“Billy used to tell me how great it was and how much he loved living here, but until I experienced it for myself as an adult, I didn’t really get just how incredible it is. I never would’ve gotten through these last few months without all the support that came my way from people I’ve known all my life and others I’d never met.”
“They knew Billy. That’s enough for them.”
From behind them, Niall Fitzgerald rested a hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “Just wanted to say hello and tell you I thought your eulogy was beautiful.”
“Thanks, man.” Morgan turned to shake Niall’s hand. “Nice of you to be there and to sing for Billy. I appreciate it, and Billy would have, too.”
“He was a friend. Looked forward to seeing him every day at the gym.”
“So many people have said that.”
“He was a bright light around here. He’ll be missed.”
“Thanks again. Appreciate it.”
After Niall went to set up for his set, Morgan turned back to Sierra. “That Irish accent must have the ladies lining up behind him.”
“He’s not interested in them.”
“Oh, I see.”
“He and John Lawry had been seeing each other, but something went down between them recently. Not sure what, but I don’t think they’re together anymore.”
“Is John related to Owen who owns the Sand and Surf?”
“Owen’s younger brother. There’re a bunch of Lawrys here.”
“I know Owen, Cindy and Julia, who did such a beautiful job today.”
“I was in tears listening to her. She sang some of my late grandmother’s favorite hymns.”
“They were our grandmother’s favorites, too. That’s why I picked them. The only religion we got was when we went to church with her.”
“Same here. It didn’t stick for me, but those hymns took me right back to being with her.”
“You were close to her?”
“She was my favorite person growing up. She died when I was thirteen. That was a rough loss.”
“Mine died when I was fifteen. It sucked.”
Sierra held up her wineglass in a toast. “Cheers to your Nana and mine.”
He touched his glass to hers. “Cheers to Nana.”
* * *
Niall had been going through the motions for weeks now. Get up, go to work at the Island Breeze Recording Studio, perform four gigs a week at the Beachcomber, go home, go to bed, rinse and repeat. He’d begun to think about relocating back to the mainland to get away from the island and the memories of the man he’d fallen in love with.
John had said he needed some time to think after the intense night they’d spent together during the hurricane. He’d hoped that night would be the start of something great. Instead, the opposite had happened. John’s youngest brother, Jeff, had been badly injured during the storm. John had spent a few weeks in Providence supporting Jeff and his girlfriend, Kelsey, as they recovered from their injuries.
He’d come back to the island a different person, or so it seemed to Niall. No more flirty texts or late nights spent talking and getting to know each other or any of the other things they’d enjoyed together.
It was devastating to have come so close to the real thing, only to have it yanked away like their connection had meant nothing to John.
If only he knew why. Yes, he’d been John’s first significant relationship after another one had ended disastrously, but he’d tried to show him how great it could be if only he were willing to take a chance and open his heart to the possibilities.
Apparently, he wasn’t able to, and Niall was working on trying to accept that, which wasn’t going well at all. He had to force himself through the most basic tasks each day—showering, getting dressed, eating a little something… Even playing for the crowd at the Beachcomber wasn’t the usual thrill, as it was all he could do to sing love songs with the conviction needed to be entertaining.
