Page 98 of Irons

He stood with his hands on his hips and shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m even talking about this to anyone. I’ve never done it, the shame was pounded into my head.”

I let out a breath as understanding came over me. “You’re a kid with the world on his shoulders. You’ve taken thefall for a man who was a damn good man at one time. He was a good man, and he had a great career ahead of him, but he lost a son. I can’t claim to know what it’s like to have a three year old son kidnapped, let alone try to juggle a grieving wife and an infant. I’m not trying to make excuses for him.” I paused and shook my head. “I don’t know, maybe I am, maybe I can see how things turned out bad. My mom was screwing around on him, not taking care of me, he was trying to keep a roof over our heads, and fund the search for Bobby. That’s a lot and I can see how that could drive a man into drinking, but there comes a time where you have to take responsibility. I don’t know you, hell you’re my brother and I want to give advice, shit this is a lot.” I hadn’t even known him for an hour, and he unloaded a lot of shit real quick.

“None of this is your problem, I guess I’m on the defense. I waited my whole damn life to meet you, and it happens as I’m passed out on a grave, it’s fucked up. Now you’ll believe everything people say about me. I did sixty days for a first offense. Got out two months ago and came home to a mom that’s barely hanging on to her sanity. My girl dumped me because I didn’t devote all my time to her when I got out. I’m lucky as hell that I got this job. It pays well and they let me work overtime, despite my criminal record. I was late getting to her house and instead of celebrating my birthday we fought. The guy you found on that grave isn’t me, and I’m kind of freaking out, okay? I waited my whole damn life and already fucked it up.”

My heart melted for the kid, dammit. “You didn’t fuck anything up. I’ve had my fair share of crazy nights and woke up in…well never a cemetery, but I did wake up in the hospital once…well also a strange closet with a girl who has a killer body, but anyway, you haven’t fucked up, but I do think we need to talk.” I couldn’t just walk away. He was my kid brother, it was afact, and that kid was screaming for help. “Come on, I’ll walk you home for a shower then I’ll pick you back up for some lunch. We can talk and maybe I can help you get this shit figured out.”

“You can’t help me.” He said.

“Try me.” I started walking and he walked next to me. He told me a little more about his job, the kid like the job, and that was good, but it really didn’t pay as well as he thought. He was only eighteen years old, spent the summer after his senior year locked up, and his mom sounded like a real hand full. As promised, I didn’t go into his house, well my grandparents’ house. The next issue was getting back to Clint’s and telling Wrenly why I won’t be spending the day with her. It wasn’t that I felt like lying to her, I just remember her saying something about Devin being a bad kid. I didn’t want any other influence going into it. I wanted to make my own judgement call as far as my brother was concerned.

Comfort

Wrenly

I heard Travis walk in my room and quietly tiptoe over to the bed and take a seat. I could feel his eyes on me then his lips when they kissed my cheek. “I got your text. How was your walk?” I stretched and paused when I saw how he was looking at me, maybe adoration?

“It was good, but there’s a few things I think I need to do today, by myself.”

I sat up. “You’re going to see your mom?”

He shook his head. “No, it has nothing to do with her. I’ll tell you about it later, but I’m sorry, I won’t get to have lunch with your grandparents. Will you please give them my regrets?”

“No, Travis. I won’t give them your regrets, but I will reschedule.” I said.

He reached over and traced my lips as his eyes followed his finger. “That’s fine, I’d rather not leave before seeing Grandma Patty. She’s one of the reasons I came along on this trip.”

“Okay, but where are you going?”

His eyes shot up to mine. “Can I please just do this and tell you later? I swear it’s nothing bad, just someone I need to spend some time with today, and yes, it’s a guy.”

“Who?” I couldn’t think of any other guy he would want to catch up with other than my dad.

His thumb ran along my jaw as his eyes followed, and he was either about to fuck me or …. I don’t know. “Will you please just trust me? I promise you’ll understand when I get back and tell you.”

“I guess so.”

He smiled. “Good, let’s get a shower and make it quick.”

I laughed when he stood and suddenly picked me up from the bed. After a…well he pounded into me pretty hard in the shower, then got ready and left. I felt a little uneasy about it, he was acting weird. I called my grandma to reschedule, then got ready for the day. When I went downstairs, my parents were sitting at the kitchen table.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, sweetie. There’s coffee and your dad ran out for donuts. Help yourself.” Heather said.

“Bless.” I was starving.

“Where was Travis off to this morning?” She asked.

I pulled a coffee mug from the cabinet. “I honestly don’t know. He went out for a walk early, then came back and said he had a few things to do today and would tell me about it later.”

“I thought you were having lunch with my parents.” Dad said, while sitting in his uniform so I knew he had a shift today.

“I rescheduled for tomorrow.” I poured my coffee. Well, coffee into my creamer.

“So, no plans?” Heather asked.

“None, you?”

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