Page 41 of Diving In

“Beau—” I attempted.

“Life’s messy. It’s okay, Georgia,” he murmured before he took off through the palm trees.

I couldn’t let him go. I had just met him. I couldn’t let him walk out of my life just as quickly as he’d walked in. I started in his direction but was abruptly stopped when Cal brushed up against me and clutched my arm.

With all the chaos surrounding me, I had almost forgotten that Cal was in the backyard with us. I turned so I was facing him straight on, only a inches away from his body. I was so close I could feel the heat rolling off of him.

“Let him go, Georgia. At least for now. He’s going to need some time,” he muttered.

“How old is he?” I asked. If I wasn’t going to find out from Beau, then at least I could use Cal to help fill in some of the blanks.

“He’s fifteen. He was born a few months after Fletcher’s accident.”

My legs gave out and I fell to my knees at just the thought of all the weight that poor boy had been carrying around with him. Not to mention the feeling of guilt and grief that instantly consumed me when I realized that I had missed out on almost fifteen years of his life. Fifteen years that he went without knowing his dad’s sister, his aunt. Fifteen years that I went on being me, not knowing that I was an aunt, not knowing there was still a piece of Fletcher floating around this island.

Cal met me on the ground, and as I stared into his eyes, I knew he was right. I had to let Beau go, at least for now. I had so much shit I needed to figure out before I dragged Beau into my life, and there was no sense in him trudging through the trenches with me. He’d been through a lot in his short life, and I didn’t want to add to that.

Even through my frustration, I was craving comfort, and Cal’s embrace provided more than I was ready to admit. I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed with all I had left. I laid my head against his chest, the constant rhythm of his heartbeat allowing me to focus on my breathing. His heartbeat was steady and rhythmic, almost musical, even after the truth bomb that had just exploded in front of us. I needed that, I needed something stable, because for the first time in my entire life, I’d completely lost control and I was at a loss for what to do next.

We listened to the distant sound of the waves lapping against the shore, smashing harder each time before reverting back out to sea. For at least five minutes, neither of us moved or said anything, wanting to just enjoy this short moment of peace.

Finally, Cal broke the embrace, clearly realizing that I wasn’t going to be the one to let go.

“I’m sorry I lied to you. I wanted to tell you, I really did, but Jack made me promise to let him tell you in his own way. It wasn’t my place to take that away from him. And honestly, I wasn’t sure if your heart could handle another blow, especially one as big as this. I know that doesn’t give me a pass, but I just couldn’t do it to you. But if I could do it over, I would tell you, because seeing your face after you realized who Beau was…” Cal broke off, composing himself.

“Cal—”

He put his finger to my lips, hushing me. “Georgia, please let me finish. Life’s a fucking mess, and while I don’t know everything, I know that your dad had a lot of demons. I also know that he did his best to take care of Beau, or at least provide him with the essentials. Everything Beau and Lauren would accept, Jack gave to them and then some.”

“I get it. You shouldn’t have to be responsible for telling me something like this,” I urged. “But Cal?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you at least try to help me understand?” I asked, my voice shaky.

Did I love that Cal had lied to me? No. But I did appreciate that someone had put my feelings at the forefront of their decision for once. That was something I’d never experienced, especially not with Ian, but with it came understanding and forgiveness. And honestly, I was relieved. Relieved thatthiswas the reason for his lie, because I could forgive him for this.

He stood, reaching out his hand to grasp mine and pull me back to my feet. I nodded and stood to reclaim his hug, even tighter this time, hoping that my embrace explained to him that I had forgiven him, but more so that I was grateful for him.

“Of course I will. I told you I was here for you in whatever capacity you needed me, and I meant it. How about some coffee?” he questioned.

“Coffee might be the only thing that will keep me on my feet right now,” I said quickly, because a warm cup of joe sounded like pure perfection. I walked back through the garage, Cal following closely behind. I was heading for the golf cart when Cal snatched my hand.

Despite everything that had just happened with Beau, I instantly felt a trickle of want roll down my spine. I couldn’t help but smile just the slightest bit at the sight of our hands clasped together, fingers intertwined. It came so naturally to both of us.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we passed the golf cart.

“Coffee’s inside.” He grinned as he led me straight to the front door.

With the pink door staring back at me, I took a few deep breaths. I could feel Cal looking at me for the go-ahead, knowing that I needed to brace myself before we entered the house. It took a couple seconds and one squeeze of his hand to acknowledge that I was ready, or at least as ready as I was ever going to be.

“I’ve got you,”he whispered. And as he snagged the keys from his pocket and put them in the lock, I took a moment to brace myself before entering the house that had raised me.

CHAPTER 16

“Whose house is this?”

He gave me another one of hisyou really don’t knowlooks, so I answered, “No, Cal. I really don’t know. I would have assumed you’d realized by now that I’m always the last to know everything.” I snickered, brushing up against him and trying to lighten the mood.

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