Page 75 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

“You speak to trees now?” Elliot asked, sounding a bit giddy. Beau flashed him a halfhearted smile before turning his attention back to the tree.

“It’s okay. You can come out,” Beau insisted.

A young man reluctantly stepped from behind the tree, his movements slow, his eyes wary. The man looked to be about twenty-five, and he had long brown hair that was tied back. His skin was bruised and cracked like a porcelain plate that had been dropped on the table a bit too hard. There was no blood or flashing lights beneath his skin, just streaks of his silver skull visible through the lacerations. His demeanor reminded Alexander so much of Elliot the first night they met at Twylah’s Sugarplum Treats. Alexander looked to Elliot.

“Do you know him?” Alexander whispered to Elliot as the man reached the final step on the porch.

Elliot shook his head before pulling away from Alexander. As Elliot took a step forward, the other man took a step back, almost falling off their small porch. Beau Rivera’s eyes never left the man, though, and he managed to wrap an arm around his back, pulling him against his chest, catching him before he fell.

“You’re okay,” Beau whispered to him. “I promised you, and I meant it. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Beau lifted his gaze to Alexander. “He lived next door to me. We became friends, and then his owner returned him. I couldn’t just leave him, so I went to the group home where he was staying and broke him out.”

The man whimpered, burying his face in Beau’s neck. “Scared.” His voice was small and broken, just like the small and broken cracks in his skin. There was one under his eye that looked like a heart. It was as if someone had taken a knife and carved the symbol in themselves.

“You don’t have to be. I’m right here.”

“Where’s Max?” he whispered.

“He’s back on the boat. We’re going to see him soon. I need you to be strong for me until then. Can you do that for me?” The automaton gave the mayor a sad nod.

Alexander smiled at the man, making his voice as warm and cheery as he could manage. “I’m Alexander, and this is my husband, Elliot.” He placed a hand at the small of Elliot’s back, and Elliot did the same with Alexander. “If you need a place to stay, we can find somewhere for you. It’s a small island, but we’ve got more than enough space to hide you, buddy.”

Beau bit his lip before sighing. “There’s more.”

Alexander arched an eyebrow. “More?”

“Quite a bit more, actually.” He glanced past Alexander and Elliot, staring into home, taking in the sight of partygoers laughing and smiling. “I hate to tear you away from the party, but there’s something I need to show you.”

Elliot looked up at Alexander, then back at Beau, nodding. “You helped me once, when I needed it most. We’ll help however we can. Where are we going?”

“Just to the ferry.”

Elliot turned back to the house. “Alright. Just give me a moment to ask them to look after Honey,” he said to Beau. Inside, he and Alexander weaved through the small crowd, finding Mrs. Peppercorn and Alexander’s mother chatting by the children.

“Mrs. Peppercorn, Ms. Twylah,” Elliot began. The women turned to him, their laughter soft as if they’d just shared a joke. “Could you look after the party for about half an hour? Alexander and I need to help Beau Rivera with something important.”

“Mayor Rivera is here?” Mrs. Peppercorn’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but the sound of Beau’s groan pulled his attention away from her.

“We arrived together. Honestly, Mrs. Peppercorn. You have to cut back on your marijuana use. I fully support the legalization of cannabis, but no one should eat the amount of edibles you eat every day. You’re frying your brain.”

Mrs. Peppercorn rolled her eyes. “Hogwash. I was just playing into the drama.” Her eyes narrowed. “You were supposed to wait on the ferry until the party was over.”

“They’re terrified, Honey. You didn’t have to sit there with them, listening to them cry, asking where we’re going. A little less rage in your tone, please.”

Mrs. Peppercorn’s eyebrows shot up. “I left them coloring books. My boys are scared?” She attempted to stand, but had trouble on the ascent. Beau quickly shook his head at her.

“There’s no need to fuss. I’ve got this. Stay here and enjoy the party. I just need Alexander and Elliot.”

Mrs. Peppercorn nodded, looking a bit winded from her attempt to stand. “Alright. Well, tell them Mother loves them with her whole heart.”

“They’re not bountiful beaus. Those words mean nothing to them. We’ve discussed that. That’s just a stupid catchphrase Ms. Broussard used for marketing purposes.”

“The words are true, and they are mighty, son. Don’t ever question a mother’s love. It is vast and unending.”

“It is working the last of my waning patience,” Beau muttered under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” he quickly squeaked. He gave Alexander a pleading look. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. She’s spiralling, I can tell.”

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