Page 11 of Ready, Willing and Abel (Dog Tags #6)

chapter

eleven

Abel

“Just bring her to wherever you and the guys are. The wives and girlfriends will all be there too, yeah?” I ask.

“Yes,” my brother says into the phone. “I’ll take care of it. Are you okay?”

“No. I’m fucking furious. And I’m on a goddamn plane to California. The opposite direction from where I want to be.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “If she sees everything people are saying. Fuck, Evan.”

“It’s okay. Cactus Girl is known for being a badass around here. She’s tough. And I won’t let her believe the worst of you. Promise.”

“Thanks.”

“So, does this mean you’re moving to Saddle Creek now?”

“Well, if Esme will have me. I mean, there are logistics I’ll have to work out. With my house in Malibu, I’ll probably sell that.”

“Maybe you can focus on those screenplays now,” my brother says.

“Just know that even if people think you’re crazy for walking away from being an A-list actor, if you don’t want to be doing that, then walk away.

Do what you want, brother. Stop living for everyone else, trying to take care of everyone else.

You’ve earned back all the money, three fold. ”

“More than that,” I mutter.

“Exactly. So if you’re done, walk away. I’ll be there to support you in any way I can.”

“Miss me being around and telling you what to do?” I joke.

“Fuck no. But more family close by means more babysitters so I can knock Marley up again.”

“She hasn’t even had that baby.”

“I know, but she’s so damn sexy pregnant.”

“Don’t want to think about it.”

“You love her?” he asks.

“Marley?”

“No, dumbass. Esme. Do you love her?”

“Yeah. It’s fast, I know it’s fast.”

“There’s no magic timeline. Dad always said he knew about Mom when they first met,” Evan says.

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “In the third grade.”

“They still love each other. And I knew with Marley. I could have saved myself some lonely months if I’d had the balls to tell her that night.”

“So is that your advice?”

“Yes. Do whatever it is you have to do there, then get your ass home and get your girl. In the meantime, Marley and I will take care of her.”

“Thanks,” I say. “Hopefully by the time you’re done watching, I’ll be nearly back to Saddle Creek.”

Back to Esme.