Wonderful.
The bachelorette and divorce party starts amping up. Ben plays music as the women sing and dance and he joins us on the back of the boat.
“Now we just gotta make sure no one falls off the boat and we’re golden,” Ben says. “What happened to your forehead?”
“Will you two fuck off?”
“Touchy touchy.”
“Have either of you heard from Aiden?”
Gavin sighs, keeping his eyes on the women to make sure we don’t lose one of them before they get married or get to live in post-marital bliss.
“Things don’t look good.”
“I’ll call him tomorrow,” I say and they nod.
It’s how it’s always been. I’m closer to Aiden and the twins have each other. If anything, the twins are codependent. Sometimes I worry about them, but they’re also happy—happier than me, at least. Who am I to judge?
The women start drunkenly singing a song and I regret my decision automatically. Ben puts another beer in my hand as I rest my head against the railing and let the humid summer air hit my face.
I should stop paying for Avalon and find something else. I can’t be pining after a woman who also chooses to be anonymous.
I guess it’s time to finally grow up.
It’s been a few days,and I stay off the Avalon site; I don’t look to see if Honey has requested me and I don’t request her.
Fuck, she’s probably wondering if I didn’t enjoy myself, but I can feel this sick obsession starting to creep on me.
The best thing I can do is to walk away completely.
I’ll stop using Key Club and consider closing my account with Avalon as well. I haven’t wanted something with someone in so long, of course it’s the unobtainable that I want, so fucking typical.
It’s weird, usually I enjoy working, and when I’m in my office I can easily put my head down and get the job done, but lately I can’t focus. I groan, exiting out of the current report and my phone rings and I consider ignoring it until I see Aiden’s name.
“Hello.”
There’s a heavy sigh on the phone and I already know before he speaks.
“Where are you?”
“Tampa General.”
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
He doesn’t speak, just hangs up. I close out of my computer, lock my desk and head to reception.
“I’ll be gone for the rest of the day. Can you handle my calls and put anything urgent on my desk?” I ask Marie, who nods curiously at me. “Collin Kemper,” I say and understanding and sadness takes over her features.
I make the drive to Tampa General, expecting to go inside to find Aiden saying his goodbyes, but he’s waiting at the parking garage entrance. I hit the unlock button and he gets into the passenger’s side.
“Batting cages?” I ask, and he nods.
I drive to our usual spot. My brother is quiet and contemplative. I’ve never lost someone in this way before and I can’t imagine what he’s feeling. Collin Kemper was his mentor and closest friend.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. Funeral is in three days.”
