Page 40 of Merging Wright

Landon pats my shoulder, glancing back up at me in the mirror. “And nothing more to tell.”

“Something else slip your memory, old man?” I tease.

“Not a thing about your mother ever left my memory.”

That’s what I thought. But does Landon have a crush on Ma now? As long as I’ve known him, he was married to Cecelia, a teacher at the elementary school. Their children were younger than Myles and me, so we didn’t run in the same crowd. As bastard boys, we wouldn’t have been welcome in their social sphere anyway. Cecilia died a few years ago.

Landon finishes trimming my facial hair in silence, and my mind drifts to memories I’ve tried to forget. Being home has pushed everything to the forefront of my brain. Tracy Evans being the center of most recollections. My high school sweetheart wasn’t in the same stratosphere as Myles and me either. She was sweet and good and kind but wanted a walk on the wild side with the town bad boys. This did not please her daddy, the local sheriff.

But the heart wants what it wants, and when it can’t have it, that pesky organ becomes more determined to have the forbidden.

We snuck around, keeping our relationship a secret. Then she followed me to WVU. Everything came out when I asked her to marry me, and she accepted. Life fell apart when I wanted to leave this town in my rearview mirror. And Tracy didn’t.

“So, what’s the plan?” Landon interrupts my thoughts, and I’m grateful for the distraction.

“The sooner we can assess everyone’s needs, the faster we can get this project done.” We have ten locations in town, plus the local restaurant, the old bait and tackle shop, and a park.

“And get back out of here.” His West Virginian mountain accent drops deeper as he stands before me, assessing his work on my face.

“Exactly.”

Landon shakes his head and leans against the counter behind him. “Still running.”

“Nothing left to run from. I don’t live here anymore.” And anyone important to me once upon a time is gone. Ma might remain, but she’s different. I don’t include Myles on my list.

Landon purses his lips, crossing his arms, and glares at me. “You’re running from your new wife, I suspect.”

I tug on the cape over me, forcing the snaps to pop and the material to uncover me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Didn’t miss the radio silence between the two of you at your wedding brunch.” Landon rubs his forefinger and thumb along his jaw like he’s some mystic who knows all my secrets.

“We’d been ambushed again,” I remind him as I stand.

“Machlan, let me give you a bit of advice from an old man who’s made plenty of mistakes. Don’t fuck this up.”

“Jesus, Landon.” I laugh bitterly. I’d mock him for swearing if I didn’t read in his eyes the depth of his warning. “Don’t worry about your precious town, Landon. We’ll figure it out.”

“I was talking about your marriage.”

My jaw clenches. “I’ll take it into consideration.”

Landon watches me as if knowing I’m not open to advice from him or anyone else in this godforsaken place. He slowly shakes his head again. “Gonna do what you wanna do.” Disapproval coats his tone, but he isn’t wrong in his assessment.

“I always do.” I smirk.

“That’s what always got you in trouble.” He laughs and presses off the counter.

I’d tell Landon he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but I’m certain his steel-trap memory remembers all the issues I caused in this town. The fights. The bad attitude. The girl.

“So, whatcha think?” Landon tips his head, implying the cut and trim. I’m already standing, itching to get out of his shop and be free of his advice, but I check myself out in the mirror. My face is familiar to me but behind those eyes peering back is a man I no longer recognize. A man full of regret and bitterness. Resentment and distrust. And in matters of the heart, a hole exists in my chest.

And in one night, that hole started to slowly fill in.

21

Playlist: “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood

[Jane]