Page 59 of Come Back to Me

In comparison to stopping Russia from taking over any more of NATO turf, this is the kind of headache I need.

“Do you want some?”

Spying the now-open bag of trail mix Tee tossed at her, I smile and accept a handful when she pours it onto the palm I hover in front of her.

She’s always gnawing on the stuff. Honestly, I never took into account how hard it is to live with Type-1 diabetes until I watched Tee watch Zee. The thirdhand stress is a fucker.

“This a peace offering?” I ask before I toss the handful into my mouth.

“We’re at war?”

“Nah. But… if you could frame this whole conversation nicely to Colt and not include me in it, I’d appreciate it.”

She snorts. “Scared of big bro?”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, yeah. Sure, I am.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I’d prefer him not to think that I freaked you out.”

“I’ll blame Tee. She seems to get away with murder with Colt.”

My brow furrows. “I noticed that.”

Her melodious laughter draws a sharp glance from me. “It’s because he’s grateful for her.”

“Why?”

“Coming home to the boondocks to keep me happy.” The plastic wrapper in her hand crinkles as she siphons through it for dried cranberries. “Like he’s not enough to do that.”

“You should probably reassure him…”

“By visiting Pigeon Creek more?”

“There or Saskatoon.”

“Maybe.” She purses her lips. “She gets under your skin, doesn’t she?”

I blink again. “Tee?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Whose skin? Colt’s?”

“No.” She hoots. “He can’t decide if she’s a Venusian or a Martian. He’s just glad she’s there to keep me company. I meant you.”

“I guess.”

“You can tell me. I won’t say anything.”

“There’s nothing to say,” I mutter grimly. Grim because that’s the long and the short of it—there’s nothing to goddamn say.

Yet.

“How is it being home?”

“Weird.” I cut her a look. “Why?”

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