Page 59 of Needing You

“I’m not giving notice because I’m not going anywhere. That jackass came here even though I’ve told him no more than once, and after that, ignored his calls for the last month. I don’t know why he’s stuck on me, but I’ve told him it’s not happening.”

Eric’s back was to me, his spine ruler-straight with tension when he spoke. “Yeah? You turned up your nose at more money, a better sourcing budget, better clientele… sounds likely.”

My hackles rose at that, despite my mental promise to stay calm. “What an asshole you are, huh? The people here are great, and you damn well know it. And I’ve got plenty of money, as you well know. But don’t act like I think I’m too good for this place. I’m happier working here than I’ve ever been.”

“Don’t act like—” He blew out a breath, then spoke through gritted teeth. “I wonder why I’d act like you think you’re too good after you ran away to New York and didn’t show your face here for more than a decade? It’s a real mystery to me, Will.”

“Oh, fuck off, Eric. You know I was dealing with shit, and I did a terrible job of it. Is that what you want to hear? I shouldn’t have left, and I shouldn’t have stayed away.”

He whipped around, fire in his eyes. “No. You shouldn’t have.”

I held up my hands. “You’re right. I know I was wrong, and it felt wrong enough that I came back. It took too damn long, and I’m dealing with the consequences of staying away.”

“Yeah? Like?”

“Like not getting to know my son until now. Like seeing the disgust in your eyes every time you look at me, like I’ve betrayed you by daring to step foot in this building.”

The sharp shake of his head stopped me.

Frustration warred with outright rage, and pain tied it all up in a nice little bow. “What? Just fucking say it, Eric. Right now. Get it all out because you’ve been holding back since I got here, and I’m tired of this shit. Say your piece, and let’s deal with it.”

He studied his feet for a moment, hands on his hips, shoulders tight and tense. Then he looked up with a kind of surrender I’d never seen from him, and those same shoulders dropped. Truly, I couldn’t remember seeing him slouch like that.

“You didn’t betray me by coming back. Like you said, you hurt us all by staying away.”

I ran a hand through my hair and paced a small circle. “I’m sorry. I’m fuckingsorry, Eric. How many times can I say I regret it? Leaving you with the responsibility, taking care of the siblings, Mom, the business—”

His hand slashed through the air, cutting me off. “That’s not the point! I don’t mind all that. I’m good at it.Great, even. I’ve kept everything and everyone afloat, and I’ll keep doing it until they’re all settled and happy.”

“Thenwhat?”

The air got thick like it did right before a summer rain, but this downpour wouldn’t be cleansing. I could tell this would hurt.

His jaw clenched before spoke. “You leftme, Will. You were my best friend, and I knew you were hurting—we all were. I needed you. Not just to help me keep everybody fed when Mom could hardly get out of bed or to show up for Sammy and Brenna as they wrapped up high school, or to help Jake when Ellie left, but becauseIneededyou.”

Oh. Oh, fuck.

“Eric—” It came out strangled as pain arced through me, but he continued.

“I know I can be an asshole and too serious. I know I’ve been shitty to you since you got back. I’m sorry for that. I am. But I can’t stand here and act like you taking a job in Denver doesn’t cut me to the fucking quick.”

I paced forward and set a hand on each of his shoulders, pinning his eyes with mine. “I’m. Not. Fucking. Leaving. I’m not leaving you, or Kate and Jackson, or Mom, or our idiot little brothers. I’m not leaving Walker’s. I’m not leaving, and you should takemyword for it. Not some Denver dickhead trying to recruit me.”

He practically glared back at me like if he stared hard enough, he’d be able to see the truth of it. So I drilled it home for him and prayed he’d finally hear me.

“I came back here for my family. Little did I know howmuchfamily at the time, and I couldn't be happier about Jackson, as you know. But I came for Mom, and you, and Jake, and Sammy, and Walker’s. I came because I missed you all so much it made me fucking ache, and I couldn’t stand myself for staying away. I came back not only because I was sick of New York but because I was sick of running. Of staying away from the people I care most about in this world, and that, my broody little brother, includes you.” I dropped my hands from his shoulders and waited.

His brow quirked, and he pressed his lips thin, and I knew—I fucking knew it!—he was trying not to smile. “You’re older than me by six minutes.”

I shrugged. “Still oldest.”

He rolled his eyes.

A sigh escaped, a hint of the relief I felt, but I wanted to make this as clear as spring water. “And I still should’ve been here for you. I’m sorry. I don’t know how long it’ll take you to believe me, but I’m not going anywhere, and I’m sorry for staying gone. I love you, you crusty bastard, and I’ve missed you. I’m glad to be here with you even if you do give me hell at every turn.”

He laughed reluctantly and shook his head. “You don’t have to keep apologizing. I just needed to air it all out. I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the trust everyone has in me. I’ve tried hard to earn it, and I don’t want to be some jerk who acts like this is a burden.”

“Dude, you’ve got to stop. No one thinks that. You’re killing it managing this place, and we’re lucky you kept it in the black for so long. What were you, 20 years and ten seconds old when you took over this place?”

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