Graham pulled in front of the house he shared in the wee hours of the morning. He had driven straight from Cape Harbor, surviving on convenience store coffee, fast food, and chips. Graham was long past the point of exhaustion, mentally and physically drained. His life altered in ways he’d never thought possible. Graham was too young to lose one of his closest friends, and knowing he would never see or speak to Austin again hurt. The pain cut him deeply.
It had been two weeks, maybe even three—Graham had lost count since he had last been in California. He’d also lost his job, in the sense he’d been demoted back to entry level, a position he hadn’t even had coming out of college. It was the most his employer was willing to offer since he had exhausted all his vacation and sick time. They were angry, and while he understood, none of it made sense to Graham. His best friend went missing, was declared dead, and all Graham had waiting for him back in California was a demotion and a pay cut to go with it. He, too, felt like he’d lost everything.
And then there was Grady.
His brother drank himself into a stupor every single night. The first couple of nights, Graham and Bowie were right there with Grady, matching drink for drink. They’d close the bar down and make their way down to the docks, where they’d yell for Austin until the sun came up or the police took them home. The next night, they’d start all over again. It was their way of coping, of helping Grady get through an unbearable time. They had all lost Austin, but Grady took it the hardest. He’d been there and had been unable to save his best friend and business partner.
After the funeral, it was time to get back to life. Only, life as Graham knew it was never going to be the same. He had to make a decision, one he never thought he would have to make at the age of twenty-two. Stay in California and work two jobs until he could get back to where he’d been, or go home. Home meant he’d be with his friends, his brother, and his parents. Home meant Rennie would still be there because of Brooklyn. But what about Monica? Did he love her?
He did.
Graham opened the front door of his house as quietly as possible. He tiptoed down the hall and opened his door. He flipped his light switch on and gasped loudly. There was someone in his bed, but who? His heart raced, pounded forcefully with each step he took toward his bed. Graham leaned over the covered lump to peer at their face. His body relaxed when he saw it was Monica. He sat down on the edge of his bed and sighed heavily. Graham hoped to slow his beating heart and not to wake his girlfriend.
Monica stirred. Graham turned to look at her from over his shoulder. He missed her while he was gone, but he also enjoyed the time he spent with Rennie. These two women owned him, but in different ways.
“Hey,” she said softly as she reached for him. Monica rolled over and held the blankets open for Graham. He kicked his shoes off, slipped out of his shorts, and pulled his T-shirt over his head. The moment their bodies met, his lips were on hers, and her hands pulled him close. Graham needed Monica. He wanted to feel like himself again, the person he was when he was with her and who they were as a couple in San Jose. They were in love, they had a future, and he prayed she would go with him back to Washington, where they could start their lives. Monica and Graham made love until the sun rose, and though he was tired, he couldn’t close his eyes and find sleep.
Graham kissed Monica’s temple and told her over and over again how much he loved her. Tears fell from his eyes as he searched for the words that would change their future. Monica rolled onto her side and pushed her fingers through his hair.
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything,” he told her. “I lost my friend, someone I thought would always be around when I went back to visit my parents. He’s gone. My brother is a wreck.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you.”
“I know.”
Monica wiped away his tears and placed a kiss on each cheek. Graham was surprised she hadn’t asked about Rennie yet. When he’d received the call, he hadn’t called Monica to tell her until he had to stop for gas. His only focus was getting home. When he called, they argued because Rennie had gone with him.
“Is there anything I can do?” Monica asked.
“Come with me.”
“Where are you going?”