Page 139 of Come Back to Me

“That I was Butch Cassidy.”

Colt pauses. “I swear he’s a psychic. I didn’t know your call name.”

“No, I kept it under wraps because you and Cole would make my life hell if you knew that was what they called me in the CAF,” I said wryly.

“You know what’s terrifying?” he asks, but his chuckle tells me I was right to keep the name under wraps.

“What?”

“Callan’s smart as fuck and Tee’s smarter.” He whistles. “Don’t envy you, bro.”

“Thanks,” I mock. “I have to go. Break a leg with teaching Canada how to ranch.”

“Gee, you’re too kind.”

Still, I’m grinning when I put the phone down.

Brothers come in handy sometimes.

Letters

Cody,

Ooooh, you’ve done it now. Prepare for a DISSERTATION-LENGTH LETTER, you asshole.

“I’ve always aspired to be nothing like my father, but after how I treated you, a part of me wonders if we’re cut from the same cloth.”

You are NOTHING like Clyde. Do you understand me?

Yes, you were a jerk, but men usually ARE.

You’re just a man. That’s all. Jesus, you’re not a murderer. (And being a soldier doesn’t count. Clyde did it for shits and giggles. You did it because it was your duty. Which, okay, sounds bad, but we let soldiers kill people. It’s normal. [Man, that’s even stranger. But you know what I’m talking about.])

And I’m so annoyed that you’re making me defend you! AAGH.

Onto the next part:

“I guess I’m writing a letter you may never see because after talking to you this morning, I’m desperate.

I need to get my feelings out somehow and I’m at a loss, so this is my solution.

I missed you.

I missed you so fucking much.

You wouldn’t know that though because why would you?

All you know is that I cut ties.”

I’m going to call you a jerk again. Prepare to read that a lot because I can call you a jerk, but you can’t call yourself one. Got me?

You missed me.

YOU missed ME?!

Yeah, bet your ass that’s all I know—you cut ties like a coward and you’re not a coward. Because, see above, you’re nothing like your father.

If I had a cup of coffee, I’d throw it at you.

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