Page 102 of Tide Over

I smile and lift my eyes, staring out over the open water as I take a deep breath in.

Ever since I told Theo what really happened with Nick… everything feels just a little bit lighter. I know I’ll forever carry this guilt, but… even just saying those words out loud shifted something in me. And it’s not as heavy anymore.

His words echo in my mind as I watch the waves roll and listen to them crash against the rig. When he told me it wasn’t my fault… and asked me how I would want Nick to feel if it was me, and not him.

I’d want him to remember everything good that we had.

I’d want him tolive, keeping me with him to show me how good this life can be.

I’d want him to love, grow, and be happy.

And that’s what I’m working on.

I unlock my phone and open my messages with Mom. I stare at it for a moment before I take a deep breath, and type out a message that has been a long time coming.

Hi Mom. Just wanted to let you know I’m coming to visit soon.

My heart thumps as she immediately starts texting back.

Mom

Oh Liam, I am so excited to hear this! We miss you so much, mo mhac.

Let us know when, we can’t wait!

I swallow hard, blinking back the tears forming in my eyes as I tap out my reply.

I will. I miss you too.

Love you.

Gu bràth.

I release a long breath as my eyes close, then fill my lungs with the fresh, salty air. And I imagine being at home. With my parents, with Theo… and I let that image sit for a moment, finding comfort in their love.

I can do this…

Then I push off the railing and head back inside, where the guys are all playing ping-pong.

Of course.

“Listen here, fucker,” Keegan points at Russel across the ping-pong table. “That was absolutely a foul, and you know it.”

“Oh,” Russel tosses his paddle onto the table and tosses his hands in the air. “You’re just making up the fucking rules now, are you?”

Keegan huffs and shakes his head, glancing at me. “Liam. Tiebreaker, because none of these assholes are any help.” He gestures to everyone else sitting around the common room, watching this all unfold with smirks on their faces. “If a playeraccidentally,” he shoots a look at Russel, “moves the table while playing, that’s a foul, right?”

I draw my brows together, looking around the room as everyone watches me expectantly… waiting for my ruling.

“Uh…” I shrug, “I mean, I guess it technically would be, but?—”

“Ha!” Keegan points at Russel.

“No, no!” Russel shouts, pointing a finger at me and then to Keegan. “The table moved because this bastard didn’t hit his side of the table first, so I had to scramble to get it, sohehad the foul.”

I throw my hands up, shaking my head as I step back. “Nope. I wasn’t here to see it, not my problem.”

“Ok, guys, just… start over,” Dylan says, standing up and approaching the table. “Let’s move the fuck on.”

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