Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr

this got on Colin’s last nerve.
    There should be a statute of limitations on big brothering. They were only two years apart in age and Luke was not smarter or more experienced. Colin felt that after the age of thirty, brothers of all ages should become equals.
    When he got to Luke’s, his brother met him on the porch. “Good, you’re here a little early. I need to talk to you. Let me get you a cola.”
    “Skip it,” Colin said. “What’s on your mind?”
    Luke took a deep breath. “Jack mentioned you stoppedby for a beer. I asked him if he was sure that was a beer and he said he was sure.”
    Colin put his hands on his hips. “So, let me guess. You informed him he shouldn’t sell me a beer?”
    Luke shook his head. “No, but I’m counting on you making a decision not to order one.”
    “Why don’t you just stay out of it, Luke? I’m capable of managing my own life.”
    Luke shook his head. “Colin, you can’t be doing that—you know that. Alcohol is a drug!”
    Colin ground his teeth. “I didn’t come here so you could micromanage me. Believe me, I learned more in treatment than you’ll ever know. I want you to let me make my own decisions. I’ll be fine.”
    “Listen,” Luke said, clearly trying to be patient. “I know you’re still coping with a lot of stuff. I’m just trying to keep an eye on things so I can help and—”
    “That’s what I don’t want, don’t you get that? I don’t want you keeping an eye on a lot of things!”
    “Beer is not the answer!” Luke nearly shouted.
    “Believe me, three beers in six months is not me looking for answers! You gotta back off before you really piss me off!” Colin shouted back.
    “I know you’ve had some challenges, but—”
    “Some challenges? ” Colin asked hotly. “I lost my life! I lost my career, the one thing I really lived for—flying! I lost my body and, for a while, my brain! You gotta stay off what’s left of my fucking back!”
    “Yeah, I just don’t want you to lose it all again! Christ, man, you got your painting! You’re getting along!”
    “You call this getting along? You think this is what I want? ”
    “Colin, it’ll get better, you just have to—”
    “I have to try to stay steady!” Colin yelled. “ You have to back off!”
    And with that he turned, nearly jumped down the porch stairs, got into his Jeep and got the hell out of there before he got any hotter. Any more stupid. Luke had always gotten to him, or he’d always gotten to Luke; he wasn’t sure which. But he’d wanted to throw a punch. Nothing could be more ridiculous than that—Luke would’ve swung back, and while his body was so much better, it was not ready for a fight. Five years ago he’d have whipped Luke’s ass, but now? He was still healing; brittle and off balance. He’d probably just end up rebreaking some things.
    He went home. Where he wished he did have a beer!
    He was no longer hungry. He turned on his bright lighting, brought out the four-by-four canvas of the buck. He attached two photos to the top of the canvas—one of the animal he’d caught on camera at the river and a second of a nicer-looking background. He was usually able to get a little lost in the painting, but not this time. And when he heard a car or truck engine about a half hour later, he steamed up all over again. How like Luke to follow him with the fight!
    But it wasn’t Luke.
    “We’d better have a talk,” Shelby said from behind him. She’d let herself in.
    He turned, palette and brush in hand. “I thought you were Luke.”
    Shelby closed the door and walked into his brightly lit cabin. “Some advice,” she said. “If you want to keep Luke out, it would be best to try the door locks.”
    He put down the palette and brush. She was such a beautiful, tiny thing in her boots and jeans, suede jacket, hair down to her butt. She was twenty-seven, but shelooked even younger. “Aren’t you afraid of a typical Riordan screaming match?” he asked