Page 74 of Starfish and Coffee
Holly kicked at his foot and said, “So make one.”
* * * *
Alex worked at loading the forty-two-foot Sea Ray he’d rented from Teddy. It wasn’t a boat Teddy would usually rent for more than a day, but he was nice enough to make an exception. He even offered it to him for free like the old days, but Alex insisted on paying.
He packed enough for at least a week, but that might not be long enough to make him functional again. The way he felt right now, Alex might end up running away with Teddy’s boat and never coming back to the island.
He’d send him payments for it.
Hell, it worked the last time he’d tried to escape from life. Alex thought he would never get rid of the hold Cecilia Tarrington had on him. It took years, but he’d done it, and in the end all those endless payments were for nothing.
Alex worked at loading the rest of his supplies to stop himself from thinking about it. He was almost frantic to get out on the water, to touch the memories and beauty. To remember everything good about his life.
The parents who left too soon.
The brother he hadn’t seen in six years.
The man he loved and lost on a road paved with good intentions.
They were all out there somewhere—their joy, their laughter. Alex might not be able to find the perfect day, but he could touch it for a little while.
“You think the marlin are biting this year?”
Alex turned around in surprise, seeing Matt walking down the dock with a backpack tossed over his shoulder. Alex gripped the cooler of ballyhoo baitfish tighter and stared at Matt in shock.
“I wouldn’t know,” he said distantly as Matt stopped in front of him, clearly waiting for an answer. “I haven’t been out this year, but I’ve heard they are. I’m heading down to Key West. I should hook something along the way.”
“I’ve never been to Key West.” Matt looked to the boat and then turned back to Alex to quirk a dark eyebrow. “I had a boyfriend promise to take me once, a long time ago, but he flaked out on me.”
Alex snorted. “What a dick.”
“Actually, he was a really nice guy.” Matt gave Alex a smile, his light eyes glassy in the late afternoon. “Just, you know…young. He made some stupid mistakes. We both did.”
Alex shook his head in denial. “You didn’t—”
“I should’ve protected you from her,” Matt cut him off. “I’ve spent my entire life dealing with my mama’s manipulation tactics, but you weren’t equipped. I should’ve known better, and I shouldn’t have let you push me away. I should’ve fought harder.”
“I’m sorry,” Alex whispered once more in anguish. “I know it doesn’t make it better, but I paid her back.”
“I know.” Matt sighed. “And it wouldn’t have mattered if you hadn’t paid it back. I’m not letting her hurt us a second time. It happened, but it’s over now.”
Matt reached out and grasped Alex’s wrist, pulling him in to a hug. Alex wrapped his arms around him and held on tight, half expecting Matt to turn to dust and slip away from him like he had so many times before.
This time he was nothing but solid muscle as Alex pressed his lips to the curve of Matt’s neck and said, “I’d move to Atlanta with you…if you’d have me.”
He meant it too. For Matt, he could leave Mirabella and never look back. Matt was his island, his haven from the sea that was beautiful, but often cruel and unpredictable. Wherever Matt was, Alex would be happy.
“I know you would. But you’ve got your restaurant and—”
“Fuck the restaurant!” Alex pulled back to look at Matt in disbelief. “It was just—”
“Amazing,” Matt said before Alex could put down his accomplishment. “What you did with Starfish and Coffee is unbelievable. It’s always busy. The concept is brilliant. People talk about those starfish doughnuts all over the island. I’ve heard about them at least five times since I got here.”
“Yeah, but look how I got it.” Alex shook his head. “It’s…tainted.”
“Only if we let it be,” Matt argued. “Why don’t we get away for a few days? Talk about things and make a plan like real adults. No more rash decisions.”
Alex swallowed hard and looked at Matt uncertainly. “You really wanna come with me? Is it real this time?”
