“We’re good. I promise.”
“Oh. Okay, then.”
I look around and spot Mike and Zayne walking toward me, but see no sign of Loren, Roxie, Vanessa, or Olivia.
“Listen, Dad, I need to get going,” I say apologetically. “The guys are walking over this way and I guess we’re going to go and do something.”
“That’s fine. Tell everyone I said hello and have a great trip! I look forward to hearing all about it when I see you in two weeks.”
Smiling, I say, “Thanks, Dad. Give Mom a kiss for me.”
“Will do. Take care.”
I hang up and slide my phone back into my pocket just as the guys approach. “Hey.” I look beyond them, wondering where the girls went.
Mike immediately notices. “They promised to take Oliva out for Mexican. That eulogy really did a number on her.”
I know, but I don’t say anything.
“Zayne mentioned us maybe going and getting a drink?”
“Yeah, it just seemed fitting,” I explain. “And it’s exactly what Matt would have wanted.”
The guy always had a drink in his hand—morning, noon, or night. In my entire life, I’ve never met anyone who could function so well while under the influence. And yet…Matt did. It was years before I realized just how much he drank.
We all chuckle at that and then sober instantly. “Yeah,” Zayne says with a sigh. “We need to do that. Whose car are we taking and where are we going?”
“Matt loved the Irish pub over on Falls Dam Road. Why don’t we go there?” Mike suggests. “We should probably each take our own cars, otherwise we’re coming back here later.” He shudders dramatically. “I’ll be thrilled to not have to come back to the funeral home anytime soon.”
“Same,” I say as we all make our way back to the parking lot. “So what time are we leaving tomorrow and what do I need to bring?”
“We’re gonna get on the road around noon,” Zayne replies. “You know I’m not an early riser, and considering it’s technically my first day of vacation, I refuse to get up at the same time I’d be getting up for work.”
“Yeah, but the sooner we get there, the sooner the vacation really starts,” Mike counters.
“Not happening,” Zayne says firmly, but he’s grinning. “This trip is all about relaxing and unwinding. I refuse to be rushed.
“That’s fine with me,” I say, because I am all for relaxing and sleeping in. “You’ve been kind of vague about this trip. I have a feeling I’m going to be woefully unprepared.” To be honest, I’m kind of a stickler for being organized and prepared. Even when I travel for business, I’m packed in advance and have a checklist that I refer to constantly. All this going with the flow is giving me major anxiety.
“Dude, relax!” Mike assures me with an easy grin. “We’re going to the beach to be lazy. We’ve got a great house that belongs to a friend, so it’s not costing us anything. The only thing we have to worry about is what we want to eat and drink each day. After that, it is really all about chilling.”
“Oh, wow. Okay. That actually sounds fantastic.”
“When we found out about Matt, it made me step back and look at my life,” he went on. “Loren and I have been dating since forever. We’re engaged, but haven’t set a date. As much as we both act like it’s fine, I think it’s time to stop living in limbo. Matt wasn’t sick; he had no idea he was going to die that day. Do I really want to keep just existing instead of moving ahead with my life? I want kids. I want to marry Loren. I mean…what are we waiting for?”
I’m about to speak when Zayne goes first.
“So, um…Vanessa and I have been hooking up.”
“What?!” Mike and I blurt out, completely stopping in our tracks.
Zayne looks a little uncomfortable and rakes a hand through his hair.
“When did this happen?” Mike demands, his reaction coming off more like a protective older brother.
“A couple of months ago.” He shrugs. “It was after we all went out for her birthday. We were at that bar downtown, and…you and Loren left and the two of us were hanging around nursing the last of our drinks, and…” Another shrug.
“We don’t need details,” I assure him. “Is it serious?”
