Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Huddy is my older brother by two years, and he’s spent the last twenty years in the military. He’s only recently come home, and I’m glad to have him back even if I don’t seem like it right now.
Huddy pushes past me through the door. “Yeah, it’s me. What the fuck is going on, Beau?”
I don’t act like I don’t know what he’s talking about because I’m sure he had to have seen Natalie to know I’m out here in my fuckin’ pool house. I sit down on the couch and lean my arms onto my knees. “I’m getting a divorce. That’s what is going on.”
He nods and sits down across from me. Even though we’ve been apart for as long as we have, I know that look he’s giving me. He’s going to try and fix all this, and he doesn’t understand that my marriage is not fixable. He claps his hands together. “Okay, so let’s talk about it.”
I blurt out a laugh. “Yeah, I’d rather not.”
Huddy moves even further to the end of his seat. I’m almost afraid he’s going to fall to the floor, he’s so close to the edge. He clasps his hands together in front of him. “Well, fuck that, because we’re talking about it. Are you okay?”
I give him a look like I can’t believe he just asked me that. “Really? That’s what you’re asking me? My wife is divorcing me. How do you think I am?”
Huddy stands up and starts to pace back and forth in the small living area. “Okay, so look, I’m just wondering because I’m an outsider looking in, but I’m wondering if this isn’t for the best.”
I jump up from my seat. “This is for the best? Are you listening to yourself? This is my marriage you’re talking about.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “I know that, but I also know that since I got back into town, you’re not the same. I had to carry your drunk ass home the other night.”
I nod my head because the truth is, I’m still feeling the effects from the other night. As the owner of a distillery, you would think I could handle my liquor a little better but obviously not. “Yeah, I knew then that something was up with Nat. She’s been distancing herself for a while. I thought I could numb it all with some drinks, but you saw how that worked out.”
“Okaaay, so hear me out. Natalie hasn’t been to any of Ollie’s soccer games. She doesn’t come for family dinners, she doesn’t want anything to do with your family. She—”
I cut him off. “She came to Granny’s funeral… she insisted.”
He walks over to the window and looks out at the pool. “What do you mean, she insisted?”
I open my mouth to answer and then close it quickly. How do I explain all this?
When I don’t answer, he turns around. “Beau? What do you mean she insisted?”
I move into the kitchenette area and open the fridge. “Do you want a drink, Huddy? There’s probably something in here. Maybe a water.”
He comes to stand next to me. “Beau. Talk to me. What do you mean she insisted?”
I blow out a breath. I might as well come clean. I close the refrigerator door and stand up to my full height. “Natalie and I have been married for two years. In those two years, I’ve never invited her to a family function. Heck, I didn’t even ask her to all the dinners or fundraisers we do with Blaze. I didn’t invite her to Lucas and Issi’s wedding, but she was friends with Issi and went on her own.”
Huddy’s eyes widen, and he jerks as if I’ve completely stumped him. “But why? Why have you not included her in anything? That doesn’t even make sense, brother. You’re a family guy. Heck, you love your family.”
I nod and lean across the counter with my head in my hands. He’s right. My family has always been important to me, and Nat’s no different. But it’s different with her. I made it different. “Huddy, look, I know what women are capable of. I know they leave. I wasn’t going to have her become involved in my life and my family’s life and then be devastated when it was time for her to go. I protected myself… and my family.”
Huddy is staring at me with his mouth hanging open. “Are you serious right now? Just because our mother—”
I cut him off. “It’s not just our mother. Yeah, she left us the day Lucas was born, but she’s not the only one. Do you remember my fiancée I had my senior year of college? They all leave, Huddy. And yes, I wanted to marry Natalie. I love her. I wanted to keep her for however long she’d stay with me. But now she’s leaving.”