Page 60 of Someday You Learn

You knew she didn’t want to move here, but you pushed her to do it anyway. That’s why she turned to alcohol, that’s why…

“Parker?”

“Huh?” I look up to find my brother staring at me.

“You all right?”

“Yeah, just lost in thought.” I clear the ball of emotion in my throat.

“Don’t think too hard,” he teases, giving me a light shove. “Wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“Fuck off.”

“No, seriously.” He steps closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with me as we watch the girls. “Don’t think too hard about it. If something feels right, just go for it.” I don’t respond, so he continues. “Trust me. I wasteda lot of fucking time denying what I felt for Astrid, wondering if she could ever feel the same way. And lo and behold, we both wanted the same thing. If I had just had the balls to say something sooner, she and I could have been together a long time ago.

“Cashlynn and I are not you and Astrid. This is a business arrangement, pun intended.”

He nods. “You’re holding on to your pain like it’s a shield, little brother. But it’s not—it’s a wound. And wounds heal if you let them.”

As he walks out, leaving me with the woman who’s making me question my life choices thus far, I can’t help but wonder if he’s right. Because that’s exactly what my failed relationship with Sasha feels like—a heavy weight I’ve been carrying for four fucking years.

And the woman standing in front me might just be the reason I finally let it go.

***

“If you’re looking for a clean food source, this is the one I recommend.” Seth takes a bag of food off the shelf in the reception area, handing it to one of our clients.

“This the best thing I can feed him?” The young woman looks down at her bulldog puppy, who’s currently slobbering all over the floor.

“Absolutely.”

Her face falls when she sees the price tag. “It’s really expensive, though.”

Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he leads her over to the counter to pay. I cannot believe this asshole. “You can’t put a price on your puppy’s health, right?”

Shenods nervously before handing the bag to Victoria so she can ring her up. “Right…”

“Great!” Seth beams. “Then we’ll see you back next month for Sparky’s next set of vaccines,” he says brightly before disappearing down the hall.

Shaking my head, I follow behind. When I catch up to him, I lower my voice so only he can hear. “You know that shit you just gave her isn’t the best food we carry.”

“So? We make the best commission off that brand, Dr. Sheppard.” He flashes his creepy smile as we pass a few of the technicians on the way to his office. Once we step inside, I close the door behind us. He sighs and says, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m busy.”

Did he really just dismiss me?

“You’re worried about commission? What about that dog’s health and longevity? What about that young girl’s bank account?”

Seth rolls his eyes as he drops into the chair behind his desk. “Thisisa business, Parker. Or have you forgotten that?”

“Of course not. But at the end of the day, we have to do what’s best for the owners and their pets.”

“No. At the end of the day, we have to keep the doors open.” He shakes his head. “Seems to me someone isn’t ready to take on the practice after all.”

I glare at the man sitting across from me, knowing in my bones that he’s the piece of scum I always thought he was. “You’re a piece of shit.”

Okay, Parker. That was a bit direct.

Seth leans back in his chair, smirking. “Takes one to know one.”

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