Page 44 of Wrong Idea

“Okay, what would you like to talk about?”

“I know I shouldn’t get involved.” I wanted to stop him from saying whatever he possibly could say, but he kept talking. “I’m HR here. And I really shouldn’t but…” He shook his head. “He’s my brother. My older brother. Do you have any siblings?”

“A sister.”

“Are you close?”

“Not really, no.” I gave a tight smile.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t… so, my point won’t make sense. See… Car’s the oldest. He’s been the one who’s watched over us. And I know that sounds stupid because of our age, but he had to take on that responsibility when we were younger. After our parents died, I swear I think Carver made it his mission in life to keep an eye on us, and to be honest, Grant and I didn’t make it easy,” he shared. “I think Carver was always secretly scared, terrified that if he didn’t hold us together, we would somehow fall apart.” He sighed.

“He mentioned something about that,” I mumbled, and his eyes crinkled at the edge.

“I’m sure he did. We’ve been a pain in his side for a long time, and when we bumped into each other...” Harrison winced.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Storm, I’m a little confused about what you wanted to?—“

“He misses you,” Harrison Storm blurted, and I stared at him, unable to blink. “He misses you a lot.”

“It’s been two days. I’m sure he fine.” He hadn’t even texted me. I knew my location was still shared with him, and he hadn’t stopped by when I was home.

“He’s a wreck, actually. And I feel a little guilty about the whole thing since I was the one who put my foot in my mouth and outed him.”

“Mr.—“

“You can call me Harrison or Harry.”

“Harris—“

“He misses you,” he interrupted again. It was none of his business, but I couldn’t help but feel for the guy. It was obvious they were close.

“I miss him, too,” I admitted, not sure why I would share this with someone I didn’t really know.

“I know he messed up, and I can only imagine the kind of mess he made for himself. For the life of me, as serious and boring as Carver can be, he really knows how to get in trouble.”

“He does?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Yeah! I mean, he wouldn’t admit it or anything, I’m sure, but in high school, he was known as a bad boy.”

“What?” My lips twitched, and he shook his head.

“Again, probably not something for me to tell. I just… I wanted to talk to you, to ask you to please reconsider.”

“Reconsider?”

“Giving Carver another chance.”

“Harrison, I don’t know what he’s said to you, but… he’s giving me time.”

“Time,” Harrison huffed. “Something we take for granted, am I right? Can I ask you something? Honestly?”

“Okay,” I answered cautiously.

“Do you think you could see yourself with him? Really see yourself with him?”

“Yes.” My heart answered for me, and my body and mind quietly nodded along.

“Then why waste time? Life’s sometimes…” He shrugged. “Too short. We waste time thinking we have a great deal of it left. We never know what can happen.”

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