7. Elliot

Idropped Brielle off at work, though I tried my best to get her to call in sick so she could spend all day in bed with me. Alas, my girl has clients who depend on her, and I’m damn proud of Brielle for all the hard work she does. Knowing she got her degree while dealing with her alcoholic mother shows what kind of strength she has.

After doing my second round of stretches for the day and cleaning up my cabin a bit, I head out to the worksite to find some odd jobs to do. Until I get the all-clear from Brielle and my doctor at the VA, I’m not supposed to operate heavy machinery or lift anything over twenty pounds, so it’s mostly cleaning shit up and organizing receipts.

I smirk to myself as I think about all the extracurricular physical activities Brielle and I were engaging in over the weekend. I’m not sure I was approved for everything we did, but it was with my physical therapist, so… does that make it better, or worse?

Better. Definitely better. Everything is better with Brielle in my life.

As I round the southeastern corner of the work site, I see Wilder up ahead with his arms crossed over his chest. He”s staring off into the distance, his mind a million miles away. I know that look. Even after all the shit we”ve been through this last year, I can tell when my friend is in distress. Not that Wilder would ever admit to being anxious or anything, but I see it all the same.

Now or never, I tell myself. Brielle’s words from yesterday filter through my mind, calming me and encouraging me to do the right thing.

It’s not easy, but it’s simple. Just talk.

Just talk, I repeat in my head as I walk over to Wilder.

I approach slowly, though it doesn’t do much good. Wilder jumps when he realizes I’m next to him. I get it. I never used to be claustrophobic or skittish, but this last year has taken its toll on all of us.

“Sorry,” I tell him, holding my hands out, palms up, in front of me.

“Oh. Elliot.” He seems genuinely surprised that I’m approaching him on my own, which is fair. Still, it stings to see how much damage I’ve done by not talking to him earlier. “No need to apologize. Really.”

I sigh, wiping a hand down my face. This is part of why it’s so hard to talk to Wilder. He takes responsibility for every bad thing, yet refuses to see any of the good he’s done. Maybe his girl, Ari, has helped with that.

“Actually, I do,” I say, clearing my throat. I glance over at my friend, watching as he turns to face me. He furrows his brow in question, and I decide to just blurt everything out. Just talk. “I’m sorry I’ve been an ass,” I start, looking away from him. “I don’t blame you for what happened overseas, and certainly not the injuries I sustained. Wilder, you saved my life and I never even thanked you. I guess…” I pause, taking a deep breath and letting it all go. “I guess there were a lot of days I wasn’t thankful to be alive,” I finally say.

Wilder is silent for a few moments, letting my words sink in. No matter his response, Brielle was right, as per usual. I feel better just getting it off my chest.

“I understand that more than you know,” he finally says, his voice quiet but firm. I take another glance at Wilder, who is staring right at me. “We all have trauma from that day.”

“I know,” I rasp, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck. Guilt sits heavy in my heart, but we have to push through. “I know I’m not the only one who went through shit, and I’ve been selfish in how I’ve handled this whole situation. I couldn’t see past my own bitterness, and I’m afraid I’ve lost a friend because of it.”

“What?” Wilder exclaims, the shock in his voice catching me off-guard. “Are you talking about me?”

“Well, yeah,” I say with a shrug. “I’ve been awkward and standoffish ever since moving up here, and I’m sorry. I just… fuck, I’m not good at this emotional bullshit, but I just… I want you to know that I’m grateful for your service, not just to your country, but to me. You saved me and you stayed with me through it all, which I guess is another reason I avoided you. Seeing you reminded me so much of those darkest days, but it wasn’t because of you. It was all me.”

“Elliot, I wouldn’t have invited you up here if I didn’t want you around. Of course, I’m your friend. For life. I didn’t know what to say or how to approach you either.”

We’re both silent, Wilder with his hands shoved in his pockets while I fidget and tug at my beard.

“So… we’re good?” I finally ask.

Wilder chuckles, which has to be a good sign. “Yeah, buddy,” he answers, clapping a hand over my shoulder. “We’re good. Thanks for talking with me. I know it took a lot.”

I nod as something settles in my chest. I didn’t know until now, but I didn’t feel like I was home yet. Not until we had this conversation.

“You gonna tell me about the woman I saw you with over the weekend?” Wilder asks, switching topics.

I can”t help the grin that spreads across my face. I must look like a dopey fool in love, which is fitting since that”s exactly what I am. ”Brielle,” I say.

“She have anything to do with today’s conversation?”

“Was it that obvious?”

Wilder laughs and I join him, feeling lighter than I have in a long damn time. “I’m happy you’ve found someone, though I’m curious how you met since you only go to the VA clinic and then straight back up the mountain.” I wait a second to see if he’ll put the pieces together. “Oh. Oh!” he says, his eyes growing wide. “The new physical therapist?” I nod in confirmation. “Is that against the rules or something?”

I shrug. “I don’t know that I would care if it is. Besides, I only have two sessions left with her, and then I’ll be good to go. She really has helped my leg heal up faster than I expected.”

“Your leg and your heart, from the sounds of it.”

“When did you become such a sap?” I joke.

“About the time I met my Ari. I have a feeling you know what that’s like?”

“Sure do,” I confirm. “Speaking of, I should head back into town to pick Brielle up. Would you be able to look at her car tomorrow? I had it towed to the shop in town, but told them not to do anything just yet.”

“Of course. Brielle is family now.”

“Family,” I echo, liking the sound of that.

We say our goodbyes, then I head over to the truck, eager to have my girl back in my arms as soon as possible.

I’m ravenous for Brielle by the time I pull into the parking lot of the VA, but I’m trying to respect the fact that she has to remain professional at work. Well, except for Friday when I laid her out on her desk and ate out that sweet little pussy. That was probably not the most professional thing to do, but I don’t regret it. Not for one second.

Four o’clock rolls around, and then four ten. When it’s fifteen minutes past the hour, I decide to go in and find Brielle. I don’t know how much longer I can wait to taste her lips and soak up her sunshine.

Walking up to the reception desk, the familiar older woman glances at me, then at her computer screen, likely confused as to why I”m here if I”m not on the schedule for today.

“I’m here to see Brielle,” I tell her, hoping she’ll point me in the right direction.

“Oh. Sorry, hun. She was in her office for about ten minutes and then she called and said to cancel the rest of her appointments for the day. She sounded awful, and I just assumed she came down with the flu or something.”

“What?” That doesn’t make any sense. Why would she leave like that? I know she wasn’t sick when I dropped her off…

“Yeah, poor thing. Are you having pain today? Do you need to get in to see one of the other physical therapists?”

“No, I’m fine,” I tell her, confused as hell. She says something else, but I’m already halfway out the door.

What the hell? Did she leave me? Did I do something wrong? Jesus, did I hurt her in some way? I wasn’t exactly gentle with my precious girl this weekend, but I thought she was right there with me.

A darker thought takes over my mind, making me stop in my tracks. She finally realized I’m not good enough.

But, no. That’s not the Brielle I’ve fallen in love with these last few weeks. She’s always been supportive and we’ve shared so many vulnerable parts of our lives. She wouldn’t just leave without at least talking to me.

I pull out my phone to call her, then realize like the idiot I am that I don’t have her number. I have her office phone, which isn’t helpful right now. Good thing I know where she lives. I get a sinking feeling in my gut, wondering what pulled her away from work.

Whatever it is, I’m ready to fight for my sunshine and bring her back up the mountain with me.