Page 56 of His Hungry Wolf

“You should practice.”

“What do you mean?”

Titus shrugged, regaining his usually upbeat tone.

“It’s like football, isn’t it?”

“How so?”

“You didn’t start off as a crazy good quarterback, did you?”

“No.”

“And, how did you get good?”

“Hard work. Study. Practice.”

“Exactly. How much have you practiced telling people how you feel about them?”

As I opened my mouth, I felt a pain in my chest. Even the thought of it was overwhelming.

“What? Too much?” Titus asked, stealing a glance at me from the road.

I huffed satirically.

“Okay, it’s too much right now. Just like how a perfect Hail Mary pass might be too much to expect the first time you picked up a football. But, you could throw a short pass, right? And if the receiver stepped further back each time and you kept practicing, eventually you’d have it.”

“So, you’re saying that if I had practiced, I would have been able to tell Merri how I felt?”

“I’m saying that if you practice, you still could,” he said with a smile.

“How does one practice opening up?”

Titus tightened his lips, searching for a reply.

“You start with little things like compliments. How often do you give people compliments?”

“I give them when I think people deserve them.”

“Which I’m assuming is not very often?”

I chuckled.

“I’m only assuming that because I’ve never heard one from you. So, I’m hoping that’s the case.”

“What are you talking about? I compliment you all the time.”

“Name once.”

I opened my mouth and then chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I don’t take it personally. It’s just who you are.”

“But, you shouldn’t have to make excuses for my being a bad brother.”

“I didn’t say that. You’re the best brother I could’ve hoped for. Don’t tell Cali, but you’re my favorite,” he said, blushing.

“Thanks.” I paused. “You too.”