The Colonel by Beau North

Author:Beau North [North, Beau]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780578525693
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Welcome back to the land of the living.”

Richard groaned, feeling the aching throb of his head before he even opened his eyes. It took a moment to come to himself and remember where he was and how he’d gotten to bed the night before. He opened his eyes a crack to see Anne sitting in the chair across from him, sketching. She looked up at him and sighed. The sound exploded like rockets in his head.

“Hnnn.”

She stood and left the room, coming back a minute later with a tray. She put it down and helped him to sit up.

“Richie...didn’t I tell you this was a bad idea?” Anne asked as she handed him a cup of coffee and two aspirin.

Richard laughed, wincing at his pounding head. It wasn’t a happy sound.

“I know, Annie,” he said. “I did something stupid.”

”You’re going to have to be more specific.”

He sighed, raking a hand through this hair. Everything hurt. Even brushing his hand across the stubble on his chin set off detonations of pain.

”I thought seeing her…like that…it would cure me of it forever…I could let go of this what if I’ve been holding on to for so long.”

Anne shook her head. “I really don’t think it works that way.”

Richard groaned, hanging his head. “The joke is always on me, Annie. Always. I think she knew what I was hoping for, too. I could see it all over her face, like she was a little bit sorry she let me down.”

Anne rubbed his back. “Did Will notice?"

“Enough to put a fist in my gut.” Richard winced as he tasted the seltzer and then drank it hastily, hoping it would settle his roiling stomach.

“When did that happen?” Anne was aghast.

“Right after I introduced Abigail. I was so proud of myself. Look how I’ve moved on, new girl and everything, I thought. D just kind of looked at Abbie and then looked at Lizzie, and they had this look and I knew. I’m not over it. Any of it.”

“I can’t believe it didn’t occur to you sooner,” Anne said. “I always thought…well, I just assumed you had a type now.”

“If only it were that easy.” He shrugged. “I saw the look she and Will gave each other. Like they were embarrassed for me. It was the lowest feeling.”

Anne made a soft cluck of sympathy. “I’m sure they didn’t mean…”

“No, I know. Damn them both. They’re too good to hurt me on purpose. Lizzie tried to play along and talk to Abbie, but it was done, and I knew it.”

“Poor Abbie.” Anne’s voice didn’t put much sympathy behind her words. Richard waved her off.

“I’m not her only playmate. I was too damn old for her anyway.”

Anne laughed. “I thought so too but I didn’t want to say anything. You’ve seemed to be doing so well. I didn’t want to jinx it.”

Once again, he put his head in his hands, silently praying it would stop pounding soon.

“God, I’m an idiot,” he said finally. Anne put an arm around him, pulling him to her.

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