Page 128 of Things Left Unsaid

If we continue this conversation, I’ll be doing the whacking.

“Why wouldn’t you want that? She’s awesome.”

I groan. “Callan, I don’t want to have this conversation with you!”

“Which brother would you prefer to hear this from? I mean, you have three to choose between and one of them is going to pull your head out of your ass whether you like it or not. I’m a good listener?—”

“Since when?”

“You can tell me what the problem is between you two.”

“There’s no problem.”

“Liar. I’ve seen you in town, Colt. You can charm both sexes from twenty feet away. Yet you barely speak to your wife. The woman you’re supposed to have a child with.”

“If I needed a therapist, I’d hire one.”

“You’re too stoic for a therapist. You have undiagnosed CPTSD?—”

“Since when?”

“Since I read up on it to see if you had it.”

“I don’t have it.”

“You do. But see? This proves my point.” He squints at me. “Father messed you up, and don’t pretend that you didn’t see him hit Mum because you’d be the liar.

“So, what’s the problem? It can’t be that you don’t find Zee attractive. She’s beautiful.”

She is.

I’ve no idea why I admit this to him, but I do. “I can’t ever expect her to love me. I don’t deserve it.”

“Shut up. Why would you think that?”

“I have too much to make up to her.”

“Like what?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Sure it does.”

“I let her down,” is my simple retort.

“You have to try. You’re a great man, Colt. If anyone can figure out how to right a wrong, it’s you.”

Laughing, I draw him in for a noogie. “Your opinion matters more to me, kiddo.”

Though he yelps and fights to get out of my hold, he argues, “That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

“What do you mean?” I watch as he straightens his tuque, folding it over his forehead.

“She’s your wife, Colt. Her opinion of you is supposed to matter.”

“We’re not like a regular husband and wife though.”

His disgusted glower tells me how little I’m impressing him.

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