Read Online Of Love and Corn Dogs by Parker Williams - Free Book Online Page B

problems.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Darwin asked.
    â€œThis,” he replied, waving his hand around the large office suite. “You come in here every day, work your butt off, and then at night, Henley takes you home so you can start all over again. That can’t be what you want out of life, is it?”
    Darwin’s throat closed up, so he simply shook his head.
    â€œBeing alone for so long isn’t healthy. I know you’ve got people around you, but it isn’t the same. They’re family, and I’m starting to understand that, but do you feel comfortable talking to them about personal matters like this?”
    â€œNo,” Darwin whispered, his voice harsh. He placed his rocks glass on the marble side table beside his seat. He glanced over at his brother, expecting to find pity. Instead, he saw understanding.
    â€œI know we’re just starting to mend the fences, but if you ever need to talk to someone, you can call me. If you don’t want to talk to me, Mila would be more than happy to hear from you.”
    His eyes burned, and Darwin knew tears wouldn’t be far behind. He hadn’t cried for years over Dean’s loss, and the memories had faded a bit with time, but now he could picture him, clear as anything. His smile, which always warmed Darwin’s heart. His eyes, which twinkled with mischief. And his arms, which had given Darwin comfort, even when they’d known their time together would soon run out.
    â€œI’m afraid,” Darwin admitted.
    Kent slid closer to where Darwin sat. He reached out and put a hand atop Darwin’s. The warmth chased away the chill that the liquor couldn’t touch.
    â€œI get that. It’s scary putting yourself out there again. What if he doesn’t like you? What if it doesn’t work out? But stop asking that. Think about what happens if it does. You’ve got to take the chance, because if you don’t, you’re only going to have a life filled with more regrets. And those are a worse hurt than if things go wrong, believe me.”
    Darwin straightened in his chair. He stopped thinking about himself for a minute and gazed at his brother. He could see the sadness in his eyes, and Darwin recognized it for what it was. He’d seen that look many times when he’d stared at his own reflection. Kent now lived with the regret of their parents’ final years. The attitude he’d developed, which caused a schism to form in the family.
    â€œMom and Dad loved you, you know.”
    Kent gave a half shrug. “I gave them enough reasons not to. In my mind, I had money, I had friends, and we could party from sunup to sundown. But that life got old after a while. The thrills didn’t come as easily. People wanted more from me. To buy them things, take them places. Before I realized it, I had lost myself and didn’t really care if I came back from it. I disappointed our parents and you. And it seemed easier to just let it go than try to fight to get it back.”
    He had never seen Kent in that light. To Darwin, he’d always been a scrapper, fighting for what he believed he’d been due. Saying he’d given up hurt Darwin’s heart, because in all honesty, that was what he’d done after Dean died. Maybe he and his brother weren’t so dissimilar after all.
    â€œWhen Mom and Dad told me they were going to make me head of the company, I protested. I told them it should be you, not me. They each gave me a sad smile and told me that you were on a journey right now, and that until you decided it was finished, it might be some time before you came back.”
    â€œThey were right. I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t met Mila. She gave me so much shit when we got together, because she knew I had potential. And even then I misused that.”
    â€œMeh. She got you whipped into shape,” Darwin replied, grinning.
    â€œShe did at that. Which brings us back to the subject at