Connected by the tide, p.25
Connected by the Tide, page 25
part #3 of Hawaiian Crush Series
32
When Henry turned on his phone, he had five voicemails. They were all from one person—his brother. Rather than listening to them all, he just called him back.
“What the fuck?” Bryce snapped.
“What a heartwarming hello,” he said sarcastically. “Where the hell are you? I can come get you.”
“No, that’s not why I called.”
“Really?” Henry asked. “You never call me for anything else.” He didn’t mean to be cold. It just came out. He was standing in Ren’s backyard, pacing around the pool. He didn’t want her to hear the conversation.
“I heard there was a huge fight at the aquarium. Someone was sent to the hospital and another person was badly injured. I called the hospital, but they didn’t say you’d checked in. When I called you and you didn’t answer, I started to panic. I went to your place, but your roommates said they haven’t seen you in days. Now, let me repeat myself. What the fuck?”
“Oh, I didn’t know you heard about that.”
“Are you okay?”
“Bryce, I’m fine.”
“What the hell happened?”
“It’s a long story,” he said with a sigh.
“Who the fuck touched you? I swear to God I’ll kill them.”
“Calm down. I said I was fine.” Henry was caught off guard by the protective side of his brother. He hadn’t seen it before. Most of the time, he didn’t think his brother even liked him.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
Henry sighed then told him the whole story.
“Why the fuck didn’t you call me?”
“When would I have done that?” he yelled back. “When I was holding the guy down? When I was being punched?”
“Whatever,” his brother snapped. “You should have called me back.”
“I’m sorry. I was busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Taking care of my girlfriend. The victim is her brother.”
“You have a girlfriend?” His voice sounded hurt, wounded.
“Yeah.”
“Oh. You didn’t tell me that.”
Henry stared at his feet, listening to the static on the line.
“Is it serious?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh. I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks. So what’s new with you?”
“Nothing. Just been freaking out about you.”
“I didn’t know you cared.”
“Of course I care, asshole.”
Henry felt bad for snapping, but he couldn’t hide his anger. “Well, I’ll talk to you next time you need me to pick up because you’re drunk.”
“Henry, wait.”
“What?”
“You wanna do something?”
“What? What do you mean, do something?”
“Get food or something. Are you hungry?”
“I—I don’t know.”
“Bring your girlfriend. I would like to meet her.”
“Uh, I’ll ask.”
“Text me.”
“Okay.”
“’Bye.” He hung up.
Henry stood there, trying to process what the hell had just happened. His brother never made an effort to spend time with him. He just used him all the time. He walked back inside. Ren spotted his distress immediately.
“What is it, baby?” she asked as she touched his arm.
“My brother wants to do something.”
“Oh. Is that a good thing?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is he drunk?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It sounds like he wants to spend time with you.”
“He heard about the fight. He was freaking out about it.”
“Maybe that was a wake-up call for him.”
“Maybe.”
“You should see him.”
“You think?”
“Yeah.”
“He asked me to bring you along.”
“Then we should both go.”
“I’m not going to sugarcoat this. My brother is an ass.”
“Have you met my two brothers?” she asked with a smile. “I want to meet him. I’ve met everyone but him.”
“He isn’t a sweet guy like me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m practically a guy. I can handle it, baby.”
“Okay. I’ll text him.” He opened his phone and sent the message. “Don’t wear a dress.”
She raised an eyebrow. “That’s the first time you’ve ever told me not to.”
“I don’t want you to wear one in front of him.”
“You don’t tell me what to wear,” she snapped.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Dane used to be like that, telling me what to do all the time. I have a short fuse.”
“Well, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.”
“Well, we should get going, then. He wants to meet at Paradise Burger.”
“Ooh. I like burgers.”
“Why is that not surprising?”
They left the house and arrived at the restaurant. When they walked inside, Bryce was already sitting at a booth. He waved them over. Henry took her hand and guided her to the seat.
Bryce stood up and looked at Henry’s face. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said, brushing it off.
“Who the hell did this to you?” he said with an angry voice.
“I wish I knew. Now, keep your voice down.”
Bryce sighed. “Whatever.”
Henry brought Ren closer to him. “This is my girlfriend, Renee.”
Bryce extended his hand and shook hers. He stared at her face for a long time. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Henry waited for Bryce to tease him, but he never did. He assumed his brother would objectify her, tell Henry she was out of his league, make a comment about her large breasts—something. He didn’t. Instead, he sat down.
Henry let Ren get into the booth before he sat down. He noticed Bryce only had a water sitting in front of him. “So, what’s up?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. Just work.”
“What do you do?” Ren asked.
“I’m a lifeguard.”
“Cool,” she said. “The main beach?”
“Yeah. How do you know my brother?”
“We go to school together.”
“You’re a microbiology major, too?”
“No, English just like Henry.”
Bryce looked at Henry, confusion on his face. “I thought your major was microbiology or something?”
“It was zoology,” Henry corrected. “And I changed it this semester.”
“Oh.” Bryce leaned back and averted his gaze. “I didn’t know you changed it.”
“Yeah. I like English better.”
“Well, I’m happy for you, then.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you go to school?” Ren asked.
“No.”
She waited for him to elaborate, but he remained silent.
Henry took over. “He went to the university, but he dropped out last year.”
“Oh,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
Bryce played with the coaster on the table, spinning it between his fingers. He wore a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Henry thought it was odd, since he was hot all the time. He didn’t ask him about it.
“How long have you been dating?” Bryce asked.
“A few months.”
“Cool,” he said with nod.
“No, she doesn’t have a sister,” Henry said.
“I wasn’t going to ask,” Bryce said as he leaned back.
Henry narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“Your mom and sister are very nice,” Ren said.
Bryce looked at her. “You met them?”
“Yeah.”
“When?” he asked quickly.
“Last week.”
“Oh,” he said.
“Mom actually made an effort to cook. It wasn’t burned,” Henry said. “And she showered. That was a nice change.”
“She ask about me?”
He stared at his brother. “She always asks about you, man.”
He nodded.
“Let’s go over there after dinner,” Henry offered.
“No,” he said quickly. “I don’t want to see her.”
Henry sighed, hating himself for expecting anything else. “You still have a sister you should keep in touch with.”
“Can we drop it?” Bryce asked, dropping the coaster on the table.
Henry fell silent.
The waitress came over and took their orders. Ren got a burger, a soup, and a milkshake.
When the waitress walked away, Bryce looked at Ren. “You know how to eat.”
Henry smiled at her. “I like that my baby eats.”
“Most of the girls I meet at the beach will only order a salad with a side of water, maybe a lemon if they are really splurging,” Bryce said.
“Then stop dating bimbos,” Ren said.
Bryce smiled. “Maybe I should. You know anyone?”
“I don’t introduce my girlfriends to guys I don’t know.”
“You mean guys you think are losers.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I’m sure you think that after everything Henry told you.”
“He told me he loves you and misses you.”
He looked at Henry. “Really?”
Henry shrugged. “I might have said that.”
Bryce picked up the coaster again. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
“Which is?” Henry asked.
“That you’re scared you’re going to lose me.”
Henry averted his gaze and looked across the restaurant.
“When I thought something had happened to you, I felt the same way. It scared me.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry for dumping everything on you, only calling you when I need something. I—I miss you, man.”
“I miss you, too.”
They were quiet for a moment, staring at anything but each other.
“Can we hang out more?” Bryce asked.
“Yeah. How about we go see Mom?”
Bryce dropped the coaster again. “I said no, like, fifteen times.”
“I’m sorry,” Henry said quickly. “I thought I would ask.”
“Well, you asked twice.”
“Okay. I hope you change your mind.”
“Never.”
Henry sighed, wishing the conversation had gone differently. When he looked at his brother, he saw the concern in his eyes. There was something more on his mind, but he was holding back. He suspected it was because of Ren.
The food came, and Ren ate everything more quickly than the two men did. Henry smiled at her, proud of her appetite. He was never into super-skinny girls who looked anorexic. Ren had some belly fat that hung on her hips, but he thought it was hot. He enjoyed her body. He couldn’t get enough of it.
When the bill came, Bryce paid for it.
“What are you doing?” Henry asked.
“You’ll get the next one,” he said as he put his wallet away.
Henry didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t stay mad at his brother when he was trying this hard. He wondered if he had stopped drinking or if he just wasn’t doing it around Ren.
They walked outside then moved to their cars.
Bryce stood in front of his car and looked at Henry. Henry understood the meaning.
“Baby, can you wait in the car for a second?”
“Sure.” She turned to Bryce. “It was nice meeting you. And thank you for dinner.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Renee.”
She walked away and got inside the car.
Henry put his hands in his pockets and looked at his brother, waiting for him to speak.
“She’s a catch.”
“I know.”
“You need to show me your moves.”
He shrugged. “I was just honest with her. I don’t play games.”
“Well, you deserve her. You deserve the best.”
Henry didn’t know what to say to that.
“I’ve stopped—tried to stop.”
“I noticed you hadn’t called me in a while.”
“I’m trying to get better.”
“Why are you wearing long sleeves?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You know exactly what the fuck that means.”
Bryce met his stare then looked away.
“I told you this would happen. Substance abuse always starts small, Bryce.”
“I only did it once, and I won’t do it again.”
“I hope you’re telling the truth.”
“I am. I got an infection and had to take antibiotics for a while. It was scary.”
“I’m glad you learned your lesson—the hard way.”
“I feel like you hate me.”
“You know I never could, man.”
“But you should hate me. I’ve been a shitty brother to you.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, and they regret them. I forgive you, Bryce. Let’s just move on.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“You’re my brother. You’ll always earn my forgiveness.”
He nodded. “I’ll be better from now on. I won’t fuck this up again.”
“I believe you.”
He looked at the restaurant then at the ground, his hands in his pocket. “You love her?”
“Madly.”
“You’re going to marry her?”
“I hope so. We still have a ways to go.”
“You still live with Mitch?”
“Technically, but I’m hardly ever there. I’m usually at Ren’s.”
“I could use a roommate.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I have two bedrooms. One isn’t being used. It’s empty, actually.”
Henry pondered the idea.
“I know it would help me out.”
“You need the money?”
“No. It’ll just help me not go down that path again.”
“Yeah, I’ll move in with you.”
“Really?”
“I would rather live with you than the assholes I live with now.”
“I’m an asshole, too.”
Henry laughed. “Good point.”
“Let me know when you want to move in.”
“Yeah. There’s something I want you to do, though.”
“What?”
“I’ve forgiven you for everything, Bryce. You have no idea how much I’ve suffered through all of this, pretended that I was okay when I wasn’t. The only person who’s been there for me, taken care of me, and loved me was Ren. I needed you, but you weren’t there. If I can forgive you for that, you can forgive Mom or at least try. I want you to think about that.”
Bryce sighed, annoyed that the subject had resurfaced.
“Just think about it.”
“I’ll think about it, but I won’t change my mind.”
Henry met his look. “I know you’re better than this.”
Bryce didn’t meet his gaze.
“Goodnight,” Henry said as he walked away.
“Henry?”
“What?” he said as he turned around.
“I like her.”
“Thanks.”
33
“Why don’t you just live with me?” Renee asked.
“I would love to, baby. It’s too soon.”
“No, it isn’t. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
She sighed. “But if you sleep with me every night, you might as well just move in.”
“I think it will be good for my brother if I move in with him.”
“And it would be good for you if you moved in with me.”
They sat across from each other in the library, working on the weekly publication of Penumbra. Henry sorted through the submissions, most of which weren’t good.
She stared at him. “I’m tired of seeing you take care of everyone else. Now it’s time for you to take care of yourself. And let me take care of you.”
He grabbed her hand. “Baby, I’m okay. He said he would make an effort.”
“That’s the drug addict motto.”
“He’s not a drug addict. He tried hard drugs once and said he would never do it again. I believe him. He’s never reached out to me like this. I need to meet him halfway.”
“Could you just spend more time with him or something? Why do you have to live with him?”
He smiled at her. “Baby, our day will come. I wouldn’t want to move in with you unless we’re engaged or something.”
“Then let’s get engaged.”
He looked at her, seeing the seriousness in her eyes. “Let’s get through school first.”
“Coen and Sydney are getting married.”
“And they rushed into it, if you ask me.”
“They seem pretty happy.”
“I’m sure they are. I can’t ask you to marry me if I can’t take care of you. I’m sorry. Call me old-fashioned, but that’s how I am.”
She growled. “Why can’t you just be a jerk?”
He laughed. “You want me to be one?”
“Right now I do.”
He sorted through the papers. “We don’t have enough submissions—at least good submissions.”
“I guess we could add our own.”
“But isn’t that unfair?”
“It’s not our fault most of them suck.”
“Well, our gift card idea worked. We got more submissions.”
“But they all are terrible.”
He laughed. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Do you have something we could use?”
“I have a few poems.”
“We could just put it under a fake name. No one would ever know.”
“So we would be doing most of the submissions?” he said with a laugh.
“I need them to be good. I’m putting it on my resume.”
“Okay. I think I have one I can use.”
“I’m sure it’s amazing.”
“I doubt it’s as good as anything you could do.”
