Page 91 of More Than Words
There was nothing else I could say, not without breaking down.
I turned and gave all my attention to the remaining items in my box.
The sooner we finished our pile, the sooner I could escape.
He didn’t push again or offer any more conversation.
We finished our job in silence.
And it had never felt louder.
Ethan
The second I stepped outside into the brisk November day, I could breathe, and it had nothing to do with the fresh air.
Working side by side with Delaney for the afternoon had been torture.All I wanted to do was pull her into my arms, tell her how sorry I was about…well, everything.But every time the words were about to come out of my mouth, I stopped myself.
Not because I didn’t want to tell her those things.I did.More than anything.
But I needed to do it right.I’d already been a giant idiot.
I knew I was only going to get one shot at making it better.And I wasn’t going to blow it by fumbling over my words in the middle of the Jacket Racket fundraiser, surrounded by the entire town.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and started to walk toward the plaza.I hadn’t intended to go back to the brewery; my staff handled things just fine without me.But I needed to move.I needed to think.
Delaney’s voice echoed in my head: “We’re neighbors.It doesn’t have to be weird.”
Weird?
It wasn’t just weird.It was awful.
And it wasn’t just what she said.It was the way she’d said it.Her voice was tight and controlled and not…Delaney.
I missed what we’d had with a ferocity that caused a physical pain in my gut.
I crossed the street and turned toward the plaza.Soon, the town would light up every tree and storefront, creating a winter wonderland in Trickle Creek’s annual Merry and Bright Night.But for now, Plot Twist was the only bright festive spot in the plaza, her front window display proudly boasting all things Christmas.
I couldn’t help but smile at her commitment to the holidays, no matter what anyone else, myself included, said about it being too early.
Peaks & Brews seemed dull by comparison as I stepped through the doors.Not that anyone was complaining.There were a few tables of customers laughing and talking, enjoying their beers.Jeff, my assistant manager and best employee, was handling things behind the bar with a friendly smile for everyone.
He lifted his hand in greeting, but he must have read the expression on my face and left me alone as I moved to the far end of the bar and took a seat.
I spun around to take it all in.The brewery was everything I’d imagined it would be.Steady customers.A solid lineup of delicious brews.A positive bottom line.
But sitting there, alone, none of it felt the way it should have.
I leaned back against the smooth wood and crossed my arms.
Today had been just one more reminder about how badly I’d screwed up the best thing I’d ever had.I knew there was logic in waiting for the time to be right, and picking my moment and all of that.But I couldn’t help but worry that the longer I waited, the higher the risk that I wouldn’t be able to come back from my fuckup.
I couldn’t risk it.
I pulled my phone from my back pocket and hit my brother’s number.
“Reid,” I said when he answered.“Where are you on that project?”
“I still have?—”
