Chapter 133
*Bastard brother.* A term Austin had grown used to acknowledging as a reference to himself. Gone was the petty angst and disgust embellished in Colin’s tone all the previous times he threw the insult in Austin’s face. Replaced now with something considerably more tender that had even caught Thomas off-guard, his steady unreadable façade faltering for a split second before it snapped back into place.
Austin grinned, tight-lipped and with a degree of suspicion. There was a sense of comradery that expanded between the three men. Years and years, he’d attempted to resolve the relationship between himself and his brother and had failed and so he’d stopped caring. But Colin had extended the white flag and Austin would accept, albeit with caution. Sensing that his brother had gone through some sort of life changing epiphany and was attempting to make things right.
“And perhaps if we are more of a united front, mother will have less to torment Skylar on.” Colin muttered, knowing that their mother preferred to apportion blame to Skylar for Colin and Austin’s relationship, blind to the details and events of their whole life.
Colin no longer wanted to live that way, there were better ways to use his energy. More productive too. Austin had been termed the defender of the family for all their life, even Colin had to admit that. And if one couldn’t have solidarity with one’s family then who else could he hope to achieve it with?
“No one can torment Sky.” Thomas meekly added, uncomfortable with the emotional family baggage being aired out, while Austin hadn’t any real reaction.
Austin inclined his head in agreement to Thomas’ response, “No one will torment her, I won’t allow it.” Austin responded, reminding himself that he’d failed to keep that promise before, allowing his mother to twist his jealously to her end. Indirectly tormenting Skylar through him. *Idiot!*
Content with the conviction in his brother’s voice, he desired a place to sit. His legs wobbling underneath him. This body a mere shell. Colin hadn’t realised how much it took out of him to openly relinquish his claim, his affection to another person. His body trembled, but he hid it, clenching his fists together to bring some awareness to his mind. His eyes making four with Thomas’ discerning ones but not a word was needed between them.
Reading the shift in momentum, Austin’s seeping need to find Skylar and make things right, Colin continued. “But if you fuck it up again, I won’t give up this easily.”
He said as Austin began rummaging through his closet, throwing clothes down onto the bed. His brain was running on fumes and yet he couldn’t shake the impatience riding his bones. Almost forgetting that the men were still in his room.
“If I do fuck it up again, I won’t object.” He answered, wondering whether he’d even get the chance. The woman was the stubbornest entity he’d ever been exposed to and ironically, he craved just that.
He’d been stupid. He’d allowed his insecurities to be exploited and it had cost him precious time with the woman he loved. How foolish did he have to be that everyone else knew he loved her, all but Skylar. She was completely unaware and it had been his fault. There was no confirmation that she loved him, Colin’s words alone couldn’t satisfy his mind on her feelings. That was a situation to be rectified by Skylar alone but he didn’t need her to love him, he just needed her to be open to it and unattached elsewhere. That he could work with.
“He no longer has any time for us,” Thomas muttered with mock sternness but the elation in his voice exhibited his delight. Colin chuckled weakly.
“Precisely, please leave so I can ready myself to win back my wife.” He said in passing as he made a move to the bathroom. He needed to scrub his body clean.
“Kicking us out so soon?” Thomas teased, ready to head for the door not waiting for an answer, “You should deal with your wounds before you search for that wife of yours,” He advised, knowing fully well that Austin would understand the caution. He and Colin shuffled out of the room as the exact time Austin’s cell phone began ringing.
An unknown number he realised upon closer inspection after he limped back to the bed, bending to retrieve it. “Hello?” he answered curtly, the impatience surging through every pore that whatever pain he experienced dulled in comparison. He considered calling Skylar, the chances of her answering him after he’d been so cold was slim and besides that, he wanted to see her. Preventing her from ending the conversation whenever she wanted or prematurely.
“Mr. Cyner?” an unfamiliar female voice queried with care.
“Speaking,” Austin replied instantly.
“My name is Regina Warner, I am an attorney and I am calling on behalf of your wife, Skylar Cyner. She has given us instructions to file the necessary documentation to have your marriage dissolved and we are requesting the name of your attorney, if you have one, so that we may send them a courtesy copy of the filed documents once we’ve handled that.” She rattled on the words as if they were practiced, smooth and fast. Almost like an automated message.
The words sank it. The little she-devil, Austin twisted his head as if Regina was there to see it. “The hell she is.” He grinned contemptuously a ring of pure humour twirling around the sound.
“I’m sorry?” Regina was almost speechless, was this man laughing? She didn’t know what to make of this, picturing his resolve in her mind’s eye. She’d never seen Skylar’s husband. Never knew the woman had gotten married until she received that email last week.
“She’s not going anywhere.” Austin composed himself, “she’s not getting away from me that easily.” The words seemed to be abusive to Regina’s ears. Her capacity as an attorney had given her insight into the inner workings of people. Those words triggered a defensiveness in her.
“Sir, we don’t require your consent to proceed,” tart and lasting were the words. Was Skylar running from her ex-husband? All sorts of thoughts infiltrated Regina’s mind, thoughts of an emergency protection order, of regret in expending her professional courtesy to him.
“I am aware, but I promise my wife’s consent will be revoked.” Austin replied with ease, “Don’t file anything because she won’t go through with it.” He spoke with an assuredness that wasn’t mirrored on the inside.
“Sir, is that a threat?” Regina couldn’t believe her ears.
This solicited another hearty laugh, “By the devil, it isn’t. I am only resolved to fix what I broke and if there is any risk of violence I can assure you, I’m the one you need to fear for. I’ve let her down, questioned her loyalty, that is all.” He replied and somehow, Regina softened, partial to what he was saying. The call ended and he hurried to the bathroom. He couldn’t believe she’d actually decided to leave him officially.
“Where are you off too?” Abigail had passed him as he was heading for the door. There was a slight limp in his step and his face didn’t look much better even though he was all cleaned up.
“To bring my wife back home,” he announced.