Page 25 of Love, Always and Forever
“That’s good to hear.”
Time for a tough question of his own. “How bad did I scare everybody?”
“I don’t think Caitlyn or Natalie picked up on the fact you were having a problem until you were already out the door. Mom knew right off, but she let me come after you while Tino stayed with her.”
“Tell them I’m sorry for…well, shit, just tell them I’m sorry.”
“You could tell them yourself, you know.”
Mikhail’s laugh had nothing to do with humor. “Not today. I can’t go back in there right now.”
Jack didn’t argue. “Just so you know, that bag and I went more than a few rounds when I first got back.”
“Me, too.”
They both turned to acknowledge the arrival of their middle brother. Tino had three beers in his hands. After offering one to each of them, he sat down next to Jack. “It’s a bitch when some stupid thing triggers a flashback to whatever hellhole your mind decides it wants to revisit. It does get better.”
Mikhail rested his head against the wall. “Despite all evidence to the contrary right now, it has.”
Then he took a long drag off the beer, letting it wash away the bitter taste of embarrassed anger. “Some, anyway. It’s been a while since I lost it that bad.”
The other two exchanged looks. Evidently, Tino deferred to Jack, because he was the one who spoke next. “Do you have someone to talk to about what’s going on? God knows I’m not into the touchy-feely stuff, either, but it does help.”
Tino nodded in agreement. “Jay was there the day a basketball went flying by my head. Two seconds later I was flat on the pavement screaming ‘Incoming’ and for everybody to get down. And did I mention it was right in front of a bunch of twelve-year-old kids in broad daylight? Considering how Jay lost his leg, he’s had his own share of nightmares to deal with. The two of us have had a lot of long conversations since we met. If you don’t have anyone close by you want to talk to, I’m sure he could suggest someone.”
“Or you could call one of us. Been there, done that. We’d understand.”
The last thing Mikhail wanted to do was saddle his brothers with his darkest memories when they each already had their own. It wouldn’t be fair to them or their wives for him to stir up the nightmares they’d finally put behind them.
Right now, what he needed the most was to go home. He briefly considered taking a shower upstairs before leaving but decided against it. The sooner he made his escape, the sooner he could lock himself inside his house and shut the rest of the world out for a while.
“You guys better get back over to the house. Don’t let your dinner get cold.”
Tino pushed himself back up to his feet. “I’ll tell Mom you’re not coming, but that you’re feeling better.”
Mikhail accepted the hand up that Tino offered him, knowing his brother would know that meant he was back under control. “Tell her I’ll call her later.”
“Will do.”
Before walking away, Tino gave him a man hug, patting Mikhail on the back hard enough to jar his teeth. Meanwhile, Jack had also stood up. “Do you want me to take you home or are you okay to drive?”
“I’ll be okay now.”
“Good. Mom will worry, though, so text me when you get there.”
Yeah, right. If it was really their mother who needed to know Mikhail had gotten home safely, why hadn’t Jack suggested Mikhail text her instead? All things considered, he didn’t bother pointing out the contradiction.
“I’ll text you and call her later, like I said.”
Jack punched him on the arm on his way out. “Take care of yourself. Call me, you know, if you need to talk or even if you need a sparring partner. It’s been a long time since we checked to see which of us could kick the other one’s ass.”
“Will do. Now get out of here so I can lock up and go home.”
He removed the wraps from his hands and washed them out in the kitchen sink before hanging them up to dry. After putting his shirt and boots back on, he gathered up the empty bottles and dumped them in the recycling bin out in the driveway. Then he made sure the lights were out and the door locked before starting down the driveway, hoping he would make it to his car without running into anyone.
No such luck. His mother was waiting for him out front. Mikhail slowed down. “Sorry, Mom, but I can’t do dinner today.”
There was no mistaking the worry in her eyes, but she made no move to stop him. “I know, son. I packed up food to go home with you.”
