Page 82 of Inseverable (Carolina Beach)

So I let her cry, and I hold her close, keeping her warm as the air conditioning unit blasts cold air and the sunlight crawls along the room.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Callahan

Labor Day comes too soon for Trin and her friends, and maybe too soon for me, too. Tonight we’re all gathered outside my house around the fire pit I put together from the flat stones Trin and I gathered around the island. I’m holding her as she and I lay across the lounge chair. This time when Sean picks up my guitar, there’s no laughter, no jokes, only quiet, a rare occurrence around this tight crew.

Mason’s leaving in the morning for D.C.. Unlike the others who are headed straight into the work force, he’s starting law school at Georgetown. There’s no doubt in my mind, he’ll do well in life. Trin’s friends, or should I say, “our” friends will all do well. They work hard, and ball-busting aside, they have good hearts.

Sean’s leaving later this month for a pharmaceutical job he has lined up in Philly. Hale’s supposed to drop him off on the way to New York where he’s secured a job in as a financial advisor on Wall Street.

Trin hasn’t interviewed for any teaching jobs, despite that school’s already started. I don’t ask, and I definitely won’t push, knowing once she starts, I won’t see her as frequently. Besides, she’ll have no problem finding work once she decides it’s time.

I have the feeling she’s waiting for Becca to leave and start that public relations job in Charlotte. Becca will be the last to pack up and go. I thought her leaving would be the hardest on Trin. But seeing how quiet she is, saying goodbye to Mason won’t be that much easier.

Sean lowers his head, his long arms swung over the guitar, but not really holding it like someone who enjoys playing as much as he does. With a sigh, he lifts his head and forces a smile. “Last song. What’ll it be?”

Mason chuckles when we all turn his way. He doesn’t look up, but does stop running his hand down his date’s back. He’s already feeling their goodbye, despite that smile he’s doing his best to hang on to.

“You pick,” he says.

“I’ll sing if y’all sing with me,” Sean responds. “But I’m not picking the damn song.”

At first, no one says anything. We all know once the song finishes, it’ll be time to say goodbye. Hale and Becca are sitting together, close enough that their legs are touching, but not close enough to make me think he’s acted on his feelings for her.

She tugs down the sleeves of her jacket when the breeze picks up and smiles. “How about some Springsteen?” Her eyes scan the area, stopping on each of her friends, including me. “MaybeNo Retreat, No Surrender?”

I couldn’t have picked a better song for this bunch, even though I know it’ll be hard for them to get through. Sean starts playing. Everyone joins in, even me.

“Well, we busted out of class, had to get away from those fools. We learned more from a three-minute record, baby, than we ever learned in school . . .”

At first, the five friends all smile through their sadness. But the moment they hit the chorus, Trin and Becca start crying. Tears stream down their faces as they try and push on. Becca clutches Hale’s shirt when he tucks her against him, giving up halfway through the song to cry softly against his chest.

I gather Trin close when she covers her face and can’t continue. By the time the song ends, Sean’s the only one singing. He finishes, all the way until the last string is plucked. He then places my guitar on the empty chair beside him and wipes his nose with the back of his hand.

“Y’all suck,” he says, glancing away.

Everyone laughs except for Trin. Although she’s stopped crying, she looks sick with grief.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, because I know something is, and that it has more to do than with Mason’s departure.

She shakes her head, her face pale.

“Trin, what is it?” I press, keeping my voice low.

“I need to talk to you later,” she says. “It’s important.”

Something in her solemn tone worries me. I’ve never heard her sound so . . .hopeless. Whatever she has to tell me isn’t good news.

My eyes widen briefly. Shit, is she pregnant? I’m trying to remember the last time she had her cycle, but at that moment panic fills me and I can’t. She’s on the pill, but . . .

She wipes her eyes and stands when Mason begins his goodbyes. He and Sean are first, speaking quietly, and talking about meeting up in D.C. with Hale as soon as they can work out a weekend. They hug like brothers with Mason thanking him for always having his back.

Sean releases him and slaps his arm. “Fire needs more wood,” he says, abruptly taking off and down the path.

Hale and I exchange glances and watch him disappear. It bothers me that Sean’s taking it so hard. But what’s worrying me more is Trin. If she’s pregnant . . .

Mason steps in front of me and offers me his hand. “Callahan, it’s been a pleasure.”

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