“Fine, fine. We kissed.” I glared at Dare. “You can’t keep using that look onme.”
“Why not, when it’s so effective?” Dare challenged. He sipped his beer and watched me carefully. “And that’s all thathappened?”
This time, I wouldn’t answer no matter how long he stared. What happened between me and Everett was…ours.
“We talked,” I said. I shifted my stance so I could keep Ev, who was standing next to Hen’s chair and watching the football game with a tiny frown on his forehead, in my line of vision. “Did you know he was marriedbefore?”
Dare shook his head. “No. How would I knowthat?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. Hen, maybe? O’Leary gossip? Mitch seemed to know a lot abouthim.”
“If Mitch knew that, he didn’t tell me,” Dare said. He studied Ev also. “He doesn’t wear a wedding ring. Did they break up a whileago?”
I shook my head and snagged Dare’s beer. “They didn’t break up. His husband died.” I took a long swallow. “Sixteen monthsago.”
Dare whistled and his brown eyes went wide. “Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“Ev still messed up over it?” Dare asked. Then he waved his hand dismissively. “Forget I even asked. Of course he is. God, the poorguy.”
I nodded slowly.Of course hewas.
Shane Goode shuffled up to the table, adjusting his baseball cap, and I pushed over to make room for him, even though that meant losing sight of Ev. “Um, hey guys. Just wanted to let you know I got Jamie homesafe.”
I slapped Shane’s arm, which was surprisingly solid beneath his shapeless clothing. “Good man,” I told him. “Jamie needs a loyal friend, forsure.”
“He’s gonna be okay,” Shane said. “I think he’s upset about… you know.Molly.”
“I know,Shane.”
“And maybe about Parker, too.” Daresaid.
Shane nodded and rapped the table lightly with his knuckles. “He never should have gone to Boston. Parker, I mean.” He sighed. “Do you ever think about how everything would have beenfineif no one left town,Si?”
I frowned. “If we stayed here likeprisoners?”
“It’s not a prison! It’s ahome. If Matty hadn’t left, Molly wouldn’t have gone with him. If they’d both just stayed here, nothing would’ve had to happen to them.” His nostrils flared and his throat worked like he was fighting off tears. “If Parker hadn’t left, Jamie wouldn’t have missed his friend all theseyears.”
“Well, yeah, but everyone has a right to find happiness as long as they’re not hurting anyone,Shane.”
“But that’s just it! Theywerehurting people! They hurt you, and your parents, and Jamie, andme.”
“Shane,”I began, but Dare caught my eye and shook his headsubtly.
Shane took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Sorry,” he said. “Second time in two days I’ve gotten all upset. I just hate thinking about the waste of itall.”
“Of course,” Dare said, frowning at Shane. “Anytime someone that young dies, it’s a tragedy, and Molly and Matty werespecial.”
Shane nodded once and adjusted the brim of his hat again. “Anyway. I’ll keep an eye on Jamie,” he said. “Just incase.”
“I appreciate that,” I said solemnly. “And listen, ifyouneed totalk…”
“Nah.” Shane shook his head. “I said all I needed to say twelve years ago. But your mom’s memorial service will help, Ibet.”
“If you say so. I’d just as soon skipit.”
Shane’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t meanthat.”
