supposed to do?”

“Let him help you with the outside of the house, John,” she quietly urged. “We both know it needs more work than you cando alone. Tell him he has to hire local companies, but…let it get done.” And because she knew how stubborn the Calloway men could be, she added, “You know Abby would hate to see the house looking this way.”

He shot her a side-eyed glance. “Cheap shot, but considering you’ve always been like family—and should have been family—I’m not going to argue with you. She would have hated seeing how overgrown everything is. Max does some work when he comes to visit and I have one of the neighborhood kids mow the lawn, but…I know it needs more than that.”

“I’ve learned not to mince words. You know I come from a pretty dysfunctional family, so I have to say exactly what I mean, otherwise it will get misinterpreted.” Grinning, she playfully shook her fork at him. “You and Marcus need to learn how to communicate the same way. You shouldn’t feel you either have to tiptoe around him or act spiteful just to prove him wrong. This disconnect between the two of you has gone on far too long.”

“We’re trying,” John told her. “It’s going to take some time, but…it means the world to me that he’s here now.”

Before she could respond, Marcus walked into the room. “I hope you saved something for me!” There was already a plate and fork in his hands, and as he sat down beside Billie, she noticed he looked…happy and relaxed.

And so damn appealing that she knew she was in trouble.

Sitting close to him was just messing up her mind and filling up her already overloaded senses.

“I won’t take the crumb cake because I know it’s your favorite, Dad. But this glazed marble pound cake has my name all over it.” Turning his head, he smiled at her. “This is definitely a treat. Thanks for thinking of us.”

Like she’d been thinking of anything else lately.

“Oh, it’s what I do,” she said lightly. “Plus, I wanted your dad to know we’ve missed seeing him at Books & Beans.” Turning toJohn, she smiled. “When you’re up to venturing into town, let me know and I’ll have at least some of your favorites put to the side for you.”

“You’re a good girl, Billie. You know I’ve always had a soft spot for you. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day just to make an old man smile.”

Shaking her head, she replied with a soft laugh. “John Calloway, you are many things, and an old man isn’t one of them. You and I both know before your accident that you were giving the younger generation a run for their money. Wasn’t it you who won the MVP in the softball championship last year?”

He nodded.

“And wasn’t your picture up in the bowling alley multiple times as player of the week?”

He nodded again.

Tapping her chin, she thought for a moment. “And I seem to recall hearing something about you placing third in the chili cookoff, right?”

“Guilty,” he said with a bashful grin. “I get what you’re saying. I’ve let the accident turn me into an old man and I need to quit feeling sorry for myself and get back to living.”

Reaching over again, she squeezed his hand. “Exactly! You know you can do it and we’re all here to help.”

After that, they talked about local news and gossip and when the alarm chirped on her phone, it was her cue to leave.

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