Page 35 of The Tides of March

“It’s a gorgeous morning,” Tony shouted so Ronan could hear him and pointed at the sunrise.

Ronan nodded but kept his attention fixed on the windshield and steered them toward Maryland and Bowleys Marina. The tide was low, the skies were clear, and the sun was rising. They weren’t ideal conditions for a kraken so Ronan had decided to make a run for it with Tony. The sea was calm and Ronan didn’t see any sign of the tentacled beast as he pushed his faithful old sloop to run as fast and as hard as she could.

“That’s it! Good lass!”

“We’re headed to Maryland?” Tony guessed once he got a sense of their direction. “It’s kind of early for a delivery from Howard,” he said as he joined Ronan at the wheel. “Why are weheaded to Maryland?” This time, his tone was suspicious and Tony’s eyes tightened when the other coastline came into view.

“Ye’ll see soon enough.”

“Why are you acting like this? You’re making me nervous,” Tony said and tried to turn Ronan but he didn’t budge.“Ronan.”

“Let me be. We’re almost there.” Ronan nodded at the marina, sniffing hard to keep his nose from running and blinked back tears as his eyes stung.

Tony searched the docks as Ronan steered around and found a place to park. It was a weekday and too early for recreational sailing so the marina was quiet, allowing Ronan to pull up easily. He sidled alongside the dock, then cut the engine and put down anchor. He pushed past Tony as he went to get the ramp.

“Are you expecting someone?” Tony asked as he crossed his arms and waited by the steering wheel.

“Nope,” Ronan finally said once the boat was secured and it was safe for Tony to disembark. “Ye don’ need to make a big fuss,” he muttered as he went to Tony and gestured at the ramp. “It’s fer the best.”

“Don’t need to make a fuss about what?” Tony asked. “What’s for the best?”

“Time fer ye to get,” Ronan told him and pointed at the ramp.

Tony’s head cocked and his brows pinched. “What? Why?”

“I told ye, it’s fer the best.”

“No, it’s fucking not,” Tony countered, shaking his head stubbornly. “I don’t want to…get.”

“Too bad. I don’ want ye anymore and ye have better things to do than lay around on yer arse all day.”

Tony blinked and reeled. “Excuse me? I’ve been trying to get up and off my ass for weeks. What the fuck happened, Ronan? Why are you doing this?”

“Nothin’ happened,” Ronan said and steeled himself as he took Tony by the elbow. “I’m done with ye, is all, and it’s timefer ye to move on and forget about me.” His voice dropped to a ragged growl, matching the burning sourness in his gut as he shoved Tony toward the ramp.

“No!” Tony yanked his arm free and shuffled back. “You don’t mean that and I don’t want to go. Why are you doing this?” he demanded, but Ronan offered him a deceitful sneer.

“Ye don’ know my heart as well as ye think ye do. I’m done with ye, lad. Go back to yer life and forget about me.”

“No! You’re lying, Ronan. You love me,” Tony insisted. “You said you would love me forever, until the sea took you. Remember?”

Ronan shook his head, avoiding Tony’s eyes. “They were just pretty words. I didn’ mean any of it and I can’t waste any more time playin’ nurse to a spoiled lad,” he said and this time, Ronan didn’t have any trouble leading Tony down the ramp.

“I didn’t realize you were so busy! Thank you for clearing your schedule to care for my spoiled ass.” Tony laughed incredulously. “Are you serious, Ronan? Did I say or do something? What the hell did I miss?”

“Ye didn’ miss anything,” Ronan said, backing up the ramp. Tony started to follow but Ronan pointed and prepared to take his cruelest shot. “Grow up and get yer own life, Tony. Ye don’ have to follow MacIlwraith around, waitin’ for a pat on the head like a good little pup,” he said and saw that he’d scored a direct blow as Tony staggered back onto the dock.

“Really? That’s what you think of me?” Tony verified and Ronan had to look away as he nodded. He couldn’t take the way Tony’s lip wobbled or how his hand shook as he swiped at his cheek.

“Aye. Yer just a spoiled lad who finally realized he wasn’ the center of the world.”

Tony sniffed hard, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek as he nodded. “Maybe you’re right. You’re a miserable,lonely, old asshole, but you didn’t have to be. We could have been happy but you’re throwing us away for what? Why, Ronan? What did I do?”

“I’ve had enough of ye, is all,” Ronan said simply, ducking to untie the boat.

“Why are you doing this?” Tony’s voice was soft and cracked as he watched Ronan shove off and head back to the wheel. “You’ll regret this,” he shouted when Ronan started the engine. “You love me and you already know this is a mistake!”

There was more truth to that than Tony would ever suspect but Ronan tossed a hand in his direction. He gunned the engine, giving it gas as he steered away and Ronan risked one last look. “Don’t even think about comin’ back. Move on with yer life, lad, and forget about me. Better yet, do us both a favor and stay the fuck away from Chesapeake Bay.”

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