We continued down the beach, stopping to pick up shells or toss pebbles in the water. We came to a spot where a lot of pebbles and shells had collected, and I noticed something dark blue among all the white and light brown.
“That looks like sea glass,” I said.
Sean picked it up and handed it to me. “It is. You don’t see it much anymore because the beachcombers pick them up.”
The cobalt-blue piece was cool against my palm. It was roughly the size of a quarter, its once sharp edges smoothed by months or even years of being tossed through waves and sand. I rubbed my thumb over its opaque surface, feeling some kinship to the little piece of glass—tossed around in the world, changed, remade, but still here.
Sean threaded his fingers through mine and raised my hand to his lips. “Maybe it’s a sign of good luck.”
I looked into his beautiful green eyes. “Maybe it is.”
* * *
Sean
“You’re coming to the wedding.”
I leveled a confused stare at Evan from across the table where Jeremy and I were having lunch with him and Raphael. “Well, I planned to be there to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Evan shook his head. “No. You are coming to the wedding as our guest.”
“I…” I glanced over at Jeremy, who didn’t look all that surprised. “Is that okay with you?”
Jeremy’s brows rose and a soft smile graced his lips. “I would love to have you there as my plus one.”
Evan pointed at Jeremy. “That right there—that is why you are coming to our wedding. I haven’t seen him smile like that in years.”
I honestly didn’t know what to say. Jeremy and I had only known each other for two weeks. I had trouble believing I’d made that much of a difference in his life in such a short time.
Before I could respond, Jeremy’s phone rang. He’d been getting calls all morning from well-wishers and people looking to reap the benefits from his efforts. Judging by the look on Jeremy’s face, this call was from the second group.
“Alan,” he said. His voice was colder than I’d ever heard except when he was talking to Pierce.
Evan exclaimed, “The fuck?” under his breath, and even Raphael looked pissed.
“What do you want?” Jeremy asked.
I heard a man’s voice speaking to Jeremy, but I couldn’t determine what he was saying. Jeremy looked angrier and angrier the longer Alan spoke. Finally, he cut him off. “Stop. I don’t even know why you’re calling me about this. We no longer have a contract.”
I glanced over at Evan, who mouthed, “Agent.”
Jeremy’s brow furrowed. “Not legal? I beg to differ. We both signed the dissolution papers. But if you’d like to speak to my lawyer, he’s right here.”
Alan’s voice took on a wheedling quality that got right under my skin, even though I still couldn’t hear what he was saying. I saw the exact moment Jeremy had had enough.
“No,” he said tersely, “We are not going to sign a new contract together. I will not give my business to someone who couldn’t care less about me.” Another pause while the guy tried again. Jeremy’s jaw clenched, and he spoke his next words in a glacial tone. “After the accident, I heard from you exactly once, and that was to ask when I would be able to play again. Then after my collapse, you said, and I quote, ‘I’m not working with a goddamned junkie.’ So as far as I’m concerned, you can go fuck yourself.” He ended the call, and I saw him block the number.
Evan and Raphael stared at him in stunned silence. Jeremy saw them staring and said, “What?”
Evan opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. After another moment, he carefully took his napkin from his lap and placed it on the table. He got up and walked over to Jeremy’s chair. Gesturing with both hands, he said gruffly, “Stand up.”
Jeremy put down his phone and stood. Evan wrapped his arms around Jeremy and held him tight. “I am so fucking proud of you.”
Jeremy finally pulled away and said, “I should have done that years ago. You were right about him all along.” He playfully tugged at one of Evan’s locs. “You were also right to kick me out of the nest. I was too comfortable and didn’t have to make an effort.”
Evan kissed Jeremy’s forehead. “Darling, I’m always right.” He got his wallet out of the back pocket of his designer jeans, opened it, and pulled out a business card. “Give Shonda a call. She’s been amazing for my career, and she really cares. She’s coming to the wedding.”
Jeremy took the card and slipped it into his pocket. “I will—when I’m ready.”
