Page 95 of Wild Mistake
“He’s a great listener.” I sling my arm around Will’s shoulder.
“Thanks, man.”
“That’s wonderful.” Maeve smiles tersely. “But it doesn’t solve anything.”
“What am I supposed to do? She doesn’t want a relationship. She’s got her ex and her boys and I can’t force her to love me!” Fuck. My chest hurts just thinking about Sarah.
“You’re so fucking dumb.” Maeve shakes her head. “Men are idiots.”
Our cousin shrugs. “I kind of agree.”
I lean forward and wrap my fingers around my beer glass. “Listen, Maeve. I know you are trying to help, but no one asked. There isn’t anything to be done. I have to respect Sarah’s choices.” Even if they obliterate my heart.
“I thought you were a soldier.”
“I am.”
“You give up like this when crap gets hard? That the ringing endorsement for Army recruits?” I love my baby sis, but that’s too far.
“Stop it.” I glare.
“No, you stop it. Stop being so dumb. Sarah loves you. You love her. So fucking fight for her. You’re not a dumb kid anymore. Neither is she. Prove to her you are the man she needs, and don’t take no for an answer.”
I hate that she makes it sound so simple. “It’s more complicated than that. Sarah’s going to put her boys first. As she should. And I don’t fit in their plan.”
“That’s a choice you make, then.” She moves Collin from one hip to the other and reaches inside her bag. She produces a stack of letters, ones I’ve seen so many times I would recognize them anywhere, and slams them onto the table next to my beer. “But I think you’re making a big mistake.”
The sight of these letters coupled with my sister’s words sober me.How did she—?
“You went through my private belongings.”
“Oh, relax.” She rolls her eyes. “They were on your bed when I stopped by to check on Pops. I went up to get a spare set of sheets from the room and okay, yeah, so I couldn’t help but read a few.”
Shit. I did leave them out.I was reading through each and every one of them before Will called and demanded we get drunk. I’m not even that mad Maeve read them.
I meet my sister’s gaze. “I don’t want to live another day without Sarah.”
“You’re telling the wrong person.”
“I already told her. I’m not going to beg her to let me be in her life.” Though, I kind of did that and it didn’t work.
“Maybe she needs more than words.”
“Ouch.” Will pats my back.
I don’t understand. “What do you mean?”
“Well, once you sober up, come find me and we can hash it out.”
“For real?” I shake my head as Maeve walks away. “You’re just going to leave now?”
She turns around, a satisfied smile curving her lips. Fuck. She really does look like Mom. “Come over in the morning. You can help get the kids ready for school. Bring me coffee.” With that, she struts out the door.
“Your baby sis has some real balls.”
I laugh in spite of myself. “She really does.” I also have to wonder if she has a point. Could making things work with Sarah be a possibility? Did I allow old hurts to influence my actions? Am I going to let her walk away this time without a fight?
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